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Wardrobe Tips/ Fashion / 09 Oct, 2018

10 Tips To Make Affordable Pieces Look Expensive

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fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a gucci marmont velvet chain wallet and a gucci belt Although I love treating myself to high-quality designer goods, I love saving as much as the next girl. I am a firm believer that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look expensive. And as a result, I’m constantly striving to make every single item look classic and high in quality regardless of its true cost. It may seem that it requires a certain type of skill to source affordable pieces and style them in ways that are elevated, but there are plenty of tips and tricks to make affordable pieces look expensive. Through my experience blogging and shopping, I’ve tried many of them from replacing buttons to properly washing my clothes. And today, I’m providing you with the foolproof tips I use the most.

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a work outfit from bcbg Outfit Details: BCBG Lace Bodysuit (wearing an XS) | BCBG Wide-Leg Slit Pants (wearing a 0) | Givenchy Antigona Bag | Celine Sunglasses | Christian Louboutin Heels

1. Get It Tailored

Fast fashion oftentimes means boxy fits that are meant to fit most frames – although it’s usually not in the most flattering way. Since we all have unique body types, visiting a tailor to make a piece flatter your body shape is one of the easiest ways to make a piece look custom and more expensive. Tailoring isn’t cheap so it doesn’t always make sense to do it for every piece, but if you anticipate wearing something often – it’s worth it. Being petite, I always have to tailor trousers so I typically stick with neutral-colored versions to ensure I get the most wear out of them.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a chanel double flap bag and celine sunglasses Outfit Details: Lioness Black Blazer | BlankNYC Vegan Leather Pants (wearing a 24) | Chanel Bag | Similar Leopard Heels (budget version here)

2. Secure Buttons

Aside from fabric, the second biggest thing that gives away inexpensive pieces is loose buttons. If you’ve ever bought pieces with buttons from Forever 21, you’ve probably experienced a loose button or two. Even pieces in the $100 range can sometimes have cheap or loosely secured buttons. I often take my blazers and other pieces with visible buttons to my tailor to secure or replace all of the buttons before wearing.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a black double-breasted blazer and leopard heels Outfit Details: Lioness Black Blazer | BlankNYC Vegan Leather Pants (wearing a 24) | Chanel Bag | Similar Leopard Heels (budget version here)

3. Choose Pieces In Dark Or White Colors

Dark colors hide imperfections including inexpensive fabric. I almost always opt for darker fabrics or white when buying pieces from fast fashion retailers. Sometimes looking more expensive just means going back to the tried and true colors that never go out of style. Taking a black and white – or monochromatic – approach on an affordable outfit is a simple way to look more expensive.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a white trench coat from revolve and white christian louboutin heels with a white gucci marmont bag Outfit Details: Lovers + Friends Trench (wearing an XS) | GRLFRND High-Waisted Denim (wearing a 23, size down) | Urban Outfitters Crop Sweater Tank (wearing an XS) | Gucci Marmont Bag (mini size, also here) | Christian Louboutin White Heels (better for budget here)

4. Avoid Wrinkles

Another easy way to make your pieces look luxury is to simply take the time to iron, press, or steam them! Wrinkles can even make a designer blouse or dress look careless and unkempt. However, crisp fabric will ensure you leave the house looking put together. Luckily, steamers and irons are both super affordable tools that you can use regularly to keep your wrinkles in check.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a camel sweater dress and a gucci marmont white bag Outfit Details: Tularosa Camel Sweater Dress (wearing an XXS – runs large) | Stuart Weitzman Over-The-Knee Boots (better for budget here) | Gucci Marmont Bag | Karen Walker Sunglasses 

5. Launder Right

Affordable clothing may not have the most durable fabric but there are certainly ways to extend the life of them. One tip I have is to not over wash your garments. Unless you’re dealing with issues like stains, most clothes can actually be worn a few times before they need to be washed. Constant cleaning can actually wear down the fabric and shorten the lifespan. Also, remember that not all pieces are made equally, so it is imperative to treat them that way. All of your garments should have laundering instructions on the sewn-in care label and it’s important to follow them. After all, fading, wrinkling, and shrinking are all telltale signs that your clothing is on the less expensive side.

