Chic Style Cheap: 15 Tips for a Sophisticated Look
How to give the illusion of wearing a designer look with low-priced clothing? This is the challenge that you, sophisticated woman of the 21st century, must face every day. It's impossible to throw away your wardrobe to replace it with high fashion creations, right? So let's see together how to adopt a chic style on a budget with your current clothes or your future affordable purchases.
1. The material: 90% of chic style
There is no secret: a chic look starts first and foremost with noble materials: natural silk, cashmere, and leather are refined materials... that also cost a lot.
For affordable alternatives, turn to linen, faux suede, and good quality cotton (more than 57 threads per cm²). Avoid low-quality synthetic textiles if possible, as they age poorly, deform in the wash, and trap sweat.
Ruffled tank top and loose Sianna linen and cotton pants - Les Petits Imprimés
2. Knowing how to match colors
Once the right materials are chosen, the choice of colors remains. You can play with harmony through a gradient of colors (example: white, beige, camel) or, on the contrary, play with sharp contrasts with the color block. But ideally, highlight yourself with the colors that suit you best thanks to colorimetry and the visual harmony between your natural colors and those of your outfits and accessories. We highly recommend reading our article Colorimetry: What colors suit me best?
Colorimetry of autumn women (image credit: Freepik)
3. The must-have of chic: the white shirt
If there is one piece that adds chic to your look on its own, it is the white shirt. Well ironed, without creases and immaculate, the white shirt is a key piece in the women's wardrobe to be chosen in quality material, in cotton poplin, silk, or linen.
Short-sleeved white shirt with golden buttons Aurélia - Les Petits Imprimés
Also consider the cut: choose a timeless cut to ride the seasonal trends. Opt for a classic white shirt, slightly fitted at the waist, with a piece of fabric covering the buttons.
For maintenance, wash it exclusively with white laundry to keep it immaculate and steam iron it before storing it on a hanger, preferably in a protective cover.
Also read:
4. The handbag, a luxury asset for your outfit
The handbag is the essential fashion accessory to enhance a chic and even casual outfit. It immediately gives a polished look to the outfit, provided you choose it well.
Avoid counterfeits, tote bags, and models you've seen 1000 times. Focus on an original and unique piece, made from durable material in a neutral color that pairs well with most of your outfits. The details should be understated, discreet, and durable.
Cognac handbag and matching Milan clutch - Les Petits Imprimés
For a sophisticated touch, forget the fringes, the flashy clasps, the pleats, and the embroidery as these details are often synonymous with low-quality bags.
5. Impeccable clothing
You wouldn't want a neglected appearance to ruin your clean, sharp, and sophisticated look, would you? That's what could happen if you wear once-chic pieces that are now faded, lackluster, and dull.
For a flawless look, try to revive their color with a color-reviving product (laundry aisle). If that doesn't work, it's time to say goodbye by recycling it.
Fluid red Manon jumpsuit - Les Petits Imprimés (also available in black)
Finally, iron your clothes. Adjust the temperature to avoid burning or deforming them and store them flat on hangers to prevent creasing.
A little tip: bring a change of clothes to the office so you don't have to wear a garment stained with coffee, tomato sauce, or wine all day.
6. Always the right size
Be careful with the size: apart from the desire to wear a loose or completely oversized piece, your clothes should fit your body shape. You may have noticed: sizes vary according to fashion brands. Alterations are necessary to adjust the clothes to your measurements, especially the length of pants or sleeves. Once again, the quality of the material is essential to prevent it from stretching, deforming, and no longer fitting your size.
White Lola 2-piece bikini - Les Petits Imprimés
7. A subtle perfume
Perfume is the finishing touch to your outfit. Its subtle scent makes you unique. It enhances you, reveals your taste and personality. Better yet: it can even leave a lasting impression on those who know how to appreciate it.
However, be careful not to overdo it with overpowering fragrances, especially if you are traveling on public transport, working in a closed office, or in a confined space. Indeed, a refined woman always respects the private space of others.
8. Trendy prints
Prints are the ideal option to energize your look. But not just any way. Chic patterns are timeless classic prints like stripes, polka dots, flowers, or animal prints like leopard. But some more original prints also do very well, in addition to bringing originality.
