What makes your outfit look like it cost a million bucks? Sure, you could go and spend a million on it, but most of us aren't about to marry into the Ambani family. We have budgets that we need to stick to. That doesn't mean, however, that you are doomed to a lifetime of looking cheap. There are a few tricks that you can use to make the clothes you buy seem like they cost a lot more than you paid for them. Some are simple, and some might require you to tweak your style just a little. But should you ever need to, here's a guide to looking expensive on a budget.
1. Avoid prints and stick to solid colours.
How pretty is the pattern of this H&M dress. It cost a little over Rs 2000. But look closely at the joints of the seams. Does the patter line up? Nope. A designer dress (if it's a good designer) will line up perfectly at the seams. Even at the joints of sleeves or frills, the patterns will look unbroken. It's one of the reasons why designer pieces cost so much. They waste such a lot of fabric in the making of them. Anyone who is used to good clothes would take one look at this dress and know that it came from a cheap store.
In contrast, this dress suffers from no such dead giveaways. It's a solid colour, so it's impossible to tell whether it came from a cheap manufacturer who has to make the most of every scrap of cloth, or from a high-end designer who has bolts of customised cloth to waste. With the right accessories, it will look like it cost a fortune. Stick to solid colours, if you want your clothes to look costly.
2. Pointy-toed shoes are always the right option.
As much as I love Aldo's shoes, this pretty, but more round-toed nude pair simply doesn't hold a candle to the pointy-toed Dune ones.
Pointy-toes are to blame for bunions, cramped toes, and a whole host of other feet ills. But it can't be denied that they look far more expensive than round-toed shoes.
Take these for example, would you believe that they cost a lot less than the Aldo ones and are from Forever 21?
A pointy toe will make even the cheapest shoes seem more expensive than they really were.
3. When it comes to jewellery, think tiny...and gold (or imitation gold).
It can be tempting to choose the largest, blingiest piece you can afford, when you hit the jewellery stores. Whether you are actually buying real gold and diamonds, or fake ones, remember this: the truly rich never wear anything in your face. (The sole exception would be on their wedding day, when they don family heirlooms. But otherwise, never!) If you want to look like you belong, skip the big items for tiny, delicate pieces. While big rocks may cost more, it takes fabulously skilled artisans to craft something delicate and small. It shows that you have enough jewellery to appreciate the art that goes into making a piece.
This tiny letter 'M' make the perfect pendant for a thin chain. Also consider this: everyone can afford to buy real gold and diamonds when they're small items. Most people will assume the piece you're wearing is real. With bigger pieces, those who know your finances will know that they're fake. And will likely happily enlighten anyone who assumes that your necklace or earrings are real. Keep it small and classy.
4. Avoid fakes and first copies like the plague!
Will all those Chinese goods flooding our markets, it can be so tempting to pick up a first-copy of a high-end designer bag. Don't! Those who do own designer goods are well aware that you've got a fake one. And those who don't have seen your bag sold in the stores for Rs 2000. It doesn't make you look rich; it makes you look like a desperate wannabe.
Rather than that, pick up the best quality bag (leather, preferably, but if your beliefs say no then faux suede or raffia or cloth) from a non-designer brand that you can afford. Charles & Keith and Aldo have lovely bags. Accessorize always have their own interpretation of the latest designer style. Da Milano is surprisingly affordable, as is Esbeda. I'd steer clear of both Baggit and Lavie. Their bags look and feel cheap. Zara and H&M have some really nice ones too, if you're prepared to hunt around in every store in the city. Don't buy faux leather. It doesn't wear as well as faux suede does. The heat of Mumbai has faux leather bags peeling within a few months of purchase.
These are a few of my 'look expensive for less' tips. If you want some more, let me know!
Till next time,
MumbaiGirl
IG: @maryannecp
No comments:
Post a Comment