Disclosure: I have expensive taste in clothes. Hell, my entire Instagram saved folder is basically dedicated to one day afford handmade cordovan loafers, hand-stitched Neapolitan jackets, and vintage Japanese denim worth more than my first car. I’m the person who writes about high-end menswear for a living, for God’s sake. But for all that, the thing that has kept me hustling in menswear for fifteen years is knowing how to look expensive without spending all that money.
Believe it or not, some of the biggest style upgrades you can make don’t have to do with buying expensive pieces that “make a statement.” Quite the opposite—the biggest visual improvements most men can make have nothing to do with dropping four figures on a jacket. Instead, they come from spending less than fifty bucks on small details most guys ignore. The kinds of upgrades that don’t necessarily make your wardrobe bigger, but make everything you own look that much better.
I figured this out early in my career, when I was barely scraping by as a media assistant living in a shoebox apartment in Brooklyn with three other roommates and a clothing budget that didn’t really exist. Back then, I couldn’t afford to overhaul my entire wardrobe but I still had to show up to fashion events and celebrity interviews looking like I knew what I was doing amongst people wearing watches that cost more than my yearly rent payment. I learned quickly how to stretch my dollar, and how upgrading certain details could trick the eye into seeing a more expensive-looking wardrobe. These days my budget is slightly better but I still use many of these same tricks to get more mileage out of my wardrobe. When I’m pressed, some of the best dressed guys in the world aren’t the ones spending the most money, they know how to change the details most people overlook.
Below are fifteen specific upgrades under $50 that will elevate your wardrobe more than their price suggests. I’ve grouped them into categories, from the ones no one will see to the things everyone will notice. But trust me when I say; you’ll notice the difference they make.
Starting with something no one will notice but will improve your entire wardrobe: garment care.
For roughly $35 you can buy a simple fabric shaver to depill your sweaters and wool pants and a handheld steamer to quickly steam out wrinkles in your shirts and jackets. These two tools can elevate even the cheapest item in your wardrobe by creating a pulled-together, cared-about appearance. I remember wearing my $30 H&M blazer to an industry party once, having shaven and steamed it to perfection. A senior editor at another publication came up to me and complimented me on what he thought was an obscure brand I was wearing. It wasn’t, the jacket had simply looked expensive through meticulous grooming. My steamer is one of my most-used tools to this day. I’ll even pack a travel-sized one whenever I know I’ll be away from home more than 48 hours. If your clothes aren’t properly cared for they’ll look cheap, but when they’re freshly laundered and properly groomed they’ll look a lot better, regardless of actual cost.
To that point about clothing care: shoes.
One of the easiest details to spend extra on but don’t think about is your shoelaces. Dress shoes can instantly look better with a simple pair of leather or waxed cotton replacements that cost as little as $5-8. White sneakers, belts, and leather sandals can all benefit from fresh white laces to replace the dull originals. I learned this trick while chatting at the counter of an old-time shoe repair shop in Chicago with the owner, who would roll his eyes whenever guys would come in looking to replace perfectly good shoes that were just “looking a little tired.” “You should try changing the laces,” he said to me one day. ”It doesn’t cost much and makes a big difference.” He was right. Swapping the laces on old sneakers, boots, or oxfords has allowed me to salvage plenty of favorites that were begging for retirement.
Speaking of shoes, shoe care kits are one of those things that will earn you an immediate return on investment. For about $35-$40 you can pick up a polish, brush, and conditioner set that will last you years. The difference between well-groomed shoes and ones that aren’t is obvious, even if your friends know nothing about style. Shoes are something people notice whether they realize it or not. A guy can hide the rest of his wardrobe under an expensive suit, but his shoes will give him away every time. My banker friend Kevin swears that one of the reasons clients trust him is because he regularly polishes his shoes. He knows people may not know him, but they know his shoes look expensive and therefore trust that he’ll handle their money with the same care and attention.
Something as simple as new buttons for your shirts, jackets, or coat can work wonders. Expect to spend around $10-15 for a pack of horn, mother of pearl, or matte metal buttons that will instantly elevate the perceived value of your wardrobe. Cheap jacket? Sub in better buttons. Shirt has that funky store-brand vibe? Button swap. Nearly every single jacket, blazer, or coat I’ve bought since knowing this trick came with extra buttons I used to replace the cheap originals. I did this trick for years ago with a basic navy J.Crew Factory blazer by replacing the thin white plastic buttons with thick brown horn ones from a local fabric store. The wife refused to believe I didn’t spend more on a jacket that looked so obviously expensive.
