Brands that Look Expensive but Aren’t: We could write an eternal introduction here that still wouldn’t sum it up as well as the world-famous quote from fashion designer and my biggest idol Karl Lagerfeld:
Never use the word ‘cheap’. Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes (the rich buy them too). There is good clothing design on every level today. You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans – it’s up to you.
So as he put it so nice is that we have a lot of choices these days and don’t have to buy directly from designers to be timelessly chic.
But as we’ve learned over the years, there are big differences in quality between fashion houses – but even between collections and even sizes or colors of each brand.
That’s why we set out to find you the best brands that offer high-quality products (which are ultimately essential if you want to look expensive) for little money, and where you can store without worrying about going broke. 😉
But as I said, it is not so easy to find pieces that really meet our quality standards in different sizes, collections, and colors, so after a short list of the brands that passed our test in these categories, we will show you the ultimate products that should have the same good quality in every size and every color.
Let’s go!
Top 10 Brands that Look Expensive but Aren’t:
- Arket*
- 12 Storeez
- Mango*
- Massimo Dutti
- COS* (our all-time favorite!!)
- & Other Stories
- H&M* (especially the blazers never disappoint!)
- Sézane
- NA-KD
- Djerf Avenue
The Best 3 Timeless Pieces by Brands that Look Expensive but Aren’t:
1. H&M Men’s Blazers:
As I’ve announced before, we swear by H&M’s men’s blazers* because they are made of a much sturdier viscose than their counterparts from the H&M women’s department.
Their soft yet strong fabric is just brilliant, as it means the blazer is still in its usual shape even after years and doesn’t start to wrinkle or shrink like so many other blazers on the market that are made of mostly lots of polyester. This makes it a piece that will have you looking super expensive in no time – but without being so.
Another advantage of the blazer from the men’s department is that it sits so beautifully oversized and is therefore totally stylish and modern.
I actually have had this model myself for years and now pretty much in every color – and none of them have ever disappointed me! They still sit as the first day and are faithful companions that definitely keep up in quality with my virgin wool blazer, which just as little wrinkles or somehow falls apart.
A heart recommendation for all blazer lovers!
2. Button-Down Shirts by COS:
Everyone needs high-quality button-down shirts in their closet for the warm days, because the classics can be super casual simply pulled over a top or also buttoned up just always look super elegant.
But since here too, unfortunately, in most fashion stores more and more synthetic fibers such as polyester are mixed, these look super fast totally cheap.
Therefore, it is essential to rely on high-quality button-down shirts made of 100% linen, viscose, or cotton – and those of COS always are*.
In addition, they offer great shirts in many different colors and patterns – so there should be something for everyone.
3. Trench Coats by Mango:
Mango is my all-time favorite when it comes to good jackets and coats* for small money.
But in particular, I swear by the trench coats because they come from a large cotton and viscose content, which makes them pretty high quality.
In addition, I really all jackets and coats that I have so of Mango, wear for years and am always fully satisfied! For this I love the brand – it brings me namely every year a new through colder days or colder evenings.
Feel free to stop by there and be sure to check out their outerwear!
These are my favorite trench coats of theirs for spring/summer:
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*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
