Accessories That Will Make You Look Expensive Without Actually Spending Money

Building a luxurious outfit is easier than you think.

POSTED 24.04.26 11:16 BY ANNMARY MAILYAN

Accessories are often the most underappreciated part of the outfit. Most people throw them on last minute without thinking how they tie the look together. In reality, it’s these finishing touches that make even the simplest outfit more refined and intentional, subtly shifting the overall mood. The right details can make your outfit look expensive and luxurious, even if everything came from a thrift store. Here’s how to visually add a few extra zeros to your look.

Sunglasses

Let’s start with sunglasses. Since childhood, I’ve always felt they make any outfit much cooler and—don’t laugh—even intimidating. It’s like stepping into a different persona: suddenly you’re this successful businesswoman who lives in a penthouse and drives a cabriolet. If that’s the energy you want to channel, go for oversized frames in classic shapes.

Silk scarves

Speaking of cabriolets. Films have taught us one thing: if you’re driving through the south of Italy or France, you just have to have a silk scarf wrapped around your neck or hair so it floats in the air. Jokes aside, silk scarves bring a delicate, polished touch that instantly elevates the look, adding movement and softness.

Pearl necklace

Now a pearl necklace is widely accessible: you can get it from pretty much everywhere at a very low cost. But years and centuries ago it wasn’t so affordable, so wearing it was associated with wealth and status. Times have certainly changed, but somehow pearls have managed to preserve that luxurious image. They can give you a chic touch, even if you picked them up at a beach store for $5.

Gold watch

In the age of smartwatches, seeing a simple, minimalistic golden timepiece feels especially refreshing. It’s one of those rare accessories that never feels outdated. What I love most about them is that they give off a subtle old-money aesthetic, making the look feel more elegant and put-together. You can, of course, go for a silver watch as well: it will look just as refined.

Structured leather bags

If you want to create the impression of having your life together, opt for a structured leather bag. It makes you look like you’ve just finished an important meeting and now are heading out for a coffee before your next plan. While softer silhouettes make an outfit feel more relaxed, structured handbags are the ones that add that polished, intentional energy.

Refined jewelry

Minimalist jewelry often reads as more sophisticated. It creates a sense of effortlessness and restraint without feeling plain. Think of women like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Kate Middleton, and Cate Blanchett: they always lean toward timeless and refined pieces rather than bold, statement jewelry, yet it doesn’t make their style any less impactful.

If you want to add that quietly luxurious feel to your outfits, browse my Fizzypicks for the accessories that do the work without trying too hard.

MALBON
Clara Scarf
$108