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)

If in doubt, go plain. Stripes at a push. Patterns - especially big patterns around the face - are often tricky to wear, and rarely look 'expensive'

I agree. All these prints often look a bit cheap. Plain well cut clothes look stylish. I love Me and Em for this sort of look.

Classic style does not date and invariably looks more chic and stylish than the new fads.

Stripes are chic. They do not count as "patterns".

Recommending Kate Spade for handbags, purses and simple watches. Good quality and they do a pretty good sale.

Uniqlo merino wool cardigans are excellent as are their crepe-like dark autumn/winter skirts. It is a Japanese company, as I'm sure you all know, so you need to size up. Have been to the HK shop and OH who lectures there for a short period every year, buys for me when he is there.

Gel nails or any overly painted and talon-like nails are not at all stylish.

elephantcuddles

One of my favorite female celebs never polishes her nails. They always just look naturally buffed and pretty. She's into environmental stuff so that might be why she doesn't polish them.. the whole natural thing. I'm taking her example. I see a lot of people suggest gel nails on here to look your best, but I don't think it's really necessary.

I agree.

I have three camel coats and they are always stylish.

What are everyone's thoughts on scarves? I love printed scarves and have loads but I'm wondering now if they look stylish/expensive or not?

grin grin BWAHAHAHAHA!

Who get their hair cut once a quarter??!

Er, me. Because that's all it needs for the style I have.

Gel nails or any overly painted and talon-like nails are not at all stylish.

I have simple, short, manicured nails

I tend to go for a deep burgundy in winter - classic elegance. Think rouge noir / vamp shade

I have gel polish done because it lasts for 3 weeks without chipping. It's just a longer lasting version of the Chanel colours I love that never bloody last and look cheap and nasty when scuffed

My company is located in both Paris and London. The French staff are the epitome of chic, and everyone has neat, smart, polished nails.

I don't personally agree that having painted nails is inherently un stylish

Am signing in - I'm clearly the wrong shape/attitude for current fashions so going for classy and hope next year fashions will be a bit more wearable.

I'm a fan of the good coat effect - I bought a simple dark blue wool coat last winter and it's dressed up everything!

I'll add the cheap but effective act of polishing your boots. Cheap leather boots always look better for a clean up.

The summer is harder those as I can't "hide" behind good coat and good boots. I have a beige trench that is quite classic but it's past it best really, the ones I like now are out of my budget though, guess I need to wait for summer to arrive and then all the trenches will go in the sale.

Gel nails just look like very well painted nails.

Oh and on nails, I think very long nails often look cheap, shorter nails, either gel or plain, look far more stylish. Unfortunately mine seem to be breaking all the time, think I need to get a gel overlay to stop them cracking all the time.

On nails.
I looked up Chanel Rouge Noir looks good. I love that shade.

Bananafish

Which mulberry is it please?

On bags - my favourite for really good quality leather that lasts is tusting. I have a black tote that has been thrown around and everything shoved in it- looks brand new after 4 years. They also recondition etc. Fraction of the price of mulberry. I have this one www.tusting.co.uk/for-her-ladies-leather-bags/tote-bags-for-her/branwell-leather-tote-black-quilted

You must have: good haircut, eyebrows done, good make up, less is more, a nice perfume, clothes that fit, nails done every 2 weeks...

Dancergirl - I adore scarves! And there are sooo many ways a scarf can be tied (youtube has tons of tutorials on it). You can also tie on your handbag (like a tote) if you get tired of wearing it. Scarves can just add that extra something special (and they protect your chest area from the sun so it's a win win).

Glad some people agree with me on the nails. But I did buy this "naked manicure" from Zoya (a non toxic nail polish company). It makes your natural nails look brighter and better. There's a pink hued one and a lavender hued one.
I'm not bashing people who paint their nails or get gel nails though. Both look nice, just different.

Although I love black , it can often look cheap.
Navy, camel and cream usually look more expensive..
Not so much ground breaking as placemarking

Dancer Love scarves! A nice patterned scarf can jazz up an otherwise plain outfit.

Finding this thread very useful. It has reminded me that I need to do a big Uniqlo shop next time I'm working in London. It is the shop I miss the most since I moved. I've not ordered on line before, but might try that.

I'm with you on both the all-saints coats and biker (my staples, although the biker style feels a bit dated now) and also the handbags banana.

I generally have one expensive handbag (c.£500 but purchased in the sale for less) and then use that 24/7 for years. I've recently added a smart handbag for work so that I have two. It is a Marc Jacobs tote bought in the sale on a French website for almost half the price of the same bag in Selfridges. Someone at work told me I looked glam today. The reality is far from it! I'm wearing ancient Next capris, comfy flats, a top from Laura Ashley of all places and a MASSIVE spot on my chin. I think it was the lovely handbag perched on my arm that must have done it.

I find work shoes hard - my legs are too chunky and stumpy for brogues with trousers, heels are too much of a challenge with all the travelling I do, and I'm usually lugging a laptop so don't really want to carry a change of shoes too. I like really good quality pointed flats but can never seem to find them, and they never last very well. Any suggestions?

“Don't underestimate the power of a really great coat”

That’s where I fall down. I need something that is waterproof, windproof, warm and has a hood. But nothing with these requirements looks very stylish. I do have a lovely black coat but because it is very damp where I live I seldom wear it.

“Who get their hair cut once a quarter??!
Er, me. Because that's all it needs for the style I have.”

I would look awful if I left more than 6 weeks between cuts. I have short hair that is probably very grey by now. Six weeks is my maximum between cuts. Longer hair doesn’t suit me. And I am far too shallow and vain to go grey just yet.

A lot of the advice is for coats, cashmere, etc but what about summer? I find summer so much harder, especially British summer. I don't like getting my legs out so often go for skirts, but tops I find really difficult. Things often seem either mumsy or aimed at teenagers. Still researching bags. Somerset bags by Alice Temperly? Or even a nice leather man bag, which seem cheaper than women's bags but good quality and practical.