11 Tips on How to Look Expensive + What to Avoid

Yes, you can look expensive without having your closet full of brand names such as Gucci, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. While these brands do make great classic investment pieces, there are other ways to look high-end without spending the high-end price tag. You can keep all that money in your wallet and fool everyone into thinking you paid a lot for your outfit by using these super simple tips!

1. Wear a Long Coat

Adding a long coat to your outfit is the easiest way to get that expensive look! Every coat has its place in your wardrobe, but to look expensive, go for a long coat over a short and puffy one, for example.

The longer the better, but ideally this coat would at least hit your knee. When coat shopping, quality is very important. Sometimes a coat will be the only part of your outfit people see, making it your first and only impression! If you can, splurge on wool fabric or something similar.

If an investment piece is not within your budget and you’re looking to shop fast fashion, look for a camel coat or one in neutral tones. Even if you didn’t spend a lot on it, it will instantly elevate your outfit and make you look elegant and luxurious.

Pay attention to the details on the coat as well. You don’t need a lot and usually simple is best, but quality buttons and a simple belt tie or drape can look fabulous too.

Pro Tip: Caring for Your Coat

A quick steam or press can be all you need to keep your outerwear looking polished! A lint roller also makes sure that no pet hair or general dust remains on your clothing. Taking proper care of your coats can make even more affordable pieces look expensive and luxurious. 

2. Wear Tailored Pieces

When everything is polished and fits you well, you look like someone who knows what they’re doing and where they’re going. Even if you don’t have a corporate wardrobe with tailored pantsuits, a white button-down or a blazer is a good place to start because those can be worn anywhere, in many different ways, and for tons of different occasions.

Coco Chanel is known for her tailored tweed blazers, and well, who can argue with arguably one of the chicest women that ever lived? You can get many tips from Coco Chanel on how to look expensive by just looking at the clothing items she wore and designed. Pearls and quilted bags? Yes, please!

But a blazer will never steer you wrong, and the good news is it will look fabulous with anything from skinny jeans and a little black dress to a basic white t-shirt.

If you can, try to find these tailored pieces in muted colors as neutrals are one of the best ways to make your entire look feel like you’re wearing designer items…even if you bought everything at H&M!

Pro Tip: Alter Your Clothes for a Custom Fit

Tailoring isn’t just for luxury pieces, either. Even more inexpensive clothing can look high-end if they fit you properly! A quick trip to the tailor to hem your pants or nip in a waistline can completely transform the look and feel of your outfit. 

Related: 7 Ways to Elevate Your Style (And What You May Be Doing Wrong)

3. Buy a Structured Bag

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I’m going to let you in on some style secrets. Every chic outfit seems to have a classic, structured bag. This is a great, easy way to elevate your overall look!

When aiming to look expensive, stay away from slouchy bags and backpacks. Instead, focus on black handbags with minimal hardware. Too much hardware can make your bag (and consequently your whole outfit) look cheap. Expensive bags, like the really expensive ones, are very minimal when it comes to color, style, and design. The focus is all on the luxurious material and structured shape!

Pro Tip: Bag Maintenance!

Simple things like wiping down your bag regularly, avoiding overstuffing, and storing it properly when you’re not using it can go a long way in extending its life, ensuring it stays in your closet for years to come. For more delicate materials like suede, for example, always be sure to read the care instructions provided by the brand before any cleaning or maintenance.

4. Wear Pointed Toe Shoes

It’s funny how just switching from a rounded toe to a pointy shoe changes an outfit pretty significantly. Talk about next level! A pointy toe shows that you mean business, adding that extra polish to an outfit.

A shoe with a pointed toe will help you go the extra mile, both figuratively and literally… assuming your shoes are comfy, of course! In all seriousness, one of the first things people may notice about you would be your choice of footwear. Even if you don’t wear high heels, pay extra attention to the vibes that your shoes are giving off. Are they well-made? Do they match your outfit? Or are they cheap and falling apart?

It’s also worth mentioning that you can get the chic look of a pointed-toe without having to wear heels! There are plenty of flats out there that feature this chic style, perfect for someone who’s not confident in their heel-walking ability, wants something more comfortable, or simply doesn’t have the desire to wear heels in the day-to-day.

Pro Tip: Keep Your Shoes Looking Their Best

Even your most worn-out shoes can look refreshed after a trip to your local cobbler. Cleaning out scuffs and replacing worn heels or soles effortlessly elevate your look by keeping your accessories looking fresh and polished, beyond also keeping your more comfortable throughout your day.

5. Tuck It In

Just as adding structure to an outfit will class it up, so will tucking in your top. Feel free to go a step further too and add a belt to your classic white shirt! Something small and classic, preferably in leather (or leather-looking) is ideal.

