Pieces that trick people into thinking you're rich

[PaintingOwls]

Sorry about the wanky title, I don't quite know how to put this!

I have a friend who always looks very expensive and put together but whenever I ask where her clothes are from she will say Zara, Primark, etc. She says she gives off the vibe that her clothes are expensive because she has a few statement pieces that set the tone, so Ted Baker coat, Longchamp bag, Kate Spade purse. People see those and assume everything else is of the same caliber.

The only expensive thing I own is a Hobbs trench coat which I only bought because it was the perfect shade of beige. I have a black Harrods bag that I bought on sale to have a smart interview bag. I've been trying to use it more but it is a bit incongruous with the rest of what I wear.

I have noticed that when I wear the Hobbs coat people are more polite towards me, hold doors open, smile, move out of the way for me, men help me with luggage on trains... When I wear my denim or leather Primark jacket I get ignored and people barge past me.

Has anyone noticed anything similar?

I realize this isn't an exact science but if I was to buy a thing or two to help set the tone, as my friend says, what would that be?

So true. The richest people I've ever met have also been completely barking.

I like to blend, I think it's good to be humble. Can you boast about being humble? Is that what they call humble bragging?

I was on Oxford St today doing some shopping & people watching. I spotted exactly what is being talked about in this thread on a lady in Mango.

Her clothes were unremarkable - an off white cotton boiler suit & Supergas that neither particularly suited nor detracted. Both newish and clean. Didn’t see her bag or jewels. It was her hair (a very well kept bob of expensive caramel highlights), her tan and being thin with excellent posture & Michelle Obama arms that indicated her wealth. She would have been well into her 50s as well.

I’d sum it up as get thee to a personal trainer and find yourself an amazing colourist!

I love these threads and a similar one inspired me to up my summer wardrobe game last year (that means I went beyond primark and supermarkets!)

I have a £200 bonus to spend on clothes. DH insists I treat myself and don't spend it on family stuff as I normally would.

My natural instinct is to buy 40 things from everythingsfivepounds.com but I'm resisting the urge.

Where would you 'invest' £200 in your wardrobe/appearance?

Sorry- I hope this doesn't come across as a merail of the thread. I'm just of what people would buy with a specific 'spare' bit of cash.

Not rtft so apologies if it has been mentioned- but Cos.

The first Cos dress I ever bought was a navy, cowl necked, 3/4 length wool shirt dress which I think was around £70. Husband assumed it was in the £200- £300 range.

Nothing with obvious labels and logos.

Tweed, whether tailored or old and battered.

Cos has 15% off until midnight tomorrow. I may just have ordered a very expensive looking pair of trousers.

That should have read 3/4 length sleeve, wool shift dress

Damn you autocucumber.

Love Cos but they tend to design for a boyish/apple shaped woman and I am hourglass, it's a rare day for me when something suits but I keep looking! I'm very fond of Arket now too, interesting and good quality.

I'm hourglass. I've got half a dozen or so Cos dresses- either shifts or fitted waist with full skirts or cocoon dresses

How on Earth do you avoid looking the size of a school bus in a cocoon shape if you are hourglass?

I have tried and tried to make Cos work but fail at every turn. Arket on the other hand is similar fabrics but more sympathetically cut, I also love it.

@kitchendancefloor, assuming that you think you have your style fairly sorted, I'd spend half on better versions of the items you wear hardest, and the rest on accessory upgrade (one visible item). Probably shoes, because they update/define a look more than anything else. But they also need to be comfortable, and in a colour that works with most of your favourite outfits.

However off I go for a walk. Very very boringly attired. Jeans, brogues, shite stuff top, cardi. Good hair, good teeth, good jewellery. I like to blend, I think it's good to be humble.

What does this mean? You're wealthy but keepin' in real?

I think quite a lot rests with being thin, unfortunately. Good arms are useful. Skinny jeans, a nice cashmere jumper, interesting flats, a stealth-wealth or simple bag, and shiny, well-coloured hair.

Pleated midi-skirts are a good look, with a linen t-shirt tucked in or a cashmere jumper if it's a bit chilly.

I love tailored trousers and a classic Manolo-looking pump (mine are from J.Crew), again with a top tucked in/belt if you can pull it off.

@HundredMilesAnHour

For most people these are expensive statement pieces.

No need to be a total dick.

Find clothes that fit. Too may people wear clothes that have stray rucks or too tight waist bands. All that says is that you haven't got enough time to spend any on yourself. Rich people have help so have enough time to go to the gym / spa/ hairdressers / et al. So fake it by buying clothes that fit the body you have rather than the one you wish to have.

I would love to have size 10 body - I don't. Mostly a 12, sometimes a 10 (Next / M&S) other times 14 (H&M/ Mango/ Zara). People often say I look slim ( BMI overweight if I eat a cake too many)

PS … Some of my most commented "I love that where did you get it" on items are oversized jumpers bought in a size 18 / xl from Primark (when they go bobbly I shave the bobbles off with a razor).

I think the key to looking rich is being well groomed (nice hair cut/colour, minimal makeup, painted short nails) & dressing for your shape & colouring. I don’t think it matters whether the clothes are high end or high street, so long as it suits YOU (I’m going to be working on this with a personal stylist next year). I do, however, think some classic expensive jewellery can help. I wear a small (but proportioned to my tiny wrist) rose gold Rolex & a single thin rise gold Cartier bangle on the other wrist daily. That doesn’t mean you can’t be more fun with earrings/necklaces- I tend to match those with what I’m wearing. I’ve seen ladies dripping with designer jewellery and while yes they do look rich, I personally don’t like the look.

Wearing a Rolex will not make you look rich - it possibly has the opposite effect - a bit like the high profile labelled bags - there are plenty of fake Rolex around.

All this genteel jewellery just makes me think the wearer just totally lacks imagination and creativity. A big unusual chunk of costume bangle impresses me far more than a thin Cartier one.

I agree alsohuman but I guess it’s just down to taste

All this genteel jewellery just makes me think the wearer just totally lacks imagination and creativity. I think it's old lady rich, back to the Golden Girls (sorry) the pale coloured pleated trousers, quilted jackets, set hair.

That's pretty funny open but the Golden Girls weren't rich!

Wearing a Rolex will not make you look rich - it possibly has the opposite effect - a bit like the high profile labelled bags - there are plenty of fake Rolex around.

Really depends on the Rolex but I agree.

I know but they wore pleated trousers as described by someone below.

Honestly I never watched the golden girls - but I can't think of a famous person who dresses old lady rich - there's plenty in our local Waitrose though.

They wore pleated trousers because it was the 80s and they were fashionable.

If they'd been rich they wouldn't have ended up sharing a house.

Please don't make me cross.