Discover my 21 go-to hacks to look more expensive every day without breaking the bank.
Wanting to look expensive is very natural and normal. It means you want to exude a rich aura and appear confident to the world.
But how exactly do you manage to look expensive without actually spending loads of money on fashion and beauty?
Believe it or not, it is not about owning a wardrobe full of designer clothes.
It’s more about focusing on the details and making smart choices that elevate your appearance effortlessly.
If you’re aiming to make a great first impression or just want to carry yourself with a bit more finesse, then here’s you guide looking like a million bucks without spending it:
21 Ways To Look More Expensive
1. Iron Your Clothes Before Wearing Them
Wrinkled clothes can ruin even the most luxurious outfits. On the other hand, ironing can make even a cheap outfit look ridiculously good.
I used to be very lazy with ironing, but now, I don’t ever go out in wrinkled clothes. I even iron my jeans very quickly before wearing them.
Pressed and crisp fabric screams sophistication and shows that you care about your appearance.
So, iron it before you wear it and make yourself look posh on the go.
Don’t ever settle for ‘it’s close enough’. You deserve better than ‘almost’ perfect, girl!
2. Invest In A Quality Bag
Up until last year, I had about six handbags, and none of them made me feel so good when I wore them.
The reason? None of them were quality bags, and they did not make me look good.
A good quality bag can make a very cheap outfit (that is well put-together of course) look awesome. So, prioritize quality over quantity in your hand bags.
Get yourself a good bag that goes well with most of your outfits and wear it everywhere till it starts to wear out.
3. Avoid Clothes with Bad Fit
Nothing looks worse than clothes that don’t fit right.
If you have clothes in your wardrobe that have poor fit, slowly go about replacing them, month by month till you don’t own anything that’s in your size.
And if there are any salvageable pieces (like good jeans), then take them to the tailor and get them fitted.
Next, stop buying anything that doesn’t fit you. It won’t do anything good for your wardrobe, confidence, and your finances.
Whether it’s pants that drag on the floor or a top that’s too snug, fit is everything. A well-fitted $50 dress can look more expensive than a $500 designer one that doesn’t suit your body.
4. Wear Simple Jewellery
Loud and clunky jewellery can overwhelm your outfit and make it look inexpensive. But minimalist jewellery? That is your secret weapon to looking expensive.
I personally always go for timeless classics that I can mix and match across different occassions. Examples: Simple gold necklace, pearl stud earrings, and plain rings.
Keep your accessories simple but do wear them; they add finishing touch to all kinds of outfits.
This heart shaped pendant is my fav thing in my jewellery box and I can wear it with almost anything:
5. Style Your Hair
I am not a fan of heat styling equipments as they can damage hair in the long run, but oh my, do they make me look rich or what.
If a classy and expensive look is what you are really after, then styling your hair can really make a difference.
Straighten your hair when you are going for class, and give yourself curls when you are going for a playful appearance.
And don’t forget your heart protectant spray! It will save your hair from heat damage.
6. Get an Electric Lint Remover
Nothing screams poor and broke more than wearing clothes with lint on it. Now, does that mean we go out throwing clothes with lint?
No, babe. Just pick an electric lint remover and let it work its magic.
It can take some time to run it over your clothes, but the results are magic. Your blacks will look blacker, and your sweaters won’t betray their age.
7. Choose Neutral Colors
I think we can all agree that neutral tones like beige, black, white, and grey, are the epitome of sophistication.
They’re very easy to mix and match, and make it simple to create expensive-looking outfits.
So, if you have mostly neutral colors in your wardrobe, that’s actually very good and you do not need to change this, especially if you’re going for expensive-look most of the time.
You can always add a pop of color with accessories for some fun flair.
8. Wear good perfume
This one doesn’t have much to do with ‘looking’ expensive, but more like ‘feeling expensive’.
You need just one good quality perfume in your drawer, and you can use it for a long time to make yourself feel classy before stepping out.
It’ll level up your aura like nothing else and give you the confidence that you need to look expensive.
My current obsession: Gingham Body Mist from Bath & Body Works
9. Try Monochromatic Outfits
In case you don’t know, monochromatic outfit is an outfit that has only one color from head to toe.
How can wearing it make you look expensive? Just imaging yourself wearing one, and you’ll get the answer.
Wearing a single color or varying shades of one hue can make you look sleek and sophisticated.
What a monochromatic outfit does is that it elongates your silhouette and give an impression of effortlessness.
Whether it’s all black, all white, or soft neutrals, this styling hack screams chic and will make you look expensive every single time.
