The “how to look expensive” thread

[Throwaway1066]

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)

I think I'd like the expensive clothes that rich women wear and expensive highlights - I just can't afford both so would likely prioritise the highlights (or general body stuff) as that's what people see everyday rather than the expensive dress.

I think it's maybe also harder to justify spending ££££ on clothes if you don't lead a millionaire lifestyle and still have to get on the train, mop up cat vomit, look after weetabix covered kids etc.

I agree on slightly oversized, slouchier clothing as that gives a luxe/plenty vibe rather than a tight/mean vibe. I also agree on a consistent colour palette and keeping things plain and simple. I was in M&S the other day and there were rails of patterned tops and dresses and amongst it all, pretty much hidden, was a plain high necked navy top. Much more boring but much more versatile and easier to match and look expensive. I think anyone can buy into such a wardrobe as plain things can be found at all price points. It’s minimalism.

It’s aiming for subtle, so nothing dramatic or jarring. No big earrings, scouse brows, obvious foundation or fake tan or sun burn, long painted nails. False eyelashes that don’t look false, as so many do. Glowing skin (I can afford facials). Nice handbag big enough for all your bits - a big handbag makes you look smaller in comparison and having lots of bags looks messy. Immaculately styled hair, I think that’s where a lot of us struggle especially with all the drizzle in the UK.

I think it's maybe also harder to justify spending ££££ on clothes if you don't lead a millionaire lifestyle and still have to get on the train, mop up cat vomit, look after weetabix covered kids etc.

Yeah, I don't think Geri Halliwell's signature 'I'm very fucking wealthy' white and cream look would withstand the rigours of weetabix and cat sick.

We needn’t go to extremes! I just meant that keeping a small stock of Good Things (alongside cheaper everyday items) would avoid the S&B panic every time someone agrees to meet friends in the pub or attend a conference at short notice or attend an open day at a potential new school.

For me this means keeping a studious eye on the sales at my favourite places, and eventually spending the price of three High St skirts on one beautiful thing reduced to half price. I mostly wfh - so only wear the good things when I’m meeting other people, or on zoom. The rest of the time I’m pretty much in rags.

Yes, I do agree that British women probably do find it hard to buy one expensive item instead of 3 cheaper versions. The UK shopping model hasn't historically supported that way of doing things.

Desperately following this!!
Short nails
Quality shoes - don't have to be super expensive but they not the latest fashion fad
Some signature items such as quality jewellery maybe? Nice studs / necklace or a signet ring?
Thanks OP I need this thread in my life! X

I need this thread! Recently moved to a new area, rural, people are very smart here. We lived in a rural area previously but how the locals dress here is very different. I feel constantly scruffy.

I think I operate similarly to you @SurpriseSparDay . I have a wardrobe full of beautiful things which I mostly buy in sales & stash away until the occasion presents itself.

I wear crap home clothes to watch TV/ cook / do housework etc. I wouldn't dream of wearing any of my good stuff for that.

I keep a separate wardrobe for work & sometimes I relegate something that was formerly a 'meeting friends' item into the work wardrobe but mostly I buy with separate intentions in mind.

I know what suits me & I don't slavishly follow trends however I am quite an individual dresser & have a style.

I get my hair professionally coloured regularly. I keep it in v good condition & its always clean & styled & I never go out with it needing a wash or scraped back etc..

I keep my nails short & filed. I often get then painted in a salon & at other times keep a neutral colour on them (mostly Esse ballet slipper)

I wear expensive leather shoes/ boots / trainers always. I'd rather have 1 v good quality pair of shoes than 10 cheap pairs.

Same with leather bags. Proper leather & I'm fond of colours like plum, bottle green, burgundy, mustard etc. I wear a lot of black but don't have a single black bag as they so often look cheap to me. No logos either. I have no interest in things like Channel bags or other recognisable brands.

I wear real jewellery. A mix of yellow & white gold with diamonds & emeralds. I'm not keen on costume jewellery unless it's overtly so - I have a beautiful handmade glass necklace which was v expensive but its only worn occasionally

I have v good & unusual glasses & I buy v good sunglasses but with no big logos etc

Perfume is my thing & I love niche ones but more often wear Tom Ford. I wear Santal Blush which I adore.

I can't say whether I look expensive or not but I've reached a point in my life where I'm in my 50s & I'm happy in my own skin.

I often receive compliments on my style / jewellery/ perfume

Definitely sounds similar, @NewShoesForSpring!

@NewShoesForSpring you sound like you actually ARE wealthy 😆

Following with interest.

For me it's:
decent haircut for your face shape and hair type
clean, filed nails or modest manicure (I think long or colourful, glittery nails look very cheap)
colours matching your skin, eyes and hair colour- it'll be different to anyone. I recently discovered I'm soft summer and really enjoy checking what suits me- I never liked pastels and apparently I look very good in them. I always opted for safe black etc. and it wasn't best choice.
not following fashion too religiously and at all cost
hydrated, well maintained skin on your face and body
regular pedicures, so no cracked heels and chipped polish
no jersey and tight clothes

There is so much snobbery on here I just can’t believe!

