Page 11 | The “how to look expensive” thread

Throwaway1066 · 2023-05-15T05:42:38+00:00

I remember this thread from possibly years ago, but search function is failing me. Does any one have the link still? Or failing that…..any tips for looking “expensive” By that I mean effortlessly stylish, simple pieces, maybe kinda like a Parisian! Hair, makeup, clothes, shoes, fragrance, jewellery…. Everything! What’s you favourite “expensive” tip? (bonus if it’s not actually expensive)

CosmosQueen · 19/05/2023 07:11

Commentsonpic · 18/05/2023 17:57

a small detail I have noticed - socks. Patterned socks on woman look cheap.

😳 seriously? You actually critique women’s socks?
Honestly I think it’s a great pity that anyone feels it’s their job to criticise what another woman is wearing.
Thankfully I am too old to worry about what others think, I certainly have no intention of fitting in with what’s considered fashionable/age appropriate or anything else. So long as my clothes are clean, my hair brushed etc then that’s fine.

twistyizzy · 19/05/2023 07:38

hermioneee · 18/05/2023 22:36

Only if it smells of horses and spaniels

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Mine does 🤣🤣

LadyWhineglass · 19/05/2023 18:22

I dispute the patterned socks because the staple brand of the County Set is Schoffel who do patterned socks and I know this because I have some and I am Vair Posh.

Commentsonpic · 19/05/2023 18:43

LadyWhineglass · 19/05/2023 18:22

I dispute the patterned socks because the staple brand of the County Set is Schoffel who do patterned socks and I know this because I have some and I am Vair Posh.

I think looking posh and looking expensive are different - Camilla PB pre Queen is an example

Castleintheclouds · 19/05/2023 19:00

Commentsonpic · 19/05/2023 18:43

I think looking posh and looking expensive are different - Camilla PB pre Queen is an example

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All the most ra people (men and women) I know wear patterned socks and don't care a jot but I am now wondering if this is a peculiar English eccentricity that does not look expensive

Pestispeeved · 19/05/2023 19:11

twistyizzy · 19/05/2023 07:38

Mine does 🤣🤣

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I think mine smells of sweat and pointers fox poo, yuck.

My patterned socks are hand knitted though, not by me.

LadyWhineglass · 19/05/2023 21:33

Posh socks. I actually got mine free of charge in a promotion because I bought DH a pair of vair expensive country trousers and they were the free gift.

notanicepersonapparently · 19/05/2023 21:40

Rarley, rarley posh people don't need to look expensive because they signal their wealth by the medium of houses, farmland and school fees.

powerrangers · 19/05/2023 23:24

notanicepersonapparently · 19/05/2023 21:40

Rarley, rarley posh people don't need to look expensive because they signal their wealth by the medium of houses, farmland and school fees.

People don't wear expensive clothes just to 'look expensive' and to impress people. They wear them because they are much nicer. And they can afford them.
It's like suggesting people buy good food or go on luxury holidays just to impress people. People do these things because these things are nicer and they can afford them.

notanicepersonapparently · 20/05/2023 07:02

powerrangers · 19/05/2023 23:24

People don't wear expensive clothes just to 'look expensive' and to impress people. They wear them because they are much nicer. And they can afford them.
It's like suggesting people buy good food or go on luxury holidays just to impress people. People do these things because these things are nicer and they can afford them.

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I know, but we are having a conversation in a slightly joking way about scruffy country toffs.

isthismylifenow · 20/05/2023 08:35

Have some of the replies, but not all.

Ironing. Ironing clothes makes a huge difference when being worn.

On here people love a brag about how little they iron. But on other threads fairly pricy brands are being recommended by same poster. Why, if you spent so much one one shirt for eg, would you not iron or steam it?

WeAreBorg · 20/05/2023 09:32

In conclusion, I need to buy an iron, learn to use an iron and also be bothered to iron.

KrasiTime · 20/05/2023 09:39

I have a handheld steamer. Game changer. Not as good as an iron but worth it.

SurpriseSparDay · 20/05/2023 11:10

WeAreBorg · 20/05/2023 09:32

In conclusion, I need to buy an iron, learn to use an iron and also be bothered to iron.

Yes.

And then buy clothes that need ironing to look their best - all the natural fabrics. Dunno about expensive but people do look much more grown up in well ironed clothes.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 20/05/2023 11:47

On the basis of this recommendation, I've just bought a hand-held steamer off Amazon. If I can look more expensive for just £29.99, I'm all in!

FatCatSkinnyRat · 21/05/2023 07:55

Thanks for this thread, have loved looking up some of the recommendations listed.

Came across the clothes site of that Jade Holland Cooper. TBH some of the stuff is nice (knitwear mostly) but WTF is it with those giant HC emblems and gold buttons emblazoned on everything.

