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It’s a tale as old as time, but it rings true: You don’t have to spend a lot on your outfit for it to look elevated and expensive. Whether it’s a specific color to tap into, a styling trick to try, or a trendy basic to incorporate, I’ll rarely pass up the opportunity to share our favorite ways to achieve that luxe look. Since I know you’re curious about how to create this effect with minimal effort and/or funds, I thought I’d compile some of the best expensive-looking outfits out there into one useful guide.
So if you’re looking to emulate this elevated vibe, consider the below nine looks to be your guiding force in 2022 and beyond. This year, there are a few formulas that should be on your radar, and trust me when I say they couldn’t be any easier to re-create. When it comes to looking expensive, the simpler the look, the better, so I mean it when I say that the ones you’re about to discover are just as inspirational as they are attainable. Simply keep scrolling to discover nine of these elevated ensembles and read about which details make them stand out and to, of course, peruse similar shopping picks.
Drench Yourself in Camel
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Camel is a color that is littering our social feeds, and it happens to look especially elevated. My favorite way to adopt the hue is via a few key basics, such as a camel coat or camel sweater, that you can style all together like the above image or separately.
Supersize Your Carryall
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Extra-large bags have dominated the runways, and fashion’s early adopters are already endorsing the oversize carryalls, which tells me they’re a key trend to know for 2022. Trendiness aside though, there’s something about a large leather shopper that’s quite luxe—probably because the price point tends to start higher than it does for mini bags.
Load Up on Leather
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Leather (and its vegan alternatives) just screams “money.” It’s pretty much a given that genuine leather has a rich-looking effect, but leather look-alikes are also getting so good that they’ve become my favorite ways to achieve this look on a budget.
Try a Relaxed Silhouette
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It might sound counterintuitive since sharp tailoring is typically associated with an elevated outfit, but when done right, relaxed and roomy silhouettes can do the same in an especially fresh way for 2022. Take Tylynn’s look here, which she styled with beige tones and a thin top to offset the denim’s volume.
A Big Blazer Always Does the Trick
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Whether you spent $30 or $300 on one, a big, boxy blazer will single-handedly elevate anything you wear it with. Seriously, with blue jeans or atop a minidress, it’s the one piece that does all the legwork for you.
Incorporate Cable-Knits
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Cable-knits are going through a chic rebrand. The “grandma” knits have officially gone from feeling dated to elevated thanks to a number of cool new versions on the market that are breathing new life into the classic texture.
Marry All Your Skirts to Tall Boots
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I’ll never tire of knee-high boots because of their uncanny ability to bring a whole look together. I look for leather pairs with a structured shaft that stand up without slouching. With a mini or midi skirt, it’s just *chef’s kiss*.
Keep It Monochrome
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Monochromatic outfits are probably the quickest and easiest way to look put-together, and while the exact color you wear doesn’t always matter, neutrals tend to convey this elevated vibe the best. I like styling crisp basics like a button-down shirt and tailored jeans with a simple, slicked-back hairstyle. It’s clean and simple but very chic.
Throw a Long Tailored Coat on Top
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The Olsen sisters are on to something with their floor-length coats. In the winter months, outerwear doesn’t just finish off your outfits. Sometimes, it is the outfit, period, and I adore long, ankle-grazing coats for that reason. They cloak you in one chic silhouette. Go for a blazer-inspired coat for extra polish.
Up next, see the 9 trendier basics that are the foundation of my 2022 wardrobe.