I love thinking about the concept of dressing yourself in a
way that conveys wealth and class in an old-fashioned sense. Of course even money is no guarantee you will
look good. As we all know, extremely
rich people can still look cheap. There
are plenty of walking testimonies, celebrity or otherwise, that you can look
tacky even having spent plenty. And
there are those without much money but an innate sense of their own style who
can look fabulously upmarket.
So what are the elements that make someone look quietly
expensive? Just for fun, here are my
favorite ideas, gathered from internet searches over time, and also my own
notes on when I feel good. I have a few
posts planned on this topic, with this first one focusing on our personal
style.
Firstly, I think color plays a big part. To me, ‘expensive’ colors are neutrals, worn
together. Think a whole outfit in tones
of caramel and cream. Black and
off-white or black and caramel are very stylish too. In general black, navy, winter white, beige or
caramel and red, and adding soft, muted tones of blush pink, sea-foam green,
Tiffany blue and other such shades depending on what suits your coloring. Colors I do not think are luxurious and
wealthy are the lurid brights – neon pink, bright purple, yellow, orange. Especially when paired with black. I remember Trinny and Susannah saying once
that putting black with a bright colour makes both look cheap.
Fabric-wise, I always think woven, or structured knits look
more expensive. Going the other way are
floppy t-shirt knits or floaty boho type clothing. Again, this is my personal taste in clothing
coming out, but I always feel more pulled together in a pressed shirt and dark
fitted jeans or a semi-fitted dress with simple lines.Wearing classic styles, I
consider to whisper money. Luckily I
love the classics and never feel more at home in a pair of well-cut jeans and a
white shirt (to me, the Hamptons look), or in tailored black pants and a tuxedo
front shirt or flattering black top with high heels if dressing up.Shoe-wise, I
love the classics too – the black leather ballet flat, white or navy canvas
Converse sneakers. A perfectly pointed
stiletto heel never goes out of fashion.
I always think chunky heels make a leg look chunky, even on skinny starlets. Wedges ditto but there are some very cute
wedges out there that are a bit finer, not so extreme that look pretty and
well-bred.
Consider where you are going. When I visit a dear friend in an old money
part of town, I love dressing up in my most classic outfits, clothing I imagine
I might wear if I lived there. Without
fail I always feel richest in my classic clothing.Take notes on what others are
wearing when you visit wealthy areas.
There is nothing I love more than (after dressing up) than taking a
stroll around the shops, maybe try on some clothing or just have a look through
the stores in fancy areas. I notice the
outfits and details others are wearing on the streets. Funnily enough I am more interested in what
the older ladies are wearing, I don’t know what’s up with that. There is a different vibe in wealthy
areas. I like to absorb it and take it
home with me.
Wearing big sunglasses I think imparts an air of mystery and
glamour. I have gotten out of the habit
over winter but need to polish my favorite ones and start wearing them every
day. Plus they protect your eyes from
the sun, which is important for both the eyes themselves, and also preventing
wrinkles. I adore aviators too, they
look very luxe to me.
Attending to grooming is très important. Even when at home by myself, and especially
when out. I have been perfecting my
grooming regime over time, and by making myself do it even when I couldn’t be
bothered it’s now become a habit. I always wear perfume, even on a home
day! I wear it for me, so I am never
without it. Currently I enjoy having a
variety to choose from , you can mix and you will come up with a great smell.
For makeup, the wealthy look is less or no makeup look, with not too much around the
eyes. A polished, natural glow, and a
bit of bronze. Being so fair, I always
look too orange with bronzer (even pale ones), which is a shame as I love the
look on others. So I go the peaches and
cream route with a tiny amount of foundation and concealer, a dusting of
translucent powder, pinky blush and glossy lips. Groomed brows and a little eyeliner and
mascara completes my look.As I said before, even when I am at home I wear
perfume and a little makeup (less than if I’m going to work). Somehow it affects the way I act and how
efficient I am throughout the day. Even
though I can’t see myself unless I pass a mirror, I feel like less of a slob!
Lastly is jewelry.
Keeping my real jewelry very clean ensures its sparkle and therefore
the wealthy look. If you don’t have
jewelry cleaner, dish-washing liquid and a clean toothbrush will make it look
beautiful. Use on gold and all precious
stones except for emeralds. I squirt a
tiny amount of dish wash on the toothbrush, clean my ring or necklace (including
the chain) carefully and then rinse in warm water and dry. You will be amazed how good they look. Pearls just need a polish with a soft cloth
and plenty of wear, as the oils in your skin keep them nice.Actually, clean is probably is one of the biggest things in
looking expensive. Think pristine light
colored clothing, just-washed bouncy hair, sparkling jewelry and polished,
clean shoes.
So what i'm saying its not always about the label ,grooming
is important first and be smart about your shopping :
1.
Get
everything tailored. And while you're shopping, keep in mind that the
simpler the garment, the easier (and cheaper) it is to tailor.
2. Only wear
pieces in "like new" condition.
If you see a stain and you can't get it out yourself,
immediately take it to a dry cleaner to see what they can do. If nothing can be
done, donate it. If you see a loose thread or button, or a ripped seam, just deal
with it. If you notice it, other people will too.
3. Stop washing
your stuff so much!
You want to keep everything clean, but washing it is not the
answer. Washing clothes wears down the fabrics and fades the colours, making
them look old and cheap. If you get a mark on a piece of clothing, spot clean
it with a sponge or toothbrush. If something starts to smell, stick it in the
freezer for the night. Yes, the freezer thing really does work. Try it,
already!
4. Keep it simple.
Start by buying simpler stuff on the cheap end — no jeweled
embellishments or pleated tops or distressed and whiskered denim, since details
like these are really hard to do well on a budget. Beyond that, you may want to
consider streamlining your look as a whole. For example, don't stack three
cheap little bracelets to try to make them more impact. Just wear one
bracelet that is the thickness you actually want. Before you leave the house,
ask yourself: "How can I make this outfit sleeker?"
5. Invest in
expensive statement pieces and trend items, and save on basic, versatile pieces
and "timeless classics."
High-low is all the rage, but most people are doing it
wrong. Don't spend R3000 on a pair of black leather pumps that you could get
for cheaper . The fact is, both shoes are going to wear out before you are done
with them and it is doubtful that anyone, including you, would be able to tell
the difference between the cheap shoes and the expensive ones anyway.
Save your money for the attention-grabbing trend items that
will become the focus of your outfit anyway.
6. Choose black
over brown.
Browns and other warm, earthy colors like mauve and olive
often end up looking dingy and sad when they are used in prints and low-quality
materials, like the kinds cheap clothes are often made of. Instead, focus on
black and white and really saturated colors that feel bright and crisp, like
bold pastels and deep, rich jewel tones.
7. Create a
smooth silhouette under your clothes.
Bra lines and visible panty lines are distracting and make
your clothes look flimsy and ill-fitting. The problem is, most cheap clothes are
flimsy and ill-fitting, but a well-fitted bra, a slip, or a little lightweight shape
wear can minimize those bumps and distractions, and make your clothes look
instantly more luxe.
What else would you add to this list?
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