12 Bomb AF Fashion Tips on How to Look Expensive on a Budget

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Woohoo! Ladies, we are talking about boujee on a budget today. We are spilling tea on how to look expensive on a budget, how to look rich and classy without breaking the bank, and how to feel like a boss babe without giving up an arm and a leg.

Anyone who tells you that you need money to look high-end….THEY ARE LYING! It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or how old you are, you can make your outfits look high-end while staying on budget.

Yes, you heard right. There are little tips and tricks that make ALL the difference when it comes to snazzing up your outfits. Do you really think all those Instagram influencers have millions of dollars to spend on outfits?

Ummm, no! They are masters at choosing and styling outfits in a way that looks expensive, classy, and sophisticated.

As someone who as travelled all over the world, I’m here to share my top 12 fashion tips and tricks with you on how to look expensive on a budget.

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Ok, ok I know you’re literally itching to find out how to look classy AF. So, let’s get started!

1. Make Sure Your Clothes Fit

Ok, let’s be real. Nothing looks more unprofessional or shabby than clothes that are too small, too big, too tight, or too baggy.

Now, I’m not talking about clothes that are trendy based on size and cut. I’m literally referring to the clothes that are sitting in your closet right now that DO NOT FIT YOU.

Take an hour, sit down, go through your closet, and donate the pieces that you’ve simply outgrown.

I know it may be painful, but this is literally the first step towards decluttering your wardrobe so that you can be on your way towards classiness.

2. Hair Matters

Imagine a female lawyer with a nice suit on, some stilettos, and bomb AF handbag, and mangled hair as if she’s been attacked by a dog.

That’s a huge no no! A lot of people tend to neglect above the neck when thinking of how to class up their outfits.

You’ll be surprised how transformative hair can be. Whether it’s a nice sleek bun, ponytail, or some waves, make sure your hair matches the expensive look of your outfit.

If you’re lazy when it comes to hair, try little gadgets like bun makers, ponytail hooks, teasers, and ponytail makers to ease your hairstyle game.

Here are helpful hair tools to try out:

3. Go for Simple but Complementing Makeup

There is a time a place for everything. If you’re aiming for expensive and sophisticated, a prom-like makeup look just isn’t going to cut it. The easiest tip for how to look expensive is going for simplicity!

So, when in doubt, do it like the French. Go for a small, winged liner, some nude shadows, mascara, simple face makeup, and a bold lip.

There is NOTHING classier than simple makeup that highlights all your best features and lets them speak for themselves. If you don’t want a bold lip, go for a nude color that ties the look together. For some awesome drugstore makeup options, check out this article: 10 Holy Grail Drugstore Makeup Products.

Here are my go-to classy lipsticks:

• NYX Lip Stain in London
• NYX Lip Stain in Athens
• Sephora Lip Stain in Red Velvet
• Kylie Lip Kit in Mary Jo K
• Kylie Lip Kit in Kylie
• Kylie Lip Kit in Koko K

4. Don’t Go Jewelry Crazy

Now, don’t get be wrong. I LOVE some bling bling, but there is a point where it can get too much. You don’t want to end up looking tacky.

My rule of thumb is this: place jewelry on only 3 spots of your body. This basically means don’t go wearing earrings and a necklace and a watch and bracelets and rings. It’s just too much. People who look expensive tend to err on the simpler side, usually wearing a few pieces of good quality jewelry.

For some bomb AF Amazon designer jewelry dupes, check out this article: Best Amazon Designer Jewelry Dupes You Need ASAP.

I have so many of these pieces, and you can’t go wrong. Whether you go for gold, rose gold, or silver, make sure the jewelry is high quality and durable. There’s nothing worse than rusty bling 😉.

5. Don’t Leave Peeled Nails

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Ladies, PLEASE do not leave peeled polish on your nails. This is the ONE way to look trashy, frumpy, and not put together.

Expensive fashionistas NEVER go out with nasty nails. This doesn’t mean that you have to paint them. Some people just don’t vibe with nail polish, and that’s totally ok. Just make sure they are nice and cut, coiffed, and clean.

If you are a nail painter (I totally am), go for classy colors like nudes, light pinks, berries, and reds. Treat it like a self-care activity and paint them once a week. No matter what you do, do not leave them to peel or get too long.

Shocker: ridiculously long nails are not classy! Even if you’re wearing the most gorgeous outfit, gnarly peeled nails and long AF claws will ruin it all!

Here are my favorite sophisticated nail colors:

• Put It In Neutral by OPI
• Bubble Bath by OPI
• Tiramisu for Two by OPI
• Big Apple Red by OPI
• We the Female by OPI

6. Invest In a Black Blazer

Now we’re getting into the nitty gritty fashion tips that’ll make or break a look. Have you ever noticed how boujee outfits tend to feature one or two classic pieces?

