How to pull off the 'posh girl scruffy look'

[watchforthesnail]

i work in a very naice store, i see so many of these girls/ women a day. You know the look, all underdressed, but also looking very expensive/classy but not over done.

Is it alook that only money can achieve? ( i have none) where would i start?

I think ive got the hair down ( ish) but have no clue on the make up either.

[MarshaBrady]

I always think young, ie early twenties. I can't think of someone older.

Olivia Palermo is very neat for this look.

[snowlie]

I also get the feeling these girls would look good wearing a sack. Blond hair - golden sun kissed highlights rather than full head. Mostly though thick and shiny, even though it doesn't look brushed.

[noddyholder]

Being slim with a light tan and lovely hair can make this work for all. Even over 40 which is a different version but similar basics accessorised with a screaming blond baby boris Johnson a like

[noddyholder]

There is a pic of me on my profile doing the old person version of this look not as polished or glam but plain. I think I plan to keep to it as a day thing as long as possible. I am not skinny enough to do it 100%

[Laquila]

Also Breton-striped boat-sleeved tops can work well this the slighter older version of this look. The best clothes-shopping advice ever given to me is definitely valid here - it doesn't have to be expensive, but if it doesn't look as though it could potentially be expensive, then don't buy it.

[watchforthesnail]

ah, see, i have the long hair part, its waist length. I have the tan, and im 34.
the downside is im 5ft3 and a good size 14. bugger.

funny as this thread has been :) ive picked up a few ideas, so i might be able to create some kind of modified version of this look. I just brought a leather satchel on ebay, so, that would look fab flung over my shoulder with some casually layered tops.

[MarshaBrady]

You look great Noddy, very pretty photo . Your ds looks posh scruffy in the one with long surfer blonde hair too. (And we have the same black fireplace).

I'm slim and a bit messy-ish. I can't do overly neat.

[MarshaBrady]

But I can't do long hair, collar bone length only.

[noddyholder]

Thanks marsha that is nice to hear My ds is 19 now! Still blond and scruffy!

[watchforthesnail]

i cant do overly neat, it makes me cross and feel odd, so hopefully its a look that should be easy.

( lovely house too noddy)

[MrsHoarder]

On a budget, get cheap skinny jeans and designer tops/blouses.

Blow dry your hair but don't really style it. Keep it long and regularly trimmed.

Go understated on makeup. Just BB cream really.

[TheRealFellatio]

If in doubt, stay simple, stay neutral(ish), avoid pattern, avoid manmade fibre, avoid hair 'styles' other than a bob, but even then keep it a classic bob, not a faddy take on a bob. Never wear coloured eye make up, always go for the bare/neutral/smokey eyes. Nail polish should always be nude or a good red/burgundy, or whatever is the Chanel fad colour of the season. No glitter or frosting please. Absolutely no nail extensions or nail 'art' or bright white French manicures either. Nails should be shortish and square or sqoval. If you must have a tattoo it must be teeny tiny, and on the inside of your wrist.

Tans should always be light and golden, never too obvious, likewise any hair colourings. Dark hair is ok, but it must look natural - no plum tones.
A good swishy blow dry with volume is a must, but I should never look too obviously 'styled.'

Good shoes. People notice the shoes. Really cheap shoes are a dead gieaway. Don't totter round on nightclub shoes in the middle of the day - always a sign that you are secretly trashy. Buy the best boots you can stretch to, preferably the riding style, and for summer get flat jewelled sandals or loafers like Tod's.

[TheRealFellatio]

I don't think it matters whether you wear fine, delicate gold jewellery or chinky silver statement stuff or good cotume jewelry, but it must look classy. If you can't immediately tell the difference between classy and non-classy then don't wear any.

[TheRealFellatio]

Sorry for the embarrassing autocorrects.

[snowlie]

I think riding boots are all wrong for this look, too conservative, too neat. Fine if wearing riding gear but not for everyday wear I don't think.

