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.

For anyone with an interest in combining colours, the Vivienne Files is a good website (it goes into A LOT of detail, but don't be overwhelmed: you can just browse to get ideas).

www.theviviennefiles.com/

Be rich. That's how!

I don't think rich is everything. The people in my workgroup all earn the same, some look groomed and some don't. Wealth al9be isn't the deciding factor.

*Wealth alone

People choose how they spend their time/money.

I hope that I usually look "put together." But i simplified my wardrobe, makeup and hair.

I go for classic looks and most of my wardrobe is interchangeable. If i have "extra?" money, i may buy a current accessory or pair of shoes.

When i was young, i loved buying pretty clothes but now my body is old, my mind us not, so i buy things that gratify my mind instead.

Buying clothes that you wear instead of clothes that wear you is important.

My tuppence worth :

Be slim
Have great skin
Washed hair
Clothes that suit you
Heels
Good bag, good coat
Clean, polished nails
Pedicures
Light tan
Classic watch

Easier in summer. I have never ever seen anyone looking polished in a big down winter coat.

Love that website, distance call

To add my half pennyworth to the last page or two of messages....I certainly wouldn't say you have to be an 8-10 in size to be polished! It might help if you are on the slimmer side but if you wear the correct supportive underwear, wear well cut clothes which are clean, not bobbly etc you will look polished. I do think some people are born to be polished and some not...like those who go out walking and don't get muddy and those on the same walk who have mud up to their crotch! Brushed hair (not always mine!) , well cut etc.
This is a light hearted thread (I thought) and the poster was just asking for advice, not comments from people who seem to be saying , "I put my child first" etc which sounds a little judgemental. ..although might not mean it that way. And there are days when we can't look polished, due to life and things happening..and nobody should be judged for that either!

I would love to look polished. The day after I wash my hair it looks fabulous- the rest of the time I wear it up in a bun. Perhaps that means I should wash it more than 2x a week?

My makeup is nice but didn’t last. I’ve recently discovered what a difference the right moisturiser can be. I had a few patches of extremely dry skin & was recommended a Clinique gel moisturiser. My makeup goes on better & ive has so many compliments about my “glowing skin” which has never happened before. I have also started fixing my makeup with an ELF fixing spray which seems to stop me from looking like a zombie by 5pm.

BUT I’ve always struggled with knowing what clothes look nice on me. I was slowly getting somewhere 6 months ago but then I fell pregnant & I’ve fallen back into just wearing what’s comfy/fits. Hoping I can get back into shape then start again.

Is there such as a thing as a personal stylist for a normal person ie non celebrity? I want to create a capsule, seasonal wardrobe but really need help & advice from an actual person.

Agree with most people on this thread saying it takes regular time and money (doesn’t have to be huge amounts of either). This doesn’t mean women who look polished are neglecting their children/homes etc. You decide what to do with your time and money, some sacrifice sleep, TV, reading etc.

Money has nothing to do with it. My mum never had much to spend on herself but she always looked immaculate, same with my gran who was the most stylish woman I ever met.

Both of them looked after their clothes, always hung them up, washed them regularly and carefully, ironed everything, they both tended to replace cheap buttons with nice ones. Everything was perfectly accessorised, well cut hair, always lipstick.

Mum’s go to was navy so everything went with everything else, then she joojed it up with matching scarf/earrings/necklace in jade, fuschia, sapphire, red, whatever she fancied that day.

@happytobemrsg

Yes, look on Instagram- Alison Style. She will build you a capsule wardrobe and can even do it online and FaceTime!

I agree with catsintgecupboard I don't spend lots of time or money, but what time or money I spend, I spend thoughtfully. So rather than just buying lots of clothes, I'll think and choose carefully. I try to buy better quality, that doesn't always mean more expensive. I use charity shops, sales and discount places like tkmaxx and BrandAlley to buy pieces that cost more. I have a base wardrobe of neutrals that I can add other stuff to, it makes getting ready in the mornings easier.

I get up early, but don't use that time for spending hours on hair and makeup. I usually have a quiet cup of coffee and do some yoga, getting ready takes me about 15mins: shower, hair, makeup, dressed. Being organised about it helps me have time for the dcs and other important things in life.

I do spend time looking at clothes etc. because I want to not because it's necessary to looking stylish. To misquote Vivienne Westwood, fashion is important because it's life enhancing.

Good genes.

I agree it's in the hair, skin and nails. I have gel nails done every 2 weeks religiously - I see this as my treat to myself. I have managed to get my hair to the point where if I don't wash it for 4 days it still looks okay. I try wash it more often than that but if for some reason I haven't had time, it's still gonna look fine. Skincare - never ever sleep in makeup and use oil even if you have oily skin. I've had botox once and will be having it again.

Now I'm mid 30's I really need to invest in my wardrobe.

People who buy high end clothes on ebay - what sort of brands do you search for on ebay? Do you tend to find regular bargains or is it once in a blue moon?

Big Hair is very easy. I can’t do GHD curls or waves, but Big Hair is much easier.

Late to this thread but, my Grandma who is 73 always looks perfect.

She irons everything, always has a manicure, looks after her skin - she has no wrinkles! (spf 50), eats well, colour coordinates every outfit and shoes, uses simple make up like bare minerals foundation with pink lipstick. Eye brows are always threaded.

She is single though and has been for 20 years so maybe that’s why!

Basically I want to be like her but I have a 10 month old and I’m pretty tired (and flabby) so it’s a work in progress.

Oh and good underwear! No bra straps on show (I write this while wearing a strappy dress and nursing bra hanging out but still...)

PerfectPeony2 I'm a work in progress too . I think I started the capsule-ish wardrobe etc. with young dds, as I needed to simplify getting ready etc.

People who buy high end clothes on ebay - what sort of brands do you search for on ebay? Do you tend to find regular bargains or is it once in a blue moon?

Brora, Theory, Whistles, J.Crew, Kooples etc. I suggest ticking the condition: used box to weed out a sea of nonsense.

I buy a ton of cashmere second-hand, for example I think the Uniqlo crewneck is the best thing going so I save that search and buy them second-hand whenever they become available.

My favourite dress is a Reiss one from eBay. I always get compliments on it. Not sure if that counts as high end. It is for my budget !

I've got big fluffy crazy hair which was beaut in my younger days. Now it's that bit coarser I tend to look deranged!
I find it very hard to look polished. It's just not me!

jonsnow

I have naturally frizzy hair too. I had a kerastraight treatment on it and would really recommend if you don't want it wavy / curly / frizzy anymore.

I've had mine a few months now though and miss my frizz!

I've decided to go short, so there's not so much of it, so it's not EVERYWHERE, but I can keep my natural waves.

That said, I never look polished, so I'm sure I'll find a way to look messy, even with the short do! Sigh sigh.

@ella90210 I search and bid for the flowing brands on eBay:

Toast
DKNY
Nicole Farhi
Joseph
Max Mara
Brits

I recently picked up some beautiful brown long riding boots from Toast, barely worn, for £35! RRP £275