In your opinion, what makes someone look 'together?'

[TwllBach]

Thanks to the thread at the beginning of the year about being vain, I am beginning to look more groomed. I keep my nails tidy and painted, my eyebrows plucked and my hair shiny. I even wear make up most of the time, but now I need to look 'together' and I dont understand How.

I am overweight, which to me makes me less keen to buy clothes because I feel I never look nice, but I'm a grown up now and I need to start looking less scruffy. Please help me!

I must admit though that I love caring for clothes now. Delicate wash hangy up etc.
I always plan what I'm wearing the night before abd out everything out. Do hair abd make up etc. colleague at work said "look your bag matches your outfit " today. I said "WOW, it's like I planned it!" ;)

I have a dear mate who us a size 24. Had keen sense of style, what suits her but also colour. Is fab with colour

Oh God I don't iron at all . But I do think it's true that well pressed clothes make for a more polished look. I think a good haircut makes a difference too. I generally think clean and tidy looks more together than anything fussy. So a simple outfit in block colours/one colour, with nice pumps and simple jewellery with clean hair etc will look more "together" than a frilly/loud frock IYSWIM.

I don't know. I suppose looking "together" is quite a subjective thing. For me I guess it's quite a conservative (think Spanish or French woman with cropped trousers, plain top, ballet pumps and little pearl earrings and well styled hair) look. Not everyone's cup of tea!

I am back from my physiotherapy session so hopefully that will help with my posture

YY to contact lenses karma I feel 100% more hideous if I'm wearing my glasses

I am going to bite the bullet and start buying things - any recommendations please? Specifically for jewellery I suppose, and scarves. I genuinely would t have a clue where to start with earrings etc!

Ooh ear-rings! I love a pair that Kirstie Allsop wears, they look like ancient gold coins. Are a bit dangly but not ott, a bit common but not too Jordan, and they make a bland outfit a bit jazzier.

I am also fond of gold hoops since I saw Joanna Lumley wearing them on her desert island programme (about 5 years ago maybe). They rocked.

Accessories to a certain extent, but I think one stylish accessory (a lovely leather belt; a silk scarf; an unusual statement bracelet etc) can pull an outfit togetehr, but any more can be overload.

I think good shoes and a good haircut are very important.

People often comment on my clothes etc but I am very haphazard and go with instinct. Decide on the day what I will wear. I do the minimum but I think I put more effort into hair and skin tbh.

Good underwear. And s coco chanel said when you are about to leave teh house take on thing off This is nearly always spot on. I think too much fussy stuff ruins the line

Can I get opinions on this outfit and if it sounds "together". I'm going back to work next week after 10 weeks off with depression. I'm a bit nervous about it so hope I'll feel better if I know I look the part.

Navy short sleeved blouse with a pattern of navy sequins on the front
Navy trousers
Either navy low heeled courts or patent nude dolly shoes

Navy raincoat with cream trim
Navy and cream scarf with orange stripes
Navy handbag with orange detailing

I've tried to find pictures to link but haven't been able to. I don't mind whether you like it or not - just really want to know if it sounds business like and 'together'.

justrying I think your outfit sounds fab. It must be pretty daunting to be going back to work, I hope it goes ok for you

Thanks spooktrain - I'm looking forward to it and nervous in equal measure.

Sounds great Justtrying, you'll look just right.
Sending you lots of sympathy and best of luck with everything.
Been there, done that.

That sounds lovely just I always think navy is such a pretty colour - 'grown up' without being harsh or draining like black or grey. Good luck

That sounds very smart Justtrying . I love navy.

After two babies and not really caring that much for the past few years I have just started to make more effort with myself again. And i can't believe I underestimated how much better it makes me feel about myself.
So I think looking pulled together is a combination of making a bit of effort with hair and makeup, even if you're look is very natural.
I also think with clothes I see a lot of people who look very 'mumsy' in their choice of clothes.i think you should start to know what suits you, but try to lien it up with a more modern aspect, e.g shoes, or go to topshop, not everything will suit, but there may just be a gorgeous top, and I think this can make people look a bit different than everyone else. My main hint is only buy something that you love, and don't save it for best- wear it!

*liven

Can I ask what "mumsy" is?

You need to ask? Boring. Safe.

Accessories and extreme cleanliness - for me any sign of grubbiness kills the 'together' appearance

On a slight tangent, do you think I could pull off coloured jeans? I'm 24, a size16 and 5'8...

To justryingtodomybest, sounds fab, I would pick the nude shoes, best wishes

What colour TwllBach? I used to have some lovely dark green jeans. I do think that darker shades are smarter than bright ones, but that just might be my personal preference because I am scared of colour, rather than a fashion 'rule'

TwllBach you could definitely pull off coloured jeans. I'm not so keen on the neon brights that are around but that's maybe just my age!

I got some lovely ones from Primark in a sort of raspberry shade. I wasn't sure at first but my sister persuaded me. With a plain top and shoes I think they look really nice. I'm the same height and size as you (although much older).

Twllbach - you sound perfect for coloured jeans and not at all what I imagined from your opening post! With your height I can't imagine you look overweight at all. Although completely understand it's how you feel in yourself that's important.

Justtrying - the whole outfit sounds v business like but sequins particularly fab and also sending you lots of good luck!

This 'ironing' of which you speak: when?!

peels baby off self and straps toddler to chair