How to make CHEAP look EXPENSIVE! (merged)

Sian100

Great clothes tips, everyone! :T

I've recently got some more wear out of leather shoes I wasn't wearing because I didn't like the colour (impulse buys!) I dyed a pair of white leather shoes navy, and a pair of yellow leather shoes brown. I don't know if this counts as making them look more expensive or not, but it was certainly money-saving, as I got some more wear out of them. The dye kits cost a fiver each, and can be bought in shoe repair shops.

I also lost a bit of weight, and took in a lot of pairs of trousers at the waist which were otherwise in good condition, which saved me buying new pairs. I now feel confident enough to take in the waists of new pairs of trousers a bit for a better fit (I'm pear shaped). I've been adjusting the length of trousers for years now- I'm a bit particular about it! I suppose it could be said that the better the fit, the more expensive the trousers look.

I'm considering altering other clothes too, but it may turn into a huge disaster, so I'm taking my time with these things!

ETA: I especially agree with the charity shops tips- I often pick up leather handbags and even winter coats for £5 from them. You just need to have a good look around, and you will find some gems.

ETA2: Sorry, just seen the ironing and general caring for clothes tips- absolutely agree. I've always admired my Nana and Granny for looking immaculate without having pots of money, and the secret is that they look after their clothes properly.

flufff

how to make cheap clothes look great?hmmm slap a skinny young model in them








no help at all for me now tis downhilll all the way :-(

flufff

having said the above I relish the day i can be a mad old cat woman wearing mismatched clothes pointing her stick at young children in St.Ives lol.....now that be posh rofl

gentlepurr

flufff wrote:

having said the above I relish the day i can be a mad old cat woman wearing mismatched clothes pointing her stick at young children in St.Ives lol.....now that be posh rofl

my sentiment exactly, tho' not st. ives! lol!

love this poem:

http://www.aztriad.com/pathmark/purple_poem.html



xx

bobsa1

When getting curtains make sure they are long enough to reach the floor and have loads of gather so are nice and full. Cheap full curtains (made or shop bought) always look better than expensive skimpy curtains.

tinselfairy

On the Trinny and Susannah theme, love them or hate them, the What Not to Wear book is a very good basic guide to which clothes suit which body shapes and once read can help save money.

SnowyOwl_2

tinselfairy wrote:

On the Trinny and Susannah theme, love them or hate them, the What Not to Wear book is a very good basic guide to which clothes suit which body shapes and once read can help save money.

I got the T&S book, thought it was interesting and there was some useful advice. However I had all the problem areas...big boobs, no discernable waist, a "muffin" belly, big butt, etc etc.... They seem only able to disguise one problem area at a time, assuming other areas are alright, rather than deal with an entire body reject... LOL :rotfl:


If I want to try and look a bit more polished even when wearing non-posh label outfits, I try and do the accessory thing. A nice necklace, a discrete bracelet, earrings, make up (lippy a definite must, much more important than doing eyes), well fitting tights (no wrinkles around the ankles!) which complement the outfit, shiny shoes, toning bag, clean and neat hair, clean and tidy nails with a light coloured polish on, a brooch on the jacket, a dab of perfume. It's these little things which say "well groomed". None of it has to be expensive.

doorstep

SnowyOwl wrote:

seem only able to disguise one problem area at a time, assuming other areas are alright, rather than deal with an entire body reject... LOL :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

squeaky

Hi everyone

I've merged this thread with a couple of similar ones about managing clothes. You'll need to read from the beginning again

Bogof_Babe

squeaky wrote:

Hi everyone

I've merged this thread with a couple of similar ones about managing clothes. You'll need to read from the beginning again

That's going to make my tip about sandwiches look like I've lost the plot, lol. :rotfl: