Do you want to update your wardrobe with stylish and luxurious pieces, but your budget doesn’t allow it? We have good news for you. You don’t need to spend a fortune to refresh your wardrobe. A few simple steps can help you transform your clothes.
In addition, the use of interesting accessories, fabrics, and other extra details can magically turn even cheap clothing into something stylish and elegant. Give new life to your old pieces. To do this, apply some of the tips below.
Tailored Clothing
If you order clothing from a tailor, it will most likely fit your body perfectly. This alone will make the garment look better. Custom-made pieces usually look expensive even though tailoring will likely cost much less than buying branded designer items. You should aim for clothes that are cut and sewn to highlight your strengths and hide any flaws, instead of hanging loosely on your body.
If you don’t want all your clothes to be custom-made, focus on a few staple pieces you wear the most, such as blouses or dresses.
Of course, you can also make some adjustments yourself, such as hemming old pants or dresses. Think about what you’d like to change. For example, you can shorten them to fit your size better or simply modernize the look.
Replace the Buttons
Buttons are often the first thing that reveals a garment is cheap. Replace the buttons on your shirt or dress with new metal ones, for example, and you’ll see how the piece is instantly transformed — even if it’s bought from a second-hand store. You can easily remove the old buttons yourself by snipping them off with the tip of scissors. Then sew on the new buttons. If you prefer, you can visit a tailor, who can quickly do this for a very low price.
Replace the Zipper
Zippers are the second most telling detail of a cheap garment and can ruin its appearance. These fasteners are harder to replace than buttons, so in this case, it’s best to seek the help of a tailor.
Inspect the Fabric Surface Carefully
Materials that shine and look synthetic are often perceived as cheap. Look for clothes made from natural fabrics like cotton, linen, or faux suede, as these materials tend to look stylish while still being affordable. You can also wear clothes made from other inexpensive fabrics like silk or acrylic. These materials generally look more expensive than synthetic ones.
Polyester can also look good, but only in some cases. Make sure the fabric doesn’t shine under sunlight. Also, always place it against your skin to see how it looks on you.
Color definitely matters
Choose clothes in black or white. These are timeless classics and should not have inserts in other shades. A fully black or white outfit creates a simple and sophisticated effect. That’s why if you buy black or white clothes that you can mix with other tones, your entire wardrobe will look more expensive. However, make sure the fabrics look consistent. For example, if the pants are made of a “lighter material” than the blazer, it may come off as cheap.
Pay attention to neutral tones like brown, beige, and gray — clothes in these shades usually look more luxurious.
Don't overcomplicate cheap clothing
Some women, in an attempt to hide the fact that their clothes are inexpensive, make the mistake of over-accessorizing. When it comes to “add-ons” for cheap clothes like jewelry, it’s often best to skip them altogether. This kind of “camouflage” quickly loses its appeal and ends up making the outfit look worse. On the other hand, simple garments with clean lines often look much more expensive without excessive jewelry or accessories.
For example, instead of buying a turquoise shirt with fringes and gold accents, go for a plain V-neck blouse with no embellishments.
Make sure your clothes fit well
As cliché as it may sound, it's absolutely true — in the fitting room, it can be hard to tell if a piece fits properly. You might fall in love with a dress that doesn’t suit your body type, skin tone, eye color, or overall style, yet still decide to buy it. Don’t make that mistake. Even expensive clothes that don’t suit you will always look cheaper than they actually are.
Get rid of any stained clothes
If you have stains on your clothes, such as grease or red wine, try dry cleaning to fix the issue. If the stains can’t be removed, it’s time to let go of that item — it will never look expensive again. The best choice is to throw it away and make room in your closet for new pieces.
Fix any issues with your clothes
If a button comes off your clothes, sew it back on. If you see an open seam, trim the thread and stitch it — either by hand or with a sewing machine. Make sure to use matching thread. All the small details matter. If not repaired, they can make your clothes look not just cheap but sloppy.
Always keep your shoes in good condition
Worn-out or scruffy shoes can ruin your entire outfit. Make sure your shoes look polished and new. When they do, your outfit will appear more expensive overall. If your shoes can’t be polished, it might be time to invest in a new pair.
Don’t buy clothes that already look worn. Problematic items can be pricey, while inexpensive clothes can often look modern and stylish. However, this rule doesn’t apply to jeans — they can still look fashionable even when ripped.
Care tips
Try to wash your clothes as little as possible to avoid them looking worn out.
Use a product that removes lint, dust, or pet hair — those too can ruin your look. So, if needed, use a lint roller to keep your clothes clean.
Iron your clothes
Wrinkles can make even good fabric look cheap. Ironing helps improve the appearance of any outfit. You can also use steam to get rid of creases.
Decorate smartly
Accessories can elevate any outfit. Choose gold-toned jewelry, as gold tends to make clothes look more expensive. Wear elegant gold earrings. You can also add a beautiful scarf to enhance the overall look.
Tuck in your shirt
Loose clothing often looks cheaper. Take a few seconds to tuck in your shirt or sweater and add a belt to your pants — this simple move makes your outfit look more refined and stylish.
🙅♀️ Common mistakes to avoid:
Yes, with the right tailoring, quality buttons, good color combinations, and accessories, even cheap clothes can look stylish and high-end.
Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, faux suede, or silk are the best options. Avoid shiny synthetic materials.
Neutral tones always look elegant and upscale! Black, white, beige, and gray will give your outfit a cleaner and more refined look.
Opt for gold earrings, minimalist scarves, and quality belts. Avoid cheap and flashy jewelry.
Cheap clothes often show wear through lint and surface imperfections, so regular ironing and replacing buttons and zippers can do wonders for your outfit’s appearance.