The Art of Looking Expensive
Okay, I have spent enough time saving outfits, staring at beautifully put together women in cafés, and wondering why some people always look expensive even when they're wearing a white shirt and jeans. There isn't one secret item you need to buy. It's a bunch of very small things that, when you do them consistently, make a surprisingly big difference. So I made a guide. Not a “buy these 27 things and completely reinvent yourself by Monday” guide. Just the things I genuinely think make someone look more put together.
1. Start with the clothes you already own
Before you buy anything, try on the clothes you wear most often:
→ Do they actually fit properly?
→ Are the trousers too long?
→ Does the blazer sit strangely on your shoulders?
→ Are you constantly pulling your top down or adjusting your skirt?
A simple alteration can make an average piece look considerably better. And please iron or steam your clothes. I know. Boring. But a wrinkled expensive shirt will still look worse than a properly pressed basic one.
2. Stop buying the almost right version
This one has saved me from so many unnecessary purchases. If you want a black bag, don't buy three black bags you only sort of like while waiting to find the one you actually want. Wait. Be picky. Buy things you can imagine wearing repeatedly, not things you need to build an entirely new personality around. A good test is asking yourself whether you would still want the item if nobody could see the brand. If the answer is no, leave it.
3. Pick a few details and keep them consistent
You do not need a signature uniform. But having a few things you repeatedly come back to makes getting dressed much easier. Maybe you always wear small gold earrings. Maybe you prefer structured bags. Maybe your nails are usually short and neat. Maybe you wear the same watch almost every day. The point isn't to become boring. It's to stop starting from zero every morning.
4. Take care of your shoes and bags
People notice condition more than price. Clean your shoes. Remove the random receipts from your bag. Cut loose threads. Replace worn out laces. Use a lint roller. De pill your sweaters. These are tiny jobs, but they make everything you own look better. I would genuinely do this before buying anything new.
5. Learn when an outfit is finished
This might be the hardest one. Sometimes the outfit does not need another necklace. Or another layer. Or a belt. Or sunglasses indoors. Put everything on, look in the mirror, and remove the one thing that feels unnecessary. If you cannot decide, take a photo of the outfit. For some reason, seeing yourself in a photo makes the problem immediately obvious.
6. Make your everyday bag less chaotic
You don't need to carry your entire bedroom around. Keep the things you actually use:
→ Wallet.
→ Keys.
→ Lip product.
→ Tissues.
→ Hand cream.
→ Earphones.
→ Maybe a small comb or mirror.
Use a pouch for the tiny things that usually disappear into the bottom. The goal is to be able to find your keys without emptying seventeen receipts and an old granola bar onto the counter.
7. Your home affects how put together you feel
You do not need to redecorate. Start with the places you look at every day. Clear your bedside table. Make your bed. Put the clothes away instead of creating a chair that hasn't been visible since February. Use a lamp at night. Keep one surface in your room completely clear. Buy flowers occasionally if you like flowers. Use the nice glasses you keep saving for guests. Your space doesn't need to look impressive. It should make your regular Tuesday feel nicer.
8. Have a five minute maintenance routine
This is probably the most practical thing in this entire guide. Before bed, spend five minutes resetting things. Put your clothes away. Pack your bag for tomorrow. Check the weather. Decide roughly what you're wearing. Clean your shoes if they need it. Put things back where they belong. Five minutes at night saves you from running around the next morning looking for one earring while questioning every decision you've ever made.
9. Slow down a little
This one has nothing to do with clothes. Stop apologising before asking a normal question. Try not to explain every decision you make. Look up from your phone when someone is speaking. Sit properly instead of folding yourself into the smallest possible space. Speak slightly slower if you tend to rush when you're nervous. And when you're walking somewhere, you do not need to look like you're escaping a crime scene. Being composed is mostly about giving yourself an extra second.
10. Don't turn this into another impossible standard
You do not need perfect hair every day. Your apartment can be messy sometimes. You are allowed to wear the same outfit twice in one week. You can own cheap things. You can love trends. You can buy something completely impractical simply because it makes you happy. The goal isn't to perform “expensive.” It's to become a little more selective about what you buy, take better care of what you already have, and make small choices that help you feel more put together.
If you want somewhere easy to start, do three things tonight. Steam the outfit you wear most often. Clean out your everyday bag. Put away the pile of clothes on the chair. That's it. You can deal with the rest tomorrow.