People who look so polished ... How???

[birthdaymayhem]

Posting for traffic and maybe in the hopes of finding a wizard who can tell me how to achieve this.

So in my immediate circle of friends I know 2 couples who always look so polished and put together they could've jumped out of a Next catalogue!
For me it's like dark magic. They always have clean, ironed and up to date clothes.
Especially the ladies, hair always blow dried or very neat, ridiculously smooth skin even up close, and clothes which must've come out of the brand new next collection (they all dress in a very similar way).
None of them are "would look good in a bin bag and a pair of crocs" type of beautiful but they are just so well put together they always look amazing!

But how can you look so good, fresh and put together all the time with 2 or 3 small DCs in tow, a house and job and all the stuff that comes along with that?

My put together is clothes that passed the sniff test and makeup hastily slapped on whilst DCs are having breakfast before we are out of the door.

I would like to know too.

I'm always a mess, albeit a pretty one I'd like to think. I've a couple of friends like this, and honestly, they either take a lot of time for themselves, are well off enough to have cleaning/ironing help, Nanny help etc, or don't spend so much time with their small ones.
It pains me to think of spending money on clothes and make up (nothing at all wrong with it for those who do, but for me there are so many better things) I like buying books and oddities too much, and charity shop trawling, or going on spontaneous trips.
I'm happier being a wild quirky scruff, these perfect people set my anxiety off big time.

If you find out how they manage it please let me know I could do with being in the know lol my kids are growing up now and I still look like I've been dragged through a bush backwards and that's on a good day lol , I think people just like to live up to the perfect family look , like what you see in next directory all perfect and we'll groomed not a hair out of place. To be honest I couldn't be bothered with all that because it's not real it's all for show that's all, as long as you are clean and tidy and your clothing is clean and tidy then that's all you need and it's not about the outer layer it's what's inside what type of person you are as long as you know your not fake then I would not careless, it must cost them a arm and leg to keep up with the Jones lol

Groomed eyebrows, make-up (not too much - bronzer and/or blush, defined brows, mascara and lips), ironed tops and a good, simple hair cut (a bob.) Most important - good posture and getting up VERY early to sort yourself out before you sort the kids. An apron when they’re small helps too

Next's clothing is hardly the epitome of fashion..so your friends sound hardly like fashionistas to me. Considering what their clothes are like in there, I guess it would take a lot of effort to make their clothes look fancy,it's one if the most boring shops!

It is about priorities though, @Birdie6 you sound like you've actually just described me for the last 13 years,that's how long I take!

Personally, I have a particular retro look so I don't care much for the new seasons style and clothes, most of what I've seen make me think I fell through a wormhole to 1993, so it's a case of 'been there,done that' at the time anyway.

VeeBee I'm far from perfect! I get called stylish but I think it's a more natural/undone look than immaculate or polished. I trawl charity shops for clothes, but I think I'm probably quite good at finding what suits me.

I definitely think finding formulas for outfits helps, it makes it easier. Also, buying styles that flatter you eg. I'm quite straight up and down, drapey tops generally look good on me, so I have quite a few.

Botox?! As one poster a bit back advised...I wouldn't know where to go (live in the midlands) or what to ask for and where! Mind you....if it would help I would go for it....can't stand the way my skin occasionally looks like it's slipping off my face!

I agree with most posters, clean, well cut hair, (colour if wanted/needed...I do!) enough make up (not too much) ...not sure if it needs to be expensive or not, ..or go without if you can (I can't!) groomed brows.
Good , clean, polished if needed footwear, and I would say expensive (although buy them cheap in sale/ebay if you can) classic clothes..although I don't wear these much but admire people who do as they seem to look timeless and as you say pulled together! I just don't feel right in them...they don't suit my job or personality. MD however always looks pulled together and amazing....

….I too hate Next..very little in there for me...would far rather go to H&M etc.

Another who dislikes next. It’s very samey.
When I think polished I think Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Loren. Chic and well put together.

'Jumping out of the Next catalogue' may not be everyone's idea of sartorial perfection.

Mind you, neither is springing out of this month's Vogue for a lot of people.

Either way, both sets of pics will have taken days and days and days to set up by people who are highly skilled at it.

They often look awful IRL. Don't beat yourself up.

Or, on a personal note, wear a blazer and pearls together unless you're wittily channelling an 80s Brazilian soap.

