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

[Snowdown]

Vit C that sounds awful! I have friends that wear all sorts of things, their clothing is of no consequence to me, unless they ask for my opinion I never give it.

[passata]

Personally speaking I think the most put-together look is predominantly neutral and not much print. I can't see a full-on printed dress looking 'together' even though it might look fabulous.

I'm thinking jeans/blazer/crisp shirt and accessories. It would be a classic combination for me that said 'groomed' rather than a high-fashion statement.

Not sure that made sense - it did in my head

[LizzieVereker]

Thanks cheesy that's a good tip. I'm finding this thread so helpful, don't really have anyone in RL to discuss it with, and am a bit scared of personal shoppers.

[Snowdown]

Whereas the blazer/jeans thing would just safe and fairly inoffensive, almost like a uniform - definitely not gorgeous or standing out like the OP suggests.

[MarshaBrady]

The friends who look the best - and I see often - have a very good sense of their own style. They do tend to be slim and tall for some reason, but they look very good.

Put together part- only if it's their style. Not overly done at all.

[libertychick]

If I could afford to outsource laundry it would change my life - the days I look rubbish are usually those when I am not on top of it and I can't put a decent outfit together because I don't have various items washed or ironed.

Looking after clothes is important too IMO ie polish/clean shoes and bags, de-bobble knitwear, remove stray threads etc. I keep a lint roller in my desk at work.

[sugar4eva]

Snow don- I like what you said re British clothes wearing ; interesting! What are the rules you say Italian and French people refer to I'm curious ?ive never thought about cultural fashion before much and am intrested. I wonder if fashion / dress sense is culturally influenced and is it frowned upon to use colour and why in some environments ?!

[TheFarSide]

I feel the need for some pictures so I can see what need's doing (to me).

[MarshaBrady]

And thinking about it that applies here too. Style over fashion.

Obviously new season stuff can be both. New and fresh plus own style.

[Dontlaugh]

Buy the best you can of the following:
shoes,
bags,
coats. (For me personally this means no PVC/Primark shoes or bags). I would rather (and do) buy one pair of leather shoes on shoeaholics. com than 10 pairs in Primark.

Keep nails and brows tidy.
Hair! Hair is key. A lot can be forgiven if the hair is good, trimmed, no roots, brushed/straightened.
Dress to suit you, not fashion.
Confidence, as PPs have said.
Finally, FINALLY, at 37, I may have cracked this! am getting lots of compliments since last return to work, after baby, and truly have just decided to implement the above.

[Snowdown]

Frugal's observations on Italian rules for dressing. And there has been quite a long post recently on how to dress like a French woman.

This extract from the author of Madam Le chic in 2011 is interesting

My time in England is coming to a close and I will be back home by the end of the week! While here I have been paying very close attention to the vibe of everyday style. I love doing this. When I lived in Paris I noticed the paired down, minimalistic effortless chic clothing that comprised so many women’s daily wardrobes- A line skirts, colorful sweaters, neck scarves, low heeled sandals. In California it is a whole other matter- Casual luxe reigns there- designer jeans with a deliberate rip in the knee, James Perse t-shirts, sandals, pedicures and sunglasses.

British style is a whole other beast. I would best describe the style I’ve seen here as ‘eccentric chic’.

British street style is whimsical, eccentric and edgy. The women here are not afraid to take risks or go for trends. Having said that a lot of them march to the beat of their own drum and ignore trends all together.

Allow me to elaborate.

Edgy Fashionistas: When in London shopping on New Bond St. I noticed several women in what I would call 'extreme harem pants'- a slouchy pant with jutting angles at the hip. One woman paired her extreme harem pants with maroon suede ankle boots, a white tank top and grey vest. She had her hair in a messy top bun. She wore edgy eyeliner and sharp pink nails. She looked as though she had just been styled to walk down the runway- but I think she was just walking to work. Imagine wearing that to the office!

Free Spirited Eccentrics: I’ve noticed a lot of black opaque tights paired with bright ballet flats: this look is either worn with a dress or shorts. I’ve noticed a lot of tight leggings and high riding boots. Colorful bra straps peeking out of see through crochet tops. Messy up-dos. Feathers and bows pinned in the hair. Eyeliner and bright lipstick. Pretty floral dresses worn with something quirky like a chunky sweater or a leather vest.

