35 Items That Make You Look Cheap

Here’s the deal: You can spend thousands of dollars on an outfit and STILL look cheap! Sometimes, the very thing you bought to look expensive is what makes you look tacky.

Looking expensive has NOTHING to do with how much money you spend. I’ve seen affordable clothing at Walmart that looks better than overpriced designer pieces. Great style is about knowing what works, paying attention to the details, and understanding that sometimes LESS is MORE. You don’t need loud logos, flashy accessories, or expensive designer labels to look incredible. You need clean lines, flattering fits, quality-looking fabrics, and a little restraint.

Keep it simple, keep it clean, and keep it classy. And most importantly, keep it SEXY! Today, I’m breaking down the style mistakes that instantly cheapen your appearance—and how to avoid them so you can look clean, classy, and SEXY without spending a fortune.

Looking cheap has NOTHING to do with how much money you spend!

1. 1. Shiny Suits: Nothing screams cheap like an overly shiny, synthetic suit. Even if you paid hundreds of dollars, that artificial sheen can make it look like you spent $15. Stick with quality fabrics and natural fibers.
   2. Plastic-Looking Dress Shoes: Dress shoes with an overly shiny, artificial finish can instantly cheapen your outfit. I also think patent leather often looks tacky. Choose something more classic and refined.
   3. Cheap Aviator Sunglasses: Not all inexpensive sunglasses look cheap, but aviators are especially unforgiving. Poor-quality frames can make you look like you picked them up at a gas station.
   4. Floppy Shirt Collars: If your dress shirt collar collapses underneath your suit jacket, you’re killing your look. A sharp, structured collar makes a HUGE difference.
   5. Excessive Contrasting Patterns on Dress Shirts: Shirts with different patterns inside the collar, underneath the cuffs, and across the fabric look dated and overdone. Even a $300 shirt can look cheap when it’s trying too hard.
   6. Shiny Button-Up Shirts: Overly shiny dress shirts are a style disaster. Skip the flashy finishes and choose something more understated.
   7. Shiny, Stretchy T-Shirts: Those shiny, stretchy tees worn underneath suit jackets—or tucked into pants—are NOT doing you any favors. There are much better options.
   8. Skinny Jacket Lapels: Extremely narrow lapels can make your jacket look dated and less sophisticated. A more classic proportion is the way to go.
   9. Skinny Ties: Super-skinny ties can cheapen an otherwise great suit. Choose a tie with proportions that complement your jacket.
   10. Too Many Accessories: Bracelets, rings, watches, cufflinks—guys, you don’t need to wear everything you own at once! Accessories should complement your outfit, not overwhelm it.
   11. Lint, Pet Hair, and Fabric Pilling: Nothing ruins a sharp outfit faster than fuzz, sweater balls, and pet hair. Invest in a lint roller and fabric shaver. Nobody needs to know you’ve got 27 cats at home!
   12. Unnecessary Decorative Hardware: Jackets covered in pointless zippers, snaps, pockets, and epaulets look busy and cheap. Keep things clean and intentional.
   13. Jeans With Bling on the Back Pockets: I’m looking at you, True Religion and Ed Hardy! Excessive embroidery, rhinestones, and decorative back pockets are NOT a good look.
   14. Oversized Designer Logos: Giant logos on shirts, jeans, and accessories don’t automatically make you look wealthy. They often make you look like you’re trying way too hard.
   15. Flashy Designer Belt Buckles: Oversized Ferragamo, Gucci, and Hermès-style statement buckles can scream “LOOK AT ME!” Subtlety is much sexier.
   16. Worn-Out Belts: A beat-up, cracked, or damaged belt can ruin an otherwise polished outfit. Keep your belts in good condition. That’s why I’m such a big fan of Anson Belts. Their hole-free track system gives you a precise, comfortable fit, and their interchangeable straps and buckles make it easy to switch up your style. You can even build a box set with three straps and two buckles, giving you SIX different combinations for under $100. They’re also an amazing Christmas or holiday gift!
   17. Skipping a Belt With Tucked-In Shirts: If you’re wearing a tucked-in shirt with pants that have belt loops, I think you need a belt. It’s a small detail that helps pull everything together.
   18. Oversized Belt Buckles: Your belt buckle shouldn’t be the centerpiece of your entire outfit. Keep it sleek, simple, and sophisticated.
   19. Mismatched Dress Belts and Shoes: When you’re wearing dress shoes, coordinate your belt with them. A mismatched combination can make your outfit look careless.
   20. Overly Bright Colors and Aggressive Color Blocking: Bright red, yellow, green, and blue can make an outfit look loud and less refined. I prefer muted, subdued colors and monochromatic combinations for a more elevated aesthetic.
   21. Big, Bold Patterns: Giant patterns can overpower your look. Solid colors and subtle patterns are generally more versatile and sophisticated.
   22. White Socks: White socks with the wrong outfit—especially dressier looks—can instantly cheapen your appearance. Choose socks that complement your pants and shoes.
   23. Visible Undershirts: Your undershirt is supposed to stay UNDER your shirt! If it shows around your collar, it distracts from an otherwise clean look.
   24. Too Many Statement Pieces: Statement shoes, a flashy tie, and a blinged-out watch all in the same outfit? WAY too much! Pick one focal point and let everything else support it.
   25. Leaving the X-Stitch on Your Suit Jacket: That little X-shaped stitch holding the back vents of your jacket closed should be REMOVED. It’s there for shipping, not for wearing!
   26. Matching Tie and Pocket Square Sets: Those perfectly matching, shiny tie-and-pocket-square combinations can look cheap and unimaginative. Coordinate your accessories without making them identical.
   27. Excessively Ripped Jeans: Jeans covered in huge rips and tears can look sloppy and unstylish. A little distressing is one thing, but too much ruins the aesthetic.
   28. Artificial-Looking Distressing: Jeans with exaggerated fading, especially bright white patches on the thighs and knees, look unnatural and cheap. Stick with more authentic-looking washes.
   29. Overpaying for Cheap-Looking Clothes: Just because something comes from an expensive store doesn’t mean it looks good. I’ve seen affordable clothing at Walmart that looks better than overpriced designer pieces!
   30. Choosing Flashiness Over Quality: Expensive-looking style isn’t about shine, bling, or decoration. It’s about quality-looking materials, fit, and simplicity.
   31. Ignoring Proper Proportions: From skinny ties to narrow lapels and oversized buckles, proportions matter. Your clothing and accessories should work together harmoniously.
   32. Neglecting Clothing Maintenance: A great outfit can look terrible if your clothing is worn, damaged, or poorly maintained. Take care of what you own!
   33. Trying Too Hard to Look Expensive: Excessive branding, flashy accessories, and attention-grabbing details often have the opposite effect. Confidence and restraint are much more powerful.
   34. Ignoring the Small Details: A floppy collar, visible undershirt, mismatched belt, or unremoved jacket stitching might seem insignificant, but these details can make or break your look.
   35. Forgetting That Less Is More: Sometimes the secret to looking more expensive isn’t adding something—it’s SUBTRACTING! Keep your outfits clean, intentional, and balanced.