How do you look polished?

[OstentatiousBreastfeeder]

Anyone else struggle with this? It seems that no matter how much effort I make in the morning, by lunch I'm catching my reflection and I look a mess. Hair ratty, skin uneven, somehow a few pounds heavier I'm sure of it

I know I need to make more of an effort to buy new clothes but I never seem to have time. When I have new things I always notice how much of a difference it makes, but I never keep it up. I end up looking tatty before I do something about it. That doesn't help.

Is looking 'polished' a skill you can learn, or does it just not happen for some people? Any tips?

[Kelly1814]

A full face of subtle make up.

Hair done every six weeks.

Fake tan on face every other day, body once a week.

Nails done every two weeks.

[TheWordFactory]

gutsy I don't agree.

For fireworks tonight I will wear a bronze nipped waist puffa with a fur trimmed hood that I bought in Rome.


Tis lovely.

I will team with pale blue cashmere beanie and scarf.

[MadameLeBean]

Dyed my eyebrows today, and went to yoga

[Sister77]

Shaved my legs arms and underarms (usually wax but time issues).
appointment for threading on Friday.
Will make hair appointment next week cut and coloured as greys have started showing.

[newrecruit]

Last night I had a (very rare) bath.

I've exfoliated, moisturised (including body lotion) and conditioned my hair.

Already feel more polished even though look exactly the same.

I've bought a few new Breton t shirts from Sainsburys. Not 'investment pieces but will rose me over until I lose some weight.

Cut and colour on Saturday

[WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes]

Yes to observing other people. I work in an affluent town where there are lots of very polished people, getting a coffee at an outside table, popping your sunglasses on and doing a bit of discreet people watching is very useful. Not just the immaculate ones either, look at the people who haven't got it quite right and try to analyse why, things like jeans too short, shoulder bags dragging clothes, colour clashes. That sounds nasty, but it is meant as an observation thing, not a criticism.

[GutsyMcMuffin]

Nobody is ever going to look polished in a down coat or goretex type jacket I wear one for dog walking, but that's it. Wool, classic coat kept free of pet hair, not crumpled and cleaned regularly makes a big difference.

I have a monthly appointment for my hair and have it coloured one month and cut the next, it keeps it always looking good. I suit a fringe and this way it never gets too long.

I'm not wild about statement necklaces but don't always wear the same necklace, change it around.

I think the biggest thing is styling. Look at images of polished women and see how they're wearing their clothes. Are the sleeves pushed up, is the collar open. Can you see bit of sleeve peaking out of the jumper, what length are her trousers etc - Pinterest is good for this.

[MrsMarigold]

Ironing your clothes. Only just cottoned onto this.

[NurseDoctor]

Sister77 it depends how your current wardrobe is really. I would say key quality pieces to lift what you already have
A nice pair of jeans
Leather boots/shoes
A few chunky jewellery pieces
A decent coat that has a good shape
Good underwear also makes a big difference, both fit wise to hold you in well and for the feel good factor

[Sister77]

So if I have say £300, what should I buy?

[AggressiveBunting]

I think it's also being honest about your life and priorities and getting a schedule that works with your life not your dream life where you have no job and a million pounds of disposal income. I keep my hair short as it blow dries in 5 mins which fits my morning routine, get a shellac mani- pedi and eyebrows threaded. Not great at putting complex outfits together ( I just can't conceptualise in that way)so I keep it simple for work based on a black capsule wardrobe. Outside work I'm not really aiming for polished so it matters less and I live in the tropics where casual is king anyway.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

I'm a permanent mess too!

[PastPerfect]

I agree re expensive jeans - I like 7FAM for decent rise and a bit of stretch the denim is quite thin, but I like that for warmer months and they still hold you in.
I also bought some Diesel jeans recently which I like but they very long and were definitely nearer £200 than £100

[NurseDoctor]

I think a key to good jeans is finding some that suit your body shape. I wear Levi's as they do different cuts for different shapes. Sales on at the no so can pick up a pair for £50. They last and retain their shape
I do think regular exercise makes a big difference
If you are tight on money I would also suggest sticking to a limited colour palette clothes wise as pieces are more likely to combine well and look good.
Buy quality items in the sale as opposed to primark
Buy for quality not trend

[Sapph1e]

I had a friend and no matter what she was wearing (gym clothes/pyjamas) she ALWAYS looked polished. I couldn't understand it for ages and then I narrowed it down to two things- she always had beautiful acrylic nails and dangly earrings in. Just those two things made her look effortlessly polished all the time!

[ZombieApocalypse]

madame Not sure I agree with that. When I was a size 10 I got Diesel which fitted perfectly and I spent near on £100. Now that I'm a curvy UK 14, I go for what fits best especially as I'm still losing weight. I've found Gap and South to be the best fitting but jeans are a notorious nightmare anyway.

I definitely do not think you have to spend £100+ but unfortunately it is a bit trial and error to find something.

[MadameLeBean]

Dedicated!

[MadameLeBean]

There are some delicates threads on good jeans but I'd recommend the Kooples or citizens

[MadameLeBean]

I'd say for jeans you need to spend at least £100, sorry.
And avoid gap. I take the smallest size 24 / 00 they do (and I am a curvy UK 8) and without fail they sag in the bum after 5 mins of wearing them after being impossible to get on because they are a size too small iyswim
If I took all the money I've ever wasted on gap jeans I could buy several pairs of 200 quid jeans...

[WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes]

ale I have redness on my cheeks just either side of my nose and a lot of freckles - Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser covers the redness and evens everything out pretty well, then a bit of Laura Mercier two tone concealer (sorry, can't remember what it's called) completey gets rid of the red. Lasts pretty well too, although noses are trickier especially in winter if you are blowing it a lot.

[ZombieApocalypse]

sister I have a couple of pairs from Gap and cheapy skinnies from South on Very. For Gap, go down a size because they stretch.

[aleC4]

Thanks meggle. I had some of that once. It worked well to cover the red but when the foundation wore off you could see the green underneath. You can only imagine how hideous that looked. I think it should work if I had the correct products on top.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

Hair - keep well cut and coloured - imo the most important part of looking smart.

Well fitting clothes - no oversized T shirts or skimpy skirts.

Subtle make up, clean hands and nails, simple jewellery and the best shoes and bag you can afford.

[Megglevache]

Alec4- I think you can get a green cream to tone down red- it's a colour correct moisturiser I think that goes on under base.