I source clothes and accessories for wealthy clients and celebrities. These are my 4 secrets to dressing like the rich.
- Gab Waller is a fashion sourcer who works with wealthy and high-profile clients.
- She said the key to dressing like you're rich is avoiding logos and investing in a nice bag.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Gab Waller, a 30-year-old fashion sourcer in Los Angeles. It has been edited for length and clarity.
In June 2018, I started my company as a fashion sourcer, although at the time, I referred to myself as a personal shopper.
I serve high-profile clients, private clients with high discretionary incomes, and younger clients looking to purchase their first luxury item. (Some are also celebrity clients including Lori Harvey and Khloé Kardashian).
My specialty is sourcing high-end fashion pieces that are sold out and in high demand, especially when it comes to footwear.
All of this happens over Instagram DMs or via email. For example, a client will DM my Instagram and say, "Hi, Gab, I'm looking for this shoe in size 37. Can you find it?"
From there, my team of 10 and I begin searching for it. On average, it takes us 24 to 48 hours to find the piece for our client.
I understand that shopping for luxury fashion can feel intimidating, so with my business I aim to eliminate that. Everyone is welcome, and anyone can be my client. My motto is that everyone should feel like a VIP.
Since becoming a fashion sourcer and shopping for the rich, here are four secrets I have learned if you'd like to look high-end and elevated, too.
There's no need for logos
When I started my company, logos were such a big thing on the runways and with clients; every piece had to have a logo on it.
But I've recently seen a massive shift, and now I don't suggest wearing logos. You don't need to wear logos to show you have money.
Instead, I'd go the complete opposite route and opt for logo-free dressing. It's much more chic, elevated, high-end, and timeless when you dress that way.
Go vintage
When elevating your wardrobe, you don't need to buy brand-new clothing from boutiques every season.
Instead, try to elevate your look with vintage pieces, which are at least 20 years old. I'd dive into pieces from the '90s and early 2000s, which were great eras for fashion.
You can find these pieces online. But also, when shopping vintage, head to your local consignment stores — I'd say that's even better than online.
There's nothing like finding a piece you love in person. It's a feeling you can't get from shopping online.
Consider cost per wear when making a purchase
One of my styling secrets is factoring in cost per wear before making a big purchase.
For example, if you know that you'll get a lot of wear out of an item, you might want to invest in something high-quality instead of choosing a cheaper option.
Think of it like this: If a shoe costs $1,000 but you know you will get three wears out of it a week, it's probably a worthy investment.
Quality over quantity is another way to look at it — and it should be my motto.
Invest in accessories
If having a luxury wardrobe or dressing designer is important to you, start with accessories.
Accessories are great because they're what you will wear the most, but they can require less care than delicate garments. I've had beautiful clothes get damaged at the dry cleaner or even when carefully washing them myself.
I often tell my clients to invest in handbags because you can have them in constant rotation. Also, the styling options for bags are endless, unlike a dress you may wear only a few times, depending on its style.