21 budget hacks to make your clothes look more expensive
One of the best things about tapping into our innate creativity is that we’re able to reinvent what already exists, or rustle something up from seemingly nothing.
Fashion is the ideal arena to flex this super power – with a sewing box of trims, buttons, sequins and ribbons to hand, it’s a cinch to add those considered details that give it that designer vibe without the price tag.
And if haberdashery isn’t your thing, we’ve gathered some clever styling ideas to sharpen up any outfit, without spending a penny.
1. Add embroidered details
Tactile motifs, from florals to monograms, give your garms a designer flourish. Whether you use silky, satin-sheen embroidery floss to sew a design on a lapel or a pocket, or you use yarn to stitch squishable flowers or geometric patterns around the neckline of your knitwear, it all adds an element of luxury through the associated time spent in its creation.
You can also cheat, of course, and apply pre-embroidered patches instead – there are tons of cool options available now that look great on bomber jackets, sweatshirts and bags.
Try this: Velvet bag with embroidered patches
You will need:
- 1m (39 3/8") black velvet fabric
- 50cm (19 7/8") iron-on interfacing
- 50cm (19 7/8") lining fabric
- Embroidered patches
- Matching sewing thread or fabric glue
- 1m (39 3/8") gold chain
- Eight gold eyelets
- Hammer
- Pliers
Step 1
From the velvet fabric, cut two 28 x 44cm (11 x 17 3/8") pieces for the bag sides, one 30 x 17cm (11 7/8 x 6 3⁄4") piece for the bag base and two 44 x 9cm (17 3/8 x 3 5/8") pieces.
Back each piece of fabric with iron-on interfacing, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
From the lining fabric, cut one 30 x 17cm (11 7/8 x 6 3⁄4") piece and two 44 x 22cm(17 3/8x8 3⁄4") pieces.
Step 2
Place the two bag sides with right sides (RS) together and pin the short edges.
Sew using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance, then press open the seams.
Step 3
Position the fabric loop with the pile facing downwards, then pin the bottom raw edge around the bag base, RS together, and making sure the seams of the loop are at the centre of the base’s short sides – this will help create the folds in the sides of the bag when finished.
Step 4
Place a 44 x 9cm (17 3/8 x 3 5/8") velvet fabric piece and a 44 x 22cm (17 3/8 x 8 3⁄4") lining piece with RS together, aligning one long edge. Pin and sew using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance.
Repeat with the matching pieces of fabric, then place the two sewn panels with RS together, aligning the raw edges.
Pin the short edges, sew using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance, then press open the seams.
Step 5
Sew the lining fabric edge of the loop to the remaining 30 x 17cm (11 7/8 x 6 3⁄4") lining fabric piece as per Step 3, leaving one short edge open for turning.
Step 6
With RS together, pin the lining panel to the outer bag along the top edge. Sew, then turn the bag RS out through the gap in the lining.
Top stitch the bottom edge of the lining closed.
Step 7
Fold in the sides of the bag to make it lie flat. Mark 3cm (1 1⁄4") down and 3cm (1 1⁄4") in from the top corners, then make a small hole, big enough to fit the eyelets.
Fix the eyelets in place following the manufacturer’s instructions, then add two more on the layers behind.
Repeat with the remaining two layers, attaching eight in total.
Step 8
Position the embroidery patches onto the front of the velvet bag, then pin and sew in place. Alternatively, use a sparing amount of fabric glue!
Step 9
Thread the gold chain through the eyelets on both sides of the bag to create a handle.
Try it on to check the length, then trim the chain. Use pliers to open a loop at one end, then close around the link at the opposite end to finish.
Project by The New Craft House
2. Swap out boring buttons
Super simple and so effective! Keep your eyes peeled for pretty vintage buttons in charity shops or online and give your cardis and button-close dresses a glow up.
As seen at the likes of fashion brands Stine Goya and Olivia Rubin, oversized, gem-like, sparkly buttons can take a piece of clothing from meh to must-have.
Just make sure you can fit your new buttons through the existing button holes before stitching them on – or, stitch the button holes closed completely and add press studs behind the buttons instead.
3. Trim edges with crochet
If you’re handy with a hook, a picot trim makes an eye-catching addition to a sleeve, collar, hem or sock top.
It’s such a little detail, but it adds a lot of style points. A chain of chunky popcorn stitch also looks great as a cross-body bag strap, which leads us on to…
4. Replace bag handles
Raffia crocheted bag straps are currently all the rage, as well as woven geometric designs.
