A professional business coach has revealed how to take your look to the next level and choose expensive, luxury-inspired handbags while shopping at TJ Maxx – all without the hefty price tag, of course.
Nia Lewisa podcast host, content creator, and cosmetology instructor based in Charleston, South Carolina, often shares various lifestyle tips on her TikTok page, which includes both beauty and fashion tips.
In the video, which has racked up more than 108,000 views since it was posted last month, the Earn More, Work Less author shared what to look for and avoid when shopping for an expensive-looking handbag.
The first tip Lewis gave was to skip the handbags covered in logos.
Lewis’s first tip when choosing an expensive handbag at TJ Maxx was to avoid bags decorated with logos
The video is part of a series on her TikTok, in which she tells viewers how to look expensive on a budget
Lewis is a professional business coach, cosmetology instructor, author and podcast host, in addition to creating social media content
“I try to avoid handbags with exaggerated logos, they’re just not as versatile,” she explained.
“It’s important to remember that luxury is usually very quiet.”
“So instead, go for a bag that looks more timeless, like this one,” Lewis said, showing off a plain, quilted black leather wallet with gold hardware on it.
Lewis also claimed that if the bag had a label that said “Made in Italy,” they were usually of nicer quality.
Of course, ‘quiet luxury’ has been a huge trend lately, with everyone from Kylie Jenner to Sofia Richie wearing this look, which features an overall minimalist style and understated elegance.
Next, Lewis showed off a black leather tote bag with some stitched details.
“Simple handbags like these with clean lines always look more expensive to me than bags with a lot to show off,” the cosmetology instructor suggested, turning the camera to a black leather bag decorated with zippers and loud stitching.
“Go for bags with a simple, classic design like this one, they just look more expensive compared to something like this which just has a lot of work to it,” she continued, as she carried a simple, black leather bag with a round top compared to a bag that has studs and a ribbed texture.
Lewis explained that when choosing a bag, stick to bags with “clean lines,” and also noted that the texture of the leather was important
Lewis also pointed out the importance of choosing the right hardware for a bag, noting that you wanted a “classic piece” of hardware
“One thing that’s important to remember is that luxury is usually very quiet,” Lewis said in the video
According to the business coach, texture is another important feature of an expensive-looking handbag.
“This pebbled leather texture always looks expensive, even if it’s faux leather, or as we say, pleated, it still looks expensive,” she said.
And last but not least: it is crucial that the bag has the right hardware.
“You want to avoid handbags with logo hardware, they just always look cheap,” Lewis claimed.
“What looks more expensive is a classic piece of hardware on a handbag, like this one,” the content creator continued, holding a maroon handbag decorated with horse bit hardware details.
“This hardware looks more timeless,” Lewis said of the bag. ‘It’s elegant. When you look at luxury handbags, the hardware is usually very simple.”
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Lewis explained that it all came down to ‘simplicity’ when you want to look expensive while still being on a budget.
“I’ve noticed that handbags with exaggerated embellishments or busy patterns compete with my outfits, while timeless, simple handbags complement my outfits,” she said.
In the comments section of Lewis’ video, many users seemed to agree with her sentiments about choosing a handbag that looks good.
‘Good advice!’ one user wrote, while another added: ‘If you ever go to a rich neighborhood the only logos you see are on cars’
‘Before you buy a handbag, ask yourself this question: Do you want your handbag to compete with the rest of your look? Or do you want your handbag to match your style?’
In the comments section of her video, many users seemed to agree with the tips, and even echoed her sentiments.
“So true,” one user typed. “If you ever go to a rich neighborhood, all you see are logos on the cars.”
Another agreed: ‘I’m really glad I’ve already gone through the phase where everything has a logo on it!!! I prefer non-logos 10,000% these days!’
‘Hardware is everything!’ someone else wrote. “I can’t stand the faded gold on cheap wallets.”
‘Yes! Also avoid the super shiny gold hardware on the bag,” said one user. ‘A more subtle finish looks high-end. Or as little visible hardware as possible.’