Looking Expensive on a Budget

Believe it or not, it doesn't cost a lot to look expensive. I've been bargain shopping for years and find that spending a lot of money on certain items just isn't necessary.

My mom introduced me to the thrift store at an early age and I honestly used to hate it. The smell, the dust and the fact that it was only one of each item. But as I got older, I learned to appreciate used clothing especially if it was designer!

My budget doesn't always match my taste so, when shopping at the thrift store or any other retailer, I try to gravitate towards pieces that are of quality, to keep up with my classic and sophisticated style. When choosing these pieces, I make sure to look at the type of fabric it's made of, the type of item it actually is and the color of it. It's not always easy finding timeless pieces at low prices but it is definitely doable.

Continue reading to find out how I manage to always look put together and "expensive", on a budget.

Wear neutral colors

Neutral colors make any outfit look clean and classic. Black has always been seen as a very rich and classic color. Everyone has black in their closets. But I try to pick neutrals that aren't as dark but can still go with mainly everything in my wardrobe.

I find myself looking for navy's, gray's, browns and green's. Navy is a great substitute for black and still looks great with everything. Gray is a fresh neutral that looks good with more casual looks depending on the shade. For brown, I love nude/tan and more of a camel color like the pants I am wearing above. Olive green or "khaki" is another great neutral that can be worn all year around.

Pointy Toe shoes

I used to hate pointed toe shoes but I've learned to love them. Just the style alone, makes any shoe look a tad bit more expensive and chic compared to any other round toe shoe.

Simple jewelry

Simple jewelry like dainty gold or silver chains, bracelets and necklaces, really help to pull a look together. Because of it's elegant look, it compliments almost any outfit you wear.

I'm really not a person who wears much jewelry. My go-to is my silver class ring and diamond studs. I just recently got into wearing a simple silver bangle and my black Pandora charm bracelet. But that's it. You really don't need much.

Mix in designer accessories

When shopping for designer pieces, thrift stores and consignment shops are your best friend. When you choose to invest in certain pieces, you'll more than likely have the disposable income to purchase them because you aren't spending it on any other items in your closet. But mixing high end and low end brands are a great way to look expensive and not break the bank.

For me, I'm not really big on designers as I should be, but there are certain brands that I like to invest in. For my jeans, I love Paige jeans. They're great quality and have some stretch. I also like to invest in jackets and shoes. No particular brand. Even though my dream closet is still in the works, these are the pieces that I would feel most comfortable spending my money on.

What pieces would you invest in?

Neutral makeup and polished nails

Less is always more in my eyes. Neutral eye shadow palettes, dewy skin and nude lipsticks and lip glosses looks great on everyone. Also, having your nails polished with similar colors adds a great finishing touch.

Red lipstick

Red is a color that looks good on any complexion.

Play with fabrics

- suede

- cotton

- linen

These particular fabrics always look good, feel good and aren't ridiculously expensive. I love suede shoes and jackets, cotton everything and linen when the season is right. These three fabrics are my go-to because they're easy to care for and will never go out of style.

Make sure your clothes fit

This is a no brainer. Unless you're going for an over sized look, your clothes should properly fit you. When your clothes fit, you look more put together.

Add a leather jacket

A leather jacket, along with a few other styles like the trench coat, a bomber or a denim jacket are pieces that will never go out of style. They also are versatile and make any outfit look more expensive.

Photographer: Nandi Henderson (@millimetervisuals)

Outfit details:

Off the shoulder top: HM

Tan pants: Savers Thrift ($3)

Blush mules: Uptown Cheapskate

Blush clutch: American Apparel

Denim Jacket: HM (thrifted)

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Happy Shop Your Closet Month!

If you've been keeping up with us then you know that we offer a plethora of styling services. But we wanted to dedicate this month to one specific service that we feel is highly needed.

Is your closet full of clothes that you don't know how to piece together? Have no fear.

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If you struggle with putting together outfits and planning out your looks for the week, we're here to help!

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