Many cross-body bags now come with detachable straps so you have some fun crafting alternatives to create totally new, on-trend looks.
5. Sew using luxury materials
Make simple accessories out of expensive-feeling fabrics such as silk and velvet to upgrade items like scrunchies, Alice bands, cuffs and handmade clutches.
Small details such as these feel purposeful and decadent.
6. Pump up the volume
Designer pieces often emphasise sections of a garment, such as huge Peter Pan collars or balloon sleeves.
Turn heads by adding your own puffy gossamer-look sleeves to sleeveless tops and vests, or stitch a simple elasticated net skirt to wear under dresses for added oomph.
7. Embellish your jeans
Unleash your inner pearly queen and adorn your tired denim. Pearl-studded jeans are a trend we’ve seen on influencers everywhere, just begging to be recreated with DIY couture.
Nod to the craze with a demure polka dot sprinkling of tiny pearl beads, or go all-out and fade a cascade of them down the entire length of the leg.
Try this: Pearl pocket burst
You will need:
- Selection of small, medium and large pearl beads
- Jeans
- Pencil or chalk
- White sewing thread
- Sewing needle
How to do it:
Step 1
Lay the jeans out on a clean, flat surface, facing up.
To create a burst of pearls around the front pocket, place the largest pearls a few centimetres below the opening of the pocket, leaving an even spacing between them.
Step 2
Once you’re happy with the layout, make a faint mark on the jeans with a pencil or chalk to indicate the position of each pearl.
Take the pearls off the jeans and place them to one side.
Step 3
Using a needle and white thread, sew the largest pearl beads in place first, using the marks as guides.
Make sure to only sew through one layer of the pocket as you work, and tie and cut off any excess thread at the back after each pearl is attached.
Step 4
Once all the large pearls are in place, sew on a few medium-sized pearl beads in the same way.
These should be placed a little lower down the pocket, and evenly spaced around the larger pearls.
Step 5
Using the image as a guide, fill in any large gaps with the smallest pearls, then randomly dot them around the bottom of the pocket, leaving a bigger gap between each pearl to finish off.
Repeat this pearl burst formation on the other front pocket of the jeans to finish.
Project by Anna Birtwistle
8. Max out with metallics
We’re magpies for anything shiny and so are spenny fashion designers. The easiest way to make a look more luxe is by adding gold or silver jewellery or accessories, such as a super shiny handbag, as seen at brands Balmain and Molly Goddard.
You could make a very simple one yourself with a reflective fabric, or try adding silver, copper or gold-finished leather panels to shoulder bags or denim jackets.
9. Add ribbon to hats…
…Especially the extra wide-brimmed straw kind you might see on a celeb in Saint Tropez.
A wide grosgrain is a good bet – very V V Rouleaux – and widely available at local haberdasheries.
10. Find a good tailor
Your local high street is likely to have an alteration service, often attached to a launderette or dry cleaners.
They are worth seeking out – a good tailor will know whether a garment can be reshaped here and there to fit you better by adding darts, nipping in or raising waists, letting out or raising hems or shortening/lengthening straps.
When they’re through, it’ll look made to measure (and that it cost you a whole lot more).
11. Slogan up your tee
Go all Ganni and add a slogan to your T-shirt. It can be as simple as using a fabric pen or paint, or you might prefer to use ready-made letter patches for smaller words.
If you’ve got the time or inclination, you could cut your own iron-on interfacing fabric letters to adhere with a fusible web product (like Bondaweb).
Nail the trend with Americana, such as ‘Have a nice day’ or ‘Sunshine State’ or maybe you’re feeling more Parisienne? ‘Café Crème’ and ‘Le Weekend’ hit the right tongue-in-cheek note.
12. Wear bold jewellery
The most stylish dressers don’t shy away from making a statement, and an affordable way to go big is to wear oversized jewellery, such as drop earrings, embellished cuffs or huge knotted or beaded necklaces.
All of which are easy to make yourself from everyday haberdashery items if you don’t already have a few costume pieces in your jewellery box you can revisit.
13. Add a detachable collar
Many boutique brands have started making standalone collars recently and they’re a smart buy to extend the looks within your existing wardrobe. Even smarter though is to make your own.
You can self-draft a template based on a shirt you already have, or try chopping the collar off an old garment that no longer fits.
