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 love the look of chic pointy flats and have several pairs from Boden (bought in sale, reasonable quality for cost) however I find them extremely 'pinchy', even when I size up.

I am currently struggling with three aspects of looking more chic:

1. Fallen out of love with ebay (where I normally get my £££ clothes for much less). Though I'be had some gems, I perhaps only love about 5/6 purchases. I alays mean to sell on things I don't keep but they generally sit in a bag until I get sick of the sight of them and they end up in charity shop.

1. My work wardrobe is (I think) pretty chic after a big haul a few years back BUT I do find it is a bit aging. Is there anyway to keep it 'young/fresh' (am 35) while still looking classy. I know hair etc help but have x4 little kids so while I do wear make-up etc, it's slapped on in about 3 mins!

1. Casual chic- This winter it was pretty much grey/navy high waisted ankle skimming jeans with brown/tan boots insuede/leather, 'smart'ish jumper (aran or navy) with tan or grey coat and tan bag belt etc. Now it is getting warmer, I have no idea what to wear. I know linen in light colours looks chic but with x4 kids (lots of bending, crawling, generally being used as their hankerchief etc) it's not really practical. I'm broad shouldered and flat chested so really don't suit silky blouses etc.

I love pointy flats.

Wondering if the Alexa Chung clomping sandals with black opaque tight would be something new to try. Love her look.

...clompy...

A lot of the big secret of looking expensive now is breaking traditional rules:

1.Mix silver and gold

1. Don't be too neat, half-tuck things in
2. Prim is not classy, even if the Queen does it
3. You will never fool anyone your bag and shoes cost 1k when they don't, so just buy stuff you like
4. Dark blue, camel and white should all be worn in preference to black

These old rules still stand:

1. Natural fabrics and absolutely no fake leather unless you are vegan
2. Spend the most on a coat, shoes and scent
3. Terrifyingly thin is good, but always covered up
4. Glossy = expensive; actively shiny = no way
5. Don't Care too Much; a toff would say 'If I look awful and I see a friend, she won't care; If I look awful and strangers see me I won't care'.

I have these pointy flats in grey, have been complimented many times:

m2.hm.com/m/en_ie/productpage.0483526003.html#Light%20grey

Also Carvela do nice flats

Stay away from the fake tan.

I'm currently wearing these pointed flats. They are really comfy and look lovely and stylish.

Love those flats itsa

Delighted to find this tread. (Middle of the night poorly toddler wakings have an upside !)
Have just gotten back into shape but can't find quality clothing and current style trends are swamping me and just not 'me'. Am a little in limbo, have a few events this year coming up that I would like to look well for - yet can't find anything I like, have decided in the meantime to work on looking out together. Maintaining hair and nails and skin care has been first port of call . Will keep up with this tread for further inspiration

Can someone tell me how much you need to size up for Uniqlo?

I am 5ft 10, and have a post menopausal belly, so am generally buying 12/14 in tops (used to buy 10) and still can do a 10 long in a trouser.

methenyou Re makeup, I find a subtle base tan really helps if you only have 3 minutes to slap on makeup. I've recently discovered the Clarins tanning drops that you mix with moisturiser - they're totally idiot proof, can be custom blended to get the level you want and give a really believable, subtle glow that makes you look healthy rather than tanned. You just mix a few drops into your day or night moisturiser.

Another product I'm loving is the Sally Hansen colour therapy polish in rosy quartz. I stick a coat on every day or so (dries in a minute) and it leaves them nice and healthy looking. It doesn't chip but if it should it isn't obvious. Cuticle oil all around the nail before bed with hand cream also makes your hands look great (but am guilty of not bothering at the moment!)

The tip about navy rather than black never occurred to me before but it's very true! I've generally shyed away from it though as I'm not a fan of navy with black accessories which most of my bags are.

Navy and black together looks chic.

I've been looking at the "I don't want to look expensive thread". Some good ideas on there too but one thing that has come out from this and that is the idea that sticking to neutrals is the best way to look expensive/colour and drama doesn't.

