Are you the type of person that spends time scrolling through social media or magazines and wishing you can afford all those looks that all these gorgeous rich women are rocking?
Yeah. I feel ya on that one. I feel like all the women in New York have an “I would need to take on a second mortgage to even try to think I could afford that” kinda wardrobe.
But did you know that there are ways that you can look the part without breaking the bank?
Why do rich people have to have all the fun? Let's learn how to look rich even when our bank account says something different.
How can I look rich and elegant?
Looking rich and elegant is more than just playing the part. Sure you may care about how people perceive you. That may be important to you.
However the emotions you feel when you look in the mirror That is why we want to look rich and elegant.
Think about the last time you dressed up. Maybe it was for a wedding or another special occasion. Maybe it was for your wedding.
How did it make you feel? Did you feel fabulous? Why did you feel fabulous? Was it the hair? The makeup? The clothes you were wearing? Think about that moment. And then use that to work on putting together a look that makes you feel fabulous every day.
So how do we start working on putting together that look and building a wardrobe? Well, let’s start with things to look out for when you’re shopping.
What should I wear to look rich?
If you want to look rich you don’t need to have the budget to match it however you do need to spend a little bit of time creating the perfect wardrobe that will compliment your rich lifestyle. Here are a few things to keep in mind when curating the perfect wardrobe.
Stick to Natural Fabrics
Because we are frugal and are always looking for things that fit our budget we tend to look at the tags first before making a purchase. However instead of looking at the price tag the next time you’re shopping look at that clothing tag. You know. The one that tells you what that cute shirt is made out of and how to take care of it.
No matter how good a deal is if the fabric is not high quality not only will it look cheap but chances are it won’t last which means it won’t be as good of a deal as you initially thought.
You want to look for natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool and linens. These fabrics have a tendency to look better and also last longer as opposed to synthetic fabrics such as polyester or rayon.
If you find it hard to find natural fabrics then consider blends that blend natural fabrics with synthetics. Pay attention to the breakdown for the blend and opt for items that have a larger amount of natural fibers versus synthetic fabrics.
Make sure your clothes are well maintained
And while we are on the subject of tags let’s talk about caring for your clothes. Those tags have very useful information regarding the care of the garment. It is not just about throwing it in the laundry. Some fabrics require special care. So play close attention to those tags.
In addition to maintaining your wardrobe and keeping things clean, also make sure that items are pressed (and or steamed.. I love this steamer) and stored properly. This will not only make sure that they look good when it is time to wear them but also help the pieces last longer.
What I am trying to say is show your clothes some love. Don’t just shove them in the closet and hope for the best.
Something as simple as ironing out the wrinkles can instantly make something look polished and more expensive.
Wear things that are made for you: Invest in a tailor
Fit is everything when it comes to looking rich. And if your clothes don’t fit then you won’t look polished or rich. So find a tailor near you that will help to make sure that all your clothes fit perfectly to your body.
Poor In A Private Plane tip: Become BFFs with your tailor. And don’t be afraid to ask them questions. They know clothes and they know how to make them fit different body types. So asking them questions about sizing, fabrics, etc can go a long way. For example, when I first started shopping for my prom dress my tailor told me to size up. I ended up going two sizes up on a dress and he was able to create a perfect form-fitting dress. I would have never thought of this if I didn’t get his advice.
The other great thing about a tailor is if you find something that is just too big or too long or too anything they can easily fix it for you and make it so it fits perfectly. This is also great when shopping in your closet.
That dress that you absolutely love but doesn’t quite fit the same. Take it to the tailor. They might be able to work their magic by either adjusting the fit and/or repurposing into a different type of garment.
Choose Quality over Quantity
You don’t need to have a massive walk in the closet to dress well. However, you do want to invest in quality pieces that will look good every time. I like to call these investment pieces. Pieces that will stand the test of time, are classic and will always be in style.
Depending on your personal style some examples of investment pieces can be:
- Little black dress
- A structured handbag
- Wool or Cashmere Sweaters
- A camel wool coat
- High-quality leather (or vegan leather) shoes
- A classic watch (this one is great and is not overly expensive)
And don’t forget to pay attention to your accessories. You don’t need to have a ton of jewels. Invest in a few pieces of jewelry that are high quality and not too gaudy and you will be good to go.
Poor In A Private Plane Tip: Silk scarves are a great way to really up the factor when it comes to your wardrobe. Silk scarves can be pricey but go to your local thrift shop where you can usually find a bin filled with vintage silk scarves. I have found gems for $.50 at my local thrift store. And they make for great belts, headbands, and even tops.
What colors make you look rich?
Your personal style will dictate what colors best suit you however there are a few colors that scream rich.
Black
There is something about the color black that just screams sophistication. I mean there is just something about a black gown that is just the soo elegant.
When you’re at a loss for what to wear or even invest in, start with black. A pair or black structured trousers, a black jacket, a little black dress, or even a pair of black leather leggins (or shorts. These are my faves) are great places to start.
