How do some women always manage to look so put together and downright gorgeous?

[Beigecurtains]

Is it just 'inbuilt' style that they're born with? If so, I'm incredibly jealous!!

My friend always looks amazing and really stylish but I find it really hard to put my finger on what it is that makes her look special. She's not overly tall, and is slim but not skinny (size 12), and certainly doesn't spend a fortune on beauty treatments/products or clothes, or having her hair done.

Her outfits are usually fairly simple; just jeans with a nice top usually, and she wears accessories such as a necklace or a large scarf. She always wears make up, but again it's fairly simple, nothing garish. And hair in a bun or just down and wavy.

So on paper she doesn't dress particularly differently to probably 90% of other women, but she always manages to stand out.

How do some women do this? I'd love to know the secret so I can stop looking like a bag lady

[santamarianovella]

bettykt summed it up,some people have it naturally,and can look great in anything,and its a result of many factors,good posture,good looks,fit physique,nice hair and skin,that with knowledge of what looks good on them,they just have their own unique style and it works, Some can wear really beautiful clothes,but somehow end up looking overdone, For me itsVB ,never saw her wearing anything ,and thought wow I need to have it,and she wears beautiful clothes ,but somehow I think it looks too much,like she is trying to be someone she is not.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Interesting thread.

I agree with some but disagree with others - vaseline on lips and no coloured varnish on your nails is most definitely not something I do. I like colour on nails and lipstick - and I look much better for it.

I do agree on the 'uniform' thing which to me translates as someone having found a look that suits them and works for them.

I also spend more on my clothes now and get regular haircuts/threading etc.

But I do think fashion is about having fun and shouldn't be too prescriptive hence I personally shy away from the colours thing. But then I think I know what suits me and that has changed the older I've got hence I wear very little black nowadays.

But some people just have it - and it does help if they're tall slim and naturally gorgeous. For the rest of us it takes a lot more work.

[mewkins]

Wear clothes that fit and make sure they are clean, ironed and well looked after. Same with shoes. If you look after your clothes you will have to spend less on replacing them.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I so agree with ironing but I know its an unpopular view on here

I also think smell is important, I always notice if someone is wearing lovely perfume and their handbag - but I am a handbag obsessive.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Oh and never underestimate the power of a good pair of sunglasses.

[Lottapianos]

I'm a big fan of coloured nails but they are also short and well shaped and never ever chipped. Chipped nails actually make me feel a bit sick. Just take it off!

Agree with laying out clothes and make up the night before rather than scratching around in the morning.

[Bonsoir]

You need a good routine for laundry. Staying on top of laundry (including ironing and putting away) and dry cleaning is a fairly mammoth task in our household.

You also need to regularly sort through undergarments and hosiery and replace them. Ill-fitting bras and saggy tights are not helpful if you want to look effortlessly glamorous.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Another fan of nail colours here, but agree that they must be short and never chipped.

The thing is, I know a lot of the rules and it fascinates me, but I will always put comfort and practicality first, so no heels for me, I find it very hard to buy shoes that fit, so I only buy black and neutral and they have to go with everything, in fact I really don't wear shoes, just boots and sandals. Bags must be roomy, comfortable to carry and with enough pockets. Only then does appearance get a look in.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

God, the laundry, the laundry - I honestly think I'm going another familys as well as my own sometimes.

[Bonsoir]

I have seriously contemplated buying a second machine! I ogle laundry rooms on Pinterest with three washing machines and two dryers .

And I outsource all the difficult ironing!

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I obsessively look at laundry rooms too. Have just sorted out a basket of ironing to be collected.

[greengiraffe]

So Rudy give me an example of an outfit and accessories, with colours. I want to know how this works!

[Lottapianos]

Rudy, I love it! Colour is under rated

No heels here either. I don't own a single pair. I don't drive so always on my feet and I can't be arsed with the pain of heels.

[tshirtsuntan]

I wish I could do it, I do iron but still manage to look like a burst couch with shoes on by about 10 am

[Snowdown]

I think one man meat is another's poison. Trying to copy someone's style can leave you looking dull and lifeless or completely overdone. It's important to know what style suits you - classic is great on the right person, on me it's dull and frumpy, I can't do very feminine stuff either....so while I admire style in others I am self aware enough to know that there is no such thing as a look that works on everyone and colour makes a huge difference.
What's important? - good quality shoes...bit of make up especially the right shade of lipstick will add instant smartness. Accessories are so important they will make or break an outfit. They turn a classic item from boring and dull to chic. A well cut jacket/coat will do wonders for a cheap top and pair of jeans.

[AnaisB]

I don't suppose there's any chance of a photo Rudy?

I agree with Snowdown that one person's rules don't work for everyone. Lipstick makes me look tonnes better - even with no other make-up.

[vitaminC]

I think context is a big part of it. You would need a very exuberant personality to pull off such an eccentric look where I live

I like the putting me together blog and the way she uses colour but while it is probably great for her Californian lifestyle, I would get stared at and feel like some kind of clown if I left the house wearing that much colour round here!

[bettykt]

santa I was going to mention VB. Obviously she wears some beautiful clothes but she doesn't have IT. For me I like the simplicity of Sofia Coppola's style and to me she has IT.

[Bonsoir]

I agree Snowdown. I look truly dreadful in a palette of muted tones!

[bettykt]

I think it's all boils down to having that je ne sais quoi.

[coffeewithcreamm]

Good hair/teeth/eyebrows/nails/hands/shoes & bag/make up in corals & nudes, (I'm blonde, these colours are mine!)

Organisation is key. Just be ready, then it all falls into place, ie hair colour upkept. Know that a scarf looks great with hair up, classic jewellery. I live by the saying: Take one thing off before you go out - it pares things down.

This is just what I do.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

So everyone posting on this thread - do we all secretly think we're gorgeous and uber-stylish