5 Outfit Tweaks That Make My Outfits Look More Expensive

Sara Walker is a Who What Wear editor in residence, content creator, stylist, and fashion consultant based inLos Angeles.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make an outfit feel more considered without actually adding more to it. Not more pieces, not more trends, not more effort. Just better decisions. The difference between an outfit that feels fine and one that feels elevated is usually something small—a shift, a tweak, one intentional detail that makes everything else make more sense. At the end of the day, it’s not about having more. It’s about being more intentional with what you already have, such as a crisp fabric, a single statement, or a tonal look. These are things I think about almost subconsciously now, but they’re the principles I come back to every time I get dressed.

Running out the door and need something easy? A great top, jeans, and a statement accessory always work. Something feels off? It probably needs a steam or a quick edit. Swap a neckline, simplify the shoes, or remove a layer, and it’s better almost instantly. And sometimes, the “wrong” combination is actually the right one. Athletic shorts with kitten heels shouldn’t work, but they do. Tailored trousers with flip-flops feel just as good. Even color can be simplified. If you want to wear something bold, pairing it back to the same tone in your bag or shoes pulls everything together.

These are the five points I keep coming back to this summer.

1. Add One Statement Piece, and Let It Do the Work

If there’s one rule I follow, it’s this: Every outfit needs a point of view. Lately, that’s been a statement necklace or shoes thrown on with the most basic combination—white tee, jeans, flip-flops. The outfit itself is intentionally simple, almost understated. But the second you add something slightly bold, it changes the entire read. It doesn’t have to be jewelry. It could be a belt, a shoe, or a bag. The key is letting one piece carry the look so everything else can stay effortless.

2. Steam It—Yes, Even a White Tee or Tank

This might be the least exciting tip, but it makes the biggest difference. A crisp white tee with white jeans will always look more elevated than anything wrinkled—no matter the price point. Clean, pressed fabric signals intention. In the summer, when everything is lighter and more minimal, this matters even more. It’s the difference between “I just threw this on” and “This works.”

3. Lean Into Monochromatic Dressing

When in doubt, wear one color. Head-to-toe white, black, or soft neutrals always read more elevated. It simplifies everything visually and makes the outfit feel cohesive without trying too hard. I’ve been especially into all-white lately—white tank, white denim, simple sandals. It feels fresh, clean, and very summer but still polished. That said, an all-red look is also incredibly chic right now. It’s bold, unexpected, and surprisingly wearable when everything stays tonal.

4. Mix Something Unexpected

The outfits I come back to most always have a slight contrast. Athletic shorts with kitten heels. Tailored trousers with a tank top and flip-flops. Linen paired with something structured. It’s that balance of casual and polished that makes a look feel modern. Especially in the summer, when outfits can lean overly relaxed, adding one elevated element makes everything feel more intentional.

5. Edit, Don’t Add

This might be the most important one. When something feels off, the instinct is usually to add more—another layer, another accessory, another idea. But almost always, the answer is to take something away. A cleaner neckline. Fewer accessories. Simpler shoes. The outfits that feel the most elevated are usually the most edited. They’re small tweaks, but they make all the difference.