There’s nothing worse than cheaply made clothes—unless you’re on a budget and then these frugal finds may be your only option.
Luckily, even if you’re shopping the bargain basement sales, there are some tried and true tips that will have your clothes looking like they cost a lot more than they really do.
Focus on Fit
How your clothes fit is much more important than whether or not they’re expensive. You can find amazing items at inexpensive retailers like Old Navy, H&M and Forever 21, but they may not fit like a glove, which will be a telltale giveaway they weren’t expensive.
Aside from trying everything on, another way to ensure an item fits perfectly is to get it tailored. Even though it sounds like a luxury, tailoring can be inexpensive, and it can go a long way toward making your clothes (and you) look great.
Even if you just select a few frequently worn basics, like your little black dress, your favorite work trousers and a blazer, having them tailored is going to make it look like you splurged on designer duds.
Accessorize
Adding great accessories makes your overall look more high end and completed. Add a scarf, a bold statement necklace, or a belt, and you’ll look more pulled together, which will make your clothes look like they cost more.
Smart Storage
Have you ever pulled out your favorite sweater after having it in the closet for months, only to see it’s stretched out and nearly unrecognizable? Believe it or not, the way you store your clothes has a big impact on how they look on your body.
Take your time to hang things properly, rather than shoving them in the back of the closet or letting them lose their shape on an old hanger, and they’ll stay in better shape for longer.
Materials
When you’re choosing clothes and you don’t want them to look cheap, you really have to take a close look at the materials they’re made with. Materials like satin and silk can have a tendency to look cheap if they’re not just right—and they might even be cheap pieces.
Look for materials that are going to wash well, aren’t going to get snags or picks and don’t wrinkle easily.
Also, along with materials, the colors you choose are important. If you’re in doubt, go with black. Black tends to have a high-end look nearly all the time, and it’s going to hide imperfections better than a lot of lighter clothes.
Simplicity
If you want to look luxe, simplicity is a good route to take with your fashion choices. Simple clothes tend to look more elegant and timeless than very trendy or over-the-top items, so if you’re worried about looking like you have a cheap wardrobe, go with subtle basics. For example, a blazer with jeans almost never looks cheap, even if you got the entire outfit at H&M.