11 Little Things Under $100 That Make Regular Outfits Look Expensive

I want to let you in on a little secret… It’s not the high-end designer pieces that can guarantee you look expensive. What really elevates your regular, day-to-day looks are the little touches that inherently appear expensive – whether they actually are or not! It’s not the price tag that makes these pieces so powerful, but rather the fact that they’re little luxuries that give off an effortless vibe of chic sophistication. If you want to make a big difference in your wardrobe without spending more than $100, these are the 11 accessories that will give you an expensive look on a budget.

1. Leather Gloves

Leather gloves have a long history in fashion, but in particular, they call to mind the driving gloves that became popular in the late 1800s. They were worn for both practical and style reasons, designed to provide a better driving experience, which was a luxury back then. Today, they still give off a certain “old money” vibe, whether you’re wearing them while driving or not.

These leather gloves from Quince are the perfect little luxury if you’re looking for both fashion and practicality. The leather exterior adds a sleek touch to any outfit, while the interior is cashmere-lined and super soft. Perfect for keeping your hands cozy and warm on a chilly fall or winter day! And at $48, you can’t beat the price for the way these gloves instantly elevate any outfit, even just a turtleneck, coat, and leggings.

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2. Silk Scarf

Parisians have the right idea – a silk scarf is the perfect way to add an element of chic sophistication to your favorite outfits. Whether you go for a bright pop of color or something a little more understated, the luxurious silk fabric of these pieces makes any outfit feel a little more expensive.

Use the soft texture of the silk scarf to contrast any of your more structured pieces, like denim, a trench coat, a crisp Oxford shirt, etc. The French have mastered how to create balanced looks with different textures, patterns, etc., and a silk scarf is one of their go-to accessories for adding a bit of soft femininity to their masculine pieces. And while there are plenty of designer silk scarves out there to shop, there are just as many budget-friendly versions that you can find for under $100 to give you that same luxe look for less.

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3. Cashmere Wrap

A cashmere wrap might just be one of the most versatile little luxuries on this list! Wear it as a scarf, style it as a top, or use it as a blanket while you travel. There are so many uses for this one piece that it’s well worth the price tag, especially if you go for a cashmere piece.

No matter how you style it, a cashmere wrap will add a bit of classic elegance to your favorite looks – even your casual ones. If you want to dress up a white tee and jeans for brunch, just throw a wrap around your shoulders. You’ll instantly look more elegant and put-together, without trying too hard.

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4. Pearl Earrings

Wearing a set of pearls is like wearing natural art thanks to their quiet shine and organic shapes. Pearls have a long history of being worn by royalty and the elite, and today they remain as a classic piece of jewelry that never goes out of style. They’re often equated with timeless elegance and sophistication. But maybe the best part about pearls is that you don’t have to save them for your formal wear – they look just as good when paired with your casual outfits, too.

Add a bit of effortless elegance to your favorite lady jacket and denim by wearing a pair of gold and pearl hoops. You’ll look that much classier when you head out to a date night or dinner in this look, thanks to the simple addition of the pearl earrings.

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5. Gold Bracelet Watch

A gold watch isn’t just a practical accessory to add to your daily outfit rotation – it’s also a chic style statement that will complement all of your favorite preppy outfits. Not only that, but it helps to make you look more professional, too. No more pulling out your smartphone to check the time during a meeting, just look down at your wrist! And while there are plenty of smart watches on the market these days, there’s no beating a classic gold bracelet watch.

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6. Leather Belt

Celebrities don’t always look so expensive solely because of the price tag on their clothes – it’s more about how their clothes fit. They often take their pieces to a tailor to fit their proportions exactly, which makes any piece of clothing look like it was designed especially for them, rather than being bought off a rack. And while most of us can’t take every single item we own to get professionally tailored, there are tips and tricks that you can use to make your clothes appear like they were made to fit you perfectly.

A thin belt is one of those accessories that can help to make any outfit look more expensive. Add one over a coat, a dress, or a skirt to instantly highlight your waist and fit your proportions just right. This is an inexpensive styling hack that will go far in making you look just as expensive as your favorite celebrity.

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7. Structured Handbag

If you want to make your casual looks appear more expensive, you have to add structure where it’s lacking. Casual clothes often include looser pieces that might not have many sharp lines, so a structured accessory like a leather handbag will add some polish and sophistication to your more low-key wardrobe items.

Parisians love balancing their high and low pieces to create balanced looks. While a cropped trench, Mariner tee, and classic denim might make for a pretty typical Saturday look, they make it look more expensive with the help of a neck scarf, ballet flats, and a structured shoulder bag.

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8. Brooch

Vintage-inspired pieces are a great inspiration when you want to look more expensive. These pieces often have a long history in fashion throughout the years, and aren’t just fleeting trends that will disappear after a few seasons. If you want to add a bit of elegance to your basic outfits, just look back through the decades and take note of what pieces have stuck.

Brooches are one of those little accessories that have been around forever, and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’ve taken different forms throughout the years in popular style, but they’re just as elegant to wear now as they were 100 years ago. Add a brooch to your jewelry rotation when you’re headed to a cocktail party or arts performance to instantly elevate your look.

Related: How to Wear a Brooch: 7 Elegant Styling Tips

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9. Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Speaking of vintage-inspired accessories, cat-eye sunglasses are a fun piece of eyewear that was popularized in the 50s and 60s by celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Infuse your favorite summer outfit with a bit of vintage glam by reaching for a pair of cat-eye sunglasses to accessorize your look.

For an easy summer outfit formula, pair your glasses with a striped Mariner shirt, pleated trousers or trouser shorts, pearl earrings, and ballet flats. This is a French-inspired look you can come back to again and again throughout the seasons by adding layers for cooler weather.

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10. Tennis Bracelet

The tennis bracelet has been a staple in elegant jewelry since the Art Deco period in the 1920s, and then rebranded under its current moniker in the 1970s thanks to tennis star Chris Evert. Since then, this popular gift is the perfect piece of minimal jewelry to add a bit of shine and luxury to any outfit.

While it’s minimal enough to elevate your casual outfits, it also complements your favorite evening wear. The thin bracelet is the perfect cherry on top of a silk or satin slip dress, an elegant wrap, and sleek slingback heels.

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11. Metal Hair Cuff

The metal hair tie has been one of my favorite trends to come out of this year – and I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon! The metal hair tie is the ideal accessory to elevate your favorite simple outfits, whether you’re headed to work or to run errands on the weekend. It adds just the right amount of luxe shine to your favorite pieces, without distracting from an otherwise minimalist look. If you want to elevate your everyday pieces, this is the perfect alternative to your basic ponytail.

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Little Luxuries on a Budget

Today’s lesson learned? You don’t have to spend a lot to look more expensive! All of the accessories on this list are under $100, but make a big impact when it comes to elevating your day-to-day outfits. What’s not to love about more luxury for less?

If you’re all about the little luxuries in life, you’ll love hearing more about silk scarves and how to style them! Up Next: Your New Favorite Accessory: A Guide to Women’s Scarves

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