10. Go for Minimal Patterns
Bold patterns can be tricky to pull off and often look cheap if not executed well.
So, unless you are a pattern queen (share your secrets in the comment box if you are), then stick to solid colors or subtle patterns like pinstripes, polka dots, and small checks.
These are timeless patterns that will give you an understated elegance.
11. Add a Belt to Define Your Silhouette
Belts may have started out as functional pieces of clothing, but they’ve really evolved in the fashion world.
You can use a belt to cinch oversized shirts, dresses, and blazers. It will make your outfit look tailored and and give it an expensive-looking finish.
When picking your belts, go for for sleek and minimalist designs in neutral tones so that you can style them with most outfits.
12. Keep Your Nails Well-Shaped and Painted
Your hands are always on display, so don’t neglect them.
Keep your nails trimmed and well-shaped at all times. This is actually part of female hygiene and won’t cost you much if you do it at home (except maybe five minutes of your time).
And yes, paint them in a pretty color to appear chic and polished.
If you’re feeling too lazy to repaint your nails after it’s been a while, then please use a nail polish remover to clean the chipping polish; it’s not a good look on any woman, trust me.
13. Mind Your Posture
Good posture exudes confidence and poise, which are key components of looking expensive.
No outfit can compensate for slouching, so you should always keep your chin up and shoulders back while sitting, standing, and walking.
Stand tall, walk confidently, and own your space. You are already everything you ever want or need to be, girl.
14. Use Scarves to Look More Expensive
Scarves are the unsung heroes of a chic wardrobe.
A lightweight lightweight silk scarf is perfect for leveling up your summer clothes, and a cozy cashmere scarf is all you really need to look best in winter.
You can drape your scarf over your shoulders, tie it around your neck in a classic French knot, or wrap it around your bag handle for a sophisticated look.
Your scarves don’t need to be designer to look elegant. Just try to go for high-quality fabrics that you can wear all season round.
This is my favorite scarf:
15. Swap Cheap Buttons for Better Ones
This hack is pure genius for making inexpensive clothes look luxurious.
We all have clothes that are really good-looking but have cheap buttons that drag them down.So, why not replace them?
It’s a small change but will have a big impact.
Replace the plastic buttons on your blazers, coats, and shirts with metal or mother-of-pearl alternatives, and put on these top wears with confidence.
16. Clean Your Shoes Regularly
No matter how expensive or cheap your shoes are, they won’t look good at all if they’re scuffed or dirty.
So, make it a solid habit to clean and polish all your shoes regularly.
Your footwear says a lot about your attention to detail, so you should never step out in dirty shoes.
Must buy: Shoe cleaning kit
17. Don’t Overload On Logos
Even though wearing logos should give off a rich aura, it actually does the opposite.
Logo-heavy outfits can come across as trying too hard. So, if you can, then avoid something with big logo printed on it.
Instead, when you are going for good brands, opt for understated pieces that let the quality and design speak for themselves.
Subtlety is the ultimate sophistication, always remember that.
18. Prioritize Skincare Over Makeup
All the makeup lovers out there might not agree with this one, but I really do think that a naturally healthy skin is more expensive looking than a dolled upon.
A healthy and glowing complexion is the ultimate luxury, and to earn it, you need to invest your time and energy into it.
A skincare routine is the ultimate way to make it happen. Cleanse, moisturize, and use a SPF 50 sunscreen. Drink loads of water and pamper yourself with DIY facials once a month.
Great skin will allow you to go lighter on makeup, which will bring out a natural and polished look.
19. Keep Your Phone Case Chic
Your phone is practically an accessory, right? So make sure that it complements your look.
I’ve experimented with all kinds of phone cases — fandom related, floral patterns, spooky, and cute owlish ones.
But the one that make me look expensive are often sleep and minimalist.
Buy a case in a neutral tone that will go with most of your outfits. It’ll really help your vibe, trust me.
20. Buy a Pair of Shades
If there is a common accessory that all rich people wear often, its shades. But who says shades only have to be reserved for the wealthy?
Whenever your budget allows for it, get yourself a decent pair of shades that you can wear on sunny days.
It’ll protect your eyes and also keep you looking glam!
21. Smile Softly And Be Kind
The last tip I can give you on looking expensive is to smile at others and speak kindly.
Real richness comes from the heart. If you are soft spoken, have a smiley face, and are kind to yourself and others, then these traits are your true wealth.
Couple your kind smile with the rest of the tips from this post, and be on your way to looking more expensive!
