Looking expensive in casual wear comes down to mastering the art of refined minimalism and strategic styling choices.
By focusing on fit, colour coordination, and thoughtful details, you can create luxury-level looks with pieces at any price point.
This guide reveals professional styling techniques to elevate your casual wardrobe, from selecting the right cuts to combining pieces like a fashion editor.
Choose Plain T-shirts in Neutral Colours Over Graphics
Build your casual wardrobe around solid-coloured t-shirts in whites, greys, navy, and black.
Clean, unembellished t-shirts create a sophisticated foundation for layering and allow other pieces in your outfit to shine.
The Row and Acne Studios are known for their minimalist t-shirt designs in neutral shades, particularly in whites and creams.
For similar clean aesthetics at accessible price points, consider Uniqlo U’s crew neck t-shirts or Arket’s heavy-weight basics collection.
Use the French Tuck to Balance Casual and Polish
Tuck in just the front portion of your shirt or t-shirt while leaving the back untucked.
The French tuck creates a deliberate contrast between structured and relaxed elements, instantly elevating casual outfits.
David Beckham often employs the front tuck in his street-style looks, most notably with shirts and knitwear paired with well-fitted dark denim or beige chinos.
For a similar effect, try a cotton crew neck sweater partially tucked into straight-leg jeans.
Layer Tone-on-Tone Instead of Contrasting Colours
Combine different shades of the same colour family in your casual outfits.
Monochromatic layering creates a sophisticated, intentional appearance that makes even simple pieces look considered and expensive.
For masterful tonal layering, look to Zegna’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection, which features expertly coordinated earth tones across knitwear and outerwear.
For accessible options, COS regularly offers coordinated pieces in neutral shades, while Massimo Dutti’s seasonal collections typically include well-matched separates in camel and beige tones.
Roll Your Shirt’s Sleeves in Three Even Folds
Create clean, even rolls that sit just above the elbow on long-sleeved shirts and light knits.
Precise sleeve rolling demonstrates attention to detail and transforms casual pieces into intentionally styled elements.
In his off-duty style, Ryan Gosling consistently demonstrates precise sleeve rolling: three even folds that sit firmly above the elbow, creating a clean line that elevates simple Oxford shirts.
For similar precision, try crisp oxfords from Ralph Lauren or J.Crew.
Balance Loose-fitting and Fitted Garments
Pair relaxed-fit pieces with fitted ones to create intentional silhouettes.
The contrast between loose and fitted elements shows styling expertise and prevents casual outfits from appearing sloppy.
Fear of God’s Essentials collection demonstrates this balance through oversized sweatshirts paired with slim-fit trousers.
Choose Minimalistic Leather Sneakers Over Athletic Trainers
Select sleek, understated sneakers in classic colours without excessive branding or design elements.
Clean-lined footwear creates a more refined foundation for casual outfits than trending chunky styles.
Common Projects pioneered the minimal white sneaker trend with their Original Achilles Low.
For a similar minimalist design at mid-range prices, consider Axel Arigato’s Clean 90 or Veja’s Campo models in white.
Coordinate your metal accessories and leather goods in consistent tones.
Matching metals (like silver or gold) and leather shades (tan or black) across your belt, watch, and shoes create visual harmony.
Anglo-Italian’s full-grain leather goods collection demonstrates this principle with consistently matched brown leathers and brass hardware.
Master the Quarter-Break Trouser Length
Have casual trousers hemmed to create a slight break at the shoe.
This precise length prevents pooling fabric while maintaining a relaxed appearance.
Choose Structured Outerwear Over Slouchy Styles
Select casual jackets and coats with defined shoulders and clean lines.
Well-structured outerwear maintains its shape and elevates the entire outfit.
Private White V.C.’s unstructured blazers exemplify refined casual outerwear.
For accessible alternatives, Mango’s cotton blazers offer similar clean-lined silhouettes.
Invest in Dark, Clean Denim
Choose dark indigo or black jeans without distressing or excessive fading.
Clean, dark denim creates a sophisticated foundation for casual outfits.
A.P.C.’s raw denim collection offers benchmark dark washes without embellishments.
For similar aesthetics, Uniqlo’s selvedge collection provides comparable quality at accessible prices.
Layer with Fine-Gauge Knitwear
Choose thin, high-quality knits for layering over shirts and under jackets.
Fine-gauge knitwear adds sophistication without bulk, creating clean lines.
John Smedley’s merino wool collection demonstrates ideal fine-gauge knitwear.
For accessible options, look to Uniqlo’s Merino range or COS’s essential knits.
Style for Your Body Type
Adapt luxury casual principles to complement your natural proportions.
Working with your body type rather than against it creates an authentic, expensive look.