I think the above is an extreme position to take but wanted to explicitly say: think colours can look expensive/well-groomed. At least I hope so (I look best in vivid/warm reds, yellows, greens, rusts etc. and I love a cape/high collar/peplum/striking cuts with a nipped waist as that's the bit of my body I like the most) .

I just think that they key to remaining chic (IMO) with colours is to anchor e.g. a red dress or bright emerald skirt with neutrals like nude/cream/navy/tan etc. and keep the jewellery small - the bright colour should be the main event. Not a fan of clashing/lots of loud colours even if it does look great on the catwalk.

Navy and black does not, never has and never will look chic or remotely good together. Dreadful combination.

So in winter, if you like to wear navy dresses and skirts, and you aren't "quirky" enough to pull off brown or grey opaques, what exactly do you wear on your legs if not black opaques?!

Are grey tights really quirky? That's all I wear in winter as I find black a bit harsh whereas grey seems to go with everything.

46. Navy and black don’t go together This fashion rule still has its fair share of subscribers, but let us make it clear: Navy and black look super-chic together. The combo first started making waves during the Fall 2012 collections, as scores of designers including Carolina Herrera, Miu Miu, Gucci, Prabal Gurung and Céline incorporated black and navy into runway looks,while It-gals like Alexa Chung, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were quick to team up the hues. Even if it’s only adding a pair of opaque black tights to a navy blue dress, it’s a rule worth breaking.

Read more: stylecaster.com/fashion-rules-to-break/#ixzz4e7pZvnk0

Only staid people would not see the positive in the black and navy combination.

www.closetfulofclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/alexa-chung-pleated-skirt-navy-coat-grey-tights-platform-wedges-sandals-sandals-in-winter-holiday-party-work-via-glamourparis.com--640x960.jpg

Fabulous look.

Great thread! Will be watching with interest.

Terrifyingly thin is good, but always covered up

Does this refer to material or the person's body?

Working on being thin.

Navy and black does not, never has and never will look chic or remotely good together. Dreadful combination.

If you google 'navy and black style' and look at Google images, there are a tonne of street style images of what I consider to be very chic and stylish navy and black combinations. It's entirely personal, and you may consider them all abominations - but I think many would disagree with you that these women all look dreadful

www.google.co.uk/search?q=navy+and+black+style&hl=en&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrbZp6HTAhWEOxoKHcWNC74QsAQIKA&biw=1289&bih=756

mmlafleur.com/mdash/ways-to-wear-navy-and-black-for-work

I just think that they key to remaining chic (IMO) with colours is to anchor e.g. a red dress or bright emerald skirt with neutrals like nude/cream/navy/tan etc. and keep the jewellery small - the bright colour should be the main event. Not a fan of clashing/lots of loud colours even if it does look great on the catwalk.

Completely agree. Well, almost. I do like a clash if it's done tastefully. For example, a clashing lipstick or nail

*Bananafish

Which mulberry is it please?*

It's been discontinued, and actually even google doesn't throw up the particular model I have. It's a Roxanne satchel - all the images are of the 'classic' Roxanne, which is more boxy, whereas mine is more slouchy and has a zip up top, is able to accommodate A4 documents and a laptop

Gutted they don't make it anymore!

Just want to thank Margaritas for the H&M blue crepe dress recommendation.

You are right , Its fab! Looks really classy , great colour, fabric hangs well. The only small thing is that the slit neck could be cut a bit higher , but its fine with a cami underneath..

Also if you sign up to their newsletter you get 25% and free postage .. so it cost me just £14.99 ..

A definate S&B bargain winner, I reckon.. Thanks!!

I very much agree that bright colours can look expensive, as long as it is one bold colour on one statement piece, and teamed with neutrals.
I like navy and black together. I think the navy just lifts the outfit for those of us who would otherwise just wear all black.
I also enjoyed reading the "how not to look expensive" thread. I love some of the styles but it would just never suit me. I couldn't carry it off at all and need simple clean lines to look good. I suit preppy/minimalistic style best and makes me feel at my most confident. In total admiration of those who have the confident to wear bold prints and alternative styles.
Also working on being thin........