A lot of successful people will tell you to ‘fake it ‘til you make it’. What they don’t tell you, is that you’ll likely be faking it for a while and that your image and what you wear is just as important as your brains. When you look the part, people start to believe you’re on top of your game; plus, it just feels nice to look put together.
Here are nine ways to make your clothes look expensive AF.
Visit a Tailor
Have you ever noticed how clothing at stores like H&M and Forever 21 will look nice on the hanger, only to ruin your day once you try it on? That’s one of the big differences between fast fashion and more expensive clothing: fit. A piece that falls well or hugs the body properly always looks like better quality, so make sure to get ill-fitting pieces tailored.
Pro tip: The simpler the garment the easier and cheaper it will be to tailor
Freshly Press Outfits
Always press wrinkled outfits, people! Even if you’re the Queen of England, you’ll still look cheap if your clothes are haphazard. A freshly pressed, crease-free outfit screams luxury. And FYI, it’s 2018 so ironing boards have come a long way; they’re called steamers now and you can even buy small handheld versions that take very little effort to use. No excuses!
Keep Handbags Clean
Similar to the weird satisfaction of seeing a freshly-pressed piece of clothing, a shiny and clean handbag portrays that you have your sh*t together. Keeping your bags clean is also actually easy AF: use Windex on patent leather, and any unscented body lotion on all other leather. If your bags get moisturized more often than yourself, than your doing it right.
Pro tip: Stuff bags with tissue paper when they’re being stored to help the leather retain its shape
Invest in Classics
If you are going to splurge on something, make sure it’s a classic or timeless piece, mainly outerwear, handbags, shoes, and simple jewellery. The trouble with fad and trend items is just that — they’re a fad so they’re going to go out of style real fast. You won’t regret purchasing an expensive bag that you can use to elevate basically any or all your outfits, but you will regret spending over $1000 on a pair of chunky dad sneakers in a couple seasons.
Replace the Buttons
Buttons and hardware on an outfit tend to be a dead giveaway when it comes to quality, especially gold and silver. Ditch the plastic fastenings for something a little more bougie from eBay or Etsy; just search for trimmings. And if you’re not a sewer, don’t sweat it! Most dry cleaners will do it for only a few bucks.
Stop Over-washing
Okay, I think it’s safe to say we live in a clean-obsessed society. Washing your clothes after one day, is actually very excessive, not to mention it wears and fades the fabric quickly. Obviously, if you get super sweaty or have a huge spill, that’s a different deal, but most of the time we wash when we don’t necessarily need to. For small stains, opt for spot cleaning instead, rather than a whole wash.
Pro tip: to get rid of faint odours pop the item in the freezer overnight (yes, it actually works!)
Stick to “Like New” Condition
This one might be difficult for those of us who are clothes hoarders but only keep clothing that is in “like new” condition. If you tell yourself you maybe will wear that worn out and stained t-shirt camping, stop kidding yourself and get rid of it (or donate it). If you notice any loose threads or seams, deal with it, because chances are other people will notice it too. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Keep It Simple
Probably some of the best advice anyone has ever given is to ‘keep it simple stupid’. While the saying is valid in so many situations, it also applies when it comes to your wardrobe. Big and bold patterns tend to look cheap when they are lower quality, and they also go out of style quickly. Sticking to simple styles will ensure your outfit always looks put together. Pair it with a more expensive accessory, and now you’re a bougie-ass babe.’
Pro tip: If you crave patterns, a classic leopard print is one of the only patterns that is timeless.
Launder Properly
Contrary to popular belief the tag on the inside of your shirt is there for a reason (not just to complicate your life on laundry day). Try to always follow the instructions, but when in doubt a good guide is to wash things in cold, with like colours, and hang dry most of your clothing. If something says to hand wash, but you don’t get time for that, purchase a mesh washing bag to put more delicate items in. If an item indicates to dry clean, sorry but there aren’t any shortcuts here – don’t try to wash it!
Do you have any other tips on how to make your clothes look more expensive? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @vivaluxuryblog