1. Seams that are gathered
Designers prefer them because they can make garments more forgiving and mask fitting issues that can occur when flat, smooth seams are used.
Sharply fitted garments are also more difficult to create, more expensive, and just a few people can wear them.
Think about this: the better something fits you, the worse it will fit almost everyone else.
Instead, search for items with crisp tailoring and clear lines, and always choose pleats over gathering seams.
2. Decorative elements
When applied by expert craftspeople using high-quality materials, embroidery, sequins, beading, and studs, they look wonderful, but not so much when done by machine on a cheap outfit.
Even if an embellished piece appears to be in good condition at the store or in a picture or on instagram, you know it will break apart once you put it on, and nothing looks poorer than a bedazzled sweater with missing gems.
Instead, go for simple, plain pieces and enhance them with selected jewelry and other carefully picked out accessories.
Don’t rely on the clothing to handle all of the style for you.
3. Dark or vivid hues in cotton knits and jerseys (black, navy, rich jewel tones, and strong primaries)
These are fantastic at first, but after a couple of washes and dryings, the color fades and they get visibly fuzzier then when you first bought them.
Instead, opt for light-colored cotton knits and jerseys, such as grays, pastels, and white, and spot-treat and hand-wash darker or more saturated knits at home, or dry-clean them.
4. Lacey fashion
You know the flat, flimsy, machine-made lace used by fast-fashion firms doesn’t measure up until you’ve touched true, high-quality, handmade lace in your hands — the kind used to build wedding gowns and couture dresses.
Sure, cheap lace can occasionally surprise you, but if your goal is to appear as if you paid more than you did, it’s wise to pass up that $40 lace dress.
Rather, choose for fine mesh.
It’s not quite as feminine as lace, but it’s still feminine and see-through, and it looks the same whether you purchase it at H&M or Saks Fifth Avenue.
If you absolutely must have lace in your life, try to limit yourself to pieces with lace as an accent rather than all over.
Look for delicate lace with a raw, uneven edge that follows the shape of the lace rather than being folded over and sewed like any other piece of fabric.
5. Paisley and tiny, multicolor florals are small, intricate designs.
The more sophisticated and tiny the print is, the more chances there are for pretty much anything to go wrong (aka for it to end up looking cheap).
Instead, you will want to look for simple, graphic prints like stripes, polka dots, and plaids in high-contrast color combinations like black and white when shopping on a budget.
If you can’t squint at the print from a distance of 10 feet or so and instantly know what it is and all of its parts, don’t bother.
6. Awkward fit
The most crucial and critical component in making your clothes appear more expensive is the fit.
The garment will appear cheap if the sleeve is too wide, the shoulder is too narrow, or the pant leg is too long or too loose.
Period.
Even if it costs a million dollars, if it doesn’t fit well, it will seem shoddy and cheap.
Take it to a tailor instead of buying clothes and wearing them anyway.
This is something I cannot emphasize enough.
Waving a magic wand over your garments is how personal tailoring works.
It has a complete transformational effect.
Simple modifications like hems are usually simple and inexpensive, but more sophisticated tailoring can be costly, so get a quote before you go.
7. Improper ending
Little things like loose threads, uneven creases, loose or missing buttons, and designs that don’t quite line up exactly can make even an expensive garments look very cheap, whether you’re buying in a store or just glancing over the pieces in your own closet.
Before you buy something, inspect it to make sure the seams are straight and the edges are properly polished.
Make sure the print on a pocket matches the print on the rest of the garment and isn’t off-set in any manner.
Always cut loose threads with scissors rather than pulling them.
It may not appear to be much, but these minor details add up to a significant difference.
8. Don’t buy the season’s ‘It’ item on the high street.
Every year, a top, dress, coat, or pair of shoes from a major high-street retailer competes with the catwalk for the title of “it” item.
While it’s popular for a reason – namely, it’s nailed the fashion trend — everyone knows where it came from.
Avoid purchasing this item because it will not trick anyone into thinking it is pricey (as they probably have it too).
9. Avoid materials that are difficult to work with on a budget.
Lace, silk, and patent leather are all wonderful when done perfectly, but they’re also a dead giveaway that your outfit isn’t well-made if they’re not.
Choose a sheer material instead of lace, a dark denim jacket instead of a patent leather jacket, and a floaty cotton top instead of a cheap silk shirt.
10. Excessive ornamentation should be avoided.
Over-embellishment, in a similar vein to the above, can be lovely, but not when done cheaply.