And even if you’re shopping for cheaper fabric (which I don’t recommend) black has a special power and ability to hide imperfections both in fabrics and tailoring.
Cream Colored Anything
It sounds super scary. You know how you finally are ready to show the world your new white jeans or cream colored sweater and no more than two minutes out of the house you have a giant coffee stain as an accessory.
Yeah. I’ve been there.
But don’t let that discourage you. There is something about an all white or all cream outfit that screams carefree yet polished and sophisticated. So give it a go. And invest in a few of these pieces. They also go great with those black jeans you just bought.
Monochromatic
Monochromatic looks tend to look super polished. However this one is a bit more difficult. For example going for an all navy or tan outfit works. Hot pink. Not so much. So if you are going to go for the monochromatic looks make sure you use your discretion and opt for peace and colors that work for you. Your confidence really will be the thing that truly will make the difference between looking polished and elegant and looking like a big bird got into a fight at the mall.
How to look rich and classy on a budget?
Shop your closet
Before you even whip out the credit card, let's start by shopping in your closet.
Assess what you have. Really take the time to look at every article of clothing. Look at the label to see what it is made out of and try it on to see how it fits.
Get rid of anything that doesn’t serve you. So for example pieces that are old and worn, out of style, or don’t fit your lifestyle are the first place to start.
Then move on to pieces that don’t fit. Go through these and see which you might be able to salvage with a trip to the tailor and those that will no longer work.
Now it is time for the next step
Take Inventory
So now you have a wardrobe of items that you absolutely love. But you may have some holes here and there that you need to fill. So start making a list of what you have and what you need to complete your wardrobe.
I actually will write it out but some people do this by memory. I think writing it out will help you later on when you start shopping
Find Inspiration
Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration. If you have a certain look that you are going to spend some time scrolling and pinning and put together a board with those looks. Not only will this help you when getting dressed but it will help you to narrow down the pieces that you will need in order to complete the look you’re going for.
Set a budget
There is no magic number here. It is what you can afford. That could be $20 or $200. I cannot tell you that. However I can tell you that by setting a budget you’re more likely to make better decisions when you know you have a set amount of money to work with.
Shop Smart
It is time to finally go shopping. I know you’re excited. But before you whip out the credit card make sure you have a list in hand of what you need in order to complete your wardrobe. This will help you to save money and not overspend on pieces.
When shopping keep in mind the tips I shared above. Pay attention to fabric and fits.
If you are not sure about something it is usually best to walk away. If you are not ready to walk away you can try two things.
Ask the sales associate to hold it for you. Most stores will honor a 24 hour hold on an item. If you’re still thinking about it a day later than go back and get it. Chances are you will probably have forgotten about it by that time though.
Or (and this takes a bit more discipline), inquire about the return policy.If the store has a liberal return policy, take it home, set a reminder on your phone, save the receipt and if you don’t wear it by the time that reminder goes off then it means it needs to go back to the store.
Shop Sales
I love the end of the season sales. That is where you can get some amazing pieces. I am always shopping for cashmere sweaters during the after holiday sales and I have found some great summer pieces in July.
A hack that I use is called Shopstyle. Shopstyle lets you search for products and then get alerts when that product goes on sale. It is a great way to jump at the opportunity to buy things that are on your wishlist on sale.
How do I look like a millionaire?
So we covered what we are wearing and shopping for so now it is time for the good stuff. Playing the part. Because dressing the part is only a small part of it.
Mind your manners
Basic etiquette goes a long way. And it cost nothing. Well it might cost a little bit. But it mostly cost nothing.
If you remember nothing then remember this. When it comes to having good etiquette you should remember to be considerate and be respectful. If you lead with that you will be in good shape.
But some other things to keep in mind.
- Please and thank you go a long way. So use these words.
- Always listen before speaking.
- Do not criticize, complain or be negative in general.
- Also being boastful or loud is another no no.
- Be on time. None of that fashionably late nonsense. Be respectful of others' time.
- Be yourself. When you try to act like someone you’re not it shows. And it can get very uncomfortable for everyone.
Stay Informed
Intelligence goes a long way. And by keeping up with current events, educating yourself on everything from random facts to the current social climate can go a long way.
Not only does it help when it comes to having interesting conversations with others but when you’re in the know it will help to boost your confidence.
But Don’t flaunt it
This goes for everything. No like that person that likes to brag. No one cares that you know all 50 state capitals or can sing the national anthem for 25 countries. So while being informed and being educated is helpful you should also be mindful of what is coming out of your mouth.
Keep it simple
This is my favorite one. And it is the easiest one to follow. Whether it’s your outfit, the conversation. It doesn’t matter. Keep it simple. That wins every time.
What makes a woman look wealthy?
This is an easy one.
Confidence.
Regardless of what you’re wearing, who you’re hanging out with or what kind of car you drive. Confidence is the make it or break it.
When you’re confident people can see it and feel it. And that is definitely something money can never buy.
If you like these tips on how to look rich don’t forget to share it with a friend.
Cheers
