People who wear these 7 colors tend to look more expensive, according to stylists

I spent years in finance before I started writing, and those boardrooms quietly taught me something about style: color does a lot of the heavy lifting.

The right shade makes everyday fabrics look richer, sharpens your silhouette, and signals intention—without shouting.

As Coco Chanel put it, “The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.” That’s a handy rule of thumb, but if you’re aiming for an elevated, “quiet-luxury” vibe, stylists tend to lean on a specific palette.

Below are seven hues that consistently read polished and refined. I’ll share how to wear each shade, what fabrics enhance the effect, and the styling moves that keep the look modern and cruelty-free (hello, plant-based and vegan materials).

Before we dive in, a quick mindset reframe: “looking expensive” isn’t about labels. It’s about coherence—tones that flatter your coloring, textures that catch light in a refined way, and simple, unfussy pairings. Ready?

1. Black

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time.” Yohji Yamamoto nailed why black feels luxe. It’s architectural. It flatters by creating clean lines and a subtle aura of mystery.

How to wear it well: lean into texture. Matte black can look flat; a mix of textures looks intentional. Pair a soft black knit with a sleek recycled polyester slip skirt; add a vegan leather belt for structure.

If head-to-toe black washes you out, soften the effect with a cool-white tee or delicate pearl studs.

Fabric matters here. Plant-derived satin (cupro), TENCEL™ twill, and high-density organic cotton read crisp and elevated. Avoid faded or pilled pieces—black shows wear quickly.

I baby my black pieces: wash cold, inside-out, air-dry, and use a fabric shaver when needed. The polish is in the upkeep.

2. Navy

Navy is the calm cousin of black—still serious, but softer on most skin tones.

When I worked long hours crunching numbers, a navy blazer made even my most chaotic mornings look composed. Navy photographs beautifully, plays well with metallics, and looks particularly refined with tan or cognac accessories.

Think monochrome: navy sweater, indigo jeans, midnight loafers. The tonal layering feels intentional, not fussy. For fabrics, brushed wool-alternatives (like recycled poly-wool blends), structured ponte, and sturdy denim elevate the shade. If you’re shopping vegan, look for “vegan wool” or double-knit ponte jackets that hold shape.

Pro move: mix navy with black. Once considered a no-no, stylists now love the combo because it breaks up the severity of all-black while staying chic. A navy coat over a black turtleneck and tailored trousers? Chef’s kiss.

3. Camel

Nothing whispers “old-money aesthetic” like camel. It’s the color of cashmere coats, structured totes, and quietly confident tailoring.

In reality, you don’t need cashmere to get the effect—what you need is a warm, mid-tone beige with depth.

Start with outerwear. A camel wrap coat in a cruelty-free wool alternative, or a trench in heavyweight cotton gabardine, instantly upgrades basics.

The key is weight: flimsy fabrics make camel look cheap; denser weaves and brushed textures add richness.

Pairing tips: camel + white (clean), camel + black (graphic), camel + denim (effortless). If camel washes you out, keep it away from your face—try camel pants or a bag—and anchor with crisp white near your neckline.

Gold jewelry and tortoiseshell accents echo the warmth and complete the story.

4. Ivory and cream

White is fresh; ivory and cream are luxurious. The softer undertones bounce light in a flattering way and make affordable fabrics look more expensive—especially in knits and tailoring.

Here’s where simplicity shines. Keep lines clean and the palette edited.

Try this: a cream knit polo with straight-leg ecru jeans and tan sandals. Or a column of ivory (tee + skirt) under a camel coat. The magic is in the monochrome. Minimal seams, pressed hems, and good undergarments matter.

Invest in a nude-to-you slip or seamless set; sheer patches instantly break the spell.

A quick practical note from someone who has spilled coffee on everything: keep a fabric care pen in your bag, and choose machine-washable creams when possible. Looking refined shouldn’t require a dry-cleaning budget.

5. Burgundy (oxblood and deep red)

If black is architecture, burgundy is atmosphere. It’s bold enough to be interesting, subdued enough to feel grown.

Bill Blass’s advice still holds: “When in doubt, wear red.” For a luxe feel, pick the deeper end of the spectrum—oxblood, merlot, garnet.

Where it shines: accessories and outer layers. A burgundy crossbody in vegan leather, an oxblood belt over a beige dress, or a deep red coat over neutrals pulls the whole look upscale. The contrast with creams, navies, and charcoals is especially elegant.

