If your goal is to look expensive, these 6 trendy items are ruining it

There’s a big difference between looking “of the moment” and looking elevated.

I learned this the hard way. Years ago, I bought a rhinestone-covered mini bag that was everywhere on Instagram. It sparkled under restaurant lighting and felt fun for exactly two outings—then the stones started dropping like confetti.

The bag lost its shape, and so did the illusion. That was the day I promised myself to separate trends from timeless signals of quality.

If your aim is polish—quiet, confident, grown-woman polish—these six trendy items are doing the opposite. And yes, I’m speaking as someone who used to model life in spreadsheets: cost per wear, fabric longevity, psychological “signals” we send with our clothes.

I love a good trend. I just don’t like paying twice: once at checkout and again in credibility.

Let’s edit smart.

1. Logomania overload

A discreet logo can be chic. Head-to-toe branding, giant belt buckles, and obvious “dupes”? Not so much. When the label speaks louder than the design, it reads as trying. And trying too hard rarely comes off as expensive.

Here’s the psychology: overt branding shouts for status, while truly luxe style whispers.

We’re hard-wired to pick up on those signals. That’s why “quiet luxury” caught on—clean lines, beautiful materials, minimal hardware.

Notice how people with generational style often pick the subtler option? They let cut and texture do the talking.

What to do instead:

• Choose pieces where the craftsmanship (stitching, lining, finish) is the feature.

• If you love a logo, keep it to one item, max.

• Swap the flashy belt for a sleek, unbranded leather-look belt (there are gorgeous plant-based options now) and let your silhouette shine.

As Coco Chanel famously advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” That edit button is pure elegance.

2. Super-distressed denim

A little wear looks lived-in. But shredded knees, raw hems unraveling into fringe, and sandblasting that creates a two-tone thigh? That’s a fast way to make everything else on your body feel cheaper by comparison.

Overly distressed denim telegraphs trend-following and disposability—two things that clash with a refined image. It also fights with structured pieces you pair it with. A beautiful blazer loses authority when the jeans are hanging on by threads.

What to do instead:

• Go for a mid- to dark-wash with minimal whiskering.

• Look for weight: heavier denim drapes better and reads pricier.

• If you love a relaxed vibe, choose a straight or barrel leg in a clean wash.

• Tailor the hem. A crisp, intentional length makes sneakers, loafers, and heels look better instantly.

Personal trick: I do the “sit test” and the “photo test.” Sit to check for bunching and pocket show-through. Snap a quick mirror photo to see how the wash reads. If it looks greyed out or thin in the seat, I keep walking.

3. Clear PVC shoes and sparkly micro-trend bags

Clear heels, see-through totes, ultra-trendy rhinestone minis—these photograph well for a month.

Then the PVC clouds, the glue seams show, and crystals start shedding like glitter at a crafts table. Once that happens, your outfit looks tired even if everything else is new.

Beyond durability, there’s a comfort and hygiene angle (hello, foggy PVC on hot days). And the harsher the plastic, the louder it squeaks—literally and visually—against otherwise classic outfits.

What to do instead:

• For evening, choose a small structured bag with clean hardware and a soft matte finish. There are fantastic vegan leathers made from corn, cactus, and apple byproducts that hold shape and patina far better than cheap PVC.

• For shoes, prioritize balance and silhouette over novelty materials. A refined strap, almond toe, or slightly flared heel reads far more sophisticated—and feels better after two hours.

A quick gut-check I use: if the bag or shoe looks amazing only under club lighting or a phone flash, it probably won’t elevate your Tuesday.

4. High-shine “satin” and flimsy fabrics

Satin-look slip dresses, glossy blouses, and paper-thin trousers can be romantic. But many fast versions have that bouncy, overly shiny finish that magnifies every wrinkle, cling, and seam. Under daylight, the fabric sheen can cheapen great tailoring.

Expensive style is often about hand feel: the way cloth falls and catches light. Lower-quality “satins” and slinky polyesters reflect light sharply; quality fibers diffuse it. That soft diffusion is what reads as luxurious.

What to do instead:

• Pick matte or softly lustrous fabrics—crepe, ponte, Tencel blends, thicker twills.

