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)

No, it's the Mumsnet obsession with class and the Hyacinth Bucket desire to socially climb. Few people care.

Money isn't always the answer - I said upthread that to me Meghan Markle is perfect when it comes to nailing this look. But compare her to the York sisters, who have access to all the same designers, beauticians etc, but genetically and in terms of taste, they just don't have 'it'. Am not knocking the York sisters, I'm much more like them than I am MM and they do look groomed and nice these days, but someone like MM just looks completely glossy.

And I used to have a flatmate when I was a student, who could roll out of bed, put on a bit of red lipstick and look perfect. Her hair just fell into the right place and her skin was clear and even toned and her clothes just sat well. I can't put my finger on what she did because it wasn't obviously different to the rest of us, but she just looked better!

Again, I didn’t say the Camilla class don’t care about their appearance; I said they think it’s naff to be overly concerned with appearance. A bit like Parisians (real version, not the S&B fantasy), the ideal is to look good without looking as if you have tried at all. Obvious fillers/Botox, overly styled hair, perfect manicures are all class signifiers. That’s not to say that the old rich don’t have procedures/haircuts/manicures; it’s just that they aspire to look low maintenance. Meanwhile, the new stealth wealth crowd shun obvious labels, but still look much more ‘done’ than the Camillaistas.

I wouldn't think most people on here would be aspiring to look like Camilla pre-glow up/consort times. Camilla looked just fine, but it's not an aspirational look. I think by expensive they mean polished. I'm surprised someone said Trinny wasn't a good example of that, she's sometimes a bit too fashion-forward but she knows her body shape, invests in good stuff and has lovely accessories, quite a bit of enhancement going on, how more expensive do you want to look?

Look after your kit. Clean footwear, well maintained clothes, neat nails. Wear clothes that fit in a colour palette that suits you.

@Highdaysandholidays1 that was me who said that Trinny doesn't look expensive. I think she looks like she's had a bit too much cosmetic intervention for the glossy, expensive look and her clothes are too fashion focused and too big (imo) - she looks a bit thrown together for my interpretation of the expensive look.
That's not to say I don't think she's attractive, but she's attractive in a scruffy not polished and groomed way.

Nicole Kidman to me is the perfect example of what money and styling can do. Compare how she looked in the Bangkok Hilton to now.

Rich old money actually looks like Camilla Parker-Bowles, before her queenly glow-up. People like that think it's common to be overly concerned with perfect skin/nails etc. They are a world apart from the polished stealth wealth of Succession, let alone the nouveau riche Made in Chelsea look.

Who wants to look like that though? I know a lot of lionising of the toffs goes on on MN (such a lot) but it's hardly and aspirational look from a style perspective.

I remember watching that when it was first on TV (I was still a kid) and I thought she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen!

I preferred Nicole Kidman when she could move her face.

Nicole Kidman is another example of looking like she's had too much intervention. The trick to this look, is to appear as if you are naturally glowy and smooth and with glorious hair, even though the reality is hours in the gym/salon/cosmetic surgeon's office!

Yes, Nicole has had too much work done- and I wish she would go back to the natural curly hair because it was stunning!

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.

Yes, this is so true. I’m no fan of Meghan but I agree she always looks glossy. Generally neutral toned clothes too. But both the York sisters look too colourful and patterned to be sleek and classy.

What do people think about Robin Wright's look in HoC? Is it an expensive look? Or just slightly fancy office wear?

Maybe they were Scandi? It's kind of the look middle age and older Swedish and Danish women rock. They get a lovely sun tan as they spend lots of time outdoors, go sailing, wild water swimming etc. no fake tan in sight. Just healthy, understated elegant and not showoffy.

So peculiar this British fawning over 'old money'. Why do people think old money is some sort of badge of honour or better than self made wealth?
From my experience people with family money who look a bit shit look that way because all their wealth is tied up in land and property and they don't have the access to money to buy designer clothes. They wear old stuff because they can't afford to spend a couple of thousand on a blazer.

I don't see the 'fawning' tbh. I frequently see the reference to 'old money' on MN, but there's usually some context. Often, it's just shorthand for being wealthy but not actually having a huge amount of spare cash, as opposed to someone who earns a £150k salary, or something similar.

@VonThorn oh there is definitely fawning. And scorn and shade thrown at gasp 'new money' which is always said in a derogatory manner and likening new money to TOWIE/ Love Island type attributes. It's so odd. People actually like to perpetuate the idea that people inheriting wealth somehow makes them more impressive than those who made it themselves.

oh there's loads of fawning over old money people on Mumsnet. 'The new money people in our village are pushy and rude and drive flashy cars whereas the local Viscount is so lovely and always says hello to everyone at the village fete.'

A lot of the time, looking expensive is nothing to do with what you wear, it’s how you walk, talk and hold yourself, the sort of thing that it’s hard to fake

Wincing because someone mentions a tan? Goodness gracious 🙄

I encounter daily old money + new money (DD private school + hobby). Old money are definitely worn chinos/cords for the blokes and chinos/jeans for the women. Definitely not glossy at all but not self conscious and couldn't give a shit. New money is shiny/glossy but a lot more self conscious and looks very out of place in their bright white trainers/immaculate never worn country boots at the stables. New money has a lot less confidence but more approachable, old money stick with old money and you aren't ever getting in that circle!
We are neither old money or new money 🤣

Someone mentioned the Scandi look and yes I agree.

With all this talk of Scandi looks and blonde hair, I wanted to share what Asia's richest woman looks like! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-29/who-is-asia-s-richest-woman-savitri-jindal-surpasses-yang-huiyan-on-rich-list?leadSource=uverify%20wall