Taller builds can reference how Nick Wooster styles oversized pieces while maintaining proportion, while shorter builds can look to Mark Cho of The Armoury for masterful scaling of casual pieces.
Identify Quality in Casual Pieces
Always check for specific construction details to spot high-quality casual wear by.
For t-shirts and jerseys check the ribbing at the collar – it should be tightly knit and elastic with double-needle stitching.
The fabric should feel dense and smooth, not thin or rough. Examine side seams – quality t-shirts use a single continuous side seam rather than multiple pieces.
For shirts quality buttons should be thick, with tight cross-stitching securing them.
Thread ends should be trimmed, not visible. Patterns should align at seams and pockets. Check inside – flat-felled seams indicate better construction than overlocked edges.
For knitwear stretch a small area – quality knits spring back to shape immediately. Check for loose threads or uneven stitching at seams.
Dense, tight knitting indicates better quality than loose, see-through knits. At the cuffs and hem, ribbing should be elastic and retain its shape.
For denim look for chain-stitched hems, visible selvedge on the outseam, and tight, even stitching at stress points.
Quality denim has a tight, dense weave without white threads visible when stretched.
For casual jackets check the lining attachment – it should be neat with no loose threads.
Buttons should be secured with shanks. Examine pockets – better jackets have reinforced pocket openings and clean internal finishing.
For trousers, quality pairs have strong seam allowances (extra fabric at seams), clean finishing on the inside, and properly aligned patterns.
The zipper should run smoothly, and the waistband should include quality interfacing for structure.
Dress Appropriately for Different Casual Settings
Each casual context has its own unwritten dress code. Dressing based on occasion is one of the most important parts of modern men’s etiquette.
You must adapt your casual wear to match the setting’s formality level.
For casual office environments, pair an unstructured navy cotton blazer with a white oxford shirt, beige stretch-cotton chinos, and brown suede loafers.
For weekend brunch or coffee meetings, layer a grey cashmere crew neck sweater over a white t-shirt, combined with dark straight-leg jeans and minimal white leather sneakers.
For evening casual dining, choose a black Merino roll-neck sweater under a textured grey wool overshirt paired with charcoal wool trousers and black leather Chelsea boots.
For casual weekend errands, combine a navy cotton bomber jacket with a light grey crew neck t-shirt, slim dark jeans, and clean white canvas sneakers.
For smart casual events, select a light grey unstructured suit worn separately – the jacket with dark jeans and a white t-shirt or the trousers with a navy knit polo.
How can I make high street basics look more expensive?
Focus on fit first – have pieces altered if necessary. Choose solid colours over patterns, and combine similar tones. Keep outfits simple with no more than three visible pieces.
Which casual wear pieces are worth investing in?
Invest in outerwear, dark denim, and minimal sneakers – these pieces define the overall silhouette and are worn most frequently.
How do I build an expensive-looking casual wardrobe on a budget?
Start with quality basics in neutral colours from accessible brands like Uniqlo, Arket, and COS. Focus on proper fit and consistent colour palettes.
What colours make casual wear look more expensive?
Stick to neutrals like navy, grey, white, black, and beige. These colours are easier to coordinate and appear more refined than bright or trendy shades.
How should casual wear fit to look expensive?
Aim for a clean line without excess fabric. Shoulders should align perfectly, sleeves should hit at the right point, and trousers should have a slight break at the shoe.
Which casual shoes look the most expensive?
Clean, minimal white leather sneakers or suede loafers in neutral tones tend to look most sophisticated for casual wear.
How do I style casual wear for different seasons while maintaining an expensive look?
Layer pieces in similar tones, focusing on appropriate fabrics for each season – light cotton in summer, fine wool in winter.
What makes casual knitwear look expensive?
Choose fine-gauge knits in solid colours with minimal texture. Focus on classic styles like crew necks and v-necks rather than trendy patterns or cuts.
How can I make t-shirts look more expensive?
Select crew neck styles in thick cotton with a clean neckline. Avoid graphics, opt for neutral colours, and ensure a perfect fit across the shoulders and chest.
What casual outerwear looks most expensive?
Unstructured blazers, minimal bomber jackets, and clean-lined overcoats in neutral colours consistently appear refined.
Final Thoughts
Creating an expensive-looking casual wardrobe relies on mastering key styling principles rather than spending extensively.
Focus on fit, coordination, and simplicity to elevate casual pieces at any price point.
Remember that precision in styling details – from coordinated neutrals to perfect shoulder alignment – creates the polished appearance that defines expensive-looking casual wear.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.
To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste – the first styling assessment is on us!
With years of expertise in high-end fashion collabs and a PhD in Sustainable Fashion, Ru specialises in curating eco-luxe wardrobes for the modern gentleman seeking understated refinement.
