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)

hairyhands I associate looking expensive as looking well groomed. I want to look well groomed. I would hate to bump into old school friends and them think cor she's let herself go a bit.

Agree that "looking expensive" is really just a synonym for looking classy. I also like to think it means looking in command, of yourself, your life and anything that the world throws at you

If you want my opinion - and if not, just ignore me - I think 'expensive' was an unfortunate choice of word. I realise it's historical but I'd have felt more at home with say, 'elegant'. I think 'expensive' is quite prescriptive and it restricts the discussion to a specific look.

But if most posters like it then fair enough - there are plenty of other threads.

I agree, I think the thread really aims at elegant and classy. In fact, far from "expensive", this can be achieved very cheaply, which is the fun of it. I love a classy dupe.

It's more about less is more.

I did a little experiment over the last year and I'm happier with my style than I ever have been, and not a pastel in sight!

Marie Kondo'd to start with then read the blog by Anuschka Rees. She helped me to realise what my style was: I also looked at Pintrest boards and kept a list of what was not my style (peplums, pastels, looking like a Parisian woman - I'm not French, I want to look like my confident self)

Key things:

Knowing my colours. Deep autumn tones, again, no pastels, hurrah!

By freer clothes, but better quality. This was key for me. Instead of random buying on the high street followed by regret, I kept a list of key looks for me. I've always struggled with jeans as I'm short with no bum but curvy hips. Tried on more expensive brands that I don't usually go for, got to Acne and found that their skinny jeans were a perfect fit for my no-bum self. More expensive but they fit so well and I feel more confident in them.

A belt with jeans can really polish off a look

Pushed my own boundaries a bit. I find summer very difficult to dress for (30FF bra size). Bought a linen playsuit which I'd never normally go for, but I've discovered they suit me.

Bought dungarees (I know) and realised I could team them up with some bright tops that I was going to throw out as I didn't wear them often with jeans but with dungarees they give a pop of colour

I have lobe piercings but not really into diamond studs, got a couple of gold triangle shaped studs and had a double helix piercing with a gold clicker hoop and a hoop with black diamonds. Looks good with a casual outfit or dressed up

Skincare triad of Vitamin C serum, SPF and Retinol at night

Turnip I think I may be on the start of a similar journey!

I kondo'd my wardrobe this morning.Including coats, bags, belts. Haven't looked at underwear yet but will do at some point.

I have bagged up (for charity shop) literally thousands of pounds worth of clothes Mostly hideous patterned dresses/tops.

I got rid of anything that looked tatty even if I liked it.

I still have far too many clothes but feel like I have made an exciting start. I am also huge of nork (32GG) and like you, I tried on a playsuit and was amazed that it really suited me.

I will see how I get on this year, wearing the colours I know suit me (black, grey, white, every shade of blue, camel) in plain or very simple pattern.

Fantastic happypoobum !

I also clung on to things for a long time that were tatty or faded. Not anymore unless it's something that can be mended

I also donated £££ of things to charity and now that I know what I like and what suits me, I find it much easier to focus on what I need, so I end up buying less and no longer impulse shoo

Shop, even

A belt with jeans can really polish off a look

turnip can I ask - what sort of tops do you wear with jeans so the belt if visible? I have a bit of weight around my tummy and find tucking in shirts or tops into jeans uncomfortable and unflattering.

I am just the same Dancer I have a sort of, erm, pouch

I agree with PP that elegant/ classy is the sort of look this thread is aimed at, not just 'expensive' for the sake of it.

Dancergirl I tend to wear blouses or short-sleeved tops, I need to tuck the blouse in due to bra size otherwise I look like I'm wearing a sack

Yes, definitely agree that I saw the OP as being about a put-together, polished, stylish look, with recommendations for items that aren't super pricey but are good quality and don't look 'cheap'

I think fabric is key - for example, there are dresses in Topshop that are a similar price point to ones in &otherstories, but I now find the Topshop ones feel cheaper because the fabrics blends aren't as nice.

I dipped into the other thread and don't think it's necessarily about neutrals (although invariably pieces that'll make a good capsule wardrobe will be fairly neutral). For me it's more about how to shop for good quality pieces that are flexible enough to be worn with lots of other combinations, which fit well and flatter, and which are less likely to date.

Brands like Versace and Roberto Cavalli are mega expensive but so gaudy and garish they look cheap and nasty!! So agree it's about how to look tasteful and polished, not expensive per se....

I'm a uniform type, straight rather than skinny jeans, tops, Ts and shirts from Hawes Curtis, sorry can't link atm. I only ever buy these in the sale. Am still struggling with summer clothes but tend to stick with the above or linen skirts.

Nails, if not polished, kept neat and clean helps a lot. Also shoes and bags.

Do false eyelashes genuinely make a difference? I have dark but short lashes, and after wearing some subtle ones for an event I really want to try semi-permanent. Does it a) make much of a difference or b) look like I'm trying too hard?

I said this on the last "expensive" threads so will say it again....I think if you're trying to look elegant/stylish it is incredibly important to have well fitting ironed clothes, well fitting underwear, clean/polished shoes without scuffs and a clean well fitting coat (preferably in a neutral colour like camel, grey or black but I have seen bright colours work well), a clean non scuffed bag (structured is best) neat cut brushed hair and understated make up. Get any of these wrong and it detracts from whatever you're wearing whether it's Primarni or Armani!

I love these threads!
I agree, however, that the No1 rule is - be thin and beautiful with swooshy hair and a natural tan!

I really think that a big part of looking classy is being appropriate. For example i live in a famous yachting destination. Off season it is very casual, and in summer there is a wee bit more bling. However beautiful heels and bags would look out of place, so while the wearer may look 'expensive' they wouldn't look classy per se, because they wouldn't fit in.

My grandmother was frightfully posh, and looked at ease in any given scenario, which I think is a cornerstone of the upper classes.

So here, a classy summer outfit would probably involve cream shorts, sebago docksiders, a striped shirt, Musto gilet, big glasses, groomed yet windblown hair and a casual but good bag. That is what most of the owner's wives wear at least.

And a sprinkling of diamonds, pearls and Rolexes.

Someone upthread asked about Uniqlo sizing.

I'm a size 10-12. So an 8-10 in M&S and a 12 in Top Shop.

I wear Uniqlo small or medium trousers, depending on the cut and a medium in tops ( because I'm busty and like tops to be loose fitting and draping. A small would be fine for those who like a more fitted look.

I'm 5'5" and often find their tops too short as I wear them loose. Again, small would be fine if you like them tucked in.

Their models don't seem to be the usual model height - Ive bought dresses that mid thigh on the model assuming that she's 5'10 and they will be just abouve the knee on me . And they are actually too short.

So I'm guessing they are Japanese models and " only " 5' 7"

So here, a classy summer outfit would probably involve cream shorts, sebago docksiders, a striped shirt, Musto gilet, big glasses, groomed yet windblown hair and a casual but good bag. That is what most of the owner's wives wear at least

So a man who owns a yacht is an owner. A woman who owns a yacht isn't an owner, she's an owners wife. Really ? Do you live in 1950 ?

Where do you get your playsuits from? I'm under 5ft and 32Ff so they might work for me

nick I am 5ft 5.

I am very embarrassed to admit this, but my playsuit was from Tesco

turnipcake I've been searching for a black diamond hoop - where did you get yours from? I struggle finding good quality, slightly edgy jewellery. I've ordered a few things online that tun out to be terrible quality when they arrive.