How to Put Together an Outfit to Look More Expensive

shop my outfit: Linen pants | Brown Leather Belt | Fitted T-Shirt | Brown Leather Bag | Pointed Toe Flats

Unless you’re doing something complicated like changing the overall fit of something, hemming or waistband adjustments are simple tasks for a tailor. These adjustments may seem like small changes, but they make a big impact on how your clothing hangs on you, and it’s an easy way to get the look of custom-made clothes even when they’re purchased off the rack.

When hemming pants, think about the types of shoes you will likely wear with them (flats vs. heels), and take that pair so you tailor can measure accordingly for the perfect fit.

Use a Fabric Steamer

One of the easiest things you can do to put together and outfit to look more expensive is to use a fabric steamer.

Taking an extra 5 minutes to remove the wrinkles from your shirt or dress adds instant polish to your pieces. A well-steamed, smooth outfit looks much better than a wrinkly one, but it also shows that you value overall presentation.

Take Care of Your Clothes

In between wears, be sure you’re taking care of your items. Follow cleaning instructions and hang or fold your pieces properly. Use a fabric shaver to de-pill fuzz from your sweaters. Your items will retain their newly purchased luster, keep their shape, and you’ll have them longer.

For example, fold your sweaters instead of hanging them; when knit fabric is hung, the shoulders can easily stretch, eventually ruining the shape of your sweater. If you need to hang them, fold each sweater in half and then drape it over a hanger like how you’d hang pants.

Maintain Your Handbags and Shoes

Taking special care of your handbags and shoes can be an afterthought to your outfit but keeping them clean plays a big part in making an outfit look expensive.

Consider treating leather, suede, and canvas shoes with shoe protector spray to help waterproof them and reduce stains.

Give your sneakers or running shoe soles a frequent wipe with a damp paper towel or shoe cleaning wipes to remove dust, dirt, and mud.

When storing handbags, use purse shapers or acid-free tissue paper to keep their shape. This will help prevent the leather from cracking, and will keep your bags in better condition, longer. The same goes for tall boots; I love these boot shapers.

Stick to Classics

There is a reason some clothing pieces are dubbed as classics – and it’s because they stand the test of time and don’t look dated after a few seasons, regardless of trends.

I’m all for trying trendy pieces here and there, but classic items like a leather jacket or staple colors like black, navy, and tan will always be in style.

Some of my favorite closet wardrobe essentials:

• Oversized white button-down shirt
• Straight leg jeans in a medium blue wash
• Neutral sweater
• Tan trench coat (find ideas on how to style a trench coat here)
• A great ankle boot you can actually walk in
• Tailored wide leg trousers (see outfit ideas here)

Try Tucking in Your Shirt

Feeling like your look just doesn’t feel put together? Tucking in your shirt is a super easy hack to make even the plainest jeans and tee outfit feel a little more polished.

Wear the Right Undergarments

Wearing the wrong undergarments can easily make your outfit feel cheap and unintentional.

Flesh tone, seamless bras and underwear help provide a tonal canvas under light or white tops. My favorite bra is this one from Wacoal.

Even if you’re intentionally showing off your bra with a mesh top or under a blazer, select it with thoughtfulness just as you would any other accessory or layer, not just for utility.

Try Sandwich Dressing

Although the concept of “sandwich dressing” has been for ages, the term itself is relatively new and just a re-skinned term for a long-standing dressing principle.

Sandwich dressing in general idea is that you match an element of your top half (like a top, jacket, or handbag) to an element on your bottom half, such as bottoms or shoes. In between that, you would “sandwich” a contrasting item.

The simple idea of matching things like your shoes to your handbag is a secret my grandma lived by. So this isn’t anything fresh or novel, but you know what they say – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

For me, this isn’t a do-or-die rule, but rather an easy principle to follow for those morning when you feel like you have nothing to wear or want to look put-together in a flash.

Know When to Splurge

Know when to splurge on things that are expensive and worth the price. Spending money in certain areas of your wardrobe will save you money over time by not having to repurchase the same piece each season.

