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)

“Rule 4 is to iron anything that needs ironing”

Yes! My name is Iamastonished and I iron my clothes. There I’ve admitted it.
I don’t subscribe to the competitive “I never do any ironing” threads on here. I don’t like looking scruffy and crumpled, and I prefer to wear natural fibres (which need ironing)

@brickinitIam I am very long in the torso and uniqlo are terrific in that regard. It's one of the reasons I bought those blouses in so many colours - they're long enough I can wear them with skinny trousers and they don't ride up, they cover enough of my bum

I'm 35 and just want some good, non mumsy basics that I can mix and match. Uniqlo just fits the bill perfectly for me.

Uniqlo also do some edgier stuff - they do designer collaborations a bit like H&M do, except where the H&M ones are horrible fabrics that feel cheap and flammable, the uniqlo stuff feels much better quality. There was one with Jil Sander a couple of years ago, currently there's a collection in collaboration with Ines de la Fresange (I've doubtless ballsed that spelling up)

I wish Uniqlo had some stores. I hate online clothes shopping as I prefer to try clothes on first.

@Iamastonished I've never bought anything from uniqlo online - I only ever buy in store. Not sure which cities they're in, but there's stores all over central London. There's three within a 5-10 minute walk from Oxford circus alone.

I am nowhere near London. Next time I visit I wouldn't mind nipping into a Uniqlo though, but I have no immediate plans for a London trip.

I buy a lot of uniqlo online as there are no shops near me.
Love the merino v neck jumpers and dresses (though sizing can be a bit weird) but haven't tried trousers.

I'm long bodied by the way and tall.

How are those rayon shirts, do they breathe well?

Also shoes - keep shoes looking clean and well maintained -polished, reheeled/ resoled. Even if converse or plimsolls they should be clean and fresh.

Good eyebrows are a must for me - I don't mean those caterpillar ones, just neat and groomed. And maintained hands and feet - neat nails, well moisturised, no dry skin.

I am loving this thread. I am feeling like a frump at the moment and have lost my way so this is helping me realise I don't want to look fashionable - just neat and polished.

Uniqlo is only in London now - extremely annoying. Think they did have one in Manchester years ago. But they, and Gap, are my go to for basics. Those easy care blouses are all rayon (viscose?) though so will feel horribly sweaty.

I don't find the rayon blouses sweaty - they're pretty drapey on me, and I always wear a cotton base layer underneath. YMMV however

Was getting my jacket on to leave work and reflected that outerwear is really where I invest :

• good quality wool winter coat. Mine is all saints

• decent quality spring belted mac (mine is French connection, probably seen better days but have had it well over 10 years and still going strong)

• good quality leather jacket. Again, all saints. Simple, black, classic - nothing with lots of studs or other detail that'll date. Again, have had this something approaching 10 years.

Boots are dune and carvela (with my one very spendy pair being my Acne pistols, which were an obscene amount of money, but on a cost per wear basis have been much better value than loads of cheap footwear I've bought).

Those classic investment pieces have been far more economical than loads of cheap dresses I've bought and hardly worn...

I've literally just taken several Uniqlo shirts to the charity shop as they weren't long enough in the body.....

My favourite thread. Just placemarking really.

I see expensive as understated glamour. Simple clean lines, good hair cut, clean nails, well kept eyebrows, simple make up that enhances your natural beauty.
Posture is probably the biggest giveaway to wealth imo so if you want to look expensive, hold your head up high and your back straight. No matter how good and expensive your outfit, wear it with a slouch and it will look, well, frumpy and mumsy

You could tape a load of £50 notes to yourself.

namechanger if you try that, can I borrow your outfit sometime?

Yes i agree on investing on some pieces and you end up getting more use and cost per wear.

Nice wool coat maje, whistles
Cashmere jumpers
Cotton button down shirts
Perfect pair of jeans
Nice shoes
Winter boots
A good watch
Dainty jewelry

I don't go to the salon for my gel nails. I use a CCO kit from eBay. Good if you have the time and patience to do it yourself. No way would I be upkeeping them at a salon- way too expensive.

Love love these threads.

Agree completely about posture it doesn't matter what size you are if you stand/sit up straight everything looks better.

I work in a creative industry with some very well dressed people. I am secretly very boring though. I scour charity shops for silk shirts and Cashmere/merino which I layer up with Gap trousers and TK maxx brogues.

Splurge on having hair cut and coloured every 6 weeks and hygienist every 12 weeks. Keep on top of nails brows and skin.

.

ChocolateSherberts2017-Good hair cut every 3 months or so

BWAHAHAHAHA!

Who get their hair cut once a quarter??!

I have to get mine cut at least once a month!

Good hair cut every 3 months or so

Italics fail. Sorry.

I just had my hair cut for the first time in four months and really it was two months overdue. Now I look sleek and gamine instead of a sheepdog with a fringe

bananafish, can I pick your brains once more.

Uniqlo. Are they true to size?
I would have to order online, there are no stores near me.
Do their clothes come up big, small?
Is it best to size up?

good quality leather jacket. Again, all saints. Simple, black, classic - nothing with lots of studs or other detail that'll date. Again, have had this something approaching 10 years.

I would love a good quality leather jacket. Something that doesn't date.
Zara on Doctors sometimes wears a nice black one. I wonder where she got it? Or should that be where did the people in charge of 'wardrobe' get it.

I had lunch with friends today who told me I looked very Parisian

I was wearing a navy and white striped tube skirt, about an inch beyond the knee, a plain navy top and navy cotton jacket. Decent blue handbag and very expensive black sandals.

It's weird because you wouldn't think people would be able to tell that sandals were expensive but both friends commented on them and said they looked good quality.

I need to stop going out in jeans so often!