Yellow floral split long dress Malia - Les Petits Imprimés (available in 4 colors)
Little tip: avoid large patterns if your curves are generous (A, 8, and O body shapes).
Also read: How to dress well according to your body shape?
9. Cinch your clothes
Do you want to look polished but also relaxed as if you haven’t spent hours getting ready? Straight pieces can be very chic if you are very slim (assumed bias). Otherwise, a loose-fitting dress, a straight t-shirt, or a loose shirt tend to age you.
For a chic and sophisticated look, cinch your outfit. It’s biological: the human eye needs to visualize the middle of the body to see harmony. It’s up to you to choose where the "middle of your body" is: high waist, normal, or low, it’s up to you to choose to highlight yourself.
Léa ruffled playsuit - Les Petits Imprimés
In any case, tuck your t-shirt and shirt into your pants, shorts, or skirt. Cinch your dresses with a belt (and even your open-front vests). For coats, cinch if you are slim but prefer to keep it open if your curves are generous (and if it’s not -12°C).
10. The importance of underwear
Are you proud of your carefully chosen outfit? Be careful not to ruin its chic style with the visible line of your panties through the fabric that cuts your butt in two.
Invisible backless bodysuit Lilian (available in white, beige, black) - Les Petits Imprimés
Not flattering, underwear lines often sneak into women's outfits... and ruin the whole style! To avoid this fiasco, opt for invisible, seamless, shaping underwear and even thongs.
11. Change the buttons
No way, plastic buttons betray your cheap clothes even if they are made of quality linen or cotton. These low-cost buttons are the epitome of cheap details. So, get your threads and needles to change your plastic buttons and replace them with wooden, metal, glass buttons, etc.
Navy blue playsuit Elena with its very chic flat golden buttons - Les Petits Imprimés
12. Enhance your silhouette with a nice blazer
The blazer is a strong piece that can radically change your wardrobe. It structures, refines, brings elegance and credibility (even in a casual look). A classic cut neutral-colored blazer will give you a more relaxed look while a bright blazer will reflect more shine and personality. It's up to you to choose!
Long ecru blazer Elliot - Les Petits Imprimés (also available in black)
Pink blazer Léonie - Les Petits Imprimés
13. Sunglasses forever
Accessories add a touch of chic. But among them, sunglasses are the queens because they bring shine to your face (metal frame, reflections), add mystery with opaque or tinted lenses, and play the glamour card.
Sunglasses create a classy and sophisticated effect on all your outfits. Opt for aviator, cat-eye, and oversized models in black for a movie star effect.
And there you go, an extra chic touch!
14. Pair of classic pointed shoes
Another essential fashion accessory: shoes. Among the 1001 possibilities, there is one must-have: classic pointed heels. This pair of shoes has the gift of highlighting the professional side, adding a touch of elegance without authority or rigidity. Opt for leather for more durability and ensure regular maintenance for an impeccable look and optimal comfort.
14. The details that make all the difference
Your outfit should be stunning for cheap if you followed the first 14 tips in this article. However, small details can ruin everything. So, don't let your guard down.
Cream white satin pajama with lace camisole Théa - Les Petits Imprimés
Harmonize the color of the metallic details of your outfit: silver, gold, brass, or rose gold, all zips, necklace chains, belt buckles, bag chains, clasps, etc. should be the same color to not clash with your look.
Even better: avoid visible zippers. The pinnacle of chic: clothing where zips and buttons are covered with fabric or are the same color as the garment to not disrupt its drape, cut, and classy effect.
Chic budget style: did you like this item?
Let's summarize. A chic budget style meets 15 criteria of good taste:
- An affordable luxurious material
- The harmony of colors
- The must-have of chic: the white shirt
- The handbag: a luxury asset to your outfit
- Impeccable clothing
- Always the right size
- A subtle fragrance
- Carefully selected prints
- Tailor your clothes
- The importance of underwear
- Change the buttons
- Elevate your outfit with a nice blazer
- Sunglasses forever
- Classic pointed toe shoes
- The little details that make all the difference
Don't forget to take this item with you on your next shopping trip!
