By Chloe Beaufoy
Let’s not pretend. Fashion is fun until you check the price tag and your soul exits your body. Those boots you loved? $620. That dress you bookmarked two months ago? Still sitting in your cart, daring you to make a reckless decision. And yet, every week someone shows up online looking like money, without necessarily having it.
Here’s the truth: style isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about how well you fake it.
The Luxury Illusion Is Real
You don’t need to buy Dior to look divine. The most stylish women in the world? They’re not rich. They’re clever. They know the tricks, the shortcuts, the hacks and they’ve mastered the art of illusion.
Looking luxe on a budget isn’t just possible. It’s an actual power move.
Thrifting Is a Superpower
Vintage, secondhand, pre-loved, whatever you call it, thrifting is where the style gold lives. But listen, it’s not a blind grab. You’re not on a supermarket sweep. You’re curating. That’s the word: curate.
Think of it like dating. You don’t say yes to everyone you say yes to the ones with potential. Same with clothes. Go in with a moodboard, pick a theme, stick to your vibe.
Want minimalist Parisian? Look for quality neutrals and crisp silhouettes. Want early 2000s chaos? Find the zebra mini and rhinestone belt. Choose your universe, then thrift like you’re building it.
Rentals Are Not Just for Bridesmaids Anymore
You’ve got a party. You want to look like you just flew in from Milan. But your account is gasping. That’s where rentals come in.
These days, renting clothes is the cheat code. Borrow that power blazer for your panel talk. Rent the backless gown for the wedding where your ex will be. No commitment, no guilt, no closet overflow.
You wear it. You serve. You give it back. It’s giving responsible icon.
Learn the Art of the Tailor Flip
Fashion designers are cool. Tailors? Underrated geniuses. A good tailor can take a $10 thrift find and turn it into something you could wear to an art gallery opening.
That oversized men’s shirt? Turn it into a shirt dress with a snatched waist. That long skirt from your aunt’s closet? Turn it into a co-ord set.
Better yet, bring Pinterest to your local tailor and recreate your dream dress for a tenth of the price. Is it “duping”? Maybe. Is it smart? Absolutely.
Accessories. Accessories. Accessories.
Let’s be honest. A basic outfit becomes a lewk with the right accessories. That plain white tee? Add a chain, sunglasses, and a bag that screams “I have a driver.” Boom. Editorial.
Start small.
- Chunky earrings that say “CEO energy.”
- A structured bag with main character vibes.
- A scarf you can wear ten ways.
- Sunglasses, even when it’s cloudy.
Luxury is a feeling, and accessories deliver it fast.
The High-Low Formula That Works Every Time
This is the most delicious style trick: mix something cheap with something that looks expensive. Pair your $15 pants with a sleek tailored blazer. Rock a thrifted satin top with glossy heels.
The high-low effect creates balance. It tells people, “Yes, I’m unpredictable. Yes, I’m expensive. But no, I’m not spending $600 on a shirt.”
You don’t need the whole outfit to scream. Just one piece should whisper, “She knows what she’s doing.”
Fit Over Fame
You know what makes anything look ten times more expensive? A proper fit. You can buy the cheapest trousers on earth, but if they’re hemmed right and hug the waist just enough, people will ask where you got them.
Tailoring is your quiet superpower. Learn your body. Know your best cuts. Edit your clothes the way you’d edit a photo, just enough to enhance, never to distort.
Confidence Is the Real Price Tag
Here’s the plot twist: people don’t remember the label. They remember the energy.
It’s not about the actual outfit. It’s about how you walk in it. A cheap jumpsuit worn with intention will always outshine a designer one worn with doubt.
So stand straight. Hold your bag like it’s made of diamonds. Smile like you’re on the invite list. Be the person others look at and think, “She must be someone.” You are.
The Secret? You’ve Got It Already
Fashion doesn’t start at checkout. It starts in your mind when you imagine the vibe you want to give off, when you refuse to dress “for your budget” and instead dress for your mood.
You don’t need more money. You need more imagination. So next time you scroll past another influencer in a four-figure outfit, don’t feel small. Feel inspired. Then go to your closet, pull out your old jeans, throw on a silk scarf, stack those rings, and give them a look they’ll never forget.
No credit card required.
