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01. Jewelry Swaps
It's actually quite simple to fake expensive jewelry, and with brands like BaubleBar, Miranda Frye, Amazon, and Mejuri creating demi-fine jewelry you don't even have to spend THAT much on the real thing.
Recommended swaps:
Oversized Hoops for Thicker, Mid-sized hoops.
Colored studs for Diamond-like studs.
Long, statement earrings for daintier, diamond-like earrings.
Chunky Bangles for delicate bangles and wristlets.
Beaded bracelets for pearl bracelets.
Statement necklaces and chokers for pearl necklaces and chains.
Expensive-looking yet affordable jewelry
Related: How to Always Look Put Together
02. Glasses Swaps
Opt for dark classic styles to elevate your look, you can find great quality for less at Warby Parker and Prive Revaux.
Recommended Swaps:
Trendy, intricate designs for classic frames.
Colored lens for dark lens.
Neon and trendy colored frames for Dark, classic colored frames.
Shuttered glasses for mirrored glasses.
Tiny sunglasses for larger sunglasses.
Tiny classic eyeglasses for more modernized glasses.
Expensive-looking yet affordable sunglasses
04. Accessory Swaps
Neutral colors and are your best friends when it comes to making accessories look expensive. NEVER over-spend on these, these can always be found for a lot less on websites like Shein and Amazon.
Recommended swaps:
Scrunchies and hair ties in vivid colors for scrunchies and hair ties that match your hair color.
Colored hair clips for bobby pins that match your hair color.
Baseball caps for wide rim hats.
Bright colored beanies for neutral-colored beanies.
Over-designed headbands for simple, classic headbands or headscarves.
Winter themed mittens for sleek luxe-looking leather gloves.
Expensive-looking yet affordable accessories
05. Top Swaps
Fit, fabric, and color are the most important things when it comes to making tops look expensive.
Recommended swaps:
Graphic, worn tees for fitted basic tees.
Unstructured necklines for structured necklines.
Plaid and flannel for classic shirts in a neutral color palette.
Altered animal print pattern (as pictured) for consistent animal print pattern.
Barely there low cut tops for classy low cut tops.
Themed sweaters for detailed well-constructed knits.
Related: How to Find Your Perfect Colors
06. Nail Swaps
There's nothing cheaper than chipped, dirty, unmanicured hands and feet. This speaks volumes about how you take care of yourself.
Recommended swaps:
Super long nails for short, clean nails.
Metallic nail colors for matte or shiny nail colors.
Intricate and heavy nail designs for simple manicures.
Black nail polish for dark berry polish.
Unkept toenails for clean and polished toenails.
Colored french manicures for white french manicures.
07. Outerwear Swaps
Outerwear is all about SHAPE. If your outerwear is bulky and unstructured you will inevitably look sloppier.
Recommended swaps:
Cardigans and Sweaters for Tailored Suit Jackets
Hoodies for Bombers or Leather Jackets
Puffer jackets for Tailored Trench Coats and Parkas
Puffer vests for faux fur or wool vests.
Bleached jean vests for solid color vests
Related post: Expensive-looking fall outfits
08. Shoe Swaps
Stay away from over-designed shoes. As a general rule opt for shoes that have a maximum of two colors to avoid looking cheap.
Recommended swaps:
Over designed and bright for simple designs in classic colors
Round toe for Pointy toed
Grungy sneakers for elegant ballet flats
Ugly sneakers for simple, classic sneakers in neutral tones
Bright wedges for traditional espadrilles
Flip flops for elegant sliders
Strappy, detailed sandals for elegant minimal sandals.
09. Shoe and Boot Swaps
Stay away from over-designed shoes. Keep your shoes sleek so they look more expensive.
Recommended swaps:
All-over Glitter pumps for classic pumps with elegant details.
Chunky combat boots for sleek sophisticated boots
Furry, chunky, design-heavy snow boots for sleek, neutral-toned boots
Pattern heavy designs for sleek designs
Chunky rain boots for sleeker rain boots
Crocs for sleek sneakers
10. Bottom Swaps
Look for well-fitting bottoms with uniform colors and well-done finishings. Make sure your pants don't scrunch up at your ankles or gap at your waist.
Don't be afraid of a little bit of needle and thread, give your pants a little nip and tuck to make them fit you perfectly.
Recommended Swaps:
Light wash jeans for Dark wash jeans
Ripped or heavy detailed jeans for well constructed and properly finished jeans
Short jean skirts for flowy midi-length skirts
Joggers for pants
Barely there jean shorts for more modest colored shorts
11. Dress Swaps
Simplified designs in neutral colors tend to look more expensive. Also, be wary of showing too much skin. Keep your outfit balanced by bringing attention to the top or the bottom.
Recommended Swaps:
Neon colors with prints for subtle muted colors.
Excessive ruffles for ruffles done in a balanced was (as pictured).
Showing too much skin for modestly demure.
Abstract prints for Geometric perfectly positioned prints.
12. Pattern Swaps
Almost every pattern will look more expensive and elevated in a neutral palette.
Recommended Swaps:
Zebra, Tiger, and Python for Leopard and Croc
Plaid, Tartan and Flannel for Houndstooth or Neutral Plaid
Chevron for Vertical and Horizontal stripes
Checkered print for Gingham
Large Print for Smaller Prints
Abstract prints for Geometric Prints
Ink Blot prints for Tye Dye prints
13. Swimsuit Swaps
Keep swimsuits very structured, this will do wonders for your body and give your support where you need it.
Recommended Swaps:
Unflattering patterns for patterns that complement your body.
Over-emebellished swimsuits for simple eye-catching patterns.
Over-designed swimsuits with plastic details for simple silhouettes with metal details.
Busy print that makes you look larger for dark swimsuits gathered at the waist.
Patterned cover-ups for simple solid cover ups
14. Makeup Swaps
Try to keep your makeup simple and natural.
Recommended Swaps:
Heavy eye makeup for subtle, natural makeup.
Over-drawn eyebrows for natural-looking eyebrows.
Harsh, streaky contouring for fresh, light contouring.
Synthetic looking lip colors for neutrals, reds, and pinks.
15. Hair Swaps
Try to keep your makeup simple and natural.
Recommended Swaps:
Overdone, heavy-detailed, ornate updo's for sleek elegant updos.
Messy top-knots for sleek ponytails.
Harsh, streaky highlights for natural well-done highlights.
Layered cuts, outward ends for blunt modern cuts.
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