7 Ways to Look Expensive Without Looking Basic

For some reason everyone wants to know how to look expensive without spending all your coins on designer pieces. Trust me you can wear head to toe designer labels and look a hot mess. Just because something is designer, don’t make it style darlings. You can look expensive with thrifted pieces and high street pieces (Zara, H&M, & Other Stories) just as easily as you can with Céline (old Céline), Balenciaga and The Row. I also find that it’s pretty easy to look expensive but most of those plain looks, are hella basic. I’m not a basic kinda girl. I’m not trying to fit in, I’m trying to stand out and still look stylish doing so. Here are my 7 tips for looking expensive without looking basic. 

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Fit Matters

Fit matters when it comes to looking expensive. The better the fit, the more expensive it looks. Even if a piece is thrifted or high street you can always take it to a tailor to give it a little extra love. I took these super plain knee length linen shorts that I thrifted for $5 and got them tailored so that they now look like this. I also find that the higher the waist, the chicer it looks. So go for high waisted pants, shorts and skirts to add a bit of chic to any look.

50 Shades of White

I don’t know why but everything in the neutral family always looks super expensive especially white! Invest in crisp white t-shirts, white linen button ups, white cotton tops with a twist and even a few basic white tank tops. White looks amazing with pops of jewelry or a blazer thrown over. You should have at least 5 quality white tops in your wardrobe.

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It’s All About Fabric

Satins, Silks, Linens and Cashmere is where it at when it comes to elevating a look. Satin is huge right now and you can find a variety of satin tops and skirts for as little at $20 at most high street places from & Other Stories to ASOS. The great thing about Silk is that its a great insulator and can be worn across all seasons. Don’t forget about the power of a good pleat either, from a pleated skirt to a pleated trouser, pleats mean money. Check out this look and this look that incorporate white and satin pieces.[/one_half] [one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

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Accessories and Jewelry To The Rescue

Often times it’s the accessories that elevate a look from, the perfect leather handbag to a cascade of dainty necklaces. If your jewelry screams minimalist chic of maximalist mode then your outfit is a good as gold. Speaking of which, gold it where it’s at when creating an expensive look. I love a hefty 14K gold earring or chain necklace. I’m also really into wearing and stacking multiple gold necklaces (either super simple and dainty or hella obnoxious and over the top). Make sure to pair everything else down if you go the maximalist route.

 

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Throw a Blazer On It

Everything looks more expensive with the right outerwear, namely a crisp blazer. I got one of my favorite blazers from a thrift store for $25. It was the best money I’ve spent all year because I literally where it anytime I get the chance. I wear it over biker shorts, and over crisp white summer dresses, and with denim skirts. You should have a neutral blazer, a black blazer and white blazer to round out your collection. It doesn’t matter the fabric either. I have a satin black blazer that I love throwing on in the summer for a pulled together yet chic look I won’t melt in. I also have a crisp white linen blazer perfect for layering over skin tight summer dresses.[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 0 0 15px”]

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A Red Lip

A red lip goes a long way. If you’re not into a red lip, please get into it LOL. It’s an instant confidence booster and can make you look pulled together without doing much else in terms of makeup. My favorite red lipsticks for summer are Nars Mysterious Red which I wear daily and Fenty Stunna. They are super bright reds. For Fall and Winter, I like deeper reds like Stila Fiery LipstainNars CruellaLaura Mercier Rouge Profound and MAC Ruby Woo.

GET THE LOOK

Old H&M Button Up Tucked Criss Crossed | & Other Stories Pleated Denim Trousers | BCBGmaxazria Sandals | Zara Bag SOLD OUT | Primark Sunglasses | Lele Sadoughi Earrings | Adornia Heart and Arrow Necklace Use Code: Steele20 for 20% Off | Ritani Diamond Hamsa Pendant Necklace | Nars Mysterious Red Lipstick


Sunglasses Top It Off

Have you ever noticed that all the cool girl wear sunglasses even if its not sunny and somehow make it look so effortless. From years of studying some of my favorite fashionistas from Blair Eadie of Atlantic Pacific to stylist Shiona Turini, I’ve learned the power of a good pair of sunglasses. My favorite at the moment happen to be a $5 pair from Primark that I wearing above and these black baddies I’ve been wearing nonstop from & Other Stories. 

So there you have it. My 7 tips for looking expensive without looking basic. LOL. Please share your hacks for creating elevated looks! I’m always open to suggestions. 

xx

Monroe

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11 Comments

  1. Danielle
    July 22, 2019 / 10:09 am

    First comment on your blog (yay!) Question, when you thrift, do you purchase your bottoms a size larger to get the high waist look? I’m finding it hard to find high waist bottoms at my thrift stores. Thanks!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      July 22, 2019 / 11:59 am

      When thrifting I look for vintage pants. Most of those fit well because the waist is small and the hips are wider. Its all about trying everything on even if it looks like it won’t fit. Thanks for reading and commenting!

      x
      Monroe

  2. July 22, 2019 / 3:05 pm

    Such a great post!! Definitely tips I use when I dress myself every day!! I’m trying to wear more white but I need to not be so clumsy first haha

    • monroesteele
      Author
      July 23, 2019 / 8:22 pm

      I got a post for that coming soon!

      x
      Monroe

  3. Deidre
    July 22, 2019 / 5:33 pm

    All your tips were on point! People overlook a bold red lip. A good brow and a good lip goes along way. Great blog as always.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      July 23, 2019 / 8:21 pm

      Thanks love and you’re so right about a brow!

      x
      Monroe

  4. Toshi
    July 22, 2019 / 6:52 pm

    I love your blog! Great tips…THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      July 23, 2019 / 8:21 pm

      Thanks so much!

      x
      Monroe

  5. Lynn B. Ramsey
    July 24, 2019 / 8:30 pm

    I LOVE A GOOLD OLE TIOS AND TRICKS POST!!! I will be incorporating all of these ideas going forward❤

    • monroesteele
      Author
      July 25, 2019 / 11:17 am

      Thanks so much!

      Monroe

  6. Kathlyn I Roach
    February 24, 2020 / 4:51 pm

    You mentioned a red lip is confident booster… Yes, I agree especially when the sun light hits and your skin is glowing…!! Thank you for adding content with realistic steps..education and following what you like to do..passionate… I follow this book title ..You are a bad ass!…

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