[ArieltheMermaid]

I think I have this look. Quite interested to see it's so coveted though as I was out shopping yesterday and was thinking how I always feel so underdressed compared to so many people in the city. For me there's no secret to it though, just laziness! While I love clothes I'm not that fashionable and I'm pretty low maintenance. People say I always look well put together though so I'll, ahem, give you some tips in the hope it may help:

Hair: my hair is pretty shit and thin but I do grow it long, get it highlighted every couple of months and wear it in a loose bun/ shabby high pony tail falling out of a bun whenever it's having a bad day (most if the time)

Skin and make up: I have good lightly tanned clear skin which is just luck and good genes, just as well as I hate make up. I wear Liz Earle / Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser along with a few sweeps of light bronzer and cheek highlighter (body shop). Mascara, eyebrow pencil but not too much. Eyebrows I keep shaped but not overly 'done'. Evenings I'll wear some neutral / smokily / gold eye shadow (urban decay Naked Palette)

Jewellery: for daytime, always pearl studs. Silver chunky ring, platinum wedding band. Big leather or small stainless steel watch. No bling. For evening I might wear big costume jewellery - chunky fake jewel rings / tarnished charm bracelet / bangles / tarnished earrings or big hoops.

Accessories: lots of scarves! I have a whole section of wardrobe dedicated to them!

Shoes: pumps, converse, cowboy boots, riding boots (mid calf), biker boots, metallic sandals. High heels for occasional evening and work only, never over four inches!

Clothes: skinny jeans, usually from 7 mankind or H&M, layered vests and t shirts, collared shirts with v necks, blazer jackets, leather jacket (scruffy). Summer dresses. Lots of stripes and boat necks.

Bags: I have a nice collection of Mulberry bags, a couple are big shoulder ones but I prefer my more practical cross-body satchel and messenger style ones.

I don't shop anywhere special: Zara, Toast, All Saints, H&M, Uniqlo, French Connection and Great Plains. Superdry do nice boots.

Basically it's the opposite of Victoria Beckham's look. If it feels like too much effort or too uncomfortable I won't do it. Just remember to have nice skin, highlighted hair, minimal make up, skinny jeans, flat shoes, a scarf and a pair of pearl studs and you'll probably pass!!

Sorry about the essay. Me me me...

[ArieltheMermaid]

Oh god, and NO nail varnish other than clear for fingers. i can't bear weraing it as it makes me feel grubby and it always chips. i do indulge in dark colours on my toes though! I can't bear to have nude toes!

Nails (finger and toe) ALWAYS short but not TOO short IYKWIM

[ArieltheMermaid]

I like what you're saying Fellatio

[watchforthesnail]

ariel - yep. that sounds like it. im not too far away from that myself.
sort of found myself in a bit of a ' cant quite decide what my style is anymore' momment. hate the towie/ glam/ victoria beckham effort, am naturally scruffy and 50% there already.

I think my biggest thing is the make up... ill stick a pic on have a look for me will you. people describe me as glam. which im not. maybe i need to ditch the gloss?

[ArieltheMermaid]

I always think Olivia Palermo and Andy murray's gf look nice, maybe a bit overly groomed and try hard though.

[ArieltheMermaid]

Go on then WatchFor...

[ArieltheMermaid]

Ditch the gloss and wear Vaseline instead. Gloss just for evenings and even then keep it understated and neutral with minimal eye make up

[TheRealFellatio]

Well it's al very well me talking the talk but sadly I can't walk the walk - too short and fat and booby. I try to stick to it as much as I can but I look awful in slouchy layering and skinny jeans, and beige/cream/grey. Just awful. I need a bit of structure and some deep colour.

[ArieltheMermaid]

Aw fellatio! I bet you're lovely really - you've certainly got nice taste. Navy, black, olive, teal, dark red are all nice if broken up with lighter colours too. Blazers and loafers / pumps, slim fit jeans, fitted boat necks, good quality shirts with v neck jumper are all good for structure.

I know some vairy nicely dressed curvy (sorry hate that word) women. All have nice swooshy hair, good teeth, nice understated jewellery and nice accessories.

I went to an Italian wedding once and all the mamas were the best dressed, most elegant women I have ever seen. None smaller than a 14.

[watchforthesnail]

just vaseline? really? my lips are very very pale, almost white!

think i need to tone the eye make up down too. bit addicted to heavy black eyeliner.