10 Ways to Look Expensive on a Budget in Autumn

Looking expensive is about avoiding vulgarity, not about spending, so it is entirely possible on a budget. Lead with a structured wool coat, leather boots, and a natural-fibre scarf; choose muted tones, a minimal leather bag, simple jewelry, dark denim, and natural knits; keep makeup and hair simple; and above all, walk tall and move with ease.

People tend to think looking expensive is the opposite of looking poor, when really it is the opposite of looking vulgar. You can look vulgar in expensive clothes, and you can look expensive in cheap ones.

As a scholarship student at the Sorbonne, I had to work out how to look like my wealthier peers on very little, so here are ten ways to look expensive on a budget this autumn.

Which coat makes you look expensive?

A wool one, since the coat is the first thing people see and the last as you leave. Wool, or a wool-majority blend, takes the light in a matte, expensive way, where polyester looks shiny and cheap, and it lasts for years, so a good wool-blend coat is worth a few hundred and an excellent one more, ideally bought in the sales. Straighter lines read as more expensive, so look for a structured coat: squared shoulders with the seams sitting on the shoulder, a traditional collar, and a small pinch at the back that keeps a clean line rather than puffing out when belted.

A close-to-body cut reads as classic-expensive and an oversized one as modern; in warmer climates a waterproof trench with a double lining is ideal and hard-wearing, and in a rainy one, some French brands make genuinely chic waterproof coats.

Looking expensive is the opposite of looking vulgar, not of looking poor.

What shoes look expensive in autumn?

Leather ones, if that aligns with your values, because leather takes the light beautifully and has a rich texture. The best autumn choice is a boot, whether a taller boot or a Chelsea boot, flat or with a little heel.

For something more laid-back, a minimal white leather sneaker with clean straight lines, or a little suede, works well, and if the weather allows, a loafer or a low block heel is both comfortable and expensive-looking.

How do you choose an expensive-looking scarf?

By its fibre, not its price. A natural-fibre scarf, such as wool, takes the light in a far richer way than a polyester one, and the two can cost exactly the same, so a secondhand wool scarf beats a new synthetic one. Wear it draped over the shoulder or tucked inside your coat.

In milder weather a silk scarf is a lovely accessory, tied in a neat knot, worn in the coat, or held with a scarf ring; and if that ring happens to come from an elegant older relative or neighbour, so much the better.

Which autumn colours look most expensive?

Muted, earthy tones, because they read as calm and centred where bright colours read as poppy and playful, a little at odds with the quietly expensive look. It is not compulsory, but it is an easy way to look put together: if you love red, for instance, a burgundy or cherry reads as more expensive than a bright red.

A couple of autumn pieces carry a cheaper connotation worth avoiding: the flannel plaid shirt, with its rustic, lumberjack feel, is better worn as tartan inside a coat or on a blazer, and animal print, popular as it is, leans sexy rather than expensive, so keep it to small, delicate touches if you love it.

How do you find an expensive-looking bag on a budget?

By buying leather without the logo, since leather itself is not costly, and it is the brand that makes designer bags expensive, so good affordable leather bags do exist. For autumn, blacks, browns, and beige are easy and tasteful, and a suede bag is especially seasonal; as a rule, the more you can see the grain and finger-marks in suede, the better its quality. One tip: avoid anything labelled "genuine leather," which, despite the name, is the least durable part of the hide.

If you prefer not to use leather, choose a plant-based one over a plastic-based one, since it looks more expensive, feels more supple, and is kinder to the environment. Whatever the material, stick to straight lines and a minimal design, avoiding busy logos, quilting, fringing, and buckles; on a budget, minimalism is your friend.

Can jewelry look expensive without costing much?

Yes, because a minimal design reads as polished and calm whether or not the metal is precious, while busy, fussy pieces read as quirky. You do not need fine metals or stones to look expensive; you need restraint.

Timeless shapes, a simple hoop or stud, always look refined, and if you can afford to, it is worth buying jewelry that will last rather than replacing cheap pieces often.

What trousers look expensive for less?

Dark denim, or well-chosen trousers. At the formal law firms where I worked, jeans were considered too casual to show a client, but dark denim was allowed on a Casual Friday, and for the same money a black or deep-navy jean simply looks more expensive than a light blue one. Beyond denim, traditional pleated trousers, often with a comfortable elasticated waist, are a foolproof choice.

Whatever you choose, avoid polyester, which shines and cheapens; cotton or a cotton blend looks far more expensive for the same price, and wool trousers look more expensive still.

How do you make knitwear look expensive?

By choosing natural fibres, because the difference between a natural-fibre knit and a plastic one is enormous in how it takes the light. A cashmere sweater and a synthetic cardigan in the same colour look completely different up close. It need not be cashmere; any natural-fibre knit, including wool blends, will do.

A good knit is also better value than it looks: worn a couple of hundred times, a quality sweater can cost mere cents per wear while keeping its shape, so the sales are well worth watching for natural-fibre pieces.

What makeup and hair read as expensive?

Whatever avoids looking vulgar, since expensive is the opposite of vulgar, and that is easy and cheap to achieve. You need only four products: a foundation applied plainly, with no correcting or contouring, a bronzer for a soft sun-kissed effect, a blush swept on the high cheeks and dabbed on the lips in the same colour, an old French trick, and a mascara. In autumn you can lean into muted, warm shades rather than a summery pink.

For hair, keep it simple. Worn loose it is beautiful and feminine, and a ponytail, half-ponytail, a hair clip, a fabric tie, or a small bow all look lovely and cost nothing.

Why does the way you walk matter most?

Because how you walk gives your clothes their movement and decides whether you look expensive, whatever you spent. Walking well is straightforward: start with your posture, imagining a string running from your pelvis through the top of your head and gently pulling you upright. Then look ahead rather than down, which can feel exposing but makes all the difference, since you cannot carry expensive-woman energy while avoiding people's eyes.

Place your heel down first, then the toe, pushing off the toe to move forward, and if you are unsure what to do with your hands, slipping them into your pockets is a naturally classy position.