How To Make An Outfit Look More Expensive
I was raised to be a thrifty shopper, and I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of recreating more expensive looks on a budget. Over the years, these are the top tips and tricks I’ve learned to make budget outfits appear to be more expensive.
Mixing textured fabrics and knits
One of the best ways to give an outfit a more expensive feel is by opting for textured fabrics and loose knitwear. Sweater and crochet-knit tank tops and soft, drapey fabrics that mimic higher-end fabrics like cashmere and silk create a more visually interesting look, which helps an outfit feel more expensive.
For the spring and summer, opt for linen-blend, satin, and chambray fabrics as well as crochet-knit tops.
In the fall and winter, look for sweater knits that drape nicely, and avoid fabrics that are stiff or that cling/create a lot of static.
PRO TIP: If you want the real deal when it comes to high-quality fabrics, Quince is one of my favorite places to shop on a budget. They have cashmere, organic cotton, leather, and linen goods for such great prices!
2. Wearing Layers
Adding layers to your outfit will help make it look more intentional, and more intentional outfits just look more expensive. Layers also add texture to an outfit that would otherwise appear to be boring or run-of-the-mill.
In the spring and summer, I love using oversized button-down shirts, lightweight cardigans and blazer vests thrown over my shoulders to add texture without being too hot.
In the fall and winter, scarves, cardigans and high-quality wool jackets are a great way to add layers and warmth while creating a luxurious feel at the same time.
3. Being intentional with accessories
People often overlook accessories, but this is one of the easiest and simplest ways to make an outfit look more elevated and expensive. Just adding a purse, belt, and nice shoes to an ensemble can quickly take it to the next level!
In the spring and summer, I love baseball caps, nice sandals, sunglasses, and jewelry for accesories.
In the fall and winter, I love accessorizing with scarves, purses, and statement sneakers and boots.
4. Investing in a few quality items
One of the best ways to help your outfits look more expensive overall is to invest in a few high-quality pieces that you find yourself wearing often. For instance: if you love wearing jeans, spend the money on 2-3 pairs of high-quality denim. That way even if you wear a cheaper top, the quality of the jeans will stand out and elevate the whole outfit.
As a general rule, these are the items I tend to splurge on:
Jeans - I typically find that more rigid denim looks more expensive. I personally love Everlane and Express denim.
Purses - As I mentioned before, accessories are one of the best ways to quickly elevate an outfit, so it’s worth having a few high-quality, more expensive purses. I typically opt for neutral colors so I don’t have to worry about color matching as much.
Shoes - Shoes are another accessory that can really add a lot of interest to an outfit, but the other thing that makes shoes worth splurging on is comfort. I have undoubtedly noticed a difference between cheap shoes and more expensive shoes in terms of both how comfortable they are and how long they last.
Jackets - High-quality jackets are also an easy way to elevate the simplest outfit (you can even throw a wool coat over a workout outfit an instantly look more expensive). Since they are typically one of the top layers you’re wearing, it’s an easy way too add visual luxury to your look.
If you want my full breakdown on how I decide whether to save or splurge on an item, you can check out this post for a full breakdown!
Overall, creating a more expensive looking outfit is all about being more intentional about how you put it together. Learning to pay attention to the little details like texture and accessories will be great tools in your arsenal for looking great on a budget.
xoxo,
Mia