Welcome back, friend! I’m so excited to go through the last 5 steps of how to style your wardrobe to look more expensive! If you missed it, you can read Part 1 of How to Make Your Wardrobe Look More Expensive right here. If you are hoping to freshen up your wardrobe without buying a ton of new clothes, you are in the right place!
These ten tips to spruce up your wardrobe have been divided into two parts:
- How to take care of your clothes so they look more high-end.
- How to style your your wardrobe to look more expensive.
We are covering Part 2 today, and I’ve got some great ideas that you can start using right now. So let’s get into it with numbers 6-10!
Secret #6. Pair your neutral pieces for a monochromatic look.
What is monochrome anyway? “Mono” means one and “chrome” means color, so this is the concept of dressing head to toe in one color. Not only is this one of the most flattering style tips for ANY body shape, as I share here, this requires no effort other than pulling out the pieces from your closet.
Start by choosing a solid color pair of pants or skirt in a neutral color, such as black, white, taupe, cream, grey, or navy. Then look through your closet and choose a top in the same neutral color. It is perfectly fine if they are slightly different shades. Mixing textures is definitely desirable. Just add some of your newly cleaned shoes and some sparkling accessories, and you’re on your way to a very upscale look. For learning how to dress monochromatically, check out this blog article on StylishlyMe.com.
Secret #7. Carry a structured handbag.
Think for a moment about some of the classiest dressers we see in media today. Did you think of either of the Duchesses? Both Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan are known for having an exceedingly strong handbag game.
Okay, it is time for me to stop drooling and continue with this post!
It is a fact that you don’t have to go super high-end or even designer to find a bag that looks both polished and intentional. Look for something with simple lines that holds its own shape. You want to be able to carry it in the crook of your elbow or by the handles in your hand. Stay away from cross body bags too, as the strap between the boobs creates a less desirable effect for almost every body shape.
Secret #8. Match your shoes and your handbag.
Now, this doesn’t mean your handbag and your shoes have to be a perfect match of brand and color. But keeping them in the same color family really styles your wardrobe to look more expensive in an instant. Matching shoes and handbags are definitely a hugely popular returning trend, so not only will you feel polished, you’ll be trendy too!
Carry a small navy satchel and wear navy booties or pumps. Choose your brown handbag when you wear those brown riding boots. Opt for a black mini bag to wear with your black flats. How easy is this??
Secret #9. Top your outfit with classic outerwear.
Especially as the seasons change, look for timeless pieces such as a navy peacoat from Boden like this or a belted trench coat from Burberry (that I dream of myself!) like this. When the weather is a bit warmer, opt for a well-kept denim jacket or a fitted blazer. For a super preppy look, add a quilted vest like this one from JCrew. All of these pieces bring structure and class to a flowy dress or top, scale up denim jeans and skirts, and polish pretty much any look in the book.
Secret #10. Inspect prints carefully.
If you choose to wear a printed piece, make sure the pattern, stripes, or plaid MATCHES up at the seams! This is a giant pet peeve of mine. I found the perfect plaid flannel shirt last year that suited my winter capsule wardrobe perfectly, but when I noticed the back panel was sewn in crookedly, back to the store it went. Check your skirts, tops, dresses and pants with patterns and make sure they line up perfectly at the seams.
Now, I know I mentioned this blog series would contain 10 tips, but I actually have two more I want to share with you (as well as one more that I’ll share in this week’s newsletter). So without further ado, here are two extra ways to style your wardrobe to look more expensive:
Secret #11. Wear heels with your jeans.
This is an instant way to add some fanciness to your outfit! Whether you opt for heeled booties or a great pair of tasteful black pumps, adding length to your silhouette is always a great idea, as I share here. If you are already tall, embrace it! Wear heels and lengthen the look of your legs.
There is a great post called How to Wear High Heels with Jeans over at anandasaba.com that I definitely recommend!
Finally, research has shown that tall people are seen as more capable leaders, so help yourself out by adding a few inches to your height. One exception – gaudy platforms do not make your wardrobe look more expensive, okay? Enough said.
Secret #12. Get your clothes tailored.
The vast majority of clothing sold today is made to fit the “ideal” feminine shape: the hourglass. But did you know that just over 20% of women have an hourglass silhouette? That means that nearly everything we purchase is not ideally designed for 80% of the female population. No shade toward the clothing industry for this, but it seems to me that the practice of having our clothes tailored to fit our individual body shape and size should be done a lot more often than it is (for me, included).
There are probably more capable tailors in your area than you may think. And they often charge a less expensive fee than you may expect. So take a look through your closet and choose a few items that you tend to pass over, thinking “If this just fit a little _____, I’d wear it more.” Once tailored for you, they just might become your very favorite pieces. Having clothes that fit you perfectly IS within your reach!
Finally, be sure to check out my new video training that teaches you how to Declutter Your Closet in an Afternoon! With my easy 3-part method, clearing out your closet will go smoother than ever. Simply sign up to get the training!
For now, which one of these seven tips are you going to try?
