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Quiet Luxury for Less: 20 Pieces That Look Expensive (But Aren't)
20
items Paris fashion taught me that looking expensive has little to do with price. It comes down to fabric, fit and restraint: natural materials, clean lines, no logos, and colors that all work together. These are the 20 affordable pieces I'd pick to get th...
Sections
4
Knits & Tops
Tailoring & Outerwear
Shoes & Bags
Finishing Touches
Knits & Tops
The fastest way to look expensive is to start with fabric. Silk, cashmere and good cotton in quiet colors do most of the work for you.
I wear it tucked into tailored trousers and nobody guesses the price. Ivory and black are the most versatile.
LilySilk 100% Mulberry Silk Button-Down Blouse
A fine cashmere turtleneck is the quiet luxury uniform. I like to pair it with a blazer.
The Boxy Turtleneck in Cashmere | Canvas
It has the fluffy, cloud-like look of a much pricier knit. I love it in oatmeal or camel with straight
Women's Souffle Yarn Crew Neck Sweater
The heavier cotton is what makes a white tee look expensive. This one isn't see-through. I have it in white and black, it works with everything.
Everlane The Box-Cut Tee in Essential Cotton
A neat little cardigan buttoned up and worn as a top feels very Parisian. Pick one with small, simple buttons: it looks more refined.
Mango Fine knit button-up cardigan - Women
The soft sheen catches the light like silk. I wear it with jeans during the day and with a slip skirt at night. Go for champagne or chocolate brown.
The Drop Satin Button-Down Shirt
Tailoring & Outerwear
Sharp structure reads as luxury. A good coat, a blazer and well-cut trousers instantly polish everything you wear with them.
The coat is the piece people see first, so it's where I spend a little more. Clean shoulders, no visible logos, mid-calf length: it looks like a designer coat. It is one of my favorite pieces.
Mango wool-blend tailored coat
An other favorite of mine. A well-cut blazer makes even a tee and jeans look intentional.
Mango tailored suit blazer
High-waisted, wide-leg and beautifully draped. These trousers look made-to-measure and work with flats or heels.
The Drop Wide-Leg Tailored Trouser
Rigid, mid-wash denim with a straight leg looks far more elevated than stretchy skinny jeans. Hem them to just above the ankle to add a little something to your look.
Madewell The '90s Straight Jean
Fall is here, and this is the perfect piece for it. Suede is a classic quiet luxury texture, and this vegan version has the same soft, rich look for a fraction of the price. In chocolate or tan it instantly warms up jeans and a white tee.
BLANKNYC Suede Jacket
Shoes & Bags
Shoes and bags give away the price of an outfit. Real leather, simple shapes and no big logos are the secret.
A sleek leather loafer with a discreet bit detail. It's the shoe I reach for with trousers and jeans alike. Very comfortable from the first day of wearing them.
Sam Edelman Loraine Loafer
If you like a heel, but you like to be confortable too like me. This is for you. A pointed-toe pump in black or nude elongates the leg and dresses up anything. Absolutely wearable all day.
Sam Edelman Hazel Pointed-Toe Pump
Simple leather ankle boots with a slim heel. They look expensive because there's nothing extra on them: no buckles, no logos.
Mango leather ankle boots
Real leather, a clean structured shape and no logo: this tote looks like a designer bag. It fits my laptop and everything I need for the day. Black or cognac never date.
Mango leather shopper bag
A small structured shoulder bag is the finishing touch for evenings. Black or cognac goes with everything.
Mango leather shoulder bag
Finishing Touches
The small details make the look. A few quality accessories pull everything together and make simple outfits feel considered.
Gold hoops are the easiest way to look polished. These have real weight to them and I wear them every single day.
Mejuri Bold Hoops
I never go without a little scarf.A silk scarf knotted at the neck or tied on a bag handle is the most French accessory there is. Choose a neutral print: it looks the most expensive and goes with everything in this list.
Corciova 100% Mulberry Silk Square Scarf
A small classic watch on a leather strap looks timeless and understated, exactly the opposite of a flashy smartwatch.
Timex Easy Reader Leather Strap Watch
A slim leather belt with a simple buckle finishes tailored trousers and jeans. Match it to your shoes for the cleanest look. I have a brown and a black one.
Mango leather belt