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What embellishments make stuff look posher?

51 replies

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 21:02

Like, if you had a nice but plain T shirt, or dead boring jacket, what embellishments look good?

(I’ve asked my witless kids and the best suggestion so far has been Pokémon patches. No.)

OP posts:
TartenRedRug · 01/07/2024 21:05

Embellishments are generally the antithesis of posh

What look were you going for?

purpledagger · 01/07/2024 21:11

wear jewellery.

change the buttons on jackets.

get the clothes tailored for a perfect fit.

suki1964 · 01/07/2024 21:17

Jewellery

Doesnt have to be expensive, I buy lots from Temu. Right now Im wearing a pair of earrings that cost less then a quid and I had 4 or 5 compliments on them, no one noticed I was wearing my dog walking coat where the zip is broken, just noticed the earrings

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 21:18

TartenRedRug · 01/07/2024 21:05

Embellishments are generally the antithesis of posh

What look were you going for?

I suppose a slightly more bespoke version of Florence and Fred? Dunno. I like beading.

OP posts:
Uppity7 · 01/07/2024 21:21

I absolutely would not put embellishments on clothes if I wanted them to look posher.

I would go for good accessories instead: jewellery, handbag, shoes, sunglasses.

BetsyRegards · 01/07/2024 21:22

Perfect tailoring and absence of embellishment would be best for your purposes.

The best fabrics you can get hold of - pre-owned if necessary.

For inspiration take a look at

The Row

Artisfun · 01/07/2024 21:24

This sort of thing? Posh ladies

VesperLind · 01/07/2024 21:26

Change the buttons. Chain store clothes have cheap buttons. Expensive buttons totally upgrade an item, especially jackets/ blazers.

Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 21:26

I'd query why you want to look "posher" op but each to their own!

Model a Parisian woman.

Good quality, carefully chosen accessories help like a leather belt with a buckle that matches either gold or silver jewellery.

A good haircut that is smooth and low key but well cut and glossy and off your face. Not too "red" or dyed but more low key ash tones depending on your natural colour but try and stick to as natural as possible.

Some plain, classic earrings and maybe a discreet necklace and watch.

Good quality sunglasses and handbag.

Stick to three classic colours like: stone or tan, navy or black, and white.

Maybe a silk scarf? Or a light cashmere jumper around your shoulders?

Classic leather shoes that have lowish heels?

Have clothes altered to fit.

Agree about changing high street buttons for something better quality.

Pale pink well manicured nails, or French manicure.

Jeans that really fit well.

Natural discreet make up.

Everything ironed, repaired, clean, neat, polished and considered (unlike me who gets dressed in 5 mins flat without looking in the mirror).

Appropriate clothes for weather and location. Nothing too frilly or flouncy or shiny but low key and well fitted.

No obvious logos.

Horsedatives · 01/07/2024 21:26

Simple accessories can make things look better.

Or, have a look on net a porter for some "embellished" t shirts or jackets thst you like the style of but don't want to spend silly money on, and try some diy?

I'm adding a black grosgrain ribbon trim with tie to a v-neck floral dress ive had for a few years. It will update it with a look I love, but no need for a new dress.

You can do the same with a white or frilly collar maybe. Depends on your taste.

Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 21:28

Uppity7 · 01/07/2024 21:21

I absolutely would not put embellishments on clothes if I wanted them to look posher.

I would go for good accessories instead: jewellery, handbag, shoes, sunglasses.

... And then like Coco Chanel take one accessory off before leaving the house! 😀

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 21:32

I’ve got a plain navy jacket from M£S or similar and I’ve edged it in tiny seed beads and changed the buttons and it looks totally different. But I’m not very creative so it was that sort of thing I was looking for ideas of.

OP posts:
Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 21:33

Horsedatives · 01/07/2024 21:26

Simple accessories can make things look better.

Or, have a look on net a porter for some "embellished" t shirts or jackets thst you like the style of but don't want to spend silly money on, and try some diy?

I'm adding a black grosgrain ribbon trim with tie to a v-neck floral dress ive had for a few years. It will update it with a look I love, but no need for a new dress.

