Faking luxury in fashion
Luxury fashion labels normally come with a daunting price tag, which can put a lot of people off from staying on-trend.
We take a look at ways you can indulge in high-end fashion trends without the high-end budget, including how to find and wear nice pieces that look expensive but don’t cost a fortune.
Invest in Timeless Classics
One of the best ways to keep on top of fashion trends is to have a base of fashion staples.
- Buy versatile pieces that are always on trend – like a blazer, a pencil skirt, a fitted ‘sheath’ dress, a white shirt, good jeans, and smart trousers.
- Stick to black – it’s harder to see imperfections and always looks good.
- Create a good silhouette – make sure your underwear fits you properly, and invest in a little shapewear to keep slinky fabric looking smooth.
- Buy items with nice lining, minimal embellishments, no logos, and quality fabric.
If you want to buy designer pieces for your timeless classics, try shopping for real designer labels at bargain prices in discount stores like TK Maxx, charity clothes shops in upmarket areas of your town, or on websites like eBay.
Know Your Style
One of the best ways to invest wisely in fashion trends is to buy pieces that you know you will wear. This stems from knowing your own personal style.
Think about the clothes you already have. What makes you feel good, and confident? What do you find comfortable? What makes you awkward? Do you like to wear clothes that are girly, unique, trendy, or elegant?
Then, when you spot fashion trends, you can ask yourself why you like the trend – does it fit with your style and personality? Do you have other items that you could wear with it?
When you do buy trendy clothes, always take the time to try them on. If you feel uncomfortable in an item or hate the way you look, it’s not going to make you feel confident and you’ll be less likely to wear it, so it’s not a good investment.
Stay On Trend
When you have your style sorted and some classic, well-made items in your wardrobe, you can shop on the high street to stay on trend.
- Get trendy clothes – Mix your classic pieces with cheap off-the-rack high street fashion clothes from shops like H&M, Topshop, Zara, or unique pieces in good vintage clothes shops
- Accessorise – Mixing classic clothes with on-trend accessories can be the perfect way of faking luxury fashion. Instead of investing in expensive ‘big’ items like jackets or dresses, opt to buy a statement necklace, a classy belt, a colourful clutch bag or a broad-brimmed hat.
- Savvy shoes – If you see a pair of designer shoes you like, search high street stores and you may find a pair that look just as good for a fraction of the price.
Customise Your Clothes
A few easy fixes can make cheap trendy clothing look luxurious.
- Get items tailored to fit – tailoring can transform a cheap item into a garment made for you
- Swap buttons – elevate an inexpensive blouse or coat by purchasing quality buttons to replace cheap plastic ones
- Remove tacky embellishments – one of the things that can make clothes and accessories look cheap is the addition of badly made charms, tassels, studs, cheap bag straps and gaudy embellishments. If you can, remove them, swap them out for better quality items, or stay away from them when you’re buying.
As well as making clothes look the part, invest in a steam cleaner to keep them looking as good as possible. If you do indulge in some expensive items, don’t wash them too often or you will reduce their quality, and do get them dry cleaned as it will help will help them last longer.
What’s your favourite item of clothing?
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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