Affordable Brands That Will Make You Look Rich

Image via Complex Original

Will Make You Look Like: You went to an Ivy League school and didn't need the legacy connection to get in

A New York City-based upstart that's as ambitious as the city that it calls home, Jomers is providing guys trousers with fabrics and tailoring that is on par with Engineered Garments and Epaulet—at one third the price. Minimal branding and strategic use of resources ensure that not only is the brand authentically providing high quality product, but that they can keep the price unbelievably low. If you want pants that look like they came straight from Nepenthes (and cost like your homie works the register) then Jomers is a must see.

Will Make You Look Like: A Scandinavian minimalist without the minimal budget

As big a role as branding has played in the modern fashion scene, there's something almost permanent about Scandinavian minimalism. True simplicity is luxurious in itself, and for COS, the rapidly expanding older sibling of fast-fashion's H&M, minimalism at a minimal price is right up their alley. If you're looking for the easiness and timelessness of brands like Our Legacy and Acne—COS is great for the guy who's looking for clothes as minimal as his shopping budget.

Will Make You Look Like: You copped pieces from your favorite Parisian designer's most recent collection

Zara has made its name by copying runway looks at insane markdowns. Men and women alike have leaned on Zara to provide runway pieces—without the runway cost. If you find yourself loving something you've seen on Kanye, but come to find out that the piece is exclusive to an expensive Parisian fashion house, you might find solace among Zara's shelves.

Will Make You Look Like: You can actually afford Rick Owens

It's not a secret that Rick Owens has firmly rooted his aesthetic (long, black, and drapey) into the hearts and minds of fashion-savvy guys across the board. What hasn't translated however, is the label's high pricing. Enter Oak, a derivative of the Oak NYC collective that uses the minimalism of the design aesthetic to their advantage, creating gear that looks like it came from Owens' Parisian studio—without the cost to match. If you're the type of guy that likes his closet to look aysemtrical, drapey, and in all black, Oak is the brutalist without the brutal price tag.

Will Make You Look Like: You can afford to skip work and lay around all day

For most guys, true success is being so wealthy that you can lie around the house in comfy-ass sweats instead of waking up and heading to work. John Elliott + Co., while they don't make the most extravagant sweats, create product that guys would want to drape themselves in regardless of their tax bracket. While it's not certain if the brand started the luxe sweats movement, they undoubtedly pushed the movement into the public style sphere, combining quality with a winning price that, if nothing else, gives guys from all stripes a shot at rocking luxurious lounge gear.

Will Make You Look Like: You spend someone's entire salary on workout gear

Nike is an interesting case. While everyone (including their mother) owns something from the American athletic brand, to wear Nike head to toe actually can run you a pretty penny. Sure, you've probably scored a pair of shorts or run in Nike kicks, but there's something upscale about hitting the gym in all Nike gear. Unlike other high fashion workout gear, the gigantic size and spread of Nike means it's affordable (because you can cop it basically everywhere), but still has enough cache and logo appeal to make you look like you're willing to drop dough on the gear that's helping you drop extra pounds.

Will Make You Look Like: You never forgot where you came from after you made it big

In terms of consistently coveted streetwear Stussy has defined the genre. The perspective to consider is that while Stussy is a brand that you're rocking from jump, it's a brand you can buy and wear differently in every stage of your life. You start on the crazy tees, then branch out to simpler designs and collaborations. Like other brands that have risen to a state of timelessness, Stussy succeeds by allowing guys from any walk of life have a streetwear edge—even if their neighborhood is anything but urban.

Will Make You Look Like: A guy who likes to collect expensive watches

Watches are an interesting product. For most labels, you either fall on one side of a contrasting spectrum. You're either a value label with no frills watches, or you're copping a mind-blowingly expensive timepiece that you're either inheriting or spending your inheritance on. Komono is a brand that seems to combine the casual cool of labels like G-Shock and Swatch with the luxury and timelessness of classic labels like Rolex. Are you getting a piece you'll be handing off to your grandkids? Maybe not. But are you investing in a watch that you'll likely wear every day for the next couple years? Bet.

Will Make You Look Like: The kind of guy who low-key spends a lot of money on minimal designer gear

Uniqlo has made its name through its ability to create wardrobe-filling basics at prices that keep people coming back for more. When it enlisted iconic designer Jil Sander to make her +J line, they created a mix of European tailoring sensibilities with a price point that left customers with plenty of money to a few white T-shirts, and a pair of quality hardbottoms to wear with your purchase.

While +J still lives on in periodic re-releases of staple items like suiting, jackets, and buttondowns, much of the collaborative line's aesthetic has trickled into the chain's overall design DNA. Hence, immaculately cut trousers and lightweight outerwear that doesn't fit like a sack. Don't sleep on their super affordable selvedge denim, either.