THEY say dress for the job you want, but the same goes for your lifestyle.
Dressing like you’ve splashed the cash without actually delving deep into your pockets is a great way to style yourself.
Kate Middleton love this simple styling hack[/caption]
Margot Robbie showing what not to do[/caption]
And there are a few simple styling tricks you can do to ensure that you dress smart.
As looking ‘rich’ really isn’t about how many designer logos you can add to your look.
In fact it’s the opposite.
Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale gives you her top tips on dressing rich without breaking the bank.
USE A STEAMER
Amazon steamer £13.99[/caption]
It may seem obvious, but making sure your clothes are well presented really is the first rule.
Whether that be making sure your clothes are steamed or ironed depending on preference, or you’ve used a lint roller to get rid of any unnecessary hair – it all adds to your appearance.
This way you look much more put together and well presented, taking time over your appearance so you appear smart.
You can buy a handheld steamer for as little as £13.99 on Amazon, plus lint rollers are found in most budget stores including Primark.
STICK TO NEUTRALS
Jumper, £24.99, New Look[/caption]
When it comes to your colour palette less is more.
Bold colours, especially neon can come across as slightly garish when worn in the wrong way, so your best option is to stick to a neutral colour palette.
Think cream, beige, brown, black and grey.
Sometimes looking rich can mean being understated and these are timeless colours that will elevate your look.
For example a cream knit top worn with a pair of dark wash jeans is already the perfect start to your ‘rich’ outfit.
GO TONAL
Totally tonal – F&F coat, £59.50[/caption]
Following on from the neutral colour palette, another great way to look rich is making your outfit tonal.
This means wearing the same colour shade head to toe.
Not only does it make you look very put together and co-ordinated, but it makes people think you have spent time thinking about your appearance.
Plus, it can make you look more expensive even when you haven’t had to spend much at all, like this outfit from F&F at Tesco.
ADD A BLAZER
When in doubt , add a blazer.
It’s an easy styling trick that instantly smartens up an outfit and makes you appear more put together, which then leads to you looking more expensive, as the two go hand in hand.
You can even wear over the likes of a t-shirt and jeans, with the blazer elevating the most casual of outfits.
Take inspo from the Princess of Wales who is also a big fan of a blazer.
And they don’t have to come at a cost with this one from Primark costing just £20.
CARRY A GROWN UP BAG
Accessories are also key to pulling together an expensive looking outfit, but don’t worry that doesn’t mean designer.
These days there are lots of great bags around that scream quiet luxury.
For autumn especially look for ones in dark tones such as burgundy and brown, with good structure.
This one from Deichmann for £24.99
WEAR DAINTY JEWELLERY
Sometimes less is more when it comes to jewellery.
Finer, daintier jewellery can look more expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
There are lots of great affordable jewellery options out there from brands such as Accessorize, Orelia and Estella Barlett to name a few.
By adding a thin gold chain, dainty bracelet or ring to your look – it instantly adds more value to your whole look without actually giving it too much thought.
And this kind of jewellery really does go with everything, so incorporate into your everyday look.
SAY NO TO LOGOS
A logo can make your item instantaneously recognisable therefore meaning people know how much you’ve paid for it.
Whilst many designer brands come with embossed logos, they also come with a price tag and there’s nothing worse than someone spotting that you’re wearing something fake as this instantly cheapens the whole outfit.
So the easiest solution is to stay away from logos and fake designer gear.
Honestly, your £2 H&M t-shirt will make you look a lot more expensive.
Why you should always buy a dupe over designer…
Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it’s time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys.
Bargain US supermarket Walmart became a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès’ Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral.
Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: “Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it’s not, because who the hell has the money to spend on the real Birkin? Not me.”
Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that’s a different story).
Plus, if I splashed that much, I’d feel I was being ripped off…
We’ve all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world.
But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity.
Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000.
So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash.
Dupes — not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go.
I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower.
And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have.
Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a “heritage piece” and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we’ve been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades.
If we can buy a bag that’s the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn’t mean you have to remortgage, why not?