Sophisticated Statement: The most conservative looks come from the women of a certain age that wear timeless, sophisticated clothing- cashmere sweater sets, Hermès bags, driving loafers and statement jewelry. These women are always well groomed and usually wear le no makeup look as well. It is this group of women that seem to take their fashion cues from Paris.

Around every corner there are surprises. There doesn’t seem to be a ‘uniform’ for British women- and based on my above descriptions you can see why I have labeled their look ‘eccentric chic’.

I admire many things about British style- the women here seem to have a lot of fun with fashion. They don’t appear to dress for sex appeal like they do in L.A. and I don't see the minimalistic elegance (from the younger generation anyway) that I saw in Paris. There is a mad, artistic vibe that prevails here- an originality that is very fun to observe.

Of course out of all these styles my favorite British style icon is one who I haven't mentioned yet- Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge who is inspiring the world with her ladylike and sophisticated sartorial choices. She is in a category all her own.

[Snowdown]

Roots are bad aren't they? Cover ups with semis are bad too, doesn't matter what you do if your roots are showing and/or you've got that over-dyed look.

[RonaldMcDonald]

For everyone who has said colour and a cut

I present Kate Moss and Debbie Harry...both look amazing, utterly stylish and both often have 4 inch roots and bird's nest hair

Style has frig all to do with perfect colour and a good cut
Screams middle class frumpy mum

[Snowdown]

Did Debbie and Kate have grey roots - it's the grey roots, dyed with a too dark semi that looks particularly awful.

[Sunbeam18]

I think it's all down to organisation. Put outfits together (including scarf etc) and hang it complete in your wardrobe so the thinking is done and you can just pull it on in the moment.

Decent haircut and colour is vital, and quality skincare and make up. Also brows are v important.

Does anyone have good advice on how to make jeans and trainers work if you are under 5'8?? I am 5'5 and no matter how cool the jeans or trainers I always look like a stumpy short arse!

[passata]

sunbeam a fair chunk of us don't know HOW to put together an outfit - that's the point

If we knew how to put it together then we'd look put-together! We need 'how' lessons :)

[passata]

I have an issue with 'quality' make up - no one knows if it's Bourjois or Nars once your blusher is on - providing the application is good

[Sunbeam18]

Sorry, Passata! IMHO the silhouette of an outfit is important; for example, wearing the right coat length for wide-legged trousers/a dress. A long silhouette works best - height can be gained by wearing trousers that are a little too long with heels underneath.

[Sunbeam18]

I think some make up needs to be quality: foundation, shadow, mascara and lipstick. Cheapies don't matter for eyeliner, blusher. Good brushes help.

[Snowdown]

I don't think expensive make up matters....no one can tell! I can't tell on my own skin.

[claudeekishi]

Sorry to hijack but santamaria can I ask you: did your dermatologist explain why coconut oil is bad for the skin? I've been OCM-ing with it for about a year now and it's so much kinder to my (extremely sensitive reddish oily yet dehydrated ) skin than any other cleanser I've used.

[Bonsoir]

OK - for those who asked - I just got back from my celeb dermatologist appointment. He is in Paris.

He didn't do anything today other than examine my face and make suggestions/give me a quote. He thought I needed laser treatment for my nascent broken veins and I think I probably agree with this. He also thought I should have my wrinkles (I am 47 so there are some) injected with

[Bonsoir]

... hydralaunic acid, have some kind of revitalising treatment that involves injecting a cocktail of vitamins and other things into the skin, and Botox between my eyebrows (no 11s).

Since the whole lot will cost about EUR 800 I am going to think about it! I shall also talk it over with the friend who recommended him and who has had similar treatments.

[passata]

bonsoir He didn't mention any skincare regime? Just gave you a quote for invasive therapy?

[Bonsoir]

He's not that kind of dermatologist. I have one of those - she sees the whole family for things like acne, verrucas, peri-oral dermatitis, suspect moles etc and recommends appropriate skincare if you want.