How to look expensive in 2017

[brickinitIam]

Inspired by How to look expensive 1 & 2 (loved those threads)

The clothes on sale this year are terrible beyond belief and really poor quality.
What are your tips for not looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards? Especially if you don't have enough money to buy from the more expensive shops?

This year I'm saving any spare money for the hairdresser and possibly shoes.

What makes you look cheap and what makes you look expensive (polished)

I have permanent indentations in my collarbones from the weight, and a bad back

Round necks look dreadful on me, but V necks can't be too deep or I look too "booby"

I am hoping they might reduce a bit as I lose weight (have lost 1.5 stone but have at least another stone to lose)

I guess everyone wants what they don't have

I didn't try on as had kids in tow but I've ordered online so will let you know. I'm a 32g but don't intend on doing it up. I ordered the second one on black.
As for tops crew/round neck don't suit me either due to boobage. Scoop neck over v neck and I find the most flattering tops are boat neck. Something like this here. Marks and spencer do a similar top for much cheaper here

Ooh I love Ralph Lauren!

On the back of this thread I have just been browsing T-shirts at M and S. How depressing. So many frills, embellishments, odd styles and patterns. I found a basic round neck T-shirt only to find it was only available in black, white and grey.

Come on M and S we don't all want to wear T-shirt shaped tablecloths.

Thanks Holly - are they comfortable? I like the look of them but worried that my non slender feet won't look nice in a style that doesn't have much of a side! Might order them to try as it is 25% off at the moment.

I have bought a few pieces this week in a bit of a splurge. A patterned coat from Pure Collection, as an alternative to a trench coat or blazer for the office. Another thread recommended Cos ankle length trousers and they are really good, so grabbed a pair of them too. I did a Uniqlo and &otherstories shop when I was working in town, but I didn't see much I liked. I bought a pair of the pull on ankle length trousers as they are so easy to wear, and a sleeveless drape blouse in khaki.

Still needing to upgrade more of my work wardrobe, so much of it is on its way out suddenly!

Yes Shotta they were really comfy. The ankle strap does most of the work so no need to cling on with toes despite the low sides!

When people talk about good bras, do you mean all that Bra Intervention stuff?

A well fitted bra is important.

I did the BoB measurement and went from a 32E to a 28G. I find my clothes sit a bit better now.

I bought these trousers in black, navy and the sage green. They were recommended on another thread and are brilliant.

Glossolalia - are these Gap trousers very skinnny ? Its hard to tell on size zero models

They are skinny fit but my god they are comfortable! I was doing lunges around the lounge in them to demonstrate to DH just how stretchy they were!

There was a bit of a gap on the ankle of the trousers but I might have skinny ankles?

Have just ordered some Air and Grace sneakers. Eagerly awaiting them.

catastrophe interesting about neck lines. I'm booby too and top heavy with wider shoulders than hips. Do you think a boat neck would suit me?

dancer although I'm booby I'm actually a classic pear (14 top, 16 bottom) so I don't know if it will work the other way. Best thing to do is try. Try various necklines and see which suits you best.

Thank you catastrophe I've ordered the Ralph Lauren top to try. Actually I have a boat neck jumper from Hobbs that (I think!) looks good on me so maybe it works. I don't think high necks are good for me.

I have had a look at Kettlewell tops but their sizing is too large for me :( any recommendations for good quality white t-shirts?

I too think scoop necks suit me best (32E) but really, will take any shape. My default summer casual look is: white t-shirt + denim pencil skirt/shorts/summery pencil skirt + scarf/blazer depending on weather. But my adored Gap t-shirts are looking much the worse for wear and I need to chuck them out.

In other news, I bought this for summer (white, long, to be worn off shoulder): m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/summer-dresses/ww259-dbl/womens-imperial-blue-henrietta-linen-dress?cm_mmc=PLA--Google--Women-_-WW259&istCompanyId=a40e1fa1-0635-4a1b-8d9a-2caa763eeee2&istItemId=xpmxmaxlxw&istBid=wzwt&gclid=CJefwM6Bv9MCFc-6GwodZH0J6Q

I dream of wearing a well-fitting bra again but I'm currently BFing and it seems impossible to find one 😞

glossolalia what do you think the Gap trousers would be like in summer - I need some summer trousers but find anything skinny gets uncomfortable in the heat.

Inspired by other MN threads I bought some pale pink Gazelles and can't believe how lightweight and comfy they are!

I also ordered a pair of plaster pink Stan Smiths which I love but can't really justify keeping both. Maybe I'll order the Stans in a different colour for autumn / winter as they seem a bit heavy for summer.

GAh81

A Kettlewell Small is 33-35 bust. You are 32 under the bust , so presumably at least 36 around the bust. So how can their Small be too big for you?

Do you mean too small for you ? Because the LL goes up to 41 bust.

Not that I'm a particular fan of Kettelwell clothes, but their sizes are fairly standard I think.

Thanks for that, Cora.

The bust is fine but I have a 24/25 inch waist so the few tops I have tried are usually too baggy around there.

coffee I am also 5'1. I have found nice short length trousers in White Stuff previously - chino type things, both slim leg and straight leg. They wash well too.
Boden do some good trousers but I find their sizing confusing!

Speaking of Boden, I went to one of their clearance sales today. I had DD with me so the potential for rootling around was a little bit comprised but I did get a silk Ravello top for a tenner 😊 and loads of stuff for the children

H&M blazer review - absolutely love this blazer but having to return as it's just too tight across the shoulders. Have ordered the next size up. Annoyingly all the plain tees I ordered are like tents they are so big. And incredibly thin as well. Oh well my bank account will be grateful for the returns

Thanks Biscuits will check those out

I think they would be good as they are mainly cotton chloechloe

Thanks glossolalia I will order a few pairs to try I think as I've seen lots of recommendations for them!

Yeah, I had a thread on here about work trousers and they were highly recommended. Really easy to wear work trousers are hard to find!

On the subject of work trousers, I'm loving the ankle length ones I bought from Cos (recommended on another thread) comfortable, slimming and smart!