I’ve seen articles with this title in just about every women’s magazine or fashion site, which begs the question, why am I writing one? Simply put, the advice they share isn’t that great. There are often a few nuggets of wisdom but on the whole, their articles are driven by affiliate product recommendations with click-bait titles.

Just like my styling services, I want this article to provide real solutions and give you the facts! This blog post goes out to everyone trying to upgrade their wardrobe on a budget. Even if you DO have extra cash to spend, these easy tricks will make your outfits look chic and expensive without much effort.

In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 simple ways you can ACTUALLY make your outfits look polished without dropping serious cash.

1. Take care of your whites

Keep your whites bright! There's nothing worse than a dingy white shirt. Wash whites in a separate load and use a brightening detergent (but don’t use too much!). Wash them on the hottest cycle they can tolerate (often the warm or hot setting). You can also add borax or baking soda to increase your detergent’s power. Machine dry on low or air dry for best results.

2. Get a fabric shaver!

Getting rid of the unsightly pills on your knitwear keeps them looking brand new and seriously chic.

3. Upgrade and optimize your underwear.

What we wear under our clothing has a huge impact on our overall look. For women, it may be time to upgrade your bra situation or find strategic shapewear. For men, it may be time to find a better undershirt or upgrade your everyday underwear. Smoothing out lines and bumps instantly makes your outfits feel more expensive.

4. Use a lint brush or roller

If you own a pet that sheds, you’re no stranger to lint! It can accumulate on any dark-colored clothing regardless of your home’s pet status though. Remove it before leaving the house to keep your outfits looking lux.

5. Fashion Tape (or use toupee tape!)

This simple fashion hack is great for clothes that have a small gap or tend to slide around. You can use fashion tape or even toupee tape (it’s stronger) to secure straps, necklines, fake a hem, and even smooth a lapel!

The secret to chic and expensive-looking clothing isn’t buying chic and expensive clothing, it’s taking care of what you already own with intention. Will you try these tips at home?

If you’re done wasting time and stressing over your wardrobe, check out my Signature Styling Services. I’d love to help you achieve your goals by leveling up your style.