Cheap Chic Style: 15 Tips for a Sophisticated Allure
How to give the illusion of wearing a designer look with clothes at low prices ? This is the challenge that you, a sophisticated woman of the 21st century , must meet every day. Impossible to throw away your wardrobe to replace it with designer creations , is it? So let's see together how to adopt a cheap chic style with your current clothes or your future purchases at affordable prices .
photo credit: svetlanasokolova
1. The material: 90% of the chic styleThere is no secret: a chic look begins first and foremost with noble materials: natural silk, cashmere and leather are refined materials... which are also very expensive.
As for affordable alternatives, turn to linen, faux suede and good quality cotton (more than 57 threads per cm²). If possible, avoid synthetic textiles that age poorly, become deformed in the wash and block perspiration.
But sometimes, the Small Prints reserve small nuggets. Like this sublime floral red summer dress in natural mulberry silk at an affordable price. Treat yourself to a sublime dress made from the strongest, finest and most breathable natural material in the world!
Floral dress in prestigious mulberry silk - Les Petits Printed
2. Know how to combine colors
Once the right materials have been chosen, the choice of colors remains. You can play with harmony through a color gradient (example: white, beige, camel) or, on the contrary, play with sharp contrasts with the color block . This daring fashion trend is making a comeback this winter, so take advantage of it!
Image credit: Pinterest
Read also: Colorimetry: Which colors suit me best?
3. THE chic must-have: the white shirt
If there is one piece that gives chic to your look on its own, it is the white shirt. Well ironed, without wrinkles and immaculate, the white shirt is a key piece of women's dressing room to choose from a quality material, cotton poplin, silk or linen.
Also think about the cut: choose a timeless cut to surf the seasonal trends. Opt for a classic white shirt, slightly fitted at the waist, with a piece of fabric covering the buttons.
On the maintenance side, wash it exclusively with white linen to keep it immaculate and iron it with steam before storing it on a hanger, if possible in a protective cover.
Read also: Women's dressing room: the 25 essentials for style
4. The handbag, a luxury asset to your outfit
The handbag is the essential fashion accessory to enhance a chic and even casual outfit. It immediately gives a neat look to the outfit. Provided you choose it well.
Avoid counterfeits, tote bags and models that have already been seen 1000 times. Bet on an original and unique piece, in a durable material with a neutral color that goes with most of your outfits. The details must be sober, discreet and resistant.
Handmade 100% cotton lace handbag - Les Petits Imprimers
For a sophisticated touch, we forget the fringes, the big bling bling clasps, the pleats and the embroidery because these details are often synonymous with a low-end bag.
5. Impeccable clothes
Wouldn't you want a sloppy look to ruin your clean, crisp, sophisticated look? This is what is likely to happen if you wear pieces that were once chic but are now washed out, lackluster and bland.
For an impeccable look, try to revive their color with a recolouring product (detergent). If nothing helps, it's time to say goodbye to it by recycling it.
Finally, iron your clothes. Adjust the temperature so as not to burn them or deform them and store them flat on a hanger to avoid creases forming.
Small tip: plan a change of clothes at the office so as not to keep a garment stained with coffee, tomato sauce or wine all day.
6. Always the right size
Pay attention to the size: apart from the desire to wear a loose or downright oversized piece, your clothes must correspond to your morphology. This will probably not have escaped your attention: the sizes vary according to the fashion brands. Alterations are necessary to adjust the clothes to your measurements, in particular the length of the pants or the sleeves.
Once again, the quality of the material is essential to prevent it from relaxing, deforming and no longer corresponding to your size.
7. A subtle perfume
Perfume is the finishing touch to your outfit. Its subtle smell makes you unique. It highlights you, reveals your taste and your personality. Better: it can even mark the spirits of those who will be able to appreciate it.
However, be careful not to abuse heady fragrances, especially if you travel by public transport, work in a closed office or in a confined space. Indeed, a refined woman always respects the private space of others.