Just be sure to leave enough fabric to tuck under your top for a seamless look. Embellish with gems or embroidery for extra wow.
14. De-bobble worn items
For an impeccably turned-out wardrobe, a handheld de-bobbler will be your best buy.
Banish all those annoying bumpy bits, especially under arms and on the inside thighs with ease, and give knitwear a refresh this way each autumn when you start to reach for it again. Your stuff will look brand new!
15. Show your stripes
One quick way to raise your sartorial game is to throw a Breton top into the mix.
A true classic, it has off-duty chic all over it. It’s also something quite easy to recreate with fabric paint and a plain white top (for a looser Marimekko-style look).
16. Iron it!
Gone are the days when we all had an ironing pile, but it’s definitely one of those chores that reaps rewards! For crisp, super-sharp looks, a good steam is a no-brainer.
17. Add a belt
It seems so simple, but fastening a skinny belt around your jeans or a wide obi belt over a dress scores instant style points.
The addition of one non-essential item simply makes a look more considered and put together. Also, they’re an easy make if you fancy a craft project.
18. Statement sunglasses
Create instant mystery and cool with bug-eyed sunnies. They don’t need to be expensive (most high street brands will follow UV protection guidelines for lenses nowadays, but do check before buying). The bigger the better!
19. Pimp your Converse
Refashion a pair of trusty sneakers with bursts of hand-stitched flowers in zingy spring shades for a bespoke look.
Try this: Embellished high tops
You will need:
- High top canvas shoes
- Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of blue, light green, dark green, orange, light pink, dark pink, yellow
- Heat-erasable pen
- Embroidery transfer paper
- Basic embroidery kit
Stitches used:
French knots, satin stitch, split stitch, straight stitch
Notes:
Download the free Converse embroidery floral template.
It’s important to firmly secure both ends of your threads as they will have a lot of wear inside your shoes.
To do this, weave them in and out of worked stitches, several times. When starting off, leave a length of thread, then go back and secure it later.
How to do it:
Step 1
There is a semicircle shape on the side of each shoe that is thicker than the rest and is too stiff to pull the needle through to stitch on.
To avoid going into this area, trace over the outline of this with your heat erasable pen or very lightly with a pencil. This will help to guide you when you place the pattern on to the shoes.
Step 2
There are two templates: the main one is for the outer side of the shoes and the small template is used to go around the shoe’s logo on the inner side of the shoes.
The templates that are provided will fit onto the right shoe, so you need to flip it to transfer the design in reverse onto the left shoe. To do this, trace over the template on tracing paper, turn it over and draw over the lines in dark pen on the back.
You now need to transfer the embroidery design onto your shoes using a heat erasable pen, embroidery transfer paper or tracing paper and a pencil.
Step 3
Start off by working the stems in split stitch.
Step 4
Fill the daisy centres with French knots using six strands of yellow and the centres of the two flowers in the middle of the design with orange French knots.
Add a French knot to the end of each stem to create the buds using a mixture of six strands of dark pink and yellow.
Fill the daisy petals with straight stitches using three strands of light pink.
Step 5
Fill the middle flowers with three or four straight stitches using three strands of yellow or blue thread.
Step 6
The smaller design on the inside of the shoe is worked in a similar way to the main design. When you have finished stitching, it’s time to erase any lines.
If you’ve used heat erasable pen, a low heat setting on your hairdryer or iron will remove any visible lines.
If you’ve used embroidery transfer paper, wipe gently with a damp cloth. If, after that, any stubborn transfer lines do show through and you find you can’t remove them, then simply embroider over them.
Project by Louise Newton
20. Tie a silk scarf to your bag
Nothing says luxury like a silk Hermès scarf, so may we suggest giving a nod to the style on your handbag? Look out for scarves in charity shops with floral, baroque, toile de Jouy or oblique patterns to reference the most iconic styles.
21. Dial up your ballet flats
The chic shoe of choice since Audrey Hepburn sported a cherry-red pair in Funny Face, the ballet pump is your go-to, whether you’re on the school run or in the boardroom.
If you’re heading out for cocktails after work and want to fire up your footwear, shoe clips are the savvy girl’s secret weapon.
A sparkly buckle adds sophisticated vintage vibes, while hearts or pom-poms reveal a piquant, playful side.
Discover more ways to pimp up your wardrobe
The beauty of adding embroidery to your clothes is that it is so versatile, it can be added to almost any item of clothing or accessory to elevate the look. Read our guide to embroidering your clothes.