Lots of older wealthy women I know tend to do older style Primark, Uniqlo, high street brands, do wear the occasional plastic jewellery piece, one woman sunbathed a lot so she’s very wrinkled. They have designer items but it doesn’t bother them. Same goes for their daughters styles.

When I looked expensive I wore a lot of Joseph, Chloe, Maude Frizon, Alaia etc and other designers like DVF. But I ensured with some I kept an eye on sales and one lovely boutique in Marylebone High Street (sadly closed down) had lovely jewellery, tooled geometric black pumps etc which I bought.

I also wore or wear florals but mixed into other more expensive pieces.

Years ago I was told by a boyfriend who was wealthy and posh that black looked cheap, so I went for chocolate brown pieces.

I’m also a fan of non branded or very minimal designer bags.

An ex friend of mine was East London and liked to dress expensively. She got it sort of right, All Saints boots, Whistles coats and dresses, but loved her logos and trendy designer bags too and also fake tanned. She did have swishy hair but only because her natural hair was very frizzy and curly so she got up early to blow dry it. She also did a good Smokey eye from tutorials. Sounded pure Catherine Tate though!

I’ve been to private school so am prob lower middle/working class and agree that an posh accent helps a lot.

I’ve known super rich titled and non Sloanes from 80s, and one of SILs best friends is like this, they were your classic tanned, white shirt, Barbour jacket, jeans (not necessarily expensive). It really is how you carry yourself! The DW/SIL of DB’s BIL is lovely and sort of gets it right but loves labels, eg Prada sunglasses and florals would love to look expensive but sort of makes it work!

I've enjoyed reading this thread - thank you all!
I made an effort a few years ago to buy only quality pieces (in the sales) and I do have some good jewellery and accessories but it's my posture that let's me down.
Has anyone managed to improve theirs and do you have any tips for me please? I know the usual advice is to "imagine a string" etc but I would be happy to pay for help with this if real improvement could be had!

@GonnaGetGoingReturns your post is a little incoherent, so it’s hard to locate a paragraph that addresses the ‘snobbery’ you say you’re seeing here.

Choice inevitably involves discussion of relative merits and the rejection of some options - surely?

How is my post incoherent?

I’m just saying from this thread alone it seems to be wear beige, grey, black, navy, muted sludge colours to look expensive - all of which bar navy and black don’t suit me!

My aunt was a successful early 1970s model (winter), was slim (as you would be) and suited the colours above as well as most other styles, being a model you have to suit most styles, but looked her best in Parisian chic (where she mostly lives now) and also fashion sporty wear. She was “rich” but classy but looked good in the makeup of the day or with out it. So no, wearing obvious makeup doesn’t look cheap to me.

I see loads of younger women in beige etc who think they look chic and expensive, they don’t! A cheap Zara/Primark trench/wool coat will almost always look cheap unless as a PP says you scour the internal labels, turn the item inside out and if necessary get it altered.

Maud Frizon! I've not heard that name for years. Thank you for making me smile.

I really miss Sixty 6 on MHS.

There's so much more to looking expensive than buying the right clothes and jewellery, after all, the right clothes varies depending on which set you're trying to emulate. Yes, good hair, skin, teeth, make-up, but ultimately, it's almost an invisible sheen some have that means they can look expensive in a bin bag.

I’m just saying from this thread alone it seems to be wear beige, grey, black, navy, muted sludge colours to look expensive - all of which bar navy and black don’t suit me!

But what has that to do with ‘snobbery’???

Pilates and yoga really help my posture.

And how is this different to "rich boyfriend said black is tacky so I buy chocolate brown pieces since".

Look at: Penelope Chilvers, Welligogs, Schoffel etc for a more polished rural look. Those brands get slaughtered on here for being boring but in the countryside look classic whilst still being mainy functional.

I always think it's the hair, the teeth and the nails with good quality shoes and bags.

I don't think you have to have expensive clothes if the above are on point.

I've learned through experience that if you do the following things, everything will look expensive:

Spend money on decent hair products (eg Aveda) and haircuts/colour. I use a brilliant at-home ex-top London salon lady who's a fraction of the price of in-salon.

Exercise: eg yoga two to three times a week - there are heaps of great free sessions on YouTube:

Look after your skin.

Improve your posture.

Agree - I forgot to mention good quality shoes and handbags!

I haven't bought a new handbag, shoes or boots in about four years, but they're all very good quality and still look nice.

I've noticed nearly all fashion influencers wear high street clothes, but usually have designer handbags and shoes - it makes a huge difference IMO.

I would second the previous poster’s suggestion of yoga. I’ve been doing daily Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube and I’ve lost the round shoulders I’ve had since childhood (due to being very short sighted)