Elegant women don’t draw unwanted attention to themselves, but they still possess specific characteristics that make them stand head and shoulders above the rest. While inner refinement is vital, a classy outfit and outer appearance shape other people’s impressions of you.
First impressions matter, and most ladies spend a lot of time, effort, and money to look presentable and fabulous. However, remember, it’s not all about expensive accessories and clothes; it’s about what you’re wearing, how you wear them, and the message people perceive.
In this article, we’ll look at things that cheapen your appearance and how you can look stylish even on a budget.
Eleven trends that make your outfit look cheap
1. Long and loud acrylic nails
Wearing long acrylic nails or unkempt nails may make people believe that you don’t care about your appearance. Besides the hygiene issue, long claw-like nails show you are desperately seeking attention.
So whether acrylic or natural, ensure your nails are shorter and properly manicured.
2. Scuffled shoes and handbags
Dirty or scuffed shoes may make your look cheap. Take care of your shoes using shoe polish or shine, and ensure they are clean. Also, if the soles wear down, you should take your shoes to a cobbler to have them recapped.
Besides your shoes, ensure you properly maintain your handbags, belts, and other accessories.
3. Wrinkled clothes
Wrinkled clothes draw attention to you but for the wrong reasons. So to have that elegant look, take a few minutes in the morning to iron and remove any creases from your clothes. Also, choose fabrics that won’t crease if seated for long.
4. Wearing clothes that don’t fit
It doesn’t matter how expensive your clothes or shoes are, but oversized and undersized outfits make you look cheap. If your dress or blazer wears you (and not the other way round) or your clothes want to burst, you will look like you don’t understand your body type.
However, if it’s a piece you love, you can tailor it to fit you.
5. Clothes that are too revealing
Everyone has their taste, and your dress, your choice. Don’t show too much skin to look elegant and classy. So avoid see-through clothes, plunging necklines, micro miniskirts, and skin-colored leggings, among other garments.
It’s not about being prudish, but revealing too much cheapens your appearance. Experts and stylists say that if you must “show skin,” choose one place to show. For instance, you can show your bust and wear a longer dress or skirt, or show your legs and wear something that doesn’t reveal your figure too much.
6. Too much makeup or wearing the wrong foundation shade
If you want to look elegant and classy, your makeup should be consistent with your skin. Pick a shade that matches your complexion so that you don’t have a line showing between your face and your neck; you’ll look fake and cheap.
Also, avoid too much makeup, bleeding lipstick, or any other excessive makeup. As they say, less is more.
7. Fake designer outfits or wearing too many designer outfits
Fake bags, shoes, clothes, and jewelry will always look cheap because they are made of low-quality materials. It also shows you are trying too much to fit in a particular crowd.
On the other hand, even if you can afford designer outfits, only wear a few designer logos at one time. Too many designer logos on one person look ridiculous and show-offy. But if that’s the look you want, go for timeless and silent designer outfits like Loro Piana, Max Mara, Canali, and more.
8. Graphic T-shirts
If you want to look elegant, avoid wearing clothes with graphic or bigoted inscriptions — no matter how funny it seems within your circle. Tees with too much writing or discriminatory messages make you look juvenile and may send the wrong message about you.
9. Having a lot of piercings or visible body tattoos
Piercings and artistic tattoos can enhance your look, no doubt. But having too many piercings or tattoos up to your eyelids won’t improve your appearance but will make you look trashy.
10. Overdone plastic surgery and fillers
Plastic surgery has dramatically improved the self-esteem of both men and women. But the point of enhancing your looks is to make it seem seamless or as natural as possible. So don’t go overboard and look artificial; you can always age gracefully.
Also, avoid the obsession with being tanned. All these indicate that you are obsessed with getting attention.
11. Unnatural hair colors
Dyeing your hair in garish colors may be trendy, but it doesn’t ooze class. Unnatural colors such as pink, purple, or shades of green may be used to make statements by activists and artists, but if you want to go with the classy look, avoid these colors.
Also, avoid unkempt hair and ensure you care for it, whether a wig or natural.
Takeaway
Understandably, societal pressure and influence from celebrities and influencers may make you opt for trends and procedures that make you look cheap. However, avoid things that cheapen your appearance if you want a timeless and classy look.
Remember, looking elegant doesn’t necessarily mean letting go of your identity; it means being the best you can be without tossing your individuality or pandering to fickle trends.