Next, on to something no one will see but will make you feel better: socks.
No, not full-on socks. Footies. For around $12-15 per pair (or less if you buy in bulk) you can get your feet caught in invisible cotton socks that solve the age-old problem of looking like you’re wearing no socks with sneakers, loafers, and boat shoes. The cheap brands tend to either slide down your heel or ride uncomfortably above your shoe line. Find a good brand and they’ll save your ankles. It took me years of wearing wrong-footies before I discovered seamless ones that worked, but once I did I felt like I had hacked the clothing system. All of a sudden my casual outfits looked intentionally put together rather than trying not to look casual.
Visible but rarely executed correctly: dress shirt collars.
Buy a pack of metal collar stays for around $15-$20 and keep them in your desk drawer. There’s nothing wrong with going out in the morning and having your collar collapse by noon. People barely notice your collar when it’s straight, but will definitely notice it when it isn’t. Same rule applies to suit jackets.
Continuing up top: shirt cuffs.
About $10-12 will buy you enough collar/cuff cleaning solution to keep your dress shirts looking newer longer. This is an old shirt laundering trick I picked up after ruining too many white shirts with yellowing collars. Traditional washing alone couldn’t fix it, but with a targeted application of this product the problem disappeared. If you wear dress shirts more than a few times per month this will be a game changer.
Up next: take something off.
Okay, so this isn’t a thing you can technically buy, but if you’ve been ignoring that otherwise awesome blazer hanging in your closet because it doesn’t zip, button, or otherwise fit quite right, take it to your tailor. The prices these guys charge are almost always negotiable depending on how busy they are and what you’re getting done. Simple adjustments like letting out the waist on a pair of pants or shortening a jacket can usually be had for $15-$40 or less. Years of scrolling through closets full of clothing at work has taught me that there’s tons of guys out there with a great-looking jacket or pair of pants they just refuse to wear because it doesn’t fit “perfectly.”
I actually did this last year when my go-to workshop blazer was looking a little worn in but refused to zip up all the way. Having it tailored was literally free because my tailor was so busy he gave me a “my cashier is sleeping” discount. But best of all my “new” blazer looked brand new to anyone who didn’t know better.
Something you can’t see, but should:undershirts.
Another cheap item that can make all the difference. For about $40 you can replace worn out old undershirts whose elastic has permanently resigned itself to your waist with some that actually fit. Why undershirts? Because if there’s one thing that can make your clothes fit wrong it’s underwear that rides up, bunches, or doesn’t provide adequate support. Trust me, once you wear a good undershirt you’ll never go back.
Visible, but worn by everyone: belt.
For another $15 you can improve the life of your leather jackets, belts, and wallets with a bottle of leather conditioner. Admittedly I was skeptical at first, but as soon as I tried this stuff on an old leather briefcase I knew what the hype was about. There’s something about freshly-conditioned leather that instantly transforms the appearance of your accessories. It’s not a knock-off pair of designer jeans, but when your boots and belts stop looking scruffy and worn out you’ll look a lot sharper.
Speaking of accessories and shirts: hanging them up.
Here’s another secret about clothing that most men miss: how you store them can wear them out. Just like you wouldn’t expect a nylon jacket to hold up forever if you threw it over a wire hanger, shirts and jackets don’t last as long when you don’t hang them properly. I started replacing my mismatched metal and thrifted plastic hangers with wooden ones I found at Target years ago and haven’t looked back. The slightest investment in better hangers will keep your clothes looking newer, longer.
Lastly: learn how to use a needle and thread.
Yes, seriously. If you can’t sew on a button or fix a ripped seam you’re doing yourself a disservice. Invest about $15 in a sewing kit and practice your skills. It really doesn’t take much to know how to sew on a button. Hell, some jackets may come with spare buttons if you look hard enough. My kit has repaired countless holes and tears that otherwise would’ve gotten rid of perfectly good garments. To this day learning how to sew a few months into my career has saved me more money than any shopping budget.
When you pull back the curtain on the fashion industry and high-priced clothing, most of what you’re buying is perception. How things look, feel, and are cared for. While you can certainly buy your way into looking expensive, you don’t have to spend a fortune to look like it either. Start small and incorporate one or two of these tips into your routine. You’ll look (and feel) a lot sharper before you know it.