Fabric tip: in smooth finishes (satin, polished cotton, cupro), deep red glows; in sueded textures (microfiber “vegan suede”), it looks plush.

If you’re hesitant about red near your face, wear it below the waist or in a shoe. A wine-colored loafer with dark denim feels unfussy but intentional.

6. Emerald green

The jewel tone that makes skin look alive—emerald has presence without being loud. It walks into a room and says, I know what works on me.

If you’ve ever slipped on an emerald top and noticed your eyes pop and your complexion brighten, you know the effect.

Use it strategically. Emerald silk-alternative blouses (cupro again for the win) are gorgeous for evening. By day, try an emerald knit with navy trousers, or a patterned scarf that mixes emerald with cream and small touches of black.

Keep shapes simple to let the color carry the look.

Metal pairings: gold warms emerald, silver cools it. Choose based on your undertone—or mix if you like rules broken lightly. Makeup matters too: a swipe of soft brown liner and a neutral lip keeps the overall effect elegant.

7. Charcoal gray

If black is too stark and navy feels too preppy, charcoal is your stealth wealth shade. It’s sophisticated, forgiving, and rarely looks wrinkled. In tailoring, charcoal reads expensive because it mimics suiting fabrics that hold their structure.

I love charcoal for trousers, longline vests, and column sweaters. It sets a modern base for camel or burgundy accents. Try a charcoal knit dress with an ivory coat and burgundy bag. Or a charcoal blazer over a white tee with relaxed jeans—clean, assured, zero fuss.

Fabric note: look for tight weaves and smooth finishes—double-knit ponte, viscose blends, recycled wool-alternatives. Melange (that flecked, heathered look) is great, but keep it fine; chunky heathers can slide casual fast.

How to make any of these colors look even more elevated

A rich color helps, but finish is the secret sauce. Here’s the quick checklist I use:

Go tonal. Dressing in one color family—like various navies or creams—creates a column effect that reads modern and refined. Tiny shifts in texture keep it interesting.

Mind contrast. High contrast (black + white) is sharp; low contrast (cream + beige) is soft. Choose the mood you want. If you’re petite, low contrast can visually elongate.

Choose dense fabrics. Thicker, tighter weaves skim rather than cling. Cupro, TENCEL™ sateen, organic cotton twill, and structured ponte look polished at accessible price points.

Keep hardware quiet. Shiny, oversized zips or logo-heavy belts can fight with your color story. Minimal hardware lets the hue and silhouette do the talking.

Steam, don’t suffer. Wrinkles cheapen even the best color. A quick steam (or hanging garments in a steamy bathroom) lifts the whole outfit. Lint rollers are non-negotiable with black and charcoal.

Edit accessories. One strong piece beats three competing ones. A single cuff bracelet with a camel coat; a sleek belt with an ivory dress. As that famous Coco Chanel line goes, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Restraint looks expensive.

What about prints?

Prints can be luxe, but they’re trickier. If you love them, choose low-contrast patterns within one of the seven shades—like an ivory-on-cream stripe or a navy micro-check. Florals or graphics in muted palettes can work, but keep silhouettes clean so the print doesn’t overwhelm.

A quick note on vegan, planet-friendly picks

You don’t need animal-derived fabrics to look refined. Vegan leather has come a long way—look for microfiber or plant-based options with subtle sheen and minimal grain.

For knitwear, try organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell blends, and recycled fibers. And if you’re shopping secondhand, color is your filter. Search for “camel coat,” “charcoal blazer,” or “emerald dress,” and you’ll be amazed by the quality you can find for less.

Bringing it all together

If you want your outfit to telegraph ease, competence, and a little mystery, you can’t go wrong with black, navy, camel, ivory/cream, burgundy, emerald, and charcoal.

These shades aren’t trendy; they’re enduring. Choose one as your anchor, add a second for dimension, and let texture do the rest.

One small practice that changed how I shop: I pick a color family per season. Last fall was camel and charcoal; this spring, navy and cream. It curbs impulse buys, helps me build outfits faster, and keeps my closet feeling cohesive. You might try the same and see how quickly your everyday looks start to feel more polished.

Ultimately, the “expensive” effect is less about price tags and more about intentionality. Know the hues that love you back. Keep lines clean. Take care of what you own. And edit before you walk out the door.

Your wardrobe will thank you—and so will your morning routine.