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing grey gianvito rossi suede heels and a faux leather pants by blanknyc from shopbop Outfit Details: H&M Sweater (runs TTS, also similar here and here) | Blank Denim Faux Leather Pants (runs TTS) | Gianvito Rossi Suede Heels (better for budget here) | Saint Laurent College Bag (large size, exact color sold out) | Saint Laurent Sunglasses (better for budget here)

6. Pair with Heels

Accessories go a long way when it comes to completing an outfit. One of my favorite pieces to elevate an inexpensive look is a pair of pointed toe pumps. Not only are they so classic, but they’re extremely versatile. They automatically make it seem like you put more effort into getting dressed. And oftentimes when you’re in heels, there becomes less focus on the individual pieces you’re wearing and instead, more on your outfit as a whole.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a house of harlow sweater from revolve and a prada cahier bag Outfit Details: House of Harlow One Shoulder Sweater (wearing an XXS, better for budget here) | By The Way Faux Leather Skirt (wearing an XS, similar here) | Prada Cahier Bag | Saint Laurent Sunglasses (better for budget here) | Kurt Geiger Leopard Heels (sold out, similar here, better for budget here)

 

7. Check for Craftsmanship

When I am shopping for affordable pieces, I always do a quick scan over every item before I invest my money. Look for signs of poor craftsmanship such as loose threads, cheap hardware, poor working zippers, and low fabric quality. While cashmere and silk aren’t super affordable, fabrics like linen, cotton blends, and faux leather or suede are – and they have a way of making clothes more expensive than they actually cost.

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a camel coat from revolve and a j. crew denim shirt from nordstrom Outfit Details: J. Crew Chambray Shirt | Asos Black Denim | Anine Bing Bralettte | Revolve Camel Coat (sold out, similar here and here) | Givenchy Antigona Bag | Saint Laurent Sunglasses

8. Invest in the Right Undergarments

In addition to ensuring your clothing fits just right, having the right undergarments is a surefire way to help make your outfit appear more expensive. Undergarments are often neglected, but can make a huge difference in smoothing out a poor fit and minimizing imperfections. You’ll be surprised at how the simple change of a bra or addition of shape wear can instantly refine and polish your silhouette.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing stuart weitzman over-the-knee black boots and a gucci marmont bag Outfit Details: Topshop Camel Coat (wearing a US 2) | Free People Tunic (wearing an XS) | Gucci Bag | Celine Sunglasses | Stuart Weitzman Over-The-Knee Boots

9. Mix in Designer Pieces

Looking good is all about balance and this certainly applies when mixing affordable pieces with your designer items. Personally, I like to splurge on quality accessories that I can wear over and over. One would never know you snagged a dress off of clearance when paired with an investment-worthy designer bag, shoes or the coveted Gucci belt. If you’re on a tight budget, keep your eyes peeled during sale periods (like Black Friday coming up next month) or search at outlets for amazing steals.

 

fashion blogger mia mia mine wearing a gray sweater from H&M and faux leather pants from shopbop Outfit Details: H&M Sweater (runs TTS, also similar here and here) | Blank Denim Faux Leather Pants (runs TTS) | Gianvito Rossi Suede Heels (better for budget here) | Saint Laurent College Bag (large size, exact color sold out) | Saint Laurent Sunglasses (better for budget here)

10. Know a Few Style Tricks

The last thing I do after getting dressed is take a quick glance in my mirror to see if my outfit could use a last minute adjustment. Knowing some style tricks definitely comes in handy. A few of my favorites are rolling my sleeves or pulling them out when going for a layered look. I also like tucking my top into my jeans or trousers with an exposed belt or cuffing my pants with high heels. One of my favorite tricks in the fall is to pull an oversized sweater off-the-shoulder for a more interesting silhouette. Although subtle, these few tweaks can make a huge difference in your appearance.

xo, Maria

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