Many people believe that to appear sophisticated and expensive, they must be a millionaire, which is not the case! Many people on social media look stylish without wearing a single brand name.
Rihanna, Solange, and Yara Shahidi are just a few examples of celebrities that I believe have an immaculate fashion sense because they don't overdress in designer labels and always look stunning, whether on the red carpet or on their way to the gym. You can look just like them without spending thousands of dollars/rands.
Allow me to assist you in releasing your inner boujee self and teach you how to look expensive without breaking the bank.
1) Monochromatic Outfits
Monochromatic dressing refers to wearing one color with various textures or similar shades to achieve a tonal look. When you wear one color head to toe, you instantly look more expensive and put together. Tone-on-tone is one of my favorite trends and looks like money, darling!
2) Accessories
Accessories are everything because they bring a splash of elegance to an outfit. Just adding a gold-plated necklace to your ensemble can make a huge difference. Your accessories don't always have to be the same color as your outfit but make sure that if they clash, it's intentional. I would recommend buying lots of necklaces (especially gold ones), and rings as these are current trends that amplify any outfit.
3) Make-up
There are numerous ways to make your low-cost make-up appear more expensive. There's no reason to splurge on pricey palettes and foundations.
1) Prep your skin: To make your foundation look its best, not to mention the most expensive, you must first prepare your skin. To keep your skin supple and smooth, you should moisturize your skin in the morning and night. This also helps to create a perfect surface for your foundation.
2) Get the right equipment: Having the correct tools will not only enable you to apply your make-up easily but look good as well.
3) Maintain a dewy appearance: Matte foundation, when applied incorrectly, can leave your skin looking mask-like because it does not always sit well with your skin's natural radiance. Matte foundation can look mannequin-like, so opt for a lighter foundation to achieve that dewy look.
4) Colours that go well together
Let me introduce you to something that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. I present to you: The fashion colour dressing guide!
This is a guide that tells you which color works best with which color. With this, you will never be stopped by the fashion police for making the mistake of mixing a yellow piece and a red piece.
5) Get your clothing tailored
Nothing (well, maybe a few things) is worse than an ill-fitting outfit. And, while a tailor may appear to be expensive, the work will instantly make your clothes look as if they were made just for you. If you're a frequent thrift shopper, you can buy clothes for a fraction of their retail price, have them tailored for a few dollars, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind fit in no time. Because one size does not fit all, why should you buy clothes and expect them to fit perfectly?
6) Follow the 70/30 Fashion Rule
The key to fashion is understanding that all trends will die at some point, and while most will resurface later, you will get more out of your clothes if you have basics that can go with multiple outfits. The 70/30 fashion rule states that your wardrobe should be 70% reusable pieces (items that can be worn numerous times) and 30% trendy (clothes trending at the time) clothing. For your non-trendy items, go for nude-colored tank tops, white shirts, pants, and jeans.
Consider this: Why do you think Kim Kardashian ALWAYS looks put-together, even when her outfit is simple? She is privy to the information..
7) Wardrobe must haves
The following clothing items can be worn with almost everything and are a must have in your wardrobe.
A) WHITE DRESS SHIRT:
This piece of clothing is ideal for looking like 'that girl' in any weather. If it's cold outside, pair the shirt with some jeans (and a belt) and boots. If it's hot outside, wear it with a pair of boy shorts and your favorite pair of sneakers. Wear a corset over the shirt and some black thigh-high boots if you're feeling daring.
B) JUMPSUIT
From classic full-body boilersuits paired with your favorite sneakers to short and sweet rompers designed specifically for the hottest spring and summer days, jumpsuits are ideal for throwing on when everything else feels too excessive.
C) LETTERMAN JACKETS
A letterman jacket is a baseball-styled jacket traditionally worn by high school and college students in the United States. Over the years, it has become one of the biggest clothing staples. The best varsity jackets of the twenty-first century (also known as letterman jackets) can be seen on celebrities ranging from model influencers to A$AP Rocky.
D) Structured Coats
Layering gives an outfit a lot of depth and completes it 'visually'. A classic trench coat will elevate a simple outfit and make it appear more expensive.
Coats are a must-have in any wardrobe because of their versatility. It can be paired with jeans, a shirt, sneakers, or a jumpsuit. Wear it with a shirt, boots, and stockings, then accessorize with gold jewelry, sunglasses, and a handbag.
8) Self Care and Hygiene
You may dress as if you're about to walk the red carpet, but your hair and nails are unkempt. Outfits are just as important as hair and nails.
- Good Skin: You should have a good skincare routine which can be as simple as washing your face twice a day, applying sunscreen and your cleansers.
- Hair: Keep your hair looking good by keeping it clean and healthy.
- Nails: Have clean nails. You can have beautiful long acrylics, but I believe that applying nail polish works just as well.
- Teeth: Brush and floss your teeth daily, and whiten if necessary
- Scent: use deodorant, fragrance, and/or cologne to ensure you smell good. You could even invest in a signature smell.
9) Don't overdress on brand names
When trying to appear expensive, avoid wearing clothing with large logos and brand symbols, as this makes you look like a walking advertisement. Consider some of the world's wealthiest and most celebrities; you rarely see them flaunting the brand name of the clothes they wear. Instead, they dress in outfits that are comfortable, simple, and of high quality. An example would be Rihanna, who is rarely ever seen wearing designer names.
You'd most likely be able to find something close to a designer piece that is free of logos and branding, that looks and fits nearly identically to the original. This will not only make you look more polished, but it will also save you money!
10) Attitude and mindset
Sometimes you've got the look and style down but not the attitude. Always remember that if you believe that you are a baddie and carry yourself as such, no one will ever be able to take that away from you or convince you otherwise. Absolutely no one.
11) Shop recommendations
Who says you have to tell your friends where you got that hot dress? Fast fashion has enabled us to find pieces that look designer but do not cost a designer's price. Look through the sale racks, the trending hot new section, and online stores for super cute, chic, and easily paired pieces. If you prefer online shopping, a few stores I'd recommend are:
Madewell
Nordstrom
Zara
Amazon Fashion
Everlane
Pro Tip: Look at what the latest celebrities are wearing and see if you can recreate it on a budget.
Now you're ready to upgrade your wardrobe and start implementing these tips now that you've got the complete rundown of what you need to do to look boujee on a budget. I hope you enjoyed this article!