What are some items in fashion that look expensive but are not expensive?

[Anonymous]

I live on a very low budget, and I shop constantly -- online, and in person at TJMaxx/Marshalls, thrift shops, Kohls on sale, even yard sales. I have found very nice, good quality stuff at very low prices, because I'm always looking for nice stuff at rock bottom prices. I stick with basic colors, mostly black, white, gray, cream, taupe, plus a few solid jewel tones, so most of my clothes work together. I wear heavy gold costume jewelry that looks very expensive, but isn't. I find a lot of my jewelry at museum stores. It is good quality, but not super expensive. I buy designer bags at Goodwill, online stores, Real Real, wherever I can find a bargain. I buy nice scarves and gloves. I think I look reasonably well dressed, and few people would realize that I pay next to nothing for my clothes.

[Anonymous]

Everything looks more expensive when it fits well, too. Find a good tailor for pant length hemming, taking in shirt sides, dress waist shaping, sleeve shortening, etc.

[Anonymous]

Clean hair in a flatting cut with a nice color, clear and healthy skin, white teeth and eyes, cared for nails...all of this speaks volumes more than the clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quince is very hit or miss. Here's my experience:

1. Cashmere: miss, pills easily
2. Gold jewelry: hit, looks luxe, long-lasting
3. Leather purses: miss, looks plasticky
4. Cotton Cashmere sweaters (3% cashmere): hit, super soft and last long
5. Stretch Silk: hit, looks luxe, but washable and you can easily steam out the wrinkles
6. Shoes: hit, I have the driving moccasins, look and feel like M. Gemi
7. Pants: Miss (for me). They are suuuuuper high rise, come up to my boobs.
8. Activewear: Miss. The ultra-form feels too plasticky

I agree that Quince is hit or miss, but some of my experiences have been different than yours.

Agree on #1, 2 and 4.

#3 I own two bags and love both, do not find the leather plasticky.

#6 I have ordered shoes twice and hated and returned both pairs - too stiff and I’d say that leather seemed plasticky.

#8 I like the activewear I have purchased and it is definitely not form fitting- that’s part of why I like it.

Other categories of Quince products I think are great quality are the luggage and coats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quince is very hit or miss. Here's my experience:

1. Cashmere: miss, pills easily
2. Gold jewelry: hit, looks luxe, long-lasting
3. Leather purses: miss, looks plasticky
4. Cotton Cashmere sweaters (3% cashmere): hit, super soft and last long
5. Stretch Silk: hit, looks luxe, but washable and you can easily steam out the wrinkles
6. Shoes: hit, I have the driving moccasins, look and feel like M. Gemi
7. Pants: Miss (for me). They are suuuuuper high rise, come up to my boobs.
8. Activewear: Miss. The ultra-form feels too plasticky

I have 2 pairs of shoes and they are awful. One is falling apart. But I don't have the driving mocs so it may be some are good and some are bad. The woven plastic purses are terrific. They do not look plasticky. Agree on the other stuff.

I have the driving mocs. They are relatively comfortable but they definitely look cheap. I tried Quince a few times, but won't again. It's mostly trash. It's Shein junk curated to an "upscale neutrals" or "old money" aesthetic.

[Anonymous]

scarves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quince is very hit or miss. Here's my experience:

1. Cashmere: miss, pills easily
2. Gold jewelry: hit, looks luxe, long-lasting
3. Leather purses: miss, looks plasticky
4. Cotton Cashmere sweaters (3% cashmere): hit, super soft and last long
5. Stretch Silk: hit, looks luxe, but washable and you can easily steam out the wrinkles
6. Shoes: hit, I have the driving moccasins, look and feel like M. Gemi
7. Pants: Miss (for me). They are suuuuuper high rise, come up to my boobs.
8. Activewear: Miss. The ultra-form feels too plasticky

I have 2 pairs of shoes and they are awful. One is falling apart. But I don't have the driving mocs so it may be some are good and some are bad. The woven plastic purses are terrific. They do not look plasticky. Agree on the other stuff.

I have the driving mocs. They are relatively comfortable but they definitely look cheap. I tried Quince a few times, but won't again. It's mostly trash. It's Shein junk curated to an "upscale neutrals" or "old money" aesthetic.

That is totally wrong. Quince has natural materials.

[Anonymous]

I buy many of my clothes used off eBay. I like it better than Poshmark bc you can return items (usually, check the listing) and it runs cheaper. Always look for natural materials. I like brooks brothers clothes bc the quality tends to be good, but the style is a bit preppy/classic so it’s not for everyone. Theory is also good. Max mara is beautiful and good quality but pricier. I only buy new for fill in pieces.

[Anonymous]

I also really like Theory and buy on Real Real and Poshmark. I've gotten good wool and cashmere sweaters on both too. I get bags on The Real Real too (not LV, Chanel...More like Lancel, Loeffler Randall) I do well at TJ Maxx for jeans because what matters most is how they fit and they have a couple brands that fit me really well. For jewelry, if you are dressed in a simple, put together and fitted way with good hair, fake small diamonds are not going to seem fake to people.

[Anonymous]

Try Atorie. They are a higher end knock off brand.

[Anonymous]

Madewell and J crew are great. Shop in person not online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly even high-end brands are selling nothing but acrylic sweaters and elastic waist polyester trousers, so your best bet is to go with what fits you best. I like Madewell and Pistola jeans (on sale), but I get tons of compliments on a wide-leg pair I bought two years ago at Target. For sweaters, I shop TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Nordstrom Rack and use a sweater shaver to keep them looking decent. I'm struggling with athleisure because the quality is so bad across the board...

Would you recommend a shaver brand? I have this issue and a crappy shaver that cuts threads (replacement for a really old one that worked great).

NP: I've had issues with sweater shavers too, now I use a sweater stone and find that it works really well.

I have Electrolux, works like a magic on sweaters and coats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly even high-end brands are selling nothing but acrylic sweaters and elastic waist polyester trousers, so your best bet is to go with what fits you best. I like Madewell and Pistola jeans (on sale), but I get tons of compliments on a wide-leg pair I bought two years ago at Target. For sweaters, I shop TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Nordstrom Rack and use a sweater shaver to keep them looking decent. I'm struggling with athleisure because the quality is so bad across the board...

Would you recommend a shaver brand? I have this issue and a crappy shaver that cuts threads (replacement for a really old one that worked great).

NP: I've had issues with sweater shavers too, now I use a sweater stone and find that it works really well.

I have Electrolux, works like a magic on sweaters and coats.

I got a gleener and it’s amazing - like a sweater stone but easier to handle and has a lint brush in the other end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quince is very hit or miss. Here's my experience:

1. Cashmere: miss, pills easily
2. Gold jewelry: hit, looks luxe, long-lasting
3. Leather purses: miss, looks plasticky
4. Cotton Cashmere sweaters (3% cashmere): hit, super soft and last long
5. Stretch Silk: hit, looks luxe, but washable and you can easily steam out the wrinkles
6. Shoes: hit, I have the driving moccasins, look and feel like M. Gemi
7. Pants: Miss (for me). They are suuuuuper high rise, come up to my boobs.
8. Activewear: Miss. The ultra-form feels too plasticky

NP this is helpful!!

[Anonymous]

High end consignment stores.

The quality of "affordable" clothes in stores these days is terrible. The quality stuff costs an arm and a leg.