How to Look Rich As a Teen

Co-authored by Nejla Renee and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: February 11, 2023 References

Teens with money seem to live in a different world than those from middle- to low-income families. Their hair and makeup always seem perfect, and their clothes never seem to wrinkle. Pay attention to how these kids look and act, and you'll be able to look like you're rich, too!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Dressing Like You’re Rich

1
Wear clothes with clean, polished lines in classic styles. If you want to look like you’re rich, avoid dressing in messy clothes. Look for clothes with more structured tailoring, like button-down shirts or nice trousers. For a more feminine look, try wearing dresses with a nipped-in waist or a slim-fitting skirt and a blouse or sweater.^{[1]
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- You can spend a little more on clothes with a classic look that won't go out of style quickly.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nejla Renee
  Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
2
Wear dark denim. You can look rich even when you’re dressing casually by choosing well-fitting jeans in a dark denim. Darker jeans are sleeker and look more expensive.^{[3]
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Research source} They also tend to look dressier than light denim.^{[4]
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Nejla Renee
Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
- It's worth it to invest in a good pair of jeans that fit you perfectly. In addition, choose jeans that are versatile enough to be dressed up or down for different occasions.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nejla Renee
  Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
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3
Pair neutral colors together. Clothes often look more expensive in neutral colors like camel, off-white, black, beige, and blush pink. Mix and match these neutral tones to create a luxurious look, regardless of what you paid for the pieces.^{[6]
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4
Invest in a good pair of shoes. You don’t have to wear leather loafers to class every day, but you won’t look rich if you’re wearing your old gym shoes. Buy a good pair of shoes to make your outfits look their best. Look for stylish sneakers, boat shoes, or a nice pair of flats in a versatile neutral color.^{[7]
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- Make sure your shoes look good for as long as possible by keeping them clean. Don’t wear your good shoes when you’re playing sports or when you’ll be getting messy, and wipe any dirt off of them as soon as possible to avoid staining.^{[8]
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5
Dress up for special occasions. Wear nice clothes if you have to give a presentation at school or you’re attending a special assembly. Opt for a pretty dress, a button-down shirt with a nice pair of slacks or a skirt, or a sports coat with a pair of khakis.
6
Carry a nice bag. Girls don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to have a nice bag. Look for a leather (or faux leather) purse in a versatile color like beige or black. Make sure it's free of any logos, as this will cheapen the look of the bag. The stitching and the hardware (snaps, zippers, and rings) should seem sturdy, since expensive bags are usually built to last.^{[9]
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- When you're choosing a nice bag, look for one you can use every day. For instance, choose a versatile color and material, make sure it holds everything you need, and check that you like the handle.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nejla Renee
  Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
- Opt for a backpack in a neutral color if you have to carry one. If you have to carry your books to school in a backpack, look for one made from leather or canvas in a color like white, tan, black, or blue. A simple, neutral backpack will coordinate with most of your outfits and will make you look more polished.^{[11]
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7
Choose polished accessories. Rich people tend to prefer simple, polished accessories. Wear a nice-looking watch, a chain bracelet, or a simple pendant necklace. Remember, less is more when it comes to accessorizing. If you pile on everything you have, you’ll look like you’re trying too hard.^{[12]
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8
Follow the one-third rule. With the one-third rule, you can fill your closet with well-made, expensive clothes without spending more money than you usually do. Figure out about how much you usually spend on clothes. Then, the next time you’re shopping, buy 1/3 as many pieces of clothing as you would normally buy, but spend 3x more on each piece. This way, you’ll have nice clothes that will last much longer.^{[13]
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- Even if you only get to shop for clothes on your birthday, following the one-third rule can help you build a richer wardrobe over time.
9
Get your clothes tailored. Having your clothes tailored to fit you is relatively inexpensive, but it can make a huge difference in the look of your outfit.^{[14]
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Nejla Renee
Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.} A tailor will be able to adjust your clothes to be perfect for your body. They can hem pants to hit you at the perfect length or take in your shirts and jackets to fit you perfectly in the waist.^{[15]
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- Ask your parents or look online to find a tailor, then visit them whenever you find a special piece that doesn’t fit quite right.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Being Well-Groomed