Nothing will be able to compete with an Elie Saab hand-appliquéd gown, so don’t even try.
A bejewelled garment that is missing some of its gems is the ultimate giveaway.
Instead, go for more basic items and make a statement with your accessories or a splash of color.
11. Keep an eye out for linings.
When your clothes is slightly see-through (unless it’s supposed to be sheer, of course), it reveals that it’s inexpensive.
As a result, never buy a top, skirt, or dress without a sufficient lining.
If you’re undecided, try on the dress in the light (rather than the gloomy changing room) before deciding whether or not to keep it.
12. Take good care of your clothes (no matter how cheap they are)
Missing buttons, frayed threads, and scuffed shoes all reveal how budget-friendly your ensemble was.
You would never destroy your Gucci loafers, you would sew back on a button if your Dior blazer was missing one, and you would go to any length to remove a stain from your favorite cashmere sweater – so do the same with your cheap clothes.
They will look a lot better and last a lot longer if you show them some love.
13. Stay away from stretching exercises.
When it comes to buying jeans – and deceiving others into thinking you got pricey ones – avoid jeggings at all costs.
Purchase straight-leg or ‘Mom’ jean types that aren’t too trendy (since this can also be a giveaway), but won’t stretch across your body, making the material appear thin and unsubstantial, and therefore inexpensive.
Dark denim also appears to be more expensive, but as previously stated, it is more prone to fading.
14. Keep it as simple as possible with your jewelry.
The less complicated it is to wear fake diamonds or gold, the better.
While it may have been fashionable at the time to wear a large stone or hefty gold jewelry, no one will suspect you’re wearing Harry Winston.
It’s best to keep things as simple and traditional as possible.
15. Slouchy handbags should be avoided.
When shopping for an economical bag, adhere to structured forms rather than slouchy ones, as they will inevitably keep its shape and appear in better condition for a longer period of time.
Instead of slouchy shoppers, contemplate satchels and boxy bags.
16. Don’t buy knock-offs of designer items.
The most crucial tip for deceiving other fashionistas is to be genuine, which means avoiding knock-offs.
While the high street can sometimes pass for the catwalk, it will never, ever look the same, and you will never, ever fool anyone.
Take inspiration from trends in a more subtle approach rather than settling for direct catwalk reproductions.
17. Things that were popular in past seasons
The issue with these kind of clothes is that other people will be able to tell how old they are.
Wearing current, trendy clothing can be unsafe and expensive.
Fill your basic wardrobe with things that won’t lose their significance over time if you’re not ready to say goodbye to something from a season or more ago.
18. Apparel that is too big
Even a seemingly neutral item like a white shirt, which is supposed to suit everyone, might seem unattractive if it doesn’t fit properly.
Clothing that is oversized and loose on the body has been popular for a long time.
Outside of Instagram, though, such items appear saggy and as if they were passed down from an older brother or husband.
Models with a more relaxed look, who use bright makeup, accessories, and high heels, may look beautiful in big clothing.
The lady with the baby, umbrella, and large bags on her arms, on the other hand, will appear to have borrowed this oversized item from a friend who is 30 pounds heavier than she is.
Interestingly, rather of choosing baggy costumes that are a couple of sizes too big, stylists frequently propose trimming or customizing their size.
When shopping for new jeans, you should never be in a rush.
Check all the rivets and zippers after you’ve tried them on and checked the seams.
Colorful rivets can give the jeans a one-of-a-kind look, but only until they’re washed.
Even high-quality colors fade after washing, resulting in untidy clothing.
Signs to pay attention to: they should match the brand of the jeans.
This will also aid in the verification of the purchase’s validity.
19. Inscriptions or ribbons on denim
Jeans with inscriptions haven’t escaped the notice of any fashionista, even Victoria Beckham.
However, style celebrities and their followers have effectively returned this fashion trend to the 1990s.
The value of a clothing item is inversely related to the number of inscriptions, stripes, zippers, and rivets (with rare exceptions).
Do you wish to project a high-class image?
Then go for a pair of jeans with a simple design — the less complicated, the better.
Make sure you pay attention to the item’s quality.
The fabric should not protrude from the knees or ridge from the waist.
Don’t be concerned that plain jeans will appear too plain.
Bright accessories, such as a belt, a bag, or some shoes, can always be used to complement them.