Often, I think we get into the mentality that if you wear something a lot, you want the cheaper version that’s easy to replace. However, things that are frequently or heavily used – like shoes, outerwear, and handbags – are usually worth the higher price tag. Because the better quality will outlast less expensive alternatives.

Quality shoes and handbags can be spotted a mile away. Even if you’re wearing a basic, inexpensive outfit, high quality shoes or a leather bag can instantly up its appearance.

This doesn’t mean you have to shell out thousands of dollars on designer and luxury items. Save your money and buy less, but better pieces that are versatile for your lifestyle. Focus on craftsmanship, materials, and take your time in finding your ideal item.

This crossbody bag from A.P.C. is easily one of my most worn bags, even above my designer bags, due to its versatility and minimalist elegance. It has a small, discrete logo, subtle hardware, and is casual enough for daytime while also being dressy enough for dinner. As another option, Sezane makes great, high-quality leather bags made in Italy.

I’m also a big advocate on paying a little more money for quality t-shirts. When making an outfit look more expensive, it’s all in the details. Look for shirts with slightly thicker fabric than those traditional tissue tees. Thicker fabric provides a bit more structure, so your tees won’t look as prevent looking baggy or sloppy. Plus, a thicker t-shirt fabric won’t wrinkle as much during the day or show your undergarments as much as thinner versions.

A few of my favorite elevated t-shirts include:

• M.M.LaFleur Leslie Tee
• Everlane Organic Cotton Box-Cut Tee
• L’Agence Ressi Crewneck Tee

Add a Third Piece

Any professional stylist or fashionista will tell you that one of the easiest ways to make your outfit look put together is to practice the third piece rule. The rule of threes is common in lots of visual practices, even in interior design.

It’s an incredibly quick and effective way to make your outfit feel finished: simply add a third piece to your outfit.

Your third piece can be lots of things, from a blazer or jacket over your outfit to a scarf around your shoulder or even a belt. My personal third-piece favorite as of late is a sweater over my shoulders as an easy layer since I’m one to get cold quickly.

Check Your Nails

Chipped nail polish can ruin a great outfit. I was just chatting with a girlfriend about this the other day; if you can’t commit to perfectly painted set of nails, you’re better off going au natural.

There’s power in subtly, so whether your hands have polish on them or not, stick to a timeless color and a natural nail shape.

If you’re like me and somewhere in the middle between loving nail polish while not being able to maintain a rigorous appointment schedule, read my review on this better-for-you at home gel manicure kit.

Don’t Forget Accessories

Accessories are the tiny finishing details to your outfit. Add some sunglasses, layer some simple necklaces or put on chunky hoop earrings, and try a belt.

Jewelry

If you’re aiming for an elevated, expensive feel with your jewelry, ditch the chunky arm stacks and colorful beaded earrings.

Instead of layering a ton of thick bracelets or statement necklaces, consider a few dainty gold or silver items instead. It still provides a layered look, but in a more subtle and elevated manner. Although I have 8 ear piercings, my everyday earrings are small, dainty, and thoughtfully coordinated for an intentional, curated look.

A watch is also a classic accessory (so long as it isn’t an Apple watch or digital watch).

If you want to wear a statement earring, try a minimalist design or chunky hoops. I particularly think this looks so chic with a slicked back bun.

Although you can wear gold or silver, I do find that gold jewelry always feels *fancy* to me.

Add a belt

A belt is such an easy accessory to make an outfit feel complete. It’s a great third-piece finisher for warm days when a sweater or jacket isn’t on the menu.

Sunglasses

Not only do sunglasses protect your eyes, but a sleek black pair also provides a super stylish finishing touch.

There’s a fine line between subtly layering accessories and overdoing it, and finding this balance takes some time. That’s okay! If you take a look in the mirror and feel like it’s too much, chances are it probably is. Do as Coco Chanel and take off one piece before you leave the house. Eventually you’ll get comfortable with the “right” amount of accessories for yourself and personal style.