Contrary to what you may think or believe, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look expensive and classy. There are a few tips and tricks to appear put together, polished and expensive.
In this post, we share some of those 20 tips to help you look boujee and expensive.
Keep reading to learn!
It’s pretty easy to tell between a classy white tee and a cheap one, yet most women hardly invest in quality tees and other wardrobe basics. High-quality basics obviously look much better than cheaper versions. And even though they cost a bit more upfront, they last longer and make you look expensive.
So the next time you go shopping for basics like well-fitting t-shirts, jeans, and a little black dress, cough a little more to get high-quality items. Even if you will layer the basics with cheaper blazers, long coats, or even accessories, you will still look classy and elegant.
Perhaps one of the most fundamental rules to dressing elegantly is to choose clothes that fit well. Clothes that fit properly and are well-tailored and structured will always look more expensive than those that are too loose or too tight.
When shopping, make sure to try things on and get them altered if necessary. Do not walk around with seams that are nearly popping off.
If you must dress in a baggy sweater, for instance, ensure it is not overly baggy, and you must pair it with fitting pants, jeans, or a skirt. In the same breath, if you must wear tight-fitting dresses or pants, ensure they are not overly tight but just tight enough to subtly highlight your natural curves.
To find the right fitting, start by knowing your body type and establishing what styles and cuts accentuate your body. If you are short, you definitely don’t want a dress made with lots of fabrics, as it will make you look as though you are drowning in the dress.
There is a reason why timeless, classic pieces are generally more expensive upfront than trendy items. It is because they remain in style for years to come, unlike the trendy items that tend to go out of style pretty quickly. In addition, they don’t make you look unique or classy.
A few high-end accessories can elevate even the most basic of outfits. If you don’t already have a luxury accessory in your closet, we suggest you invest in a nice watch, belt, designer handbag, or a pair of quality shoes.
Ever heard the phrase, less is more? Well then, when it comes to appearing expensive and put together, you want to keep things minimal. This means choosing clean, classic pieces and avoiding an overload of logos or flashy details in your outfit. For instance, walking around with a t-shirt full of Gucci logos looks downright cheap, even if the t-shirt is expensive.
While we are not against pops of colors in outfits, we find neutral colors like black, white, navy, and gray make an outfit look classier and more expensive as opposed to colored outfits. Picture a lady in an all-white dress or a black silk top over white high-waist pants. Classy, right?
If you love color, though, pair your colored items with neutral colors and wear monochrome if you must wear a colored outfit. Going monochrome looks much classier than wearing two or multiple colors.
Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, linen, silk, and leather look expensive, just as they are. Think cashmere sweaters, silk tops from Lilysilk, long black woolen coats, or cotton pants. In addition to looking luxurious, they will also see you through all seasons.
If you can’t afford the high-end prices, we suggest keeping your ears open for end-of-the-season sales.
Watch Daria Andronescu share tips on how to select natural fabrics.
You must know by now that there are clothes for every occasion. The same way you can’t turn up at work wearing a short sequin dress is the very same way you should never dress out of any occasion. Assess your lifestyle to know the different outfits you should invest in. At the very least, you should have formal outfits for work, sleepwear, gym wear, dinner dresses, loungewear, and casual outfits for running around, among others.
You should also have seasonal pieces like sweaters for fall, coats for winter, light dresses, shorts, and swimwear for the summer season.
A monochromatic outfit is where you pull off a single color from top to bottom. For instance, you could wear a black top and black pants and throw on a black blazer. While it may sound boring, monochromatic outfits can make you look elegant and expensive.
Watch Dearly Bethany explain the different ways to wear a monochrome outfit in this video tutorial.
Decide what statement piece you want to invest in and start saving up. It could be a vintage designer bag, a well-tailored designer suit, a black leather boot, or designer sunglasses. The point is to invest in a few high-quality statement pieces that instantly make you look expensive. This is a trick that celebrity fashion icons do a lot.
Layering is not only a creative way to express your personal style but also a way to add depth and interest to an outfit, making you look put together and expensive.