Get rid of things in your wardrobe which are frumpy/badly fitting/damaged. I used to think "oh I'll only wear it round the house" or "I'll repair that later" and then end up wearing awful baggy cardigans because they were comfy. If you only have flattering clothes in your wardrobe you can't go too far wrong!

Being polished has nothing to do with how you look, it is how you are, and how you sound. Well spoken, gentle authority will take you everywhere even with a birds nest and a ratty old clothes.

I get up at 5am.go for my run. Back for munchkins brekky. Get her to playgroup then I'm home fixing tan hair makeup. First thing after c section I did was ask nurse to bring me to bathroom to refix my tan with me. My mom taught me to be like this. Its worth the alarm clocks going early. I like to be always ready. Its easily done.

far more important than image/looks are:
having a very good sense of humour
being kind
treating everyone with respect
being humble
being a good listener
helping others whenever you can
trying to be positive

To be honest, I struggle to look scruffy. My Mum is always immaculately turned out so I learned at the knee of a master. Eventhough I was only gardening today I had showered, styled hair, applied light make up and nice perfume. It's just how I am.

I have regular pedicures and waxing. My aunt was a top stylist in her day and she still cuts my hair every 4 weeks in a perfect pixie cut. I have my teeth whitened and LVL lashes and baby Botox.

I get outfit inspiration from Pinterest and favour a minimalist Scandanavian look in greys, navy, black and blush pink. I wear VERY expensive shoes and coats but bid for them on eBay or visit dress agencies in smart areas. Rarely pay more than £50 for an item.

Even as a young Mum with 2 children under 3 I looked after my skin and wore basic make up every day. Clean clothes were a basic necessity.

I am a polished person, but I don’t have DC, so have spare time/money! I don’t wear classic clothes particularly, but I know what suits me. I spend more on bottoms than tops, and on coats and shoes. I iron, and I plan out my outfits. Hair cut every five weeks, washed and dried daily. Makeup takes five minutes, do my own nails a few times a week. Eyebrows threaded once a fortnight, and I tint lashes and brows at home every month or so. Good skincare, and do my evening cleanse etc as soon as I get in from work so I don’t end up going to bed in my makeup. I know it’s not everyone’s bag, but I always wear red lipstick, which looks done even if I have nothing else on my face.

I’ve never used EBay.

You’ll forgive me if I find the thought of all of the rest of you avidly poking through each other’s used clothes a teeny bit ...

(Only half joking. Why the jeff will no one here ‘admit’ to buying new clothes? It’s weird.)

That’s true sallyfox but you can be well groomed whilst being all of those things.

I have my moments, and have been told I "always look 'glam'" (think they mean 'smart'... it was a carer at DDs nursery so she must have been feeling particularly generous spirited having seen me first thing!)
I'd say always wear make up to leave the house. Can do make up wih baby on knee and toddler rubbing eyeliner on her knees (didn't say she had to look smart!)
If you're in between foundation colours go with the darker one - it will 'lift' your complexion.
Natural colour lipstick
Smart, dark skinny or slim jeans,, ironed top or jumper of 'grown up' design (never sweatshirt)
Posh coat. Tkmaxx is your friend for this. Knee length or just above. Classic style. No cat hair on it
Polishing your shoes really does make a difference!

I work PT mostly from home though so I get that I'm coming from a v fortunate position in terms of busy lifestyles.

don't be always fucking about with your handbag/scarf/keys

no idea how to achieve this

I sort of agree with Milly except for the botox stuff and anything too artificial. I have been to sainsburys's today and have spent 2 hours gardening. Nevertheless getting ready involved shower, blow dry (5 mins), light make-up, squirt of Dior. Good jeans, ancient but well cut Jigsaw top, decent loafers, fitted wool jacket.

My mother is 83 and still wears leather trousers, patent heels and a good silk blouse, unless she's in tailored leggings and knee length boots! And still has styled hair and light make up and a manicure. She has fantastic thick hair still though - in a layered bob. She was v v beautiful in her day though.

I bow to @mumLuv2 and @millythepink 's superior glamness though. I do not try that hard!

Other top tip from mother. Own a really good coat and pair of boots. I have done the school run with my nightie underneath and a whisper of lippy and mascara.

@GeorgeTheBleeder I used to be a retail manager in a fancy store. The stuff that happens to the clothes in the fitting room was sometimes hair-raising - and that was given a quick steam and often a hang outside and then still sold as new.

I am much less perturbed by cast-offs from eBay having seen what happens to "new" clothes in fitting rooms!

Sallyfox You have restored my hope in humanity. Thank you.