How To Look Expensive: 10 Tricks To Fake An Expensive Style
These tips will help you to look luxurious with minimal investment!
Researched, written by Amber & The Team
Updated on July 9, 2023

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I bet we all secretly admire those designer clothes from popular fashion houses.
When those are featured on the red carpet, they seem to have that particular something that makes someone stand out.
Yet in most situations, those designer goodies are pretty much too expensive for a regular gal.
Thankfully, there are a few simple tricks that can help you to look just as good with inexpensive, affordable clothes!
Here’s how to look expensive with a bit of creativity and without going broke.
How To Look Expensive: 10 Tricks To Fake An Expensive Style
1. Choose a Long Coat
One of the most favorite expert tips on how to look expensive is to choose a long coat for your winter.
Short, puffy coats can make you look cheap, underdressed, or even out of style.
Instead, long coats offer a sense of elegance and style, while adding that extra value to your overall outfit.
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Choose a beige or black long coat to add some luxurious vibes to your whole appearance.
- Classy, legacy coat designs can look very expensive (even if they’re fake dupes of designer coats).
- The perfect coat length is right until your knees.
2. Structured Bags Look More Expensive
A stylish, designer-like outfit is defined by the type of bag you use.
If you want to look expensive, choosing a harder, structured bag will give a nice addition to your wardrobe.
TcIFE Satchel Shoulder Tote Bag + Wallet (22$)
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Backpacks or bulky bags are not recommended when trying to create expensive looks.
- It is best to opt for black bags with little to no hardware.
- Choose leather textures (even if they’re fake, that’s fine).
3. Small Heels Are Great
Wearing very high heels won’t get you that refined, expensive look you want to achieve… Instead, combine your outfits with a pair of small, pointy heels, preferably designed with black touches.
Those will create a stylish and professional look and (the added bonus!) will be a lot more comfortable to wear.
How to look expensive without spending a lot on this:
- The “quality look” of your shoes is important, so try to choose fake leather shoes that are inexpensive, yet look put together.
- Clean and shiny shoes always look more expensive than they actually are – carry a small shoe shine box with you.
- Black or nude shoes tend to look more expensive.
- Shoes over sneakers!
4. Rock Cool Sunglasses
How to look expensive with minimal investment?
Choose stylish sunglasses!
You should wear a pair of sunglasses as often as possible (you know, just like those celebs).
Even simple, black sunglasses can complement your outfit, but you should only use them during the day and only if they’re necessary (otherwise, you may seem out of place).
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Choose glasses with a thicker frame or…
- …The ombre glass imitation.
- Avoid bright-colored sunglasses.
5. Simplicity Comes First
To look expensive and sophisticated, consider wearing simple outfits with a delicate pattern, that is not boring and has a bit of a classy vibe.
Mostly, you can get your inspiration from the French, as they always manage to look expensive and fancy with the simplest clothing items.
How to look expensive without spending a lot on this:
- Choose neutral colors.
- Look for interesting cuts and styles – anything that seems highly elegant and different at the same time.
- When in doubt, choose flowy, chiffon textures (they look like silk).
- Fake fur is fine!
Plus, choosing faux fur saves little animals that would otherwise be dead for the sake of fashion.
6. Choose Accessories Wisely
We haven’t found any ideas on how to look expensive with plastic jewelry or oddly colored accessories – so it’s probably best to avoid them!
In fact, if your only jewelry is plastic, it’s better to not wear any jewelry at all.
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Opt for classic accessories that are inspired by the minimalist trend.
Gold-colored necklaces, minimalist watches, or small earrings will always help you to look expensive without looking cheap.
- If gold details in your jewelry can easily be called “fake” (usually, the color tells it), it’s best to not wear it at all.
Spend some time scavenging for real-looking golden jewelry for the best effect!
- Do not wear too much jewelry as it can also make you look cheap.
It’s usually enough to pair 2 or 3 jewelry pieces.
7. A Cheap Little Black Dress Can Look VERY Expensive
The famous and all-time favorite, the Little Black Dress is the best clothing item you could have in your wardrobe.
Also – one of the easiest tricks on how to look expensive at any time.
Work party?
You’re good.
Formal meeting?
The little black dress is great!
Brunch with friends?
A date?
A little black dress can go anywhere with you.
HOMEYEE Women’s Vintage Bowknot Dress (25$)
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
Oh, that’s easy!
This universal wardrobe item is so sleek and stylish that overall it looks like expensive clothing, no matter the shop you got it from.
It can be used as an everyday dress or as a fancy evening outfit, perfect work attire, or a cocktail party go-to – you name it!
It is definitely a must-have if you want to look expensive and classy without investing a lot.
8) Skip Tons Of Blouses And Invest In a Few White Button-down Shirts
White button-down shirts are usually inexpensive, yet can do wonders in making you look expensive.
It can be matched both with casual AND professional outfits to make you look… rather fancy!
Zeagoo Women Victorian Blouse (27$)
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- When you wear this type of shirt, it must be steamed or ironed perfectly.
Otherwise, you won’t achieve the desired effect.
- Make sure your shirt is absolutely spotless too.
- Ruffles can add some extra “expensiveness” to your whole look.
9) Fall in Love With Turtlenecks!
During the past years, the turtleneck gained more and more popularity in the fashion world.
The knitted texture of turtlenecks can transform all winter outfits and they make your whole style look expensive (you can even consider a turtleneck dress for impressive results).
Another interesting thing about turtlenecks is that they are a very popular fashion choice among people of higher income.
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Opt for either dark colors or beige / white ones – all other colors make your turtleneck look less expensive.
- If possible, choose materials that resemble wool.
10) Finish Off With a Neutral Scarf
This simple accessory can make a dull outfit appear exquisite.
It can add a touch of sophistication to any type of clothes you might think of!
A pretty scarf is easily the simplest trick on how to look expensive with little to no effort, and you can usually find a nice scarf for cheap.
How to look expensive without spending a lot:
- Choose a neutral-colored scarf.
- Look for scarfs that resemble the look of real wool.
- Look for ideas to wear your scarf in the most stylish ways.
How To Look Expensive – a Recap
I hope you will try to create that perfect expensive style without breaking the bank.
As you’ve probably noticed, the majority of these tips can be combined in a few key points:
- Neutral and dark colors are better for luxury styles;
- Spending time to find good fakes and dupes is worth it;
- A lot of “luxurious feel” in your attire comes from the cleanliness of your clothes and accessories.
At the end of the day, does it really matter how much you’ve paid for your clothes if you look really good in them?
I don’t think so!
If you liked the tips on how to look more expensive, scroll down for more content like this!
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