There’s this saying I often use to describe my approach towards my wardrobe: champagne taste on a beer budget. As much as I love luxury fashion (hello NAP and Matches…!), it’s something I can only dip into every once and a while, and even then I usually choose to go pre-loved to make my dollar stretch further. But, you don’t have to have an unlimited budget to look expensive. So I thought I’d share some of my favourite styling tricks that’ll elevate your look, and make your outfit appear more expensive than it actually was.
Wearing Lookast cashmere sweater, Mott & Bow skinny jeans, Country Road blazer, Vaneli two tone pumps (also here), Everlane day tote mini (review here), Linjer bracelet & earrings & ring
MONOCHROME
A styling hack I use most often, is to opt for a fully monochrome look. Not only is this utterly chic – and simple to pull off – but it’s an effective and easy way to make your outfit look more expensive. You don’t have to go head to toe black to make this trick work; head to toe neutrals are such an elegant mix. If opting for bolder colours, choose different hues within the same colour family.
TAILORING
A tailor can work wonders to make a garment look like it was made for you, and it’s another tool I use to elevate my outfits. Whether I’ve spent $50 or $500 on an item, it’s worth the added cost to get it perfectly fitted for you. This could be as simple as bringing up the hemline, or taking in the waist.
CLASSIC SILHOUETTES
Opting for timeless designs and classic silhouettes over key trends are another great way to make your outfit look more expensive. Think carefully tailored blazers, classic crew neck sweaters, simple silk button down blouses, slinky midi skirts. Not only will these pieces last the distance in your wardrobe (so you can afford to spend a little more on them), but they will pair well with absolutely everything.
TEXTURE
You can easily amp up an outfit through texture. Not only do subtleties in fabric add visual depth, but they can also elevate a simple outfit. It’s a styling trick you’ve seen me use over and over. Textured materials like boucle, tweed, leather, suede and silk that are rich in quality are your best bet.
AVOID DISTRESSING
I love a good frayed edge hem as much as the next girl, but even ripped designer denim doesn’t look like it cost a bomb. Do yourself a favour and avoid anything with a distressed, destroyed look to it. Clean, steamed clothing will always look more elevated.
When I’m looking for budget pieces that look expensive, one thing I always consider is the weight of the fabric. Expensive items, unless they are made of chiffon or something similar, tend to have more weight and thus drape nicer than cheap items. They just feel more substantial when you touch them. Actual silk is heavier than most polyesters or similar synthetics. At the really expensive end we have Chanel jackets with actual chain sewn into the hem to drape properly, or dresses with weights sewn into the hem. I always look for cheaper pieces with more weight in the fabric, or even sew in weights myself in the hemlines to make them drape better. It’s something I learned from my grandmother (a excellent seamstress) about the construction of really nice clothes.