While some people might not see a difference between a $100 and a $500 pair of shoes, people who know how to dress classy do.
When you’re looking to take your look to the next level, you don’t need to throw everything you love out. A few simple additions to your closet can make all the difference in the world.
Here are five items that can remake your entire look without breaking the bank.
1. A Great Pair Of Shoes
When you want to show off who you are, a classy pair of shoes can say a lot. Whether you’re in jeans and a t-shirt or decked in a suit or a dress, the perfect pair of shoes will take your whole outfit up a notch.
While not every expensive pair of shoes is made the same, there are brands that cobblers have been working with for a century or more. Those shoes are often handmade and built to last, even if they cost two or three times as much as a pair of Jordans.
Whether they’re a nice pair of boots, high heels, or a smart wingtip, buying a well-made pair of shoes can make a casual outfit look classy. If you get yourself a great pair of high-end flats, a pair of fitted jeans or slacks with the cuffs rolled up can really accent the quality fo your footwear.
Instead of breaking the bank with your shoes, consider the fact that a well-made pair of shoes can be made to last for decades. If you go on eBay or another type of reseller, you could find vintage shoes in great condition. A quick trip to your local shoe repair shop can get them resoled and give you hundreds of miles of walking out of them.
2. A Classic Watch
Nothing complements a great outfit or a collared and cuffed shirt like a good looking watch. Instead of trying to buy the most expensive Rolex on the market, keep it simple. A delicate watch with a simple band can say a lot more than a flashy watch decked out with jewels.
Finding the right timepiece can also keep you from checking your phone so often. It’s much classier to look at your wrist than to pull out your phone whenever you need to check the time.
Check vintage shops or see what contemporary watchmakers have to offer. Everyone from fashion brands to design companies are realizing the power of a good watch. A watch is the perfect accessory when you want to keep things low key but also communicate how classy you are.
Whether you’re in a leather jacket or a fur coat, a simple timepiece will draw attention to your wrist.
3. The Perfect Jacket
Speaking of leather jackets, you need to have a great jacket to keep things classy. Whether you’re looking through the racks at a men’s or a women’s store, the aura of a simple jacket can bring great power to whoever wears it.
Much like the perfect pair of shoes, a strong jacket can be paired with jeans and a t-shirt or a dress shirt and slacks. No matter who you are or what you do for a living, a jacket can bring gravitas to whatever you’re wearing.
Don’t overthink your jacket. Go through the aisles of a nearby vintage shop or the bargain outlet of your favorite designer. If you’re about to go to a major awards show, you should buy a brand new jacket, but otherwise, discount or vintage will do.
Experiment with your jacket. Go back through images from the 80s and you’ll see icons from the Sex Pistols to Madonna and Janet Jackson rocking a sports coat. With the sleeves pulled back and the perfect outfit underneath, you could look like a rock star.
4. Change Up Your Hair
If you haven’t had your hair styled in a while, maybe now’s the time to change it up. Long gone are the days of Manic Panic. People are dyeing their hair wild pastel colors at a later and later age these days.
If you’re looking to keep it fairly conservative, a simple cut and style job from someone you’ve never worked with could help you change your whole look. You could move from a clean cut and standard vibe to a much more powerful look with just a haircut.
If you don’t want to cut your hair, think about other ways you can accessorize your hair. If you’ve never been a hat person, maybe now’s the time to try one out. If you’ve got a lot of hair, an elegant pin could become a huge fashion statement when you step out on the weekend.
5. Wallets and Purses Make Waves
Not only does what you wear make a strong statement about who you are but what you carry around with you does as well. While the standard Louis Vitton or Gucci purses and wallets are enough for some, other people crave a little bit more action from the things they carry.
Try looking through vintage catalogs from the 80s or 90s to see what might be back in fashion again. Simple wallets, coin purses, and even loud modern pocketbooks have come back into fashion. Depending on the style that you bring to the room, you should find one that really says who you are.
When it comes time to fill your wallet, look into the types of cards you can find classy people using.
Learning How to Dress Classy Takes Time
Before you invest the money into learning how to dress classy, you should buy a few cheaper items that can give you the look you’re going for.
While they won’t be built to last, you can invest in better items once you decide what you want to be wearing. Spend a little time at a nice clothing store or browsing a vintage store trying on different looks before you make a final decision.
Even if your budget is tight, follow our latest guide to keep looking fab.
