Looking expensive need not always mean investing in high-end brands and fancy labels. In fact, the art of how to look expensive lies in the smallest of details such as fit, maintenance, colour coordination, and styling. If you have ever wondered how to dress expensive without constantly shopping for new clothes, a well-fitted outfit, clean finish, balanced proportion and right styling can instantly make the cheaper look expensive.
Whether you are looking to style everyday western outfits, occasion wear or elegant Indian and ethnic wear, the following small styling tips can help you look classy, dress elegantly and look stylish without breaking the bank.
What makes an outfit look expensive?
You do not need to change your whole wardrobe. Just work towards ensuring you have the right fit and proper combination of clothes and accessories. Small upgrades such as maintaining your clothes, colour coordination and minimal accessories can make all the difference when it comes to figuring out how to look expensive. So, if you are planning to answer how to dress expensive, begin by focusing on the styling rather than shopping.
10 small details that matter
Focus on the fit and silhouette
The right fit can instantly change the way an outfit looks. Clothes that are incorrectly fitted can be difficult to maintain and look even cheaper. So, choose outfits that fit in a balanced way and are not too baggy, tight or disproportionate. Choosing the right silhouette can instantly elevate your style and help you look classy.
Choose fabrics with good drape
The fabric plays a big role in how expensive an outfit looks. Fabrics that have a good drape and hold their shape are preferred over ones that are stiff, frizzy or clingy. While shopping on a budget, look out for the drape of the fabric rather than its price. In most cases, a well-finished outfit in the right fabric can look more expensive than one that is heavily embellished.
Keep your clothes steamed and pressed
Wrinkles can make the best outfit look cheap. So, before going out, always ensure that your clothes are well-steam-pressed and free from wrinkles. Pay special attention to the collars, sleeves, plackets of shirts, trousers and visible areas on your outfit. This is one of the single most important tips on how to look expensive on a budget.
Coordinate your colours
Good colour co-ordination can instantly make your outfit look more put-together. Instead of mixing too many shades together, work with neutral and earthy tones, dark shades and simple colour palates. You can also pick out one shade to create a pop of colour. This is an easy way to look stylish without overdoing your outfit.
Choose minimal, thoughtful accessories
When learning how to dress elegantly and how to look classy, it is important to pay attention to the minimal accessories that bring an outfit together. Choose minimal accessories that complete your outfit rather than over-accessorizing that makes you stand out. A structured bag, delicate jewellery, a good watch or statement earrings are a good start.
Keep your footwear clean and well-maintained
Believe it or not, your footwear can make or break an outfit. Your best outfit can instantly look cheap when paired with the wrong footwear or worn-out shoes. So, keep your daily footwear clean and choose footwear that complements the occasion and outfit. This simple detail can make it easier to look expensive and look stylish.
Take care of the finishing details
Loose threads, lint, pilling, stained clothes and damaged buttons can instantly make an outfit look cheap. So, ensure that before heading out, you do a quick inspection of your outfit to ensure that there are no loose threads, lint or pilling. It is also important to maintain your clothes and keep them free from stains and watermarks. These small finishing details go a long way in figuring out how to look expensive without shopping.
Create balanced proportions
When learning how to style clothes for men and women, it is important to play with balance and proportion. If you are wearing a relaxed top, pair it with a more structured bottom and vice versa. Similarly, if you want to create a more balanced look, avoid pairing heavy details on the tops and bottoms together. The same rule applies to accessories. If you are looking to style a heavily adorned outfit, keep the jewellery minimal and elegant.
Dress according to the occasion
One of the simplest ways to look expensive is to ensure that the outfit is appropriate for the occasion. An outfit that is perfect for brunch will look out-of-place at an office party and vice versa. Similarly, heavily adorned clothes can feel inappropriate on a weekday and delicate outfits may not be appropriate for festivals. Understanding the appropriateness for the occasion is key to answering how to dress elegantly.
Style with confidence and intention
As we near the end of learning how to look expensive, it is worth remembering that confidence and intention in styling can make all the difference. Instead of focusing on individual pieces, think about how you want to look as an entire person. Think in terms of the colours, silhouettes, accessories, footwear and hairstyle that combine to create a balanced outfit.
How to make affordable clothes look expensive
Wondering how to look expensive on a budget? You do not necessarily need to invest in an entirely new wardrobe. The best way to learn how to dress elegantly and look expensive is to work on the style in which you carry the clothes you already have.
