HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR STYLE (AND AVOID LOOKING CHEAP)

Personal Style

Sure, we could all use an unlimited budget for clothing but even still, there is a difference between looking expensive & stylish versus spending a ton of money on simply wearing designer pieces head to toe.

Here are five easy tips for shopping and styling to make your looks feel luxury and polished:

  1. Be mindful of material
  2. Make sure it fits properly
  3. Details indicate quality
  4. Elevate with accessories
  5. Care for and wash pieces appropriately  

MATERIAL:

When possible, invest in pieces with real fabrics over synthetic ones.  Think leather, wool, silk and 100% cotton and avoid cheaply made polyester/rayon.  There are great options for vegan leather products out there, but you want to make sure your faux leathers aren’t too stiff and appear buttery soft and real. 

STRUCTURE AND FIT:  

You want to make sure even your t-shirts have structure to them, and the knit is wovely tightly to allow for less give.  The same for tailored pieces, just because it’s a blazer doesn’t mean it won’t look too slouchy.  I also prefer to buy denim with a heavier fabric, less than 2% stretch because they will hold their shape better.  And don’t forget to tailor any pieces that are not hitting you in the right places. 

THE DETAILS:

Don’t lose sight of the important details.  Dead giveaways of poorly crafted garments can often be found in the stitching, buttons and zippers.  Look for when the stitching looks uneven or the color is off, for example.  And some jackets are made with cheap plastic zippers, you want to look for ones that are sturdy in metal, as those will often be rust proof and hold up much longer. If you find a piece you like and the buttons are not of good quality, bring this to a tailor and have them swapped out for any easy upgrade. 

ACCESSORIES:

Items like jewelry and handbags can last a lifetime and can often add luxury elements to an otherwise simple top and jeans. I often use other pieces like a well-constructed hat, belt or classic designer pump to elevate a look when the core pieces of an outfit are more affordable. 

AT HOME CARE:  

Once you buy something, it’s important to care for your your stuff properly.  Making sure you only wash items when necessary and taking high-quality items to the dry cleaner will preserve color, shape and fabric.  I recommend also investing in a good steamer to use even on t-shirts to make sure there are zero wrinkles and creases in your clothing.

As a luxury personal stylist, it’s my job to help my clients look more expensive. I make it a point to use these five tips every time I style one of my clients. The key is to find those higher quality pieces at lower price points and brands and mix those in conjunction with your high-priced staples. If you need more guidance, make sure to book a consult with us and find the right service for you.

-Amanda