20. Unsuitable color combinations
Inability to mix and match clothing effectively can make even the most fashionable and expensive items appear cheap.
Acid hues should not be worn on a daily basis.
The colors that make up the foundation of the wardrobe should be matched with pastel tones.
One of the colors should be neutral, such as black, milk, or a skin tone.
Many girls, on the other hand, who are inspired by the concept of the basic wardrobe, refuse to wear bright colors at all.
Their attire is dominated by gray, beige, and black.
If the use of bright colors is too daring for you, try combining numerous items of the same hue in different shades in one ensemble.
Sticky thread is a well-known global evil that denotes the ignoble genesis of clothing.
However, even seams that appear to be normal at first glance do not guarantee that the item has been properly sewed.
Pay special attention to the points where seams meet; the end of one seam should completely match the beginning of the second seam on the other end.
High-quality goods’ seams are all well-placed, especially in areas where the fabric is stretched or rubbed a lot (like in the photo).
Otherwise, after the first washing cycle, you can end up with loose or torn seams.
21. Glasses with Scratches
Scratched lenses on spectacles might appear unkempt, implying that their wearer is untidy.
However, they mainly appear to be low-cost.
More expensive models are less likely to be scratched and, more importantly, are safe to wear for their wearers.
Glasses are one of the most eye-catching accessories available.
Any visible damage will only add to the material’s cheapness.
As a result, if you wear glasses with inexpensive plastic lenses, keep an eye on their condition and keep them in a specific case.
22. T-shirts with printed inscriptions or phrases
Teenagers and special occasions benefit from clothing having “jokes” on them (like as a gift or a costume for a party).
In everyday life, however, they make grownups appear immature and childlike.
T-shirts with obnoxious messages and graphics can come across as cheap.
If you’re buying a T-shirt with an unknown language inscription on it, be sure you know the exact translation so you don’t end up in an awkward position or become the punchline.
23. Fake fur on the hood
Faux fur is stylish, ethical, and constantly in style.
This material is used by well-known international brands in their collections.
Budget businesses do it as well, although they frequently cut corners on the quality of the artificial fur.
Faux fur can actually be more attractive than real fur. Pay attention to the item’s quality.
Fur should be detachable so that you may wash your garment without having to remove it.
Otherwise, it may become tangled and become unsightly.
24. Buttons are missing on outfits.
Buttons are one of the least obvious aspects of clothing – until they go missing, that is.
That is why you should inspect your clothing on a regular basis for all of its little components, such as missing or overly tight buttons.
If you notice the problem in the morning, right before you leave for work, you’re unlikely to have time to solve it.
Going outside with a missing button will ruin your appearance and make your clothes appear cheap and untidy.
25. Wearing out the heels or tips of your shoes
Even if you have to save money for new shoes for several months, don’t wear unkempt footwear.
Shoe polish can be used to repair scratches, and translucent shine cream can be used to “rejuvenate” shoes for several seasons.
Make sure to change your heeltaps before they become too worn-out and visible to others.
Also, keep in mind that you can always do a one-time repair.
26. Nails that have been polished but haven’t been manicured
If you don’t have time for a sanitary manicure, don’t bother painting your nails because it will bring attention to your messy hands.
First and first, hygiene should be prioritized, followed by decor.
Put some oil on the dry skin more often if the cuticle seems sloppy but the polish is still solid.
Any imperfections will be smoothed out as a result of this.
A colorless polish is the quickest option for a manicure.
It will make the hands look nice even if the cuticles are neglected.
27. In the winter, wear light clothing.
In the middle of a chilly season, a showy mini-dress does not appear lovely or cool, but rather awkward and foolish.
Furthermore, it could be harmful to your health!
It’s only because you’re dressed inappropriately for the season that others turn around to look at you.
Even if your route doesn’t need you to endure the cold, such as if you park underground or don’t move much outside, thin tights and short clothing are better left until spring.
28. A more “spruced-up” appearance
It’s a personal choice whether you want to “puff up” your appearance or love yourself without fillers, cosmetic surgeries, or permanent makeup.
The most important thing is to remain unnoticed by those around you.
Everything is OK if everyone complements you on how well you look following a cosmetic operation.
However, if everyone keeps seeing changes in your facial features, you may have gone a little too far.
World-famous celebrities who used to like looking plastic have begun to reject fillers that can improve their overall appearance.
What aspects of clothes do you think are inappropriate? What do you think makes a look appear cheap in your opinion?
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