One of the things that I notice most about fashion in Europe is that the women here know how to make any outfit look more expensive. They can build up an outfit around a white pair of sneakers and manage to look like they spent hundreds of Euros. And the reality is that they’re shopping at high street shops.
While it may seem daunting to make an outfit look more expensive, it’s actually fairly simple. All you need to know are a few key things – from where to shop to what styling tips to incorporate.
Check out the below tips on how to make any outfit look more expensive and share which tip is your favorite in the comments.
Xx, Kelsey
WHERE TO SHOP
Looking expensive doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Some of my favorite stores to find expensive looking pieces include Mango, Zara, H&M, and Banana Republic for basics. The key is to know what to look for and to avoid the super cheap sections like H&M’s Divided.
Pick pieces that have fabrics that don’t feel cheap in your hands and aren’t see-through. Tweed, cotton, imitation suede, and linen are some of my favorites.
Expensive items are often priced higher because of the attention to detail. Keep an eye out for those little extras and avoid cheap embellishments, like sequins and metal-painted buttons.
GET YOUR PIECES TAILORED
To be honest, this is one of the tips for how to make any outfit look more expensive that I put off for years. But tailoring really can make your outfit look more expensive. That doesn’t mean that you have to get everything you buy tailored. If you buy something that’s a little too big or too long, tailoring can make it totally worth it. I especially like tailoring my pants so they hit at just the perfect length. Tailoring can be just the thing to make an inexpensive item look more expensive without breaking the bank.
OPT FOR NEUTRALS
As a rule, neutrals will always look more expensive, as long as you don’t buy cheap looking fabric. A cream sweater from H&M can look just as expensive as a designer cashmere number.
GO FOR BOLD PRINTS
Prints are one of the trickiest things when it comes to looking expensive. Many printed items from inexpensive stores are random and chaotic. Stick to bold prints like leopard and snakeskin. Also avoid anything that looks too much like a runway knock off.
Another tip is to look at how they line up at the seams. At expensive stores the patterns always line up perfectly. Cheap manufacturers will cut corners to save on cost by just slapping two pieces of fabric together. Oftentimes you’ll notice that the print line up varies from item to item in a high street shop. So buy the one that lines up best.
CHOOSE MIDI LENGTHS
The midi length always looks more polished than something short. High street shops tend to skimp on fabric so short items are really short, which looks trashy and cheap.
INVEST IN NICE ACCESSORIES
The one thing I do recommend spending money on if you want to look expensive is accessories. I own one designer bag from Saint Laurent, and it always elevates my outfit. I also own these white boots. They’re from Mango, but they’re real leather and on the higher end. These pricier accessories will easily dress up the most basic outfit and make it look more expensive.
INCLUDE SIMPLE STYLING TRICKS
Another way to make any outfit look more expensive is to incorporate a few styling tricks. One of my favorites is the French tuck. Tucking in just the front of your top can make the most basic tee-shirt look more expensive. Take a look at how designers and expensive shops are styling their items and incorporate a few of those tricks. It will make you look both more expensive and on trend.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Banana Republic sweater (one of my all time faves) | Chicwish skirt (special thanks to Chicwish for gifting me)| Mango white boots | J. Crew cocoon coat | Catwalk Junkie sunglasses
Photography by Sandra Hererro Photography