To layer your outfits, you will need to start with solid-colored tops and bottoms as your base layers. These can be a t-shirt and jeans, blouse and skirt, or a sweater and slacks, then layer with a striped shirt, leather, corduroy, or denim jacket, etc.
Remember to play around with proportions. For instance, you could pair a loose, oversized sweater with a form-fitting skirt or a long, flowing coat with a pair of skinny jeans. Also, don’t forget to add some accessories to your layers. A scarf, hat, or pair of gloves can add another layer of interest to your outfit, making you look, boujee.
There is something about women who smell nice. They appear more attractive and more expensive. Maybe it is because fragrances are associated with luxury and exclusivity. That aside, wearing a pleasant-smelling scent can create a positive impression on others and make you look, boujee.
We have some great tips on how to choose the right fragrance here.
We all know that jewelry is associated with wealth and luxury, so a quick way to look expensive is to finish off your outfit in a piece or two.
We recommend investing in high-quality, well-made jewelry. These add a touch of sophistication and style to an outfit and convey a sense of taste and refinement.
If you can’t afford designer jewelry yet, costume jewelry will still do. Keep in mind, however, that a person wearing a designer watch or a piece of heirloom jewelry may appear more expensive than someone wearing costume jewelry.
Gold and silver are the most popular choice for jewelry, and they both deliver the elegant and expensive look you want. However, keep in mind that gold is generally more expensive than silver due to the metal’s rarity and the fact that it is more labor-intensive to extract and work with.
On the other hand, although cheaper and much more durable, silver tends to tarnish easily, so you may need to frequently clean and maintain it. Whether gold or silver, though, the ultimate choice will depend on your preference.
You can have the best outfit in the world, but if your hair is disheveled, your entire look will look equally disheveled. If you have a bad hair day, find a way to still look well-groomed. Put on a wig, wear a hat or tie a headscarf, or simply just use a hair spray to tame your wild hair.
As for make-up, always go subtle and minimal. You want to look as close as natural as you can. Something as simple as red lipstick and winged eyeliner is enough to elevate your look.
Chipped nails are not only an eyesore but a sure way to say, “I am broke”. You may not think so much about it, but well-groomed nails add a touch of class to an outfit. If your nails start chipping and you do not have the time to get them done, just remove the nail polish on all nails. You are better off with no polish.
Another easy way to instantly look boujee is to throw on a pair of glasses. However, not all glasses work, you have to invest in high-quality glasses. Designer glasses will, of course, elevate your look effortlessly, but any good-quality glasses will do as well. We recommend the cat-eye or oval types.
There is no way you would ever look expensive walking around with crumpled and creased outfits. You will be giving quite the opposite impression of a disheveled person who hasn’t gotten a hold of their life. No matter how busy or out of time you are, spend a few minutes ironing or steaming your clothes.
Can you think of anything classy and bougie than a well-structured leather handbag? First and foremost, leather is a luxurious material, and secondly, black or brown are powerful and sophisticated colors that compliment practically every outfit.
Admittedly, a leather handbag will cost you a pretty penny, but it’s all worth it. It’s one of those items that only get better with time and can last you for decades if well taken care of.
Good posture can make a big difference in how you look and feel. It makes you look confident, polished, put-together, and in control. In addition, it improves digestion, breathing, and circulation. It is a win-win!
Good posture will require some practicing, it’s not something you just master overnight.
To maintain a good posture, keep your shoulders back and your head up and your feet shoulder-width apart. This helps you evenly distribute your weight on both feet.
Also, avoid slouching or leaning to one side, and try to keep your spine in a neutral alignment at all times. Proper posture sure takes some effort and practice to maintain, but it is well worth the effort if you want to look bougie and expensive.
Lastly, look confident. No matter what you’re wearing, confidence is the most important factor in pulling off any look. Believe in yourself and your style, and it will show in the way you carry yourself. And you don’t have to feel confident to look confident, small things like speaking clearly, giving a firm handshake, and making eye contact are all you need.