When aiming to look expensive, we want to minimize the statement pieces as much as we can and go with what is a classic look. This goes for your color palette too! Even if you have a simple tee in a neutral color, it can look effortlessly chic when tucked into your pants.

6. Add Tasteful Jewelry to Your Outfit

You can’t forget accessories when looking to dress high-end. Avoid plastic jewels and costume jewelry, and instead, focus on classic pieces such as a watch, pearl earrings, or simple hoops. Extra points if the jewelry is gold because gold instantly equals expensive and luxe! As long as it doesn’t look fake and plastic, of course.

You can treat a silk scarf like jewelry too. Whether you tie it around your neck, hair, or purse, it’s a surefire-guaranteed way to have an elegant look and add to your whole outfit.

Pro Tip: Less is More

One or two well-chosen pieces are ideal for keeping your outfit elegant while also making a chic statement. Rather than opting for multiple layers and pieces of jewelry, stick to a simple pair of earrings or a sleek watch, for example, for an understated, intentional, and sophisticated look. 

7. Throw on Some Sunglasses

Throwing on a pair of sunglasses somehow makes you look important, and therefore, makes your whole outfit look better! Not to mention the confidence that you’ll feel when shading your eyes from this simple yet important piece.

Big and black in a classic style would be ideal for the expensive, high-end look. Sunglasses that look like they could be worn at the beach are fine for that purpose, but won’t help to elevate your whole outfit.

Related: 5 Combos That Will Always Look Like Expensive Outfits

8. Don’t Forget Skincare & Beauty

Do you need to make an appointment at the nail salon? Don’t forget that your skin is a canvas and every little detail matters to the outcome of your look. It’s hard to make an outfit look good when your nails are chipped and cracked and your hair has seen better days.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love yourself the way you are or that you always need to step out with a full face of makeup, but attention to the details shows that you care and adds polish to your overall outfit. If you’re looking for that extra touch of stylish flair, a tasteful bold red lip never hurt, either!

9. Go Simple

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Simple colors, outfits, and silhouettes are classy and never boring! Don’t be afraid to tone it down.

It’s totally okay to love exaggerated styles and bold prints and colors, but you can be confident knowing that simplicity can give you the expensive look that you desire. We can always gather inspiration from the French, as they always look chic and expensive and are known to wear staple and timeless pieces in muted tones.

Related: 7 French Outfit Formulas You Can Copy

10. Match Your Hardware 

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Consistency is an essential part of a polished look, and that applies to the details of your outfit as well! For a sleek and cohesive ensemble, make sure to match all of the hardware in your look – whether it’s metal on your handbag, jewelry, belt buckle, or shoes. Sticking to one metal tone like gold or silver makes your outfit that much more intentional and seamless. 

Of course, it’s important to note that mixing metals can work in many cases; when in doubt, however, uniformity gives off a cleaner, more refined feel that looks expensive and luxurious. 

11. Don’t Forget About Posture!

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It turns out your clothing isn’t the only thing that dictates how luxurious and sophisticated you look out and about in the world. Good posture is amongst some of the best tips to elevate your look without spending a single penny. 

Stand tall with your shoulders back to appear more confident and make any outfit look elevated, on top of improving the way your clothes sit on your body.

What to Avoid to Look Expensive:

1. It should go without saying, but pieces that have holes, stains, or rips will not make you look more expensive. Instead, they will make you look careless and forgetful… or worse, tacky!

Don’t forget to stop by a full-length mirror and look at your outfit before you leave the house. Look for loose threads, missing buttons, pills on your sweater, and deodorant marks.

2. Stay away from non-classic prints. Yes to stripes, dots, and leopard print, but prints such as Aztec, (some) florals, and chevrons are just going to come and go. Also, be on the lookout for quality when it comes to your printed pieces. For example, florals in a cheap fabric can stretch when worn. This just won’t look good and it’s a dead giveaway that your item isn’t of high quality.

3. Avoid all things that just generally don’t fit well, especially items that are too small. It’s obvious to everyone when something fits completely wrong, and ill-fitting pieces are likely to make you feel uncomfortable throughout your day, too. Also be mindful of visible panty lines, bra straps, and anything else that could distract from your ever-so-chic, classic, and expensive-looking outfit!

Finding Your “Expensive” Style

Though I’m all about good quality, it’s important to know that simple tricks and tips are what it takes to be like the stylish women you admire! Even if you’re currently looking to invest in more affordable pieces and stick to your budget, you can still rock an outfit that would rival a designer look you’d see on the runway!

Apply these tips to your favorite wardrobe pieces, wearing them in new ways that will make it look like you spent a lot of money on your outfit; none of these fashion tips require dropping lots of cash on a designer-filled closet! Just make a couple of tweaks here and there, and of course, don’t forget your confidence.

Keep reading for even more ways you can look expensive! Up next: 9 More Fabulous Ways to Look Expensive

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