Can we have a new how to look expensive thread?

[honeylou42]

For me it's Eyebrows well groomed, and ironed clothing. Tidy shoes and a beautiful handbag 👜

Kate Middleton is an interesting example, because she tends to dress expensive, in a "this outfit cost a lot to buy" way, but not expensive in that effortless British wealth way (either horsey or bohemian). I do think it's because she was a middle class girl who married into a very conservative establishment, and she simply couldn't get away with the eccentricities or plainness that a title or old-money will allow.

I've always expected Kate to relax her style once she feels more secure in her role, (which might take 10+ years).

As I have mentioned, there are certainly differences in wealth signifiers - a rich Russian woman will dress slightly differently from a rich Spanish woman, compared to a rich West Country British woman. But that's the point of the thread really, isn't it? What if any generic signifiers can be determined.

No I don't think it is the point of the thread.

You seem to think it is about trying to convince people you are wealthy, whereas I think in the original thread 'expensive' was just the word used to sum up the stylish, well groomed, classy look that people were trying to achieve.

Stick to simple colours, or lots of neutrals with one stand out piece.

Have professionally colored hair regularly.

Have a serious handbag.

I saw a woman he other day wearing white jeans, white Stan Smith's, white tee shirt, navy blazer style jacket (but no gold buttons), a grey Stella McCartney cross body bag and a wide silver bangle. To me she looked relaxed and expensive.

You seem to think it is about trying to convince people you are wealthy, whereas I think in the original thread 'expensive' was just the word used to sum up the stylish, well groomed, classy look that people were trying to achieve.

"Expensive," as a way of dressing, is directly correlated to wealth though. The thread topic is not, after all, just "how to look stylish and classy".

Really, I find it a bit disingenuous that people are commenting on a thread calling for ideas on how to look expensive, but then balking and acting all coy and aghast at any mention of actual wealth.

I find this whole topic fascinating, as someone who comes from a working class Australian background, who had to learn European and particularly British signifiers of wealth very quickly in order to do my job. I'm not going to tiptoe around the topic, when it is directly referenced in the thread title even - shrug -

I read an article not long about how small details "elevate" an outfit, I have a shirt which has tiny mother of pearl mosaic buttons rather than just standard buttons, and it makes a huge difference to the shirt.

Looking effortless, cool, calm and in control/unflappable makes a difference too.

This thread is meant to be lighthearted and as previously mentioned in the last thread the word "expensive" was incorrectly used/meant differently.

It's now turned into a discussion about wealth and class.

Boring. Some people need to lighten up though

My original comment was just a few lighthearted and flippant observations about the way rich people dress.

But the mention of actual wealth and salesy stuff has obviously hit a nerve and irritated people. I'll see myself out!

Well I found your posts very interesting breakable and it correlates a little with my own experience of wealthy people. I do agree with Floisme that it's something to do with arrogance or poise though. Something you have from birth that comes from some sort of security in your place in the world. It's not just rich people who have it though. It's a calmness that comes from knowing where you come from and being secure in what you're passing on? And THAT can take different forms in itself.

However we all agree that the look we're going for is not the threadbare but originally expensive coat worn with wellies, admirable though the I-don't-give-a-fuck look is. ;) It's more the groomed look I think people are interested in achieving. I'd like to bring it back to the poise though. Buy less, good quality, care about your appearance, but work on your confidence and poise. For example there is a certain class of Swedish middle-aged woman that I'd always know are "comfortable" in terms of money due to certain signifiers in clothes etc although of various types, but it's more about how they carry themselves and act.

Poise - yes, that's it! That's the word I was looking for. I have zero interest in bags or tasteful jewellery but I would love to acquire some of that.

breakable You mentioned how people with money dress on a thread where people are talking about how to look expensive. I think you were absolutely fine.

The thread was asking about how to look expensive, not how to look poised and we'll put together. The 2 are very different. I'm not sure why people are annoyed that wealth/money came up on a thread about trying to look like you have money.

Avoid fakes, logos, costume jewellery, especially statement necklaces those hideous bling collar things! Avoid garish fake nails, comedy eyebrows, obvious dyed hair, cold shoulder tops, anything that is the latest high street trend.

