Wardrobe Tips

How To Look Classy: 19 Effortless Ways To Look Elegant On A Budget

By DeAndrea
Updated:
how to look classy

There is no need to shell out big bucks for a designer wardrobe to look classy. With a few simple tips and guidelines, you can easily learn how to look classy, polished, and elegant without putting in too much extra effort. Today we will cover 15 different ways you can make subtle tweaks to your style to look and feel more high-end. From dressing well for important occasions to working the right accessories into your outfit, we’ve got you covered. So scroll down, take notes, and get ready to up your style game!

How To Dress Classy & Elegant Every Day

Have Well-Groomed Hair

Having well-groomed hair can make a big difference in your appearance. It can also make you feel more confident and help you to stand out in a crowd. One way to refine your appearance is to master a go-to hairstyle that can be easily dressed up. A sleek, controlled style is a great option that can help you look put together. If your hair is curly or frizzy, that’s okay too. Your hair doesn’t have to be straight for it to be well-groomed. The key is to make your hair look like whatever style you have it in was done deliberately and with care.

Wear Solid Colors

Solid colors look classier than patterns because they are more versatile and timeless. A solid-colored shirt can be dressed up or down, while a patterned shirt is limited in its uses. Patterns also date quickly, while solid colors remain stylish year after year. The exceptions are stripes, polka dots, herringbone, and houndstooth. As long as these aren’t too bold or have too much contrast they should work year after year, and season after season.

Keep Pattens to a Minimum

You can still have a little fun with patterns, you just have to choose them wisely to make sure you get the elegant look you’re going for. A more subdued pattern in complementary colors or tones is a great option. If you want a more statement-making pattern, stripes, plaid, and tweed are great options. Florals are as well, but you have to be incredibly careful when choosing them to stay on the classier side.

how to look classy and elegant

Always Smell Good

Never underestimate the power of good hygiene. Smelling pleasant to those around you is an underrated way to be perceived as classy. When you smell nice people perceive you as being more attractive. It goes without saying, but make sure you are wearing deodorant and clean clothes. And be sure to practice proper perfume etiquette should you choose to wear some.

Use Makeup to Enhance Your Natural Beauty

When going for a polished look, it’s best to keep your makeup simple. Using only a few understated products will help to accentuate your natural beauty and features, not cover them up. Avoid heavy or bold makeup to create a more natural appearance. If you start to look shiny throughout the day, blot your face with oil blotting papers and your lipstick handy to touch it up as needed.

Avoid Trendy Fashions

If you want to look more polished, it’s a safer bet to choose style over fashion. Style is everlasting, whereas fashion comes and goes. Avoid trendy items or colors and stick to more basic, timeless looks that speak to your personal style.

how to look elegant

Keep Your Nails Groomed and Minimal

A well-manicured woman always looks put together, whether she’s dressing for a day at the office or a night out on the town. Even a subtle nail design can elevate your look and make you appear more polished. Some simple tips for creating classy nail designs that will make you stand out from the crowd are:

  • Start by choosing a base color that matches your outfit or skin tone. You can then add one or two accent colors to create a simple design.
  • Try using different geometric shapes like circles, triangles, or squares.
  • Keep your designs simple and understated.
  • You can never go wrong with just a neutral nail polish color or one solid color.

Accessories Are Key

When choosing accessories, it is important to think about the overall look you are going for. If you are going for a classy, put-together look, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • First, choose high-quality accessories. Cheap accessories will look cheap, no matter what else you do. Invest in good-quality pieces that will last and that you can wear time and time again.
  • Second, make sure the accessories you choose are complimentary to your outfit. If you’re wearing a bright pink dress, don’t pair it with a bright green necklace – it will look like you got dressed in the dark. Instead, go for accessories that highlight your best asset or that bring out a complementary color in your outfit. Of course, you are allowed to express your personal style so if brights make your heart sing feel free to ignore this tip.
  • Third, don’t overload on the accessories. Wearing too many jewelry pieces can look over-the-top and tasteless, so the key is to stick to one or two statement pieces, adding just a few smaller items to finish things off.

Mind Your Posture

Good posture makes you look more confident and poised. It can also make you look thinner and taller. When you have good posture, it’s as if you’re telling the world you’re strong and in control. Slouching, on the other hand, makes you look disheveled and insecure.

how to look put together

Wear the Right Underwear

One of the fastest ways to look cheap is to have visible panty lines. Choosing the proper undergarments to wear with your outfits is important in the same way ironing is; people will not notice if they cannot see your panty lines, but they will absolutely notice if you have them. You don’t have to be comfortable with wearing a thong not to have clear indicators that you are wearing underwear. There are plenty of seamless panty options to suit anyone’s needs. Shapewear is also an excellent choice, but make sure those lines aren’t visible too.

Take Care of Your Clothes

Make sure you are properly caring for your clothes so they are in top condition. If the tag on the item says to hand wash it, don’t put it in the wash with your sheets and towels. If the tag says to line dry it, don’t put it in the dryer on high heat. Follow the care instructions on the tag to ensure your clothes stay in the best possible condition. You should periodically inspect your garments for any snags, rips, pilling, or any other signs of wear. If you notice signs of wear that can be remedied, fix them. If not, it’s time to let the garment go.

Get Your Clothes Tailored

It is incredibly rare to find clothes that fit you perfectly off the rack. When your clothes fit like they were made just for you, you will look luxurious and put together. A quick visit to a skilled tailor will have your off-the-rack clothes looking a little more bespoke for just a few extra dollars.

how to dress classy

Always Steam or Press Your Garments

Taking the time to steam or iron out the wrinkles in your clothes shows people that you care about your look. Most people will not notice if your clothes are freshly pressed, but they will notice if you look like you just rolled out of bed. If looking classy and polished is the goal, smoothing out wrinkles is a must.

Dress for your Body Shape

There’s no denying that dressing well makes you look and feel better. However, sometimes it can be tricky to know how to dress for your body shape. Dressing for your body shape can make you look classier and more put together. Here are a few tips on how to do it:

  • If you have a pear-shaped body, try wearing clothes that accentuate your waist. A belt or wrap dress is a good option.
  • If you have an hourglass figure, wear clothing that highlights your curves. A tight-fitting dress or skirt is a good choice.
  • If you have a rectangular body, try wearing clothing that creates the illusion of curves. A wrap dress or belted shirt will do the trick.
  • If you have an apple-shaped body, wear clothing that skims your body and doesn’t cling to any problem areas. A loose-fitting dress or tunic top is a good option.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

When you choose higher-quality clothes you will look better and feel more confident. They will also last longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often, and are better for the environment. The production of low-quality clothes often involves harmful chemicals and pesticides, and the garments are not designed for multiple wears season after season. High-quality clothes are made to stand the test of time and look amazing while doing it. High-quality clothes don’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of stores that offer high-quality clothes at more affordable prices than designer clothing.

how to look polished

How To Look Polished & Put Together

Looking classy, polished, and put together doesn’t have to be rocket science or cost a mortgage. By following these simple tips, you can refine your appearance, add a touch of sophistication, and feel more confident. To stay up-to-date on the latest style and personal development tips subscribe to my monthly newsletter.

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How To Look Classy: 15 Effortless Ways To Look Polished & Elegant | The Lady Loves Living