The first thing you should know about looking more expensive is that mastering the art of ironing is half the battle. The second is that understated, well-made items will whisper at wealth rather than shout about it. But you don’t need to go all in. A few choice pieces or accessories here and there – little luxuries as we’ve taken to calling them – will go far in upgrading everyday looks. Here are three ways to do it.

Dressing for dinner isn’t what it used to be, but who’s complaining? Can you imagine having to truss yourself up in a tux every evening at the height of summer? No, the way we do things nowadays is a lot less stifling – in more ways than one.

Smart though it may be, this evening look is as effortless as jeans and a T-shirt. The base – the lightweight blazer from Mr P. and the Stòffa pleated linen trousers – is a fairly straightforward (albeit impeccable) blueprint. However, it’s the intricate lace shirt from BODE that really elevates things. Sure, there are many ways to define luxury – but in our and Ms Emily Bode’s book, craftsmanship is the key ingredient.

Gucci is no stranger to the concept, either. The brand’s legendary loafers have come to symbolise its meticulous approach to luxury and are still made in Italy after all these years. The same can be said for Hermès Timepieces’ elegant Arceau dress watch, which tops things off here. With a slim, discreet case and lugs inspired by the house’s equestrian history, it has classic written all over it.

Off-duty style is always harder to perfect than it looks – there is, after all, a fine line between sloppy and insouciant. The well-to-do have long harboured a secret to looking put together, though: an all-neutral colour palette. By sticking to a similar shade spectrum – case in point, this terracotta De Bonne Facture shirt, Kaptain Sunshine beige shorts and off-white tank top by Sunspel – you’ll naturally look more polished.

That advice extends to accessories. Let’s start with the sunglasses. If people are going to be looking at your face (as, naturally, people do), they’re likely what most will first notice about you. The pressure’s on, then. But you won’t go wrong with Jacques Marie Mage, the understated brand that brought us the stealth luxury poster boy’s – Succession’s Kendall Roy – shades.

Similarly, artisanal expert Bleu de Chauffe’s quiet approach will serve you better than anything flashy or logo-laden in the luggage department. (The hand-signed craftsperson’s label inside is a mark of true luxury if ever we’ve seen one.) Then there’s jewellery and watches to consider. Breitling’s Navitimer is an undisputed classic, but opting for a limited-edition model will set you apart. Along the same lines, Healers Fine Jewelry is a brand that specialises in ethically sourced gems and recycled materials – making this spessartite necklace a little luxury you can admire guilt-free.

With back-to-office mandates now firmly in place, it’s becoming all too easy to fall into the same nine-to-five wardrobe patterns day in, day out. Shirt, chinos, smart trainers, repeat. And if you work in a decidedly casual office environment – where a suit would be out of place – how do you go about refining your look on days when there’s important meetings or client presentations in the diary?

Investing in top-quality essentials is a good starting point. For example, the SSAM organic cotton tee and Common Projects bright-white BBall sneakers here. But what will really set your working wardrobe apart is paying close attention to things like fabric choice. Cashmere is king when it comes to wool – and the superior quality is evident even to the untrained eye. This sweater from The Row, the brand that really set the whole silent luxury movement in motion, is as timeless as they come.

As above, the other key ingredient is accessories, which for everyday looks should be drawn from the “investment piece” category. That is, something that’ll never date and can be matched with just about anything in your wardrobe. A Cartier Tank, one of the most iconic timepieces of all time, more than fits the bill. This, the Française iteration – distinguished by its integrated steel bracelet – has recently had a redesign making for a slightly sportier feel.