If It Looks Cheap, I Don't Want It—5 Items I'm Buying to Fake Expensive Outfits

Lately, my wardrobe has gone through a complete vibe shift. I have ventured away from cheap thrills and fleeting trends and toward long-lasting and classic pieces. One brand I lean on to serve me this aesthetic is Who What Wear Collection. No, I'm not just saying this because I work here—I'm saying it because it's a brand that offers expensive-looking pieces at affordable price points which is exactly what I'm looking for. While shopping, I try to avoid anything that looks cheap and feels cheap, no matter how cheap it actually is. I also don't enjoy spending tons of money on clothes. So, what do I do with this expensive taste and strict budget? I shop for the five pieces below. 

As I have navigated through this "vibe shift," I found that there are five key pieces that make any outfit look so expensive. Here, I'll walk you through my go-to hero pieces for a closet that not only looks expensive but also provides some more affordable pieces that are guaranteed to make you always look effortlessly polished. 

1. Tailored Trousers

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(Image credit: @brooklynngallagher)

Tailored trousers are key to making even your simplest basics look 10 times more expensive. I love pairing mine with ribbed tanks, tees, and button-down shirts. This particular pair comes in a versatile yet unique hue, and so far, gets me so many compliments. 

Shop the pants:

2. Chic Knits

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(Image credit: @fashionwithjazz)

If there's one thing I know about knits, it's that they're going to look rich no matter what. I love this particular one because it's so simple and so chic, making it naturally look like I spent way more on it than I actually did. This color is exquisite and pairs perfectly with jeans, trousers, and the like. 

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3. Printed Dresses

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(Image credit: @shahdbatal)

Printed dresses are the best things to throw on when you feel like you have nothing to wear. They are easy to style and if you are wise in which print you choose (like this wavy number, for example), I can guarantee your 'fit will look nearly designer. 

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4. Elevated Blazers

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(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

There is nothing I love more than a good blazer, which is probably why I have a closet full of them. I just find that no matter what I'm wearing, a blazer seems to always be the one piece that elevates my look. This one in particular has a built-in layer that instantly makes this blazer look so pricey.

Shop the blazer:

5. Versatile Trend Pieces

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

Last but not least, I like to keep a small handful of trend-driven pieces on hand to ensure I'm looking current. With that being said, I also like to choose trendy pieces that are also versatile so I can treat them like basics. This corset bodysuit is exactly that. It's on-trend, easy to wear, and so comfortable. 

Shop the bodysuit:

Shop more expensive-looking pieces I love:

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(Image credit: @katcollings)

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(Image credit: @emmasevilles)

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(Image credit: @sarahwisted)
Editorial Director

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.