Do you want to know how to dress expensive on a budget? Then this article will provide you with some of the best styling tips to look smart and stylish without breaking the bank.
Nothing feels more empowering than getting dressed and staring in the mirror, feeling like a million bucks! While many people fantasize about possessing a million-dollar wardrobe, for many, this is not a reality. But the fact is that you don’t have to spend a million dollars to look like one.
There are several basic things you can do to make your wardrobe and overall outfit look just as spectacular without spending your entire life savings on luxury stuff.
With a few easy tricks, you can completely transform your existing closet, leaving you to feel sophisticated, elegant, and expensive.
10 Smart Tips To Dress Expensive On A Budget
Looking stylish and sophisticated is about more than just the things you wear. It helps to make a good first impression on the individuals you encounter. And if you want to make a strong first impression, you’ll need to know a few fashion tricks to enhance your modest clothing game.
There are several ways to dress on a budget, and the key is to find something that you love and that will look good on you.
Below are a few tips on how to dress expensively on a budget while still looking your best.
Table of Content
1. Invest in Key Structured Pieces
There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive outfits to create a plush wardrobe. What is more important is that you buy the right kind of key pieces. As appealing as it may be, following up with trends is the quickest way to overpay and load your closet with things that don’t match your personal style or go well together.
Therefore, I would recommend you invest in statement pieces like a high-quality trench coat or blazer from any local department store that will last you for a few years rather than going for whatever is on-trend right now.
Likewise, if you’re wearing a t-shirt and trousers, adding a third piece of clothing, over the top, will make your entire outfit appear more put together.
You can buy a similar structural piece in a neutral or white tone for less than $20 from Walmart. Also, these structured pieces will always appear expensive as long as you properly care for and maintain them.
2. Go for Neutral Colors Palate
Choosing the right colors for your wardrobe on a budget might be tricky, but with some smart tips, it is possible! So, if you want to create a more sophisticated and refined style, neutral colors are the way to go!
Investing in high-quality wardrobe staples in neutral color tones is one of the easiest things you can do to look expensive on a budget. They are timeless and never go out of style, regardless of decade or era.
You can stock your closet with affordable neutral essentials like turtle neck tops or cardigans that can be worn and styled with a variety of chic outfits.
Some neutral tones you can consider adding to your wardrobe include beige, white, grey, camel, or sandy. These color palettes can make your outfit appear far more luxurious than it really is. As they’re always in trend, you will never be short of affordable options available.
3. Focus on the Pattern and Fabric
Whether you want to seem expensive or not, eliminating too much print is a simple way to put together the ultimate stylish outfit. You may go for either solid colors or classic patterns like stripes or even small dainty floral patterns in your outfit.
Anything that is loud or has large patterns, gives the impression of being a little less expensive. Fabrics, too, have a significant part in the overall look of your outfit. Acrylic and rayon are only a few fabrics to avoid if you want to appear expensive.
Aside from that, you may experiment with faux suede or leather pieces, knitted sweaters, or silk maxi dresses, which are perfect for a classy and sophisticated wardrobe.
These quality fabrics not only appear costly, but they also feel amazing and will last a long time.
4. Opt for Monochromatic Look
Whatever your budget is, a monochrome outfit is an inexpensive way to appear elegant. It refers to wearing one hue with different textures or tones of the same color to generate a monochromatic effect.
When you wear a single hue from head to toe, you immediately appear more expensive and polished. You can wear an all-black dress for a monochrome aesthetic. Black is a basic color that can be worn to seem both classy and trendy.
With this look, nobody can ever suspect that you didn’t spend a lot of money on your outfit. You may also do this with all-white clothing for a more laid-back attitude.
When creating a monochromatic outfit, bear in mind that your pieces don’t have to be the same exact shade, but they should be in the same color family.
You can easily find a monochromatic jumpsuit or maxi dress from Forever 21, H&M, or any other outlet at a quite affordable price.
5. Wear Well-Fitting Attire
As easy as it may appear, a well-fitted suit is important. Even the most basic, low-cost shirt or pair of pants will look great if they are properly fitted.
