First off, who wouldn’t want a wardrobe that looks and feels more expensive, right? I’ve got some super exciting news for you today: You don’t have to buy super high-end clothes to make your outfits look expensive! (Cue the angels singing, I know!) If you are hoping to spruce up your wardrobe without buying any clothes at all, you are in the right place! These ten tips will be divided into two parts:
- How to take care of your clothes so they look more high-end.
- How to style your clothes to spruce up your look.
We will cover part 2 next week, but let’s dive right in with part 1, shall we?
Part 1: How to Take Care of Your Clothes so They Look Expensive
Secret #1. Take care of your shoes
Taking care of your shoes is such a simple and easy way to spruce up your outfit and make your wardrobe look more expensive.
Even if you don’t have a capsule wardrobe (yet!), you pretty much know which shoes you’ll be wearing for the next several months, right? Go ahead and pull out your most commonly worn shoes for this season.
Start out by by checking the buckles, laces, and soles for any signs of damage.
Unlace canvas shoes and treat any really dirty spots with a stain remover. Then throw them (and the laces) in an old pillow case. Tie it off and wash them in the washing machine on cold. Then allow them to air dry away from direct sunlight. They will look so much better!
For leather shoes, order a simple shoe polish kit like this from Amazon or pick one up on your next grocery run. Give your beloved boots or loafers five minutes of your time as you spruce them up for another season of wear.
For suede shoes, take them outside and spray them with a water repellant like this to protect the suede from the elements. I treated all of my suede shoes two years ago, and the protection lasted for multiple seasons. Be sure to put them on an old piece of cardboard first as the spray will leave a finish behind!
For shoes with rubber, such a duck boots like these or tennis shoes, use a Magic Eraser or a baby wipe to clean up the rubber.
For patent leather pumps that have a bit of rubbing at the toe, buy a small bottle of shiny model paint in the same hue. Then use a small paintbrush to touch up the point with a little bit of paint. I did this for years with my favorite black patent leather pumps, and it worked like a charm!
Secret #2. Steam (or iron) your clothes
Yep, I said it!!! Getting out the steamer is WORTH the effort, my friend!
If you’re getting dressed and are pulling on a wrinkled shirt, stop and take just a few minutes to steam it first. Most fabrics are meant to fall without lots of wrinkles and kinks to them, so help yourself out here!
At least once a month, I get out the iron and ironing board. I do all of the ironing for the whole family while my kids watch a movie on a Friday evening. It works out great because I’m right there with them ANNNDDD I’m being productive!
I know you might be thinking that a quick toss in the dryer does enough to get the wrinkles out. While that is definitely helpful, there is nothing like having a well-pressed piece to make your wardrobe look more expensive.
Secret #3. Trim loose threads, belt holders, and hanger loops
As you are getting dressed, if you see a loose thread hanging from your clothing, take ten seconds to quickly clip it off. Do NOT tug on it; you don’t want to create any unsightly bunching of fabric. Stray threads are one of the easiest ways to identify low-quality clothing. This has to be the quickest tip for making your wardrobe look and feel more expensive.
You know those belt loop holders on dresses or tunics that hold a fabric belt in place? Yeah, so those aren’t supposed to remain on the piece after you’ve purchased it! They’re just there to hold the included belt so you can see how it is supposed to look at the store.
Carefully trim the loops off at the base. Tie the belt at your natural waistline. Or better yet, trash the cheap fabric belt, and wear a small leather skinny belt instead. Your hips will do the job to keep it in place.
The only exception to this would be if the belt loops are made from the same fabric as the piece and are sewn into the seam of the garment. If that’s the case, don’t risk cutting them off. But do feel free to wear the belt over the loops instead of through them.
Similarly, cut out those plastic-y or fabric loops on the inside of your clothes that help it stay on the hanger! They’re such a big distraction if they make their way up and out of your top or dress. To actually keep your clothes on the hangers in your own closet, buy some inexpensive velvet ones like these. Not only are they a great space saver, they work like a charm and help you feel like you have a more expensive wardrobe!
Secret #4. Wash your clothes LESS
How exciting is it that I’m encouraging you to do LESS laundry?!?! Best. News. Ever!
Honestly, washing clothes too frequently wears down the fabrics quickly and often results in faded colors. Try spot cleaning your clothes instead. Mix a bit of detergent with some water and use a toothbrush or small sponge to gently rub the spot away. Rinse thoroughly and let the piece hang to dry.
Remember, wash your jeans only when absolutely necessary, and be sure to turn them inside out to protect the finish. I always recommend hanging your jeans and leggings to air dry. Putting them in the dryer is a sure way to cause shrinkage, fading, and early signs of wear.
Secret #5. Clean your accessories
Next, take your expensive jewelry to the jewelry store for a quick clean and polish. It is worth it to have it inspected regularly. Often the jewelry store will clean your pieces for free or for a very minimal charge.
If you prefer to do this at home, get a simple jewelry cleaning kit like this one. Be sure to read the label carefully, as some jewelry cleaning substances used for metals can be damaging to softer stones such a pearl or opal. For tarnished silver, I highly recommend this simple cleaning cloth from Amazon.
There is no doubt that shiny, well-kept accessories are very helpful in creating a wardrobe that looks more expensive.
Secret #6. De-pill your sweaters
No matter the cost and quality of your sweaters, it is likely they will pill or create little fuzz strips. It is definitely annoying to pick off all the little bits by hand. I have this handheld depiller from Gleener. I like it a lot because you can select different size blades based on the type of fabric you’ll be using it with. If you want a battery-operated version, there are lots to choose from online! Getting those unsightly pill balls off of your sweaters will go a long way in helping your wardrobe to look more expensive.
Are you ready to do a simple closet makeover to help your clothes look and feel more expensive? Honestly each of these little tips takes only a few minutes. You could schedule a fun wardrobe-upkeep hour, play some of your favorite tunes, and turn on your diffuser or light a favorite candle while you work. While you’re at it, read this post about what styles you have in your closet to flatter your figure best this fall!
And if you are thinking about decluttering your closet, I have something awesome for you! Check out my brand new video: How To Declutter Your Closet in an Afternoon! I’d love to share this great, free resource with you, so sign up below and get access today!
And finally, be sure to come back next week to learn how to style your clothes and level up your look.