Think chic rather than expensive.

breakable, I am genuinely interested in your posts too and would like to hear more. I love people watching and often see people who just have that look, but I can't quite pinpoint what specifically it is that does it.
I think it is glossy hair that just hangs nicely, without being obviously 'styled', good teeth, clothes that fit perfectly and look comfortable but smart. Good coat and bag and shoes.

Wearing clothes that fit properly. Don't have to be tailored for you, just no straining seams, gaping between shirt-buttons etc

Keep the ideas coming, I need tips!

I know lots and lots of very wealthy people. There is no one look. They are certainly not all scruffy welly wearers .

Many of the signifiers people are mentioning are very out of date. And very 'country'.

Very true getahaircut. That matches my experience.

There is no one look. Lots if what's on here is just trying to 'pass' as effortlessly countrified. Even down to decisions to wear 'classic' pieces.

Personally, someone can look well put together in a range for styles on a range of budgets.

Op, this is what expensive really looks like

www.instagram.com/lunadecasanova/?hl=en

The money to buy anything and the connections to be given the opportunity to wear them.

Luna always looks fabulous because she wears the clothes they don't wear her and she is a very, very lovely kind person with a great zest for life and it shows in her beautiful face. You can't buy class and style and she was born with it.

You have to find your on personal look and stick with it. Think Katherine Hepburn, she had a signature look and kept her style all through her life.

I don't mean stuck in a time warp, but finding a style that is all almost effortless. Chic and sophisticated.

It's also how you walk and talk and how confident you are.

I think wrt budget, it is much easier to look well put together on a low budget if you are young and slim because you are more likely to have nice hair, all your own teeth etc. Cheap clothes often skimp on material or are not cut to flatter fuller figures, so being slim is an advantage.
For older women, or those who are not naturally beautiful, more money to spend is helpful. I spend lots of time at the dentist these days, I know that my hair now needs regular haircuts, whereas in my youth it was effortlessly thick and glossy. I didn't need to invest in expensive foundation for skin or boobs when young, like I do now!

I think the lead woman in Paula has that 'stylish without trying too hard' look about her.
Especially when she's wearing her coat and big scarf.
The fact she's ultra slim definitely helps and is just as important as 'thick' hair in pulling off this look.

The most 'expensive' people I know look bohemian/individual/couldn't give a shit

If you'd followed these threads from the beginning, .it's not really about 'trying to look expensive', it's about people who want to look and feel good and achieve a certain 'look' that they've noticed on other people and they got to wondering if it's easy to recreated that (in their eyes) 'expensive' look.

The How to Look Expensive title stuck, when it should should have been How does a person achieve that well-groomed/effortless look

TheHow to Look Expensivetitle stuck, when it should should have been How does a person achieve thatwell-groomed/effortless look
But then surely if people are fed up with others mentioning real examples of how people with money dress they'd be better of renaming the thread "how to look groomed/polished" instead of saying expensive and then being annoyed when people understand expensive for its actual meaning.

I agree, it probably needs a new title. But what?

How to look groomed/polished does sound a bit boring and | don't think it's really what people mean.

Any ideas?

Crochita, I just had a nose on Insta and Luna's look isn't really for every day is it?

A lot of her pictures go against the neutral colours advice which is refreshing though. Can't see myself popping to town in this get up though

For me, it's nothing to do with colours or grooming. It's an attitude.

I think it's an attic but also colours and grooming. Cashmere sweaters, well cut jeans, perfect shoes.

I've got a pink sheen fake Stella McCartney Fallabella bag that everyone thinks is the real deal but it isn't...

Jewellery must be delicate, no Tiffany logos etc. I can tell a miles away those Links bracelets with the rivets (forget the name!). I've got a Tiffany ring (fine mesh silver) that literally only people who know Tiffany well will say "that's Tiffany" and I rarely see it, once as a gold wedding ring. Also quality leather where you can't see or make out or isn't any logo.

I do have friends of friends, one who's a fashion designer and she loves her unusual brands as well as the latest Gucci must have bag and I know one woman who wears a hat and she sort of looks designer... (Mixes in expensive and exclusive areas).