How to look expensive – Learn from the rich in 5 easy steps
In today’s Instagram environment the way you look and how you are perceived by others is the difference between success and failure in both the social and business components of your life.
Looking great will earn you more respect, more significance, and a better pulling-power. It could land you numerous opportunities and presence points. Not to mention unlocking your full potential as an Iconic, modern gentleman.
The thing is that looking expensive doesn’t always mean what you think it means. We associate success with money but depending on your line of work, success could mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Buying the best quality you can afford and building up your wardrobe over time is a good way to achieve a great look.
Just remember that if you want to be the best you need to allow yourself to learn from the best. Rich and successful people have come across all sorts of business models, entrepreneurs or stockbrokers on their way to the top. And although they are often perfectly dressed for any occasion very few of them use, or have ever used, the help of a stylist. So how do they do it?

How to look expensive - I look therefore I am
Looking rich is not always synonymous with being rich. Numerous sites will actively teach you how to look rich on a budget, or how to dress to impress without putting a dent on your finances. And most of them do a pretty good job at it. But to truly look expensive, you need to know that there are no magical money-saving shortcuts.The truth is that, if you want the things you wear to enhance your confidence, presence, and the way people perceive you, you will have to go for the expensive things best suited to your standing and disposable income.
That doesn't mean that there aren’t clothes out there that could make you look convincing for a fraction of the cost, it just means that you should know the differences between things that look expensive and things that really are expensive. Because other people will.
If you need a very expensive suit in your line of work, you have to do everything in your power to get it. Focus on the fact that this suit is not a fashion statement but an investment in your future or business. Not only that, but it will give you the peace of mind to keep cool and collected throughout your day. Because now more than ever appearance is marketing.
And like marketing you need to balance and complement your budget with putting in the necessary amount of man-hours to reach your intended goals.
So let’s take a look at what rich people do and buy to round up their look.
Wear clothes that fit
This can not be stressed enough. People that look expensive all have something in common: well fitting clothes. It doesn’t even matter if we’re talking smart or casual, expensive clothes are made to fit. And when they don’t fit, there is always a tailor who will modify them for you. As a rule, prosperous men have their suits made to measure and if you want to follow in their footsteps so should you.
Even if you can’t yet afford to go to London for a Desmond Merrion Supreme Bespoke, keep in mind that a good expensive suit requires quite a bit of tailoring and that finding a good tailor is like finding a good mechanic for a vintage sports car. It is hard, costly, but worth every dollar.
Coats, shirts and pants abide by the same rules. Hoodies, branded t-shirts and tracksuits are to be avoided altogether.

Quality is King
You need to look for quality. Quality means natural fibers, materials that are pleasant to touch, great attention to details, and solid colors. Fabric wise it needs to be well above the standard when compared to the usual iterations and pack excellent craftsmanship. Again it will all come down to the money you are willing to spend, but bear in mind that every piece of effort you put into your appearance will bring you closer to your intended goals.
Don’t buy anything that relies heavily on artificial fibers. It is the equivalent of wearing a tracksuit. It will look cheap no matter what you do. Look for cotton, cashmere, silk, linen and wool.
Color-wise, go for charcoal gray, navy, black or a medium gray for business events. Use lighter shades for a blazer or a patterned sports coat on social occasions Choose shirts and pants to match.
Go for premium brands that sell quality, versatile items you can mix and match to maximize the number of outfits you can create from them. At the same time try to buy timeless pieces that will age well and look just as nice next spring. It will not only make you look and feel better while being a great confidence booster, but there is another reason rich people put so much emphasis on quality.
Cheap clothes not only ruin your image but cost you more in the long run.
Thriving on details
If you want to look expensive and feel awesome you need to keep a close eye on details. When it comes to wardrobe and overall behavior you need to look the part. Regardless of whether you are rich or on your way to the top, details are the little things that separate the confident from the anxious.
Looking rich will not be possible without these small tokens of perfection that put the finishing touches on the image you have worked so hard for.
- Grooming – Clothes alone won’t help you with your expensive look. You need a nice haircut and a good shave. If you want to hang on to your beard then make sure it’s well taken care of and trim it regularly. There are lots of beard shampoo brands and various other products, that will help you keep your beard looking like a million bucks. Remember there is such a thing as too much beard for people that want to look rich. Also, don't forget to take care of your skin and use moisturizing products.
- Dress for the occasion – Of course, you know not to wear the same outfit on your business meetings as you do on your mall runs. It is not all about when to wear your best shoes, but instead about how not to go overboard on ‘special occasions’. It is perfectly OK to dress expensive but sometimes dressing accordingly takes precedent.
Try to go for casual suits with no tie or more relaxed outfits when shopping, on dates, or when traveling. Rich people know how to dress for the part, so in doing the same your image will benefit greatly.
- Exercise – Hitting the gym is not just the universal remedy the entire internet is going to point you to for all your problems. In this case, it will truly make a difference. People that dress to look expensive usually have a physical shape to match. It will enhance your self-confidence, energy, and determination. And let’s face it, good fitting clothes look much better on fit people. This is one detail, rich people understand very well and you should too.

Shoes are important
There is no outfit or suit expensive enough which cannot be ruined by a bad pair of shoes. Like all things in life, good shoes are expensive and hard to come by. But as an Iconic man, you need to have at least two expensive pairs of shoes from each category. Special treatment should be reserved for dress shoes, casual loafers, boots and trainers. They need to be well made and expensive. In your wardrobe economy, shoes should take second place only to bespoke suits.
Make sure you have cleaning solutions for all your shoes and that you maintain them after each use.
A tasteful watch
Looking expensive is a battle that has its heroes.
First of all, you need a few wristwatches. They are the kind of addition that will compliment any outfit and act as a business card for a man of taste. These are accessories which are not only practical but also stylish pieces of engineering that will complement you and your outfit. Don’t think all expensive watches need to be as expensive as a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Watch.
You can easily build your watch collection starting with a less expensive but very good looking Longines Master Collection L2.910.4 that will only set you back the cost of around 2 iPhones.
Going for an expensive look is a great idea in a day and age where personal marketing is key to success, and where social media profiles are as important as your resume. You need to keep in mind that every style choice you make represents you and your aspirations and like your aspirations, your wardrobe cannot be average.

Source: www.longines.com
Don’t try to cut any corners and spare the contents of your wallet. Trying to look expensive on a budget is a lie, and a lie will never give you the confidence you need moving forward.
Do your best to upgrade in quality, comfort, and elegance and you will start seeing results right away. This is one of those areas where you can better yourself and one that requires minimum effort and gets you the maximum outcome.
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Loves to play with new ideas, binge writing, traveling and gourmet coffee. Professional writer of non fiction with over 8 years experience in putting words to paper. Fan of iconic movies, sports, The Arctic Monkeys and city breaks. Yes, he knows how good his coffee is.