Unfortunately I have expensive taste but without the bank balance to match. I love wearing designer clothes and accessories but now that I’m self employed and trying to save a bit of money I’m not really in a position to splash the cash. There are ways to give the impression that your wardrobe is more luxurious than it really is. Of course I’m not saying that everyone needs to look like their outfit is expensive just that personally I am going to go for something that looks like it cost that little bit more. I tend to think that by spending a bit more on certain pieces that they will last longer too.
I normally always wear the same things over and over again and these pieces are generally designer or give the appearance of being so. There is no need to spend a huge amount of money, you can just make a few small changes to create a luxury look wardrobe.
Invest Wisely
Clearly the most obvious thing to do would be to purchase something more luxurious. If I buy designer then I spend my money on handbags and shoes. I usually wait for the sales which is how I bought my Mulberry Mini Alexa. My first designer bag was the Bayswater which I bought with my bonus from work. It was completely unexpected and meant that the purchase didn’t eat into my monthly wage. Before I make a more costly purchase I like to consider how much wear I will get out of it, if it fits into my wardrobe and matches what I already have, and whether I REALLY need it.
Consider Fabric and Detailing
I always think about the type of fabric an item is before I buy it. You want to pick up something that isn’t going to go out of shape after a couple of washes. At the moment I love lace and crochet and I think that anything with detailing or texture like that helps to give more of a luxe look. I think it also goes without saying that an ironed outfit looks a million times better than a creased one. This jumper is Ralph Lauren and cost just under £200 (it was actually a present) about 10 years ago. It still looks brand new and I have definitely got the wear out of it.
Shop High Street Versions
Of course not everyone is interested in forking out for something designer and this is the beauty of the high street. You can pick up really good dupes for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. I am in love with Self Portrait at the moment and I keep seeing dresses in that instantly recognisable style in stores like Warehouse. At the moment I am loving all the designer bags with chain straps and have been after a black bag for a while. I found this one in Ted Baker and it is perfect. It is really good quality, has just the right amount of space in it and it will pretty much go with anything!
Pay Attention To Accessories
Designer accessories are my one true love. It doesn’t have to be a Chanel or Louis Vuitton bag, you can pick up designer in a lower price range. Michael Kors or DKNY are a bit more affordable. My favourite smaller bag at the moment is the YSL blogger bag. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still several hundreds of pounds so hardly an impulse buy but it is an awful lot cheaper than the Gucci Dionysus which is past the thousand pound mark. Watches and sunglasses are an easy way to add a touch of designer to your wardrobe. I think I might be the only blogger without a rose gold Michael Kors watch! I’m really pleased with my Daniel Wellington watch and to top it off I found it on Groupon which made it a real bargain. Putting on something as simple as sunglasses can also make your whole look feel more put together. People will always notice your footwear so if you wander round in scruffy trainers it will probably let your outfit down slightly more than clean, smart shoes. A simple pair of stilettos makes even jeans and a white tshirt look more classy. My boots are from All Saints and I love the sleek style of them. They are also surprisingly comfortable so I know I will get the wear from them. They also had 20% off so it’s like it was meant to be!
Save
As ridiculous as it sounds, if you want a luxury wardrobe you could always save for one. If there is a piece I want, normally a bag or shoes, then I will put a bit of money aside each month to save for it. At the moment I’m putting my loose change into a pot. I know it doesn’t sound like much but it will soon add up!
I would love to know if you have any tips and tricks for creating a luxury look wardrobe for less so feel free to leave a comment or tweet me!
