Can an ordinary oversized shirt bought at a thrift store look like part of a pricey designer ensemble? Fashion blogger and stylist Elena Shevchenko (known on Instagram as @purpur.stylist) gave a visual answer to this question, putting together a look in the spirit of modern classic style on herself. As the Styler project reports, citing her advice, the key to the effect lies not in the cost of the items but in the right silhouettes, textures, proportions, and accents. In the collage frames published by Styler, the look is built around a white shirt, complemented by a black oversized jacket, a long silk floor-length skirt, and a set of striking details.
Silhouette and texture: how contrast works
According to the stylist, the shirt itself was not complicated: it was found at a thrift store and left in its basic form, with the sleeves casually rolled up to three-quarter length, giving the piece a more relaxed, "lived-in" character. It is paired with a long silk floor-length skirt that does not cling to the figure but falls softly and flares slightly at the hips. It is precisely this fluid texture that creates a light contrast with the more structured top, while a black oversized jacket made of dense fabric layered over the shirt works stylistically to give the silhouette a sense of composure and clear architecture.
Accents that "elevate" the look
The details play a special role in the ensemble. A black tie is worn around the neck, topped with a large, eye-catching gold-toned brooch — it immediately draws the eye and turns the classic outfit into something more expressive. Among the other accessories are large black-framed glasses, an oversized black handbag, chunky earrings, and short black gloves reaching about halfway up the palm. The silhouette is completed with black pointed-toe pumps on a low heel. In the stylist's assessment, it is precisely this chain of details — from the brooch to the gloves — that makes the look feel finished rather than merely "assembled."
Makeup and the final touch
The final accent of the look was a red lipstick. At the same time, the eye makeup was deliberately kept as restrained and natural as possible, so the bold lip color does not look theatrical or overwhelm the face. This technique shifts the focus to the lips and preserves the overall balance of strictness and expressiveness that is characteristic of modern classic style.
Thrift stores as a source: context
Shevchenko's example fits into a broader trend of conscious shopping, in which thrifted items stop being seen as a compromise and become material for stylistic experiments. Experts and media regularly remind us that second-hand clothing requires careful selection and treatment, yet, with smart styling, such finds can become the foundation of a striking look. In this case, as Styler emphasizes, a simple thrifted shirt became part of an outfit that holds up not on price but on proportions and well-placed accents.
The bottom line is simple: what makes a look "expensive" is not the label but a system of decisions. Silhouette, texture, the "soft/structured" contrast, and a few pinpoint details can turn a basic piece into a finished ensemble that looks put-together and luxurious regardless of where its foundation was bought. A full breakdown of the look can be viewed in the Styler project's publication Styler (RBC-Ukraine).
