How do you look "polished"?

[happytobemrsg]

I was at a toddler playgroup this morning & saw a couple of mums looking so polished & put together. They looked so classy yet they were just wearing jeans, a plain T & sandals, minimal jewellery. Tbf they both had lovely tans as if they had just returned from holiday.

What is the trick to looking so polished? Do you have to spend a fortune? Do you spend money on certain items? What's the secret????

I am terrible at this but the other day I accidentally wore a jumper that matched the colour of my glasses frames (I normally wear contacts to work so hadn't had that combination before) and it looked great. So I think a bit of subtle matchy matchy (not double denim or a twin set) might be part of it.

YY to 'nice' clothes that fit well.

On the whole a well-made fitted £20 t-shirt will looks a bajillion times nice than the £3 crap from Primark. Plus tit will last longer etc

I think ironing your clothes makes a big difference

Simple jewellery, not big statement necklaces

A nice watch

Wear what suits and fits, not what you think you ought to wear

YY to not buying primark, I bought a shirt there thinking I was saving money and it’s just awful. Fits terribly, horrible material (even though it’s 100% cotton). I then bought a Brora shirt in the sale - silly money but beautifully cut , I hope it will last!

Good hair and skin play a big role in looking polished.
For example if your hair has been bleached to shit or you have dry hair with split ends, or oily hair, you'll look scruffy even if the rest of you is very well put together. If your skin is blotchy, dry etc..you won't look polished. Nice, white teeth.
As mentioned above, be always clean and fresh. Have nice, clean nails.
Fashionwise, if you are not very good at deciding what suits you, just wear a lot of classic black and white. Simple lines and basic shoes.
You don't have to be rich and middle class to look polished.

Really well cut hair, cut to suit your build/face shape/hair type - if its coloured make sure its done well and suits your natural colouring. Bad colouring just looks sloppy.
I see many polished women with curly or wavy full thick hair and it looks very polished to me, it doesn't have to be straight!

I always think a very good hair cut is number 1, followed by very clean leather shoes and a good handbag. Finally short but polished/neat nails on hands and feet and a nice bright smile.

I have nice hair and skin but still look unpolished in my eyes. I think it’s subtle makeup plus a decent figure which helps with the polished look.

I also think it's partly about figure and height. It's a lot easier for a 5ft7 size 10 woman with normal i.e. 32 inch legs to look polished than it is for me; I'm 5ft3 with short legs and linebacker shoulders, plus large boobs that mean I usually need a 14 top that's too baggy at the waist.

I can wear really nicely fitting jeans, sandals, and a plain t-shirt but all you see is boobs and big curly/wavy hair. I actually look more polished and in proportion now I'm pregnant!!

It IS about the hair isn't it?

I'm 'blessed' with curly mad hair that doesn't do as it's told, and despite often embracing it and curly-girling it with gusto, it is far from polished.
I do however feel smart, grown up, put together and polished when I bouncy blow dry it, smooth but not straight and with plenty of volume.

I always have painted and manicured nails

I do a full face of make up every day

I style my hair every day

I never, ever look "polished" I just don't think it's a look for me!

i think its usually blow dried clean hair, light makeup and ironed clothes

I am far from it but a lot of it seems to be about self confidence, slim and tone with good posture.

I have wavy hair which rarely behaves in a uniform manner. It's too wild for a polished look. I find it far easier to jut let it be and go with the flow. It does mean, on the plus side, that I can wear very dressy dresses during the day and not look over dressed.

I actually disagree about the hair. I think a messy bun or an undone look is far more chic.
Agree it is about skin, minimal make up and no nail polish. Eyebrows and plain colours.

Most colours and patterns on me just make me look slightly mad. Basically I would need good taste and I don’t have that so I stick to black and navy.

@Honey

What were they wearing instead of skinnies?

For me teeth 100%.

Then nice hair, nails and understated make up

Interested to know whether a size 12-14 ever looks groomed in most people's opinion..?

Today I noticed the polished school gate mums all had chinos or skinny light trousers and navy t shirts that were well fitted round neck good quality type tshirts as opposed to my baggy, linen type tops or scoop neck tops
It's inspired me to look for a few simple round neck tshirts

I think people can look groomed at any size, Adele and Dawn French come to mind.. always impeccable in public.

I currently have blue hair. I know nothing about looking polished. Am hoping to get my hair back to brown then I may stand more of a chance so I'm reading this thread with interest.

I can see where Ive been going wrong all this time

Ive started buying what I call "quality basics" so plain but well fitted, good quality tops etc. Just bought some good skincare (I'm a bit lazy in that area).

Everything simple. Everything nice quality. Timeless polished nails instead of latest fad.

The made in Chelsea girls buck the current trend and have minimal makeup. You'll never see them with a contour or cut crease eye and they always look polished.

Agree with most PP -

Clean, well maintained hair (regardless of colour length or level of straightness). If coloured, a colour that matches skin tone

Clean, well fitting, ironed clothes that are not too "high fashion" Dressing in styles that suit height and body shape.

Smooth skin that is well moisturised and has that nice sheen. Hair-free legs & underarms. Possibly a light tan.

Make up that is not clearly visible (no "tide marks", striped blusher, obviously false or clumpy lashes, obviously drawn on eyebrows, sparkles, visible lip liner etc).

Face is neither too shiney or too matte.

Eyebrows are tidy and naturally shaped. If sparse, filled in with powder based make up rather than drawn on with a harsh pencil, keeping the shape and thickness close to the natural brow.

Finger Nails short, clean and well maintained. Either natural & buffed, or polished with a clear or high gloss classic colour (no sparkles, nail art, crazy colours).

Toe nails short, square & polished with a high gloss classic colour. Maintained regularly.

Feet well moisturised with no visible callus.

Smell nice!

Leather handbag, belt and shoes

Accessorizing with simple jewelry but not too much of it, and/or a nice watch.

No obvious designer labels or bling

I tend to manage all of the above for a few weeks at a time before going to seed and having to start again a month or so later!