Looking expensive has surprisingly little to do with how much you spend, but rather knowing what to pair together. The high-low formula is a strategy that involves starting with uncomplicated pieces, such as white T-shirts, go-to sweatpants, and cozy hoodies, and then introducing something with a little more pizzazz into the look.
This approach can be applied to various outfits, and Nike makes a good starting point. Its sporty staples have clean lines and proportions that are essential to the foundation of a well-curated collection of basics.
Making Everyday Essentials Look Expensive
One way to make sweatpants look effortlessly cool is by pairing them with a boxy blazer and a fitted white tee. This combination creates a structured look that sharpens the softness of the relaxed pant. Adding a sleek clutch, sculptural earrings, dark sunglasses, and pointed-toe mules can create a contrast that instantly turns you into a fashion girl.
Another combination is pairing a crewneck with a slip skirt and a leather bag. The relaxed attitude of the oversized crewneck takes some of the preciousness out of the silky midi, while the skirt gives an everyday top a completely different context. Adding a polished leather shoulder bag and slim sunglasses can keep things sophisticated.
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Playing with Proportions
A great tank top can be paired with exaggerated wide-leg trousers to create instant proportion and make a relatively simple combination look far more directional. A statement belt can give the eye somewhere to land and help define the waist against all that volume. Finishing with a compact bag, minimalist sunglasses, and a low heel can complete the look.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity to make basics look expensive. For example, pairing sweatpants with a trench coat and delicate flats can create a interesting ensemble. The tension between sporty and pretty makes the entire look interesting. Adding a shoulder bag and barely-there sunglasses can finish things off without competing with the unexpected color underneath.
It’s also possible to take a quarter-zip out of the gym bag and pair it with a clean A-line mini and loafers. Keeping the palette tonal can make the inexpensive pieces read as one cohesive look rather than a collection of separates. Adding details such as a substantial leather tote, scrunched socks, and classic frames can make minimal outfits matter.
