Stylist reveals six ways to make any outfit look expensive – and you don't need to break the bank
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting every aspect of life – including our wardrobes.
Fashion prices have gone up and we may not have the same budget to spend on our clothes – but luckily, there are still some great buys around for basics and wardrobe essentials; think T-shirts or ribbed tops from the likes of Kmart, Sportsgirl or UNIQLO.
And now fashion stylist Mia Elizabeth has come to our rescue and revealed the six best ways to make any outfit look expensive – even when it's not, or if you're tightening the purse strings.
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Fashion stylist Mia Elizabeth (pictured) has revealed the six best ways to make any outfit look expensive. Supplied/Mia Elizabeth
Mia, who has a Bachelor of Design majoring in Styling and Creative Direction from the Whitehouse Institute of Design, told 9honey Style it's all about "elevating" an outfit and making sure you choose the right fabrics that look expensive.
"I love clothes for the way they make me feel," Mia, who is also a Westfield Queensland stylist, says. And so do we.
So read on for her best tips.
Fabrics over fit
For Mia, choosing the right fabric is important. In fact, it can be vital.
'Cottons, linen, wool, silk, leather, all those fabrics can look more expensive,' Mia says. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
"When we're talking about fabrics, you're looking at cottons, linens, wools, silk, leather – all those fabrics can certainly look more expensive and feel more expensive," she says.
She adds that some "synthetic blends" like viscose and nylon can also "look quite high end".
Care and maintenance
"Nothing says cheap more than like creases and stains," Mia says, so it's important to take care of your clothes and style them to look your best, and well, expensive.
"You can have a $100 white T-shirt and a $19 Uniqlo white T-shirt but how you look after them is so important."
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"If the collar is warped, you've got stains on there from old makeup or tan or your shoes are fading or scuffed, or your white sneakers are dirty... all those little things that maintenance will make a garment look a lot more cheap, even if it started as expensive!"
So make sure you keep your best stain remover handy for those pesky marks – and a steamer or iron.
Neutrals
Mia insists that "a neutral colour palette can look more expensive," so ditch the prints and go for more block colours, like navy, tans and creams, whites.
Look at Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Horner, 52, who is always seen in stylish white outfits.
"I don't know about you, but as you get older, you want to keep it simple," Halliwell Horner said on Today with Hoda & Jenna previously.
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Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Horner, 52, who is always seen in stylish white outfits. Getty
"And one thing I'll say is everything matches. It's just, like, fast, fast."
"You look at the men who are always wearing these same things — a uniform. Can't I do the same? Why not?"
And well, in our opinion, it looks classy.
All about the accessories
Here is where you can splash the cash if you want to (and have the budget!).
Think a nice watch or handbag to really make an outfit sing. In stylist terms, it's about "elevating" an outfit.
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"You can have a plain base, which is white T-shirt and blue jeans or an all black activewear look," Mia says.
But if you have a nice accessory, your look will completely change.
If you have a nice accessory, your look will completely change. Instagram
And they don't have to break the bank!
"A nice watch, a more expensive bag, a pair of shoes, or sunglasses or one nice piece of proper gold jewellery with your basic base, it can really elevate or making something look expensive," she says.
She suggests mid-range priced brands including Oroton and Polène Paris brands as good alternatives.
Attention to detail
Mia says if you can see a clothing garment's lining, it's a big no-no.
The stylist, who worked with celebrities in the past when she lived in Los Angeles, said you have to keep an eye on the hardware or buttons on a piece and avoid "tarnished" goods at all cost.
Mia says if you can see a clothing garment's lining, it's a big no-no. Getty
Grooming
Mia says personal grooming is also important to your overall look.
"Trimmed hair and clean nails" are at the top of her list.
The British Royal family are believed to have to keep their nails short and painted in neutral colours. Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The late Queen Elizabeth reportedly favoured Essie's Ballet Slippers shade for her nails for a neutral and polished look.
The British Royal family are believed to have to keep their nails short and painted in neutral colours to match royal protocol. Think Kate Middleton; it's very rare to see her with a bright manicure.
"A lot of people don't realise the impact clothing can have on your mood, your day, how you feel, how you walk, your posture," Mia says.
"The way you work... I love helping people find those pieces that make them feel good," she says.
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