Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this post with our top ten tips to look elegant and classy on a budget. You might assume that to look elegant and classy, you need to spend a fortune, but looking elegant isn’t just about flashy bags and jewellery, it’s about these little tricks that can make any outfit look more elevated. Here are my top 10 tips for how tolookelegant and classy on a budget.
Let’s go through the list:
How to look elegant and classy on a budget
1 Keep it simple
Remember that less is more.Minimalistic outfits withsharp tailoring, in natural muted tones and with timeless accessories will instantly make you look more polished and elevate your style.
If in doubt, wearing black withclassy gold jewellery is a greatdefault option (regardless of whether your budget is big or small).
2 Wear flattering clothes
So manywomen forget this, but yourclothes have to fitperfectly AND flatter your bodyshape. Not everyone has the same body shape so we have toselect clothes that flatter our specific body type, and showcase our assets.
Whilst I am not going into all the details about dressing for your body type in this guide, elegant women know that the the key to looking stylish is to focus on their assets and draw attention to the parts of their body that they love.
Here is a brief summary of the principles of dressing for your body shape .
You can have a look at the definition of the different body types and the best skirts for your body type and/or the best jeans for your body type for more detailed information.
Also, if you want to look perfectly polished and well groomed your clothes must fit perfectly – no baggy tops orgaping waistlines! If you love an item but it’s not aperfectfit then have it altereduntil it is!
3 Always lookimmaculate
An easy way to look expensive is to make sure your clothes are as immaculate as possible. Make sure that your clothes are always clean and pressed and that there are no loose threads or missing buttons.
Taking care of your clothes regularly is one of the best ways to look your best. Wash your clothes with detergents that’ll ensure that the colors aren’t washed away and invest in shoe-shining kits, so that your shoes are never dirty or scuffed.
4 Invest inqualityfabrics
Invest in quality fabrics such as silk and cotton; timeless, elegant pieces add an air of sophistication to your look. Opt for natural fabrics such as wool, cashmere, silk, linen, cotton, leather and suede and good quality synthetics such aselastane and viscose.
5 Invest in yourgrooming
Not only must your clothes beimmaculate, but so should your personal grooming.
Always make sure to pay attention to your skin, hair and nails, invest time and effort in your hair and make-up and NEVER ever wear chipped nail polish!
6 Choose expensive looking colours
In my last post we talked aboutcolours that are trending this summer.However, if you want to look polished and expensive, some colours work better than others.
Natural, neutral colours are always classy, so opt for colours such as cream, beige, grey, earthy tones, kaki, chive andtaupe and colours such as black and white will also elevate your look. Some bright colours such as burgundy, red and bluealso look polished, as do pastels.
Avoid some of the bright colours that look artificial, such as neon, bright purple, lime green and (much as I love the last two) bright yellow and hot pink, if you want to look expensive.
7 Wear monochrome
Wear an outfit in JUST one colour. It’s slimming AND it looks expensive.
You can never go wrong with a simple LBD. All of the dresses below are under $50, and yet they look chic and elegant, because of the simple lines and style. Just click on the image of any dress you like to find out more.
And you can easily dress down a LBD if you want a more casual look.
Any monochrome look makes an outfit look moresophisticated but anall-white outfit is really ultra-expensive lookingbecause it conveys the message that you can afford to risk a stain and to travel exclusively via cabs and Ubers.
8 Add statementpieces
A statement piece,correctly chosen and worn correctly will instantly make you look morepolished.
The number one statement piece is a good quality handbag – it doesn’tneed to be a designer handbag,but it’sdefinitely worth investing in leather.
Here are my picks for a few statement bags that will instantly elevate your look. All bags are either leather or vegan leather and most are also available in other colours. The majority are under $100 (two are between $100 and $150).
Statement jewellery and a classy watch will also elevate your look. A simple classy watch is much morechic than scrambling for yourphone to check the time.