BBNoM · 21/05/2023 22:15

Totally agree re the steamer. I love mine, as does DH for his shirts.

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 07:37

@Throwaway1066 you may want to search for Quiet Luxury which I think is the look you are trying to describe and emulate. Caroline Bessette Kennedy is often a style icon, whose outfits from the 90s are still timelessly on point to this day.

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 07:43

My personal tip which I’m sure has been mentioned many times on this thread is to make sure your clothes fit beautifully and that will mean either tailoring your clothes yourself or developing a relationship with an excellent seamstress/tailor. You can then save money by buying vintage items from brands and in fabrics that are high quality and have them tailored to fit so they are bespoke.

NatashaDancing · 22/05/2023 08:34

Ohfgsjon · 17/05/2023 21:08

I saw wealth in a restaurant recently. 2 couples came in. Probably late 60s. All casually dressed in jeans, jumpers, loafers. Theres no way you can adequately explain just what it was that made them look wealthy but they did. Thick bobbed blonde hair on the women, tans, attractive faces, slim, exceptionally nice but not blingy watches and jewellery, classic cut jeans, suede loafers etc. Confident walk and attitude but low key and not look at me or arrogant. Old money is pretty hard to copy.

I thought of this comment over the weekend. There were 2 couples at the country house hotel we were staying at who were dressed like that. Ticked all the boxes listed but the overall effect was really , dull, boring and clichéd. The women were older than me (I think but not by much) but I just thought, I hope I never start dressing like that.

Sarvanga38 · 22/05/2023 08:35

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 07:43

My personal tip which I’m sure has been mentioned many times on this thread is to make sure your clothes fit beautifully and that will mean either tailoring your clothes yourself or developing a relationship with an excellent seamstress/tailor. You can then save money by buying vintage items from brands and in fabrics that are high quality and have them tailored to fit so they are bespoke.

I have very much taken to tweaking clothes of late. If I see something I love in a colour that won't suit me and the fabric is suitable, I buy it and dye it. The right colours do make so much difference, particularly for those like me who have embraced the grey hair.

If something doesn't quite fit, or I would prefer a different length/sleeve, I get it altered.

Neither is particularly expensive if the item is worth it (particularly the dyeing), and you get the item you really want.

powerrangers · 22/05/2023 08:37

Fraggiola · 22/05/2023 07:37

@Throwaway1066 you may want to search for Quiet Luxury which I think is the look you are trying to describe and emulate. Caroline Bessette Kennedy is often a style icon, whose outfits from the 90s are still timelessly on point to this day.

Well they are en pointe today because the whole 90s look is on trend again. If you were looking at her in say 2015 she would have looked too austere and bland. Not bad. Not crazy looking but not as perfect as she looks today. Her wedding dress style is big again now

powerrangers · 22/05/2023 08:44

@NatashaDancing @Ohfgsjon the look you are describing is actually extremely easily copied and is copied by many people you will assume are old money. Conversely many 'old money' younger people in they're 20s-40d don't dress as you have described. You've probably seen them and just assumed they aren't old money because they aren't wearing the uniform. Many old money people with actual free cash dress in very flamboyant clothing or in trend clothing or whatever they want. Because they can.

For example Caroline Bessette Kennedy has been mentioned here and is often touted as classic old money looking. She's wasn't old money. She married Into money. Her background was solidly middle class. Substitute teacher mother. Engineer father. She adopted 'the uniform' like many people do

ImAvingOops · 22/05/2023 08:44

I do think her wedding dress was perfect and she was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen.

NatashaDancing · 22/05/2023 09:08

powerrangers · 22/05/2023 08:44

@NatashaDancing @Ohfgsjon the look you are describing is actually extremely easily copied and is copied by many people you will assume are old money. Conversely many 'old money' younger people in they're 20s-40d don't dress as you have described. You've probably seen them and just assumed they aren't old money because they aren't wearing the uniform. Many old money people with actual free cash dress in very flamboyant clothing or in trend clothing or whatever they want. Because they can.

For example Caroline Bessette Kennedy has been mentioned here and is often touted as classic old money looking. She's wasn't old money. She married Into money. Her background was solidly middle class. Substitute teacher mother. Engineer father. She adopted 'the uniform' like many people do

I didn't assume anything about the 2 couples in the boring clothes. I've no idea what their background was or whether they were "old money" or "new money". I just noticed them as the sort of stuff they were wearing was mentioned several times on here approvingly as being indicative of how to look "expensive".

They just looked dull.

I find the MN obsession with "old money" and "new money" and the sweeping statements about how "old money" and "new money" look utterly bizarre. My job involves people with money- pots and pots of it, both ancient and made in the last 15 years. None of them fit into the neat little pigeon holes MN thinks they should. They're all individuals.