How To Look Expensive On A Budget

Let’s start at the top…

1- Hair care is so important when it comes to having that polished look. Maintaining a routine of regular hair trims (maybe twice a month) keeps your locks looking luscious and expensive. 

2- Put your best face forward! When it comes to makeup, learning a basic routine is key. Keep it simple and not overdone. Go for neutral/natural shades and never skip the lipstick! Feeling less than confident when it comes to makeup? Head to YouTube to scope out some great tutorials! 

And while we are on the topic of “face” lets touch on skincare too! Glowing skin is one of the easist ways to look naturally expensive! Get into the habit of moisturizing day and night (natural coconut oil is a great option!) – oh and downing lots of H2O is another easy way to get that natural radiance.

3- You NEED a signature scent. If you’ve ever been around one of those put together, expensive looking women you will find that they ALWAYS smell good! Find a scent you love and stick to it. A spritz on all of the ‘hot spots’ -wrists, behind the ears, and base of the neck- is all you need. Pssst, remember if you are using a quality perfume, a little goes a long way! 

4- Hands & Nails.  Your hands are just as noticed as your face so when you are working through your skin routine be sure to include moisturizing your hands too! Also, get into the habit of maintaining your nails weekly – file, push back cuticles, maybe a lil clear polish – or go all out and schedule a full out manicure! Just remember, shorter nails are associated with looking more expensive – super long nails are often times seen as ‘cheaper’ and more fake.

5- Focus on fit and fabric. Nothing looks cheaper and more inexpensive than ill-fitting clothing. Finding pieces that truly fit well and/or having staple pieces tailored can make all the difference when it comes to looking expensive. Also pay attention to fabric! Opt for more natural materials – wool, cotton, etc rather than synthetic materials – polyester, rayon, nylon. 

6- Go for neutral colors. Gray, beige, white, black, navy … these colors create a more expensive look when it comes to wardrobe. You can even take it a step further and use one of these colors to create a monochromatic outfit (meaning the top and bottom are both the same shade). This type of look comes across as super classy which is definitely something that will have you looking expensive. 

7- Always accessorize but not too much. It seems that when it comes to looking expensive, less is always more – and that goes for accessories as well. Keep your jewelry game simple with sleek, dainty pieces. (FYI.. Gold tone is often seen as more expensive looking than silver.) And don’t layer on too much! If you have alot of detail in your outfit, stick to a simple small earring. If you have a low neckline, choose a simple necklace that sits at the base of your neck and maybe a bangle or two (but not 10!). 

 If you do decide to go for a statement jewelry piece, keep the look to just one statement and the other pieces super simple and minimal – for example a statement necklace with a stud earring or small hoop. 

8- Statement shoes. A great way to make a style statement while still looking expensive is with your shoes! Keeping your clothing simple and neutral and adding a great pair of shoes keeps the look fun yet still classy.

9- A Classic Coat. Having a great, classic coat in your closet is the perfect way to always pull it together. Whether it is a black trench or camel color wool jacket keep it neutral, basic and classic. 

10- It’s all in the details. No matter how many perfectly tailored , neutral pieces you have in your wardrobe you will never look expensive if you aren’t paying attention to the details! Invest in a clothing steamer and never leave the house with a wrinkled garment!

While doing laundry, check over your clothing for stains or tears – make repairs if possible or toss in the donate pile if the stain/tear isn’t “fixable”. 

Bonus Tip: The ultimate, MOST IMPORTANT thing you MUST wear in order to look expensive is CONFIDENCE! Whether you feel it or not, make an intention to go through your day in your killer clothes giving off killer ‘confidence’ vibes (AKA fake it til you make it!) Focus on standing up straight, holding your chin up, keeping your shoulders back and a genuine smile on your face. Accept compliments with a simple “thank you” rather than deflecting, and always smile at strangers as you pass. 

So to bring it all home, here is what I want you to remember : Less is More. Don’t over do it, keep things sleek, simple and classy – and put in the effort to take care of not only your clothing but also your body. It makes all the difference. 

Ok, ok I promise I’m almost done but one more thing… 

I’ve mentioned all of the things you should HAVE to look expensive so I also thought I should probably mention how and where to get these ‘things’ on a budget!  

The How: Sort through your current wardrobe, pull out the pieces that don’t fit into this guide – you know, that oversized sloppy sweater and the distressed joggers that are a bit too snug – box it all up and head to your local consignment shop to cash em in! Another option is to snap some pics of these items, price them and post them in FB Marketplace or in our Cru Swap, Shop & Sell group!  OR – you can set up a time to bring them into Cru for our Swap & Shop program and get shopping credits to use towards better fitting, expensive looking replacements! 

The Where: To get that expensive look on a budget skip the mall and opt for pre-loved clothing options! Check out local consignment shops, online marketplaces such as Poshmark or shop at Cru!! You can find our online selections HERE or contact us to schedule a private personal shopping session! (You can find more info HERE) 

So what are YOUR thoughts? What is your favorite way to look expensive on a budget? Where are you finding your favorite, “expensive” looking pieces? Leave a comment and let us know!