A high budget does not equate to good style. While dropping a load of cash on designer clothing might seem like the quickest route to looking luxe, you can tell your bank balance to relax. Shopping at a high price tag isn’t the only way to look expensive. There are plenty of tips and tricks to elevate your outfits, many of which you can probably shop in your own wardrobe.
I’m someone who has been obsessively thinking about their outfits since I was about five years old but is also shopping on a budget. Hence, I’m regularly looking at new ways to upgrade my wardrobe, without adding to it. I have high street staples aplenty, but like to keep the majority of my wardrobe second hand – it’s more fun, better for the budget, and the environment. Sifting through thrift store discount bins is a fun afternoon out IMHO. Designer pieces, on the other hand, are carefully considered investments, so are few and far between. Enter my high-low wardrobe. Not quite a capsule wardrobe but a solid foundation for getting dressed in the morning. Whilst vintage pieces are my go-to for elevating a ‘fit, it’s really all in the styling, and the small things you can do to make a look seem pricier than it is.
At the end of last year a TikTok trend emerged that saw creators demonstrating how wearing your outfits versus styling them makes all the difference. The hashtag #wearingvsstyling has currently amassed over 15,000 posts. It’s not just about throwing on a good pair of jeans and a tee, no matter what it costs. From the basics, to accessories, how your final ‘fit feels, is all in the details.
I documented what I wore for a week. Here’s everything I did to make my affordable wardrobe look more expensive (I hope anyway–reader, I’ll let you be the judge).
1. Reach for the basics.
First things first, have your basics on speed dial. Always have a plain white tee and your denim ready to go. Especially when it comes to those nothing-to-wear days, nailing the basics gives you an ideal canvas to play around with the rest of your wardrobe. A good base layer will pull together all the other elements. There’s something about a plain white tee peeking out from under a round neck knit that’s so chic – don’t ask me for the science behind this, just trust me.
2. Try the ‘sandwich’ method.
Sandwich dressing had a moment last year thanks to TikTok, and the method proves tried and true. This styling hack involves colour matching one item from the top of your outfit, be it a top, a blazer, a jacket, with an item from the bottom of your look, for example your shoes, trousers or a skirt. Then add a different colour ‘sandwiched’ in between. Colour-matching accessories also make all the difference and avoid those finishing touches looking like an afterthought. This technique works with any colour, but the red trend is going nowhere and is my current go-to hue to sandwich. Graduates of this method can also try experimenting with sandwiching textures or fabrics.
3. If in doubt wear neutrals.
Even I, a self-confessed magpie for bright colours and prints, have to admit neutrals are a failsafe if you want an elevated ‘fit. Think navy, white, brown or camel tones. I love a neutral suit with a crisp white shirt or tee. Easy, but immediately chic. This is definitely the cheat code for an expensive look. She’s giving quiet luxury.
4. Jewellery should make a statement.
You know what Coco Chanel said about taking one thing off before you leave the house? Yeah, don’t do that. In fact, add one more thing. A big pair of earrings, layered necklaces, stacked rings; statement jewellery is the finishing touch, I vehemently believe, every outfit needs. Mixing metals is the jewellery trend to know right now, but if in doubt play it safe and coordinate in monotone silver or gold.
5. Look after your clothes.
Your mum was right. Iron, steam, press those clothes and your ensemble will look so much more polished. A creased t-shirt never looks expensive, even if it’s emblazoned with a designer logo. The same goes for reaching for a lint roller, or debobbling your favourite knit. If you’re drowning in your trousers, get them taken in or up. Keep your clothes in good condition and not only will they last longer (another thing for your bank balance to thank you for), but you’re sure to look sleeker.
6. Belt it.
If you want to look like you know what you’re doing – add a belt. It says, ‘I’ve got my sh*t together’. A thin black belt with gold or silver hardware is a timeless option that will go with just about everything in your wardrobe. Alternatively, try adding a printed belt to a monochrome outfit to make a statement. Belt jeans or wide-leg trousers, or use to cinch a blazer in at the waist. It’s a safe accessory that makes an expensive-looking statement.
7. Try thrifting.
I get it, sometimes you’ve tried all the tricks, but you just want that premium or designer piece on your wishlist. If you want to invest but keep costs down, consider shopping secondhand. I always get compliments on my Jacquemus Le Splash blazer, and whilst it is one of the more expensive items in my wardrobe, I didn’t pay full price for it. Resell sites like Vestiaire are a go-to for designer goods, and eBay and Vinted now offer authentication for products, making buying designer secondhand more reliable. I also love The Cirkel’s curated product edits.
Above all, don’t forget getting dressed is supposed to be fun. The most important thing is to opt for outfits that make you feel confident. That’s something money can’t buy.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Associate Visuals Editor Hattie Cotmore, follow her on Instagram @hattiecotmore.
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