I’ve been wanting a basic ruffle tee this spring. And, I found a few fabulous options at J.Crew, Nordstrom, Asos, and Target. Ultimately, I opted for the under-$20 option because no one would be able to tell that it cost less than $20. Here’s how I work with cheap items to make ’em look like a million bucks.
5 Simple Ways to Make Cheap Clothes Look Expensive
1. Buy simple pieces. I was shopping for a t-shirt with a very simple ruffle detail. If I wanted more intricate finishings, I would’ve been prepared to spend more. This $20 tee looks just as good as the $200 versions.
Ruffle sleeve tee | Wide-leg pants | Sandals (option on sale)
Yoro Creations necklace | Mac “Heroine” lipstick
2. Choose natural fabrics. Fabric often accounts for a portion of the price differential among like items. But, some fabrics like cotton offer great quality without being expensive. This particular t-shirt has a fabric blend with 60% cotton.
3. Pay attention to the details. Cheap items can easily give themselves away if they are finished poorly. So, I look closely at the seams and search for any loose threads. On this ruffle tee, I checked to make sure the ruffles were symmetrical.
4. Shop in-store. I declared my shopping preference in Why I Prefer to Shop In-Store and You Do Too. Online photos can sometimes be misleading when capturing quality. So, I prefer to touch and feel items. At first glance in-store, I knew this Who What Wear tee was all-that. Trying it on only confirmed that.
5. Mix with more expensive items. Of course, we’re fans of high-low dressing here. And, adding high-quality accessories to inexpensive items is a smart and easy move. I got lucky and won this Yoro Creations necklace last weekend while participating in a local boutique tour organized by BoutiqueNav. The necklace was the perfect glam touch to my $20 tee.