When you are purchasing clothing items that aren’t expensive enough, be certain that they fit your size perfectly. Because you don’t want to go around wearing clothes that are either much too big or way too little for you.
Another thing that might make a difference in your look is to ensure that you have a decent proportion to your outfit. For instance, if you’re wearing a form-fitting top, make sure your bottoms are a little looser.
Whereas, if you’re going for a loose top and a loose bottom to look modest, merely tuck in your shirt to give you a little bit of a waistline and that alone can make a lot of difference to your overall outfit.
6. Steam the Creased Area
Wearing crumpled and wrinkled outfits or hijabs can give the impression that you’re sloppy and disheveled. It’s true that mornings are hectic, and spending five minutes ironing might feel extra, but it’s such an easy way to make your outfit look more finished.
Furthermore, even if no one says anything, your wrinkled clothes will still be observed. You may be wearing a dress that costs hundreds of dollars, but if it’s all wrinkled and creases on it, it’s not going to appear expensive.
For winter, there’s an easy hack for you to give your outfit a fresh look for the season. You can use a fabric pill remover, which is available on Amazon, to remove all of the superfluous fluff from your sweaters or jackets, making them seem like new again. With this, you won’t have to buy new winter outfits every year.
7. Keep Accessories Minimal
Accessories can make or break an outfit, so choose accessories that complement your dress and make you look your best. You can get a couple of gold chains to wear over a plain t-shirt and simple stud earrings.
I would advise you to keep your accessories to a minimum since sometimes less is more. You might think of it like this: as everyone knows diamonds are extremely expensive, so if you saw a typical girl wearing a large hefty encrusted necklace, you’d probably know it’s not real.
On the other hand, if you wear an extremely simple tiny chain with one little stone, you can leave the folks speculating how much you paid for it or if it’s real.
8. Pay Attention to Shoes
Wearing classy shoes is yet another way to look expensive on a budget. You can either enhance your outfit with the perfect pair of shoes or can mar an otherwise perfect look.
Even if you’re shopping at a low-cost store, go for those extremely classic black pumps that give the impression of being expensive and leave everyone wondering where you got them.
It is usually a safer bet to wear pointed-toe heels rather than rounder ones since they are the most stylish. and can make a basic outfit look rich. You can try this look with a variety of other shoe styles too, including ballet flats and loafers.
Lastly, you can consider purchasing in neutral solid hues, since these will be classic mainstays and will complement a lot more items in your collection.
9. Keep a Subtle Makeup Look
Most of the time, subtle makeup makes you seem more sleek and sophisticated than extensive makeup with several cosmetic items. Always try to keep your make-up minimal and balanced. If you’re doing a smokey eye, keep your lipstick a little more neutral, and vice versa.
It’s better to choose the one that complements your skin tone. If you have a fair complexion and want to go for a ‘no-makeup look, try nude pink lipstick shade. The balanced approach will demonstrate to others that you know how to put yourself together and will eventually make you appear more elegant.
Moreover, beauty products can be expensive, so keeping your everyday makeup look minimal is an excellent way to cut down.
10. Splurge on a Classy Bag
Your handbag is something you always have with you. If you want to save money and only buy one item, a handbag is the best choice. You don’t have to spend loads of money on a Louis Vuitton or Chanel handbag; instead, seek alternative brands that provide understated, high-quality bags.
To get a premium feel, choose a purse or a crossbody bag made of leather or other durable materials that do not look cheap.
It may be an old trick, but matching your bag to your shoes is one of the most efficient ways to boost your look. They don’t have to be exactly coordinated, but tying them together may make you seem effortlessly chic.
Wrapping Up: How To Dress Expensive on a Budget
We hope you found this blog post helpful. Dressing expensive doesn’t have to be expensive – follow our tips and you’ll be looking great in no time!
You can slay any outfit with these style hacks without spending thousands of dollars on yourself and your closet. After all, what better way to express your sense of style and individuality than through your clothing?
Tell us in the comments how you style your outfits on a tight budget.