Yeah, a blazer is one of them, people! It doesn’t matter what your style is. There is a blazer out there for you WAITING to be worn.

Whether you’re pairing it with jeans and a t-shirt, a dress, or a fancy jumpsuit, a classic yet funky blazer will bring your outfit from a 7 to a 1,000 (literally no joke). There are plenty of affordable places to shop for a black blazer that won’t make a dent in your bank account.

Here are some of my favorite options:

7. Avoiding Too Much Color Crossing

You know I love my colors, but no one wants to go out looking like a clown. Mixing too many colors and prints is a sure fire way of looking tacky, not classy.

Now, I’m not an advocate of sticking to black and white like some other fashionistas suggest. It’s too boring and BLAH for me. I like being young and funky, playing around with different looks. So, color is naturally a part of that.

BUT, I usually plan my outfits to include no more than 1-2 pops of color. For example, if my jeans are white and my top is black, I’ll pop on a hot pink blazer for some color. If my bag and my top are black and white, I’ll go for some funky blue or yellow jeans.

Get the point? I never go beyond 2-3 colors or prints per outfit because that just becomes too messy and confusing to the eye. Sophisticated gals never rock a crayon box. They stick with classy and singular pops of color.

8. Learn How to Rock a Button Down

I know you might be thinking, “Ew! A button down is for school uniforms only.” I think not, my friends, and I’ll tell you why.

A button down may seem like a boring, old school piece of clothing, but there are so many versions of the look that’ll elevate your outfit instantly.

You’ve got the crop top button down, the baggy button down, and ones with pearl and black piping too. You’ve just got to find ones that work for your style.

No matter what version you end up going with, a white or light blue button down is an easy way to look classy and professional yet stylish and young.

Here are some of my current favorites:

9. Add a Versatile Handbag

I’m handbag obsessed. Let me repeat: I am handbag OBSESSED!! I truly believe that a nice, high-quality handbag can make or break an outfit.

Yeah, that small little thing you carry on your shoulder holds A LOT of power.

You don’t have to go spending $2,000 on a handbag to get the high-end look. There are plenty of places to get real or faux leather bags that will elevate any and every outfit.

While I love some funky and unique bags, you’ll need some simpler and more classic (but still stylish) options to make your outfits look more luxurious.

Some of my favorite affordable brands are Steve Madden, Aldo, DKNY, Michael Kors, and Guess.

Here are some amazing handbag options for you:

10. Rock a Coat

The luxurious coat look is always a classic! No matter your style, having at least one universal coat will literally elevate whatever you wear underneath.

You can go for black, cream, or camel, but invest in a piece with a versatile shade. You know I love me some accent coats, but aim to secure at least 1-2 more classic coat pieces first.

There are so many styles out there for you to choose from: oversized, trench coat, straight cut, and more. You’re bound to find something you love!

Here are some of my favorite options:

11. Wear a Turtleneck

This one fashion piece is your ultimate key to looking boujee! Learn to love them and style them because you’ll learn hecka sophisticated in the end.

You can invest in some classic tight fit turtlenecks to wear underneath coats and blazers or you could go for the baggier turtleneck sweaters to wear with jeans, trousers, skirts, and more.

The point is: this is your one-way ticket towards sophistication, people! Take it!

Here are some of my favorite turtleneck options:

12. When in doubt, Loafer it out!

No, loafers are not for men. A lot of women tend to think that the loafer trend is masculine fashion piece. In reality, it can be worn by anyone and everyone.

Gucci is making loafers. Chanel is making loafers. Dior is making loafers. Hop on the trend now because it’s a classy one!

Whether you’re wearing trousers, shorts, cigarette pants, or a dress, loafers are a comfortable, clean cut, elevated fashion piece to style with your outfits.

You can go for black, white, beige, nude, or even pops of color. The moral of the story is to stop what you’re doing and grab yourself a pair of these bomb AF shoes!

Here are some trendy loafer options for you:

So: What Now?

I’ve literally just dished 12 easy fashion tips that will solve the question of how to look expensive on a budget.

Some people really don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on clothes. It’s just unrealistic for the mass majority of people. Honestly, sometimes it doesn’t even make sense.

Either way, if you start implementing these fashion tips today, I can guarantee you’ll start looking luxurious and high-end in no time.

So, what are you doing still reading this. Scroll back up to those fashion pieces you loved and get shopping. Grab some fashion ideas. Luxury it up, ladies! After all, boujee on a budget is the new trend! Now is the time to be a part of it 😊.

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Feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

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