• Do the “scrunch test”: squeeze a swatch. If it creases like a tin-foil wrapper and the crease stays, it’s a no.

• Look for weight and opacity. Heavier fabrics skim instead of cling.

If you’re plant-based or shopping vegan (same here most of the time), seek out high-quality viscose or cupro and check the weave. I’m a fan of garments with lining—instant upgrade.

5. Ultra-long, hyper-embellished nails

I love artistry. But if your goal is refined, nails longer than your fingertips with 3D charms, chrome layers, and neon ombré fight your clothes for attention.

Also, long lengths chip faster and show wear more obviously—two enemies of a luxe impression.

Hands are micro-billboards. We notice them when you shake hands, sign a receipt, or sip a coffee. Polished doesn’t have to mean boring, just intentional.

What to do instead:

• Keep the focus on condition: hydrated cuticles, even shape, subtle shine.

• Short to medium length in squoval or soft almond is timeless.

• Neutral doesn’t have to be beige—milky white, sheer blush, espresso, or deep oxblood read elevated.

• If you adore designs, try a single accent (a micro-French, a whisper-thin moon) rather than a ten-finger fireworks show.

As stylist Rachel Zoe puts it, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” Hands speak volumes—let them say sleek, not shouty.

6. Fast-jewelry stacks that tarnish in a week

Stacked chains, chunky cuffs, oversized “iced” rings—they’ve had a moment. But when plating is thin and hardware is hollow, the color turns brassy, the edges nick, and green marks show up on skin. Nothing cheapens a beautiful outfit faster than jewelry that looks tired.

You don’t need heirloom diamonds to look polished. You do need coherence and quality over quantity.

What to do instead:

• Edit your stack. Two interesting pieces beat six flimsy ones.

• Choose materials that age gracefully: stainless steel, sterling silver, solid brass, titanium, or gold-filled. (Many small makers do gorgeous, ethical versions.)

• Match your metal tone to your bag hardware when possible—it makes your look feel intentional.

• Respect scale: if your earrings are bold, keep the necklace minimal. Negative space is a luxury.

Fashion legend Tom Ford once said, “Dressing well is a form of good manners.” Jewelry is part of that conversation—subtle, considered, and kind to the eye.

How to pivot without losing your personality

You might be thinking, “But these trends are fun!” And they are. I’m not here to outlaw joy. I’m here to help you translate your taste into signals the world reads as elevated.

A few practical swaps I use with clients (and in my own closet):

• Swap the logo belt for a clean leather-look version with a modest buckle. You’ll wear it five times more.

• Swap shredded denim for a straight or wide-leg dark wash. Keep one pair of “play” jeans for weekends, but let your main pair work with blazers and boots.

• Swap the rhinestone micro-bag for a structured mini with quiet hardware. It will go from coffee to cocktails without trying.

• Swap poly-satin blouses for matte drapey tops. Bonus if they have a bit of weight and a lined yoke.

• Swap extreme nails for neat, shorter lengths. Keep your edge with color, not length.

• Swap a dozen cheap chains for one or two pieces in durable materials. Build a small “daily set” that looks good with everything.

And please keep the pieces that make you smile, even if they break these “rules.” Style is both science and self-expression.

I run a farmers’ market stall on weekends, and my favorite apron is a bright tomato red with a cartoon carrot on the pocket. It’s not “quiet luxury.” It’s me. There’s a time and place for everything.

Quick quality checks you can do in the fitting room

• Seams: Are stitches even, tight, and straight? Tug lightly; do they gape?

• Lining: Is there one? Does it lie flat? Lined garments almost always read pricier.

• Hardware: Zippers glide? Buttons feel weighty? No peeling or rattling?

• Fabric test: Stand by a window. Does the fabric look thin, shiny, or see-through?

• Return on wear: Can you style it three ways with what you already own? If not, it’s a trend tax.

Final thought

Elevated style isn’t about a bigger budget; it’s about better filters.

Ask: Does this serve me beyond the season? Does it feel good on my skin? Does it say what I want to say before I speak?

When the answer is yes, you’ll stop buying the same disappointment in different colors—and start building a closet with real compound interest.

And if you’re ever unsure, remember Lagerfeld’s sharp nudge about chasing novelty: trendy is the last stage before tacky. Let’s aim for lasting.