9 Styling Mistakes That Make an Outfit Look Cheaper

The wrong shoes, colors, or outfit pairings can instantly make even expensive clothes look cheap. Discover 9 common styling mistakes and learn easy fashion tips to make every outfit look polished, chic, and effortlessly expensive.

1. Satin tops without accessories.

A satin camisole instantly gives off a chic and elegant vibe, but when worn on its own with no accessories, it can look unfinished (and even cheap). Satin naturally reflects light, so pairing it with simple jewelry or layering it with a blazer makes the outfit look intentional rather than last-minute. Without styling touches, even the most luxurious fabric risks looking flat.

How to improve this look:

• Add a delicate necklace or gold hoops to elevate the neckline.
• Layer with a tailored blazer or cardigan for a polished finish.
• Tuck the satin top neatly into the skirt or pants to define the waistline.

2. Casual shirts without shape.

A button-down shirt and jeans is a timeless combo, but when left loose and without structure, it can make the outfit look more basic than stylish. The lack of definition at the waistline causes the silhouette to appear boxy, which takes away from the overall polish. The trick is to highlight shape while keeping the casual vibe intact.

How to improve this look:

• Tuck in the shirt fully or try a French tuck for a relaxed yet refined style.
• Roll the sleeves neatly instead of haphazardly for a more styled effect.
• Add a belt or statement bag to instantly elevate the denim look.

3. Office outfits that are giving a high-class.

A sleek black shirt with a beige pencil skirt is the ultimate workwear uniform, but without any styling details, it can look overly plain and uninspired. Neutrals are powerful, but when worn head-to-toe without contrast or accessories, the outfit risks looking cheap rather than sophisticated. Adding texture, layers, or bold accents is key to making minimalism look expensive.

How to improve this look:

• Add a statement belt to break up the monochrome palette.
• Incorporate a bold lipstick or structured handbag for contrast.
• Play with subtle patterns or textures in accessories like shoes or scarves.

4. Oversized without balance.

Wearing an oversized sweater can look chic, but if it’s not styled correctly, it can easily make your outfit look shapeless and cheap. In this look, the slouchy mint-green sweater overwhelms the frame, hiding the waist and giving off a too-casual vibe.

Fix it:

• Tuck the front of the sweater into high-waisted jeans for definition.
• Add structured accessories (like a belt or handbag) to balance proportions.
• Opt for rolled sleeves or layered jewelry to elevate the outfit.

5. Sleeves and hemlines that distract.

The deep plum sweater here is chic, but the 3/4 sleeves paired with the bulky knit make the proportions feel a bit “off.” Ill-fitting or oddly cropped sweaters can unintentionally downgrade a look, even if the color is gorgeous.

Fix it:

• Choose sweaters with either full-length sleeves or neatly tailored cuts.
• Balance textured knits with sleek bottoms (like slim trousers).
• Add layered necklaces or a scarf to shift focus upward.

6. This one is perfect, but still needs some styling.

A soft blush sweater is timeless, but when paired with plain jeans and minimal styling, it risks looking overly basic, and basics without contrast often come across as cheap rather than effortlessly chic.

Fix it:

• Accessorize with bold jewelry, a statement bag, or trendy shoes.
• Mix textures (like pairing with leather pants or a structured blazer).
• Experiment with a French tuck for instant polish.

7. Wearing pastel block heel sandals with casual jeans.

Pastel block heel sandals in multiple colors can look fun, but when paired with casual jeans, the outfit often loses sophistication and looks cheaper. The playful mix of pink, yellow, and turquoise is too busy against relaxed denim.

To fix this styling mistake:

• Pair colorful sandals with neutral basics like a white dress or beige tailored pants.
• Let the shoes be the statement piece by keeping accessories minimal.
• Add structured pieces to balance the playful tones and make the look more polished.

8. Styling red and blue high heels with a neutral skirt.

Red-and-blue pointed-toe heels are bold, but when styled with a beige skirt, they clash instead of complementing, making the outfit look mismatched. Instead of elevating the look, the shoes become distracting.

To improve this combination:

• Add matching accents like a red clutch or navy blazer to tie the outfit together.
• Keep clothing sleek and monochrome to let the heels stand out in a chic way.
• Save multicolor pumps for structured, modern outfits that can handle bold shoes.

9. Wearing red, blue, and gold color block pumps.

Color block stilettos in red, blue, and gold are eye-catching, but mixing metallic shades with bold hues can quickly look cheap if the rest of the outfit doesn’t harmonize. The lack of balance makes the shoes overpower the entire look.

To make this outfit more stylish:

• Pair vibrant heels with solid-colored dresses or tailored trousers.
• Avoid clashing fabrics; stick with clean, modern silhouettes.
• Match metallic accents (like gold jewelry) to create a more cohesive, expensive feel.

What do you think? Have you made any of these styling mistakes before? Share your opinion in the comments! And before you go, don’t miss our next read: 8 Rejuvenating and Trending Hairstyles to Enhance the Beauty of Your Gray Hair in 2025