Here are a few simple changes that you can make when you are learning how to look expensive on a budget:
- Get clothes altered to your fit if they are not a good match.
- Steam or press your outfit before you step out.
- Keep your shoes and handbags clean.
- Choose fewer accessories that suit your outfit.
- Minimize using too many prints, colours and embellishments together.
- Always keep the colours, prints and patterns of your outfit balanced.
- Carry elegant handbags and minimal but good accessories.
- Maintain a good proportion of the silhouettes of the clothes you wear.
- Keep your overall look elegant rather than cluttered.
The aim is not to make your outfit look artificially expensive. It is all about making the clothes you have look classy and well put-together.
Common mistakes to avoid
One of the best ways to learn how to look expensive is to know which mistakes to avoid. Here are some common mistakes to avoid so that you know how to dress elegant:
- Wearing clothes with a bad fit
- Leaving clothes un-pressed and wrinkled
- Adding too many accessories to an outfit
- Mixing a lot of different unrelated colours in one outfit
- Wearing old and worn-out footwear
- Leaving loose threads or stains on your clothes
- Choosing heavy, dominating accessories to match light outfits
- Wearing clothes inappropriate for the occasion
- Combining too many statement outfits and accessories
A good outfit does not have to be extravagant. Often, all it takes is to remove one element from your outfit to make it look more put together.
How to make Indian & ethnic wear look more elegant
Indian & Ethnic wear can be styled elegantly and look classy for every occasion. From kurtas and kurtis to dupattas and ethnic ensembles, there are a few simple changes you can make to elevate your ethnic or traditional look without spending a fortune. For kurtas and kurtis, it is essential to pick the right silhouette and ensure that the top is not too baggy or too tight on a certain part of the body. It is also important to pick the right length of the kurta and ensure that it complements the bottom you are styling. The same goes with your dupatta.
Your dupatta can be the most important element to style your outfit. So, choose a neat drape that complements the neckline and embroidery on your outfit. It is also essential to ensure that the jewellery you wear complements the detailed work on your ensemble. If you are picking a heavily adorned kurta or kurta, ensure that your jewellery is minimal and understated. On the contrary, if you are wearing a simple outfit, pick a set of elegant statement earrings or necklaces to complete your outfit. The same goes with your footwear. It is important to pick clean and well-maintained footwear to make your ethnic outfit look more elegant. Most importantly, ensure that there is a balance between your kurta, bottom wear, dupatta, jewellery and footwear. This can really elevate the look of your ethnic outfit and help you look stylish.
Elevate The Look with Right Accessories
The right fashion partners can help you create more elegant looks without overthinking your styling options. When choosing accessories to complete your outfit, it is important to choose versatile pieces that can be combined with more than one outfit. Statement elegant jewellery can be a good addition to everyday outfits, as well as ethnic and occasion wear. This is where choosing the right brand partner can help you achieve more sophisticated looks with your preferred accessories and wardrobe. With the right combination of clothing and accessories, it becomes easier to look classy and sophisticated without the effort of over-styling.
Conclusion
Learning how to look expensive does not mean spending more money. It is all about focusing on the smallest of details to make your outfit look more put-together. From choosing the right fit and fabric to keeping your clothes pressed, colour co-ordinating and maintaining your shoes, there are a lot of small changes that can transform the look of your wardrobe. So, if your goal is to dress expensive, look classy, dress elegantly or look stylish every day, it all begins with the ways you wear your clothes.
FAQs
What makes an outfit look expensive?
A good fit, good quality fabric, clean finishing, coordinated colours, balanced proportion and minimal accessories can make an outfit look expensive.
How can affordable clothes look expensive?
The right fit and finishing can instantly make your clothes look more expensive. Always ensure that your clothes are well-pressed, you maintain your shoes and avoid adding too many flashy accessories to your outfit. These simple changes can make your affordable clothes look more expensive.
Which colours look luxurious?
Neutral and understated shades such as black, white, cream, beige, navy, brown and earthy tones can make your outfit look more luxurious. The key is to pick balanced shades of these colours.
How can I make ethnic wear look more polished?
Focus on the fit of your kurta or kurti, create balance between different elements in your outfit and complement the detailing with appropriate jewellery and footwear.