8. Handpicked prints
Prints are the perfect option to energize your look. But not anyhow. The chic patterns are timeless classic prints such as stripes, polka dots or animal patterns such as leopard. But some more original prints also do very well, in addition to bringing originality.
Fiona satin pajamas - Little Prints
Other prints can be difficult to combine and even unflattering depending on your figure. For example, you will avoid large patterns if your curves are generous (morphology A, 8 and O).
Read also: How to dress well according to your morphology?
9. Cinch your clothes
Want to look polished but also laid back like you haven't spent hours getting ready? Straight pieces can be very chic if you are very thin (assumed bias). Otherwise, loose fitted dresses, a straight t-shirt or an H shirt tend to age you.
For a chic and sophisticated look, cinch your outfit. It's biological: the human eye needs to visualize the environment of the body to see harmony there. It's up to you to choose where the "middle of your body" is: high, normal or low waist, it's up to you to highlight yourself.
Photo credit: Pinterest
Either way, tuck your t-shirt and shirt into your pants, shorts, or skirt. Cinch your dresses with a belt (and even your open waistcoats). On the coat side, bend if you are thin but prefer to keep it open if your curves are generous (and if it is not -12°C).
10. The importance of underwear
Are you proud of your carefully chosen outfit? Be careful not to ruin its chic style by the line of your panties visible through the material which cuts your buttocks in two.
Unflattering, the lines of underwear often invite themselves into feminine outfits... and kill the whole style!
To avoid this fiasco, bet on invisible, seamless, sheathing underwear and even thongs.
11. Change Buttons
Nothing to do, plastic buttons give away your cheap clothes even if they are made of quality linen or cotton. These low cost buttons are the pinnacle of cheap details.
So, to your threads and needles to change your plastic buttons and replace them with wooden, metal, glass buttons, etc.
12. Enhance your figure with a nice blazer
The blazer is a strong piece that is enough to radically change your wardrobe. It structures, refines, brings elegance and credibility (even in a casual look).
A classic cut blazer in a neutral color will give you a more relaxed look while a bright blazer will return more sparkle and personality. You choose !
Bright green long blazer + reptile pattern trousers + lapels + classic pointed toe pumps: the ideal outfit for a chic and inexpensive style with personality.
13. Sunglasses Forever
The accessories add chic by touches. But among them, sunglasses are the queens because they:
- bring shine to your face (metal frame, lens reflections);
- add mystery with opaque or smoked lenses
- play the glamor card
Sunglasses produce a classy and sophisticated effect on all your outfits. Go for aviator, cat-eye and oversized styles in black for a movie star effect.
And presto, an additional chic touch!
14. Pair of Classic Pointed Shoes
Another essential fashion accessory: shoes. Among the 1001 possibilities, there is an essential must-have: the classic pointed pumps.
This pair of shoes has the gift of emphasizing the professional side, of bringing a touch of elegance without authority or rigidity. Choose leather for more durability and make sure they are regularly maintained for an impeccable look and optimal comfort.
14. The little details that make all the difference
Your outfit should look great on the cheap if you've followed the first 14 tips in this article. However, small details can ruin everything. So don't relax your vigilance.
Match the color of the metal details of your outfit: silver, gold, brass or rose gold, all zips, necklace chains, belt buckle, bag chain, clasp, etc. must be the same color so as not to clash with your look.
Even better: avoid visible zippers. The pinnacle of chic: clothes where the zips are covered with fabric or are the same color as the garment so as not to disturb its fall, its cut and its classy effect.
Cheap chic style: did you like this article?
Let's summarize. An inexpensive chic style fulfills 15 criteria of good taste:
- An affordable luxurious material
- The harmony of colors
- The chic must-have: the white shirt
- The handbag: luxury asset of your outfit
- Impeccable clothes
- Always the right size
- A subtle fragrance
- Handpicked prints
- Bend your clothes
- The importance of underwear
- Change the buttons
- Enhance your outfit with a nice blazer
- sunglasses forever
- Pair of 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 spree!