You can do the same with a white or frilly collar maybe. Depends on your taste.

Edited

Yes this! Lovely ideas.

OP posts:
Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 21:34

BetsyRegards · 01/07/2024 21:22

Perfect tailoring and absence of embellishment would be best for your purposes.

The best fabrics you can get hold of - pre-owned if necessary.

For inspiration take a look at

The Row

Those clothes in The Row are to die for imho.

Not that I would ever spend that much on an article of clothing even if I had the money, but I very much admire the pared down aesthetic... .

Uppity7 · 01/07/2024 21:37

Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 21:28

... And then like Coco Chanel take one accessory off before leaving the house! 😀

... but preferably not one of the shoes!

YellowAsteroid · 01/07/2024 21:38

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 21:02

Like, if you had a nice but plain T shirt, or dead boring jacket, what embellishments look good?

(I’ve asked my witless kids and the best suggestion so far has been Pokémon patches. No.)

None. Most embellishments are unnecessary. Quite a few are naff or vulgar.

Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 21:57

Uppity7 · 01/07/2024 21:37

... but preferably not one of the shoes!

😂😂

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 22:04

I realise that I sound like I’m asking about adding plastic pillars and cod Tudor beams to a modern house. Or a giant squirrel…

That wasn’t my intention but I’m not phrasing it well. Help.

OP posts:
Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 22:25

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 22:04

I realise that I sound like I’m asking about adding plastic pillars and cod Tudor beams to a modern house. Or a giant squirrel…

That wasn’t my intention but I’m not phrasing it well. Help.

😆 No we get it op!

A friend of mine has to go to NH racing at Cheltenham every year as part of her job. She has to wear a different coat every day for five days but does not have the budget to stretch to five posh coats. So she buys classic high street coats and embellishes them. She sewed grosgrain ribbon around the cuffs and collars of one. Swapped buttons on the other. Added a belt to another. Etc.

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 22:39

Recuperation7 · 01/07/2024 22:25

😆 No we get it op!

A friend of mine has to go to NH racing at Cheltenham every year as part of her job. She has to wear a different coat every day for five days but does not have the budget to stretch to five posh coats. So she buys classic high street coats and embellishes them. She sewed grosgrain ribbon around the cuffs and collars of one. Swapped buttons on the other. Added a belt to another. Etc.

Edited

Ohhh I love her. That’s how I’d like to look - like I’m at the races - maybe a winter meeting cos I sweat a lot in the menopause. Like Claire Balding on a good day.

OP posts:
Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 22:40

Not Julie Goodyear, on a bad day.

OP posts:
Recuperation7 · 02/07/2024 06:22

Notjoinedup · 01/07/2024 22:40

Not Julie Goodyear, on a bad day.

😀 I think it's mainly a question of time. Having a few hours each week to look after ourselves and consider our capsule wardrobes and get those alterations done, find that belt, get our shoes repaired, and go for a regular haircut.

In most households, women put themselves at the foot of the priority list and we make sartorial decisions on the run, when stressed and overburdened in other areas, because we are too busy facilitating the lives of others. Just ring-fencing an hour or so a week for self care can make a difference.

I love Clare Balding but I get the impression that she would be most at home in jeans and jumper than anything she wears on screen 😊. I think she could get away with fewer formal clothes tbh.

Eeyoreknowsall · 02/07/2024 06:26

Have you tried creating a large cardboard price tag that loops from the cuff and says "veh-spensiv" on it?

Westfacing · 02/07/2024 06:28

VesperLind · 01/07/2024 21:26

Change the buttons. Chain store clothes have cheap buttons. Expensive buttons totally upgrade an item, especially jackets/ blazers.

I agree. About 30 years ago I bought a linen mix long-line navy blazer from M&S - loose unstructured in style, sort of Annie Hall vibe. I changed the anchor-logo buttons and wore that jacket for years and years, until the cuffs and collar frayed with age and usage!

Perfectlystill · 02/07/2024 06:34

TartenRedRug · 01/07/2024 21:05

Embellishments are generally the antithesis of posh

What look were you going for?

Absolutely with you on this