“The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.”
— Blake Lively
SHOP THE LOOK:
Dress – Asos || Crossbody – Forever 21 || Shoes – Asos || Necklace – Heirloom from my Nana || Sunglasses – Karen Walker c/o Ditto (get your first month free with code ‘StewSunnies’) || Lips – Stila in ‘Beso’ || Nails – Christian Louboutin in ‘Just Nothing’ || Hair – c/o Jordan at Dennis Bartholomei || Make-Up – c/o Jenna
Photos courtesy of blogger Heidi
Can you believe this entire outfit — well the shoes, bag, AND dress at least — all cost me less than $100?
Back when I first started working in finance after college I had a LOT of students loans and very little money to spend on my wardrobe even though I was still expected to dress like I HAD money.
But, as they say, “necessity is indeed the mother of invention” and after a few months struggle I began to learn that LOOKING expensive didn’t have to actually BE expensive.
Here are the 5 Best Tips I’ve learned for looking expensive for UNDER $100!
5 Tips for Looking Expensive for Under $100
1. Keep it Classic
Keeping up with trends can get pretty damn EXPENSIVE. Overalls, flatforms, scallop-edged dresses, bomber jackets… Ugh the list goes on! Sticking with classic silhouettes and colors gives your wardrobe a lot more longevity and versatility. One well-tailored little black dress with a pretty neckline like this one will give you so many more options than a trendier piece that’ll probably be out of style next summer anyways. Look for classic wardrobe pieces with chic, understated details you can play up — like the bardot neckline I’m wearing today that I can drape multiple ways.
2. Focus on Fit
Always remember that looking expensive on a budget is an evolving journey and one that does require time and effort. Do your best to seek out pieces for your wardrobe that flatter YOUR figure — ignore the trends and the silhouettes you KNOW don’t work for your body. Try on a lot of different styles to gauge what works best — bring a friend and have her take some pictures even (everything looks different on camera!). Pick pieces that make you feel expensive, playful, beautiful, and confident. Pick things that are comfortable to wear — no one looks expensive when they’re yanking down their hemline! If your clothing fits well and is comfortable it will show in the way you act towards others. You’ll come off as more confident AND more expensive!
3. Add a Red Lip
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it many times again: red lipstick can elevate just about ANY outfit. I firmly believe a woman in red lipstick has the world at her fingertips. It’s such a style confidence booster! One swipe of rouge lippy and suddenly you’re a glamorous bombshell looking for her next glass of champs. Red lipstick can be deceiving — it can be loud, messy, and BOLD — but it also makes you look luxurious in a way few other hues can manage. Pro Tip: Pick a stay-all-day red formula like my favorite from Stila so your color won’t budge, even through a long meal, ensuring you look expensive hours after other red lipsticks have faded.
4. Go Vintage
I adore vintage clothing. I’ve been obsessed for most of my life but it wasn’t until I worked in finance that I really began to appreciate the untapped resource that vintage stores can be. Vintage clothing is often made with better, more luxurious fabrics than you can buy now. It’s often tailored beautifully and designed to last. And there’s nothing like a vintage statement accessory like this silver leaf choker I inherited from my Nana to make any outfit look more luxe. Head to your favorite secondhand store (my favorite is Mercy Beaucoup in Old Town!) and start digging for inexpensive vintage pieces you can integrate into your existing wardrobe. And don’t be scared if a fit is out-dated — you’d be amazed what one stop at a tailor and $20 can do to that shoulder-padded 80’s prom dress!
5. Make a Statement with Inexpensive Accessories
Asos, Forever 21, and H&M are all carrying some really fantastic, inexpensive accessory pieces these days. Take advantage! Buy a funky pair of silver flats or a red crossbody for extra POP to your look. Find one or two accessories you can mix and match into plenty of looks to add some personality and edge to your look. In my opinion the best outfits aren’t the ones that LOOK expensive, they’re the ones that have the most personality!
What tips do you have for looking expensive on a budget?