1
Keep your hair neat. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have great hair. Wash your hair every 1-2 days, have it trimmed regularly by a professional, and use a deep-conditioning treatment once a month if your hair feels dry. Choose simple hairstyles, like a bun or down in loose waves.^{[16]
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2
Get 8-10 hours of sleep every night. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough sleep will make your skin look bright and fresh and will keep you from having dark circles under your eyes. Having good skin will help you look more wealthy.^{[17]
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3
Make a habit out of good dental hygiene. Rich people often have a pearly white smile. Get the same look by making a priority out of your oral health. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss every day, and use mouthwash to keep your breath fresh.
- Rich teenagers can afford to have their teeth professionally whitened, but you can get the same look by whitening your teeth at home. Use white strips once a week, plus brush daily with a whitening toothpaste for a pearly-white smile.^{[18]
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- If your teeth are very sensitive or have decay, you should not use whiteners. Try adding baking soda to your toothbrush when you brush your teeth instead.^{[19]
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4
Spritz on a little perfume or cologne before you leave the house. A light spritz of perfume or cologne can make you smell nice all day. However, too much of a scent can be overwhelming to other people, and can even cause them to have headaches. Keep moderation in mind when you apply a fragrance.^{[20]
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5
Keep your fingernails neat. Dirty, jagged fingernails are a sign of poor hygiene. Luckily, you don't have to get a manicure once a week to have nice nails. Wash beneath your fingernails when you take a shower, and keep them clipped or filed neatly. If you polish them, choose neutral shades and reapply the polish when it starts to chip.^{[21]
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6
Apply light makeup if you wear it at all. Rich teenagers usually don’t wear a ton of makeup. Keep it simple with a moisturizing foundation, mascara, blush, and a neutral lipstick or lip gloss. It’s okay to experiment with different makeup looks to find what looks best on you, but your focus should be on simplicity.^{[22]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Acting Like You’re Rich

1
Practice sitting and standing up straight. One secret that wealthy people know is that having good posture makes a big difference in how people perceive you. Whenever you think about it, try to sit or stand up a little straighter. Roll your shoulders back, push out your chest, and hold in your stomach. The more you practice this, the more natural it will feel.
2
Use good manners with others. Rich families usually emphasize good etiquette with their children, since it will become important as they go into business later in life. Use good manners by not interrupting others when they speak, shaking hands with someone you’ve just met, and being polite in conversation.^{[23]
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- Other etiquette basics include chewing with your mouth closed during meals, saying “please” and “thank you,” and refraining from belching, passing gas, or scratching yourself in public.
3
Focus on your education. Education is extremely important to most rich people, since it opens doors to good jobs. Pay attention in class, do your homework, and study for your tests so you will get good grades in school. Focusing on your education is a great way to help you actually become rich later in life!^{[24]
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Do volunteer work. Many rich people make time to give back to their communities. Find an organization you respect, like the Boys and Girls Club or Habitat for Humanity, and volunteer on the weekends or during the summer. Socializing with other volunteers is a great way to climb the social ladder, and seeing families in need might make you realize you’re wealthier than you thought.^{[25]
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Familiarize yourself with current events. Rich people have to stay informed about current events in order to protect their income and investments. Get a digital subscription to a prestigious newspaper like the New York Times or the Washington Post, and follow news anchors and political figures on Facebook and Twitter so you’ll always know what’s going on in the world.^{[26]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How should I style dark denim?

Nejla Renee
Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style.

Nejla Renee

Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Dark denim feels a bit dressier, so it's great for outfits that require being dressed up, like for work or going out.
Question

What should I do if people don't believe that I'm rich?

Community Answer

Let them believe what they believe. If you actually had it, you wouldn't flaunt it.
Question

I go to school where most people are rich. This makes it harder to fit in. What do I do?

Community Answer

This actually should make it easier! If most people are rich, you can make people believe you are rich too! Just make sure you look nice and presentable, have good grades and good hygiene, take care of your hair, and be polite. Try to become close or best friends with rich kids in your school. Many rich kids are also friends with other rich kids, so it will make it easier for you to blend in and also appear rich. If you can't afford name brand clothes, shop at outlet stores or thrift stores.