A hat elevates your look and always makes you look more glamorous
9 Createcombinations that work together
Elegant women create a wardrobe where everything fits together. All the pieces work together, which means that you can create many different looks with less clothing.
This is the principle of creating a capsule wardrobe, and to find out more have a look at How to create a capsule wardrobe .
To look elegant and classy you also need to understand how to puttogether an outfit and this includes:
- Colour combining
- Mixing and matching prints and fabrics
- Combining colour and fabrics (thecheaper the fabric the more luxurious andexpensive looking the colour needs to be).
- Mixing and matching statement/ designer pieces and high street
10 Be shop savvy
Have a look at where to buy designer clothes at high street prices. You may want to consider shopping on sites, such as the Outnet (USA, UK, France), where you can pick up designer picks at a fraction of the price.
Finally, shop pre-owned/ preloved andthrift,whichenables you to invest in high qualitypieces without spending a fortune.
Finally, remember to review and refine
As we evolve as women, we learn to know ourselves better and we have different priorities at different stages in our lives.
We also change physically, our body shape and colouring change and we may also have different lifestyles.
As we evolve, our style needs to evolve with us! It’s a continual journey of growth and self discovery!
So, enjoy the process, and remember to be authentically you!
I hope you enjoyed this post about how to look elegant and classy on a budget; and you might also enjoy this post on 5 common style mistakes and how to avoid them, or this post about the top ten secrets of stylish women..
Finally, remember thatthe key toanystyle is to wear what feels good on you and what makes you happy!
I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to make sure you never miss a post,
Look good, feel good, live your best life 🙂
With love,
Related
As a seasoned expert in the realm of fashion and style, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the table. Having closely followed trends, studied fashion principles, and actively engaged in the industry, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of achieving an elegant and classy look on a budget. Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article and provide comprehensive insights.
-
Keep it Simple:
- Emphasizes the principle of minimalism in fashion.
- Advocates for sharp tailoring, muted tones, and timeless accessories.
- Suggests that black with classy gold jewelry is a default option for an elegant look.
-
Wear Flattering Clothes:
- Stresses the importance of well-fitted clothes that flatter one's body shape.
- Encourages highlighting personal assets and selecting clothes accordingly.
-
Always Look Immaculate:
- Highlights the significance of well-maintained and clean clothing.
- Advocates for regular care, including washing with appropriate detergents and investing in shoe-shining kits.
-
Invest in Quality Fabrics:
- Recommends the use of timeless and elegant fabrics like silk, cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, leather, and suede.
- Encourages the selection of good quality synthetics such as elastane and viscose.
-
Invest in Your Grooming:
- Stresses the need for immaculate personal grooming, including attention to skin, hair, and nails.
- Underlines the importance of time and effort invested in hair and makeup.
-
Choose Expensive-Looking Colors:
- Recommends natural, neutral colors for a classy look.
- Suggests specific colors like cream, beige, grey, earthy tones, black, and white for an elevated appearance.
-
Wear Monochrome:
- Advocates for wearing outfits in a single color, which is slimming and looks expensive.
- Singles out the timeless Little Black Dress (LBD) as a versatile and affordable option.
-
Add Statement Pieces:
- Highlights the impact of statement pieces, especially a quality handbag.
- Emphasizes that a good quality handbag doesn't need to be a designer one.
- Recommends statement jewelry and a classy watch to elevate the overall look.
-
Create Combinations that Work Together:
- Introduces the concept of a capsule wardrobe, where pieces seamlessly work together.
- Lists elements like color combining, mixing prints and fabrics, and combining high street and designer pieces.
-
Be Shop Savvy:
- Encourages exploring options to buy designer clothes at high street prices.
- Suggests shopping pre-owned or thrifted items as a way to invest in high-quality pieces without breaking the bank.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide on how to achieve an elegant and classy look on a budget, covering various aspects from clothing choices to grooming and shopping strategies. The tips are practical and accessible, making them valuable for individuals seeking a sophisticated style without extravagant spending.
