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????

[fiddlechops]

Get a rich husband

[RyvitaBrevis]

Not carrying around too much stuff probably helps! I always seem to be lugging around a waterproof in case the weather changes, a bulging handbag, maybe an extra pair of shoes in another bag, etc, and it just looks messy.

[RachelfromFriends]

Underwear that fits properly and is smooth under your clothes go a long way too IMO

[PugwallsSummer]

Oh definitely! Well fitting underwear that isn't visible - and no see through plastic bra straps!!!

I don't think you have to be rich to be polished, but you have to have loads of time! That level of personal maintenance is a commitment, unless you are naturally blessed by genetics.

[LockedOutOfMN]

Repair missing buttons or fallen hemlines etc. on your clothes. Have shoes polished and heels/soles in good condition (replaced when necessary).

Have clean fingernails.

[elQuintoConyo]

But it all sounds so dull: lits of navy; tan belt sandals and bag; stud earrings; simple chain necklace... Yawnsville.

I love wearing my chunky turquoise necklace with matching earrings. My toenails this week are blue. I'm not 5'7 and a size 8, i carry a bag big enough for my fan, light scarf (bus goes overboard with the air-con), purse, phone, pen, notebook, passport, keys, lippy, bottle of water (hot country).

In my experience, real life gets in the way of looking polished.

[Yazoop]

I think "polished" is all down to the basics: a good haircut, non-greasy hair, neat nails, clothes that fit properly and go with your body shape / size (I really disagree that you have to be very slim to be polished! I see larger ladies who are polished all the time!).

I disagree that there has to be a "uniform" that includes neutrals, a single bangle, studs - these things can all look polished, of course, but equally some statement jewellery or a pop of colour/pattern can really bring an outfit together (not to mention inject a bit of personality).

[Loonoon]

I agree with elQuinto. Some of this sounds straight out a 1950s women’s magazine. Short natural coloured nails, tan leather, ironed clothes, classic studs, basic clothes in neutral colours - boring!

I think I look polished most of the time (although not at home right now in my pink patterned harem yoga pants and even pinker linen top), but when I was out earlier my look included black iridescent nail varnish on hands, the much frowned on French mani finish on toes and an floaty emerald green silk shirt. With all due modesty I looked very polished/finished and was appropriately dressed for the rather grand event I was attending. Maybe it’s because my sandals were tan leather and my nails are short?

[RoadToRivendell]

I'd say it's far more to do with being thin than the hair.

Skinny jeans + linen t-shirt partially tucked in + well-made, interesting leather sandals + cashmere jumper as neccessary is a good summer staple.

Sleek hair is good, but I'd say more importantly it should be beautifully coloured, shiny and clean. Sleek hair doesn't look great on everyone.

Minimal makeup, a light fake tan, diamond stud earnings, manicured not-too-long nails, a nice bag.

[PugwallsSummer]

I think the word "polished" is associated with a certain style though. My interpretation is that it's in the same category as "classic" or "chic" - hence the advice in this thread. Granted it's not to everyone's taste, but if someone was to ask "How to look bohemian / flamboyant / arty / glamorous / romantic" the advice would be different and would appeal to different people - it would be no less prescriptive though!

For example, I don't think "polished" when I see my very bohemian friend, but I do think "cool", "relaxed", "creative". That doesn't mean she doesn't put the same thought & effort into her look - it's just a different look.

[ginandnappies]

Dewy, natural looking makeup.

Clean nude nails.

Good fitting clothes.

Hair that looks like you haven't done much to it.

All of which I never achieve. One drop of moisture in the air and my hair blows up.

[makeupmaven]

I agree with the commenter further up who said a subtle amount of matchy-matchy. When I'm on the tube in the mornings, I always notice the women who matched their nail polish to their dress or their scarf with their shoes, etc. It looks polished because it looks like they took the time to consider their look that morning.

[Theclockstruck2]

I think it’s about beauty treatments, think more stuff you get done in a salon, less make up. And good skincare and hair products. My hair looks polished if I use Phillip Kingsley’s elactiser.

So you would have subtle HD brows and lvl lashes and a mani pedi, but not wear much make up. I don’t do it myself, just observe others!

[MrsMint]

Many women who have hair that ALWAYS look like it is professionally styled every day actually wear wigs, hair pieces etc. They do some very natural looking ones these days.

[Mountainsoutofmolehills]

Having tamed hair is over rated. I like the wild grey curly look- personally i think it's all about eyes, teeth and nails. Moving along from hair, as I have great hair and can still look very shit...
I read a beauty article which said that when you are 'young' getting ready takes 10 minutes, including a shower, shave, nail polish change, clean teeth, slick of make up, swipe of a hair bush and you are done. But as you get older you have to be more planned. Sunday is the new monday. So each week, you do your routine of bathing with a deep scrub (homemade) and mask, moisturise, nail polish. you get your hair trimmed regularly, and you sort your handbag out. Having a messy handbag like a tardis makes you not feel polished everytime you look into it. a huge thing i gave up was looking at my messy bag and saying to my self 'you are such a mess, you are so messy' 50 times a day. I needed to stop telling myself that.
Being clean.
hydrated.
calm. making more time for life planning.
Teeth. White, clean, unstained teeth, Straight is better but not essential.
White eyes.
Good posture. Feel like your head is being pulled to the sky, relaxed shoulders and rolling shoulders and hips back.
Sort your body hair regime out. Whatever it is. If you want to be au natural, go for it, but i like to epilady as that makes being lazy an option, but i earned that through wincing pain. the epilady changed my life, now i am always ready.
Clean nails. I can't manage nail polish on my fingers for work, so I always have short clean nails, and i run a white nail crayon under my nails when i can be bothered. My toe nails I do every sunday, and get a pedicure as often as i can afford it which is never in the UK, maybe twice a year.
less make up. good skin treatments. good foundation. lip colour.
PERFUME.
SMILE.
Plain colours. This is why for years I was able to cover up having ADHD. Because I wore only black. I've moved away from my executive goth-luxe years ;) Now I just bulk buy same clothes. It makes choosing clothing so easy. i don't like to wear fussy clothes too often. my main thing is looking simple and clean lined, with as less fuss as possible. I have multiple pairs of white, blue and black jeans, well cut trousers in bright colours, 3 pairs of black leggings, a jacket, lots of camisoles, my underwear suits what I wear, nice underwear from 'ex m& S on ebay'
only buying the same socks... odd socks do not look polished.

sportswear, fake nails, fake eyes lashes, too much make up, bad teeth. bad feet, horrible shoes, fake leather, too many cheap accessories. I say if it's not real don't wear it.

[Eesha]

Where can I get nice stud earrings? I think I look too natural so no makeup or jewellery but reading this thread makes me want to put on a tiny bit to enhance my polish

[CountFosco]

The polished look is a high maintenance look. You have to have a lot of time and a lot of money to do it.

Being a healthy weight and having a good posture is essential. Good skin and healthy looking hair. That sounds simple but it requires a good diet with lots of fruit and veg and regular exercise (for your posture - it's all about core strength). And by regular exercise I mean daily.

And you need to spend money on clothes, it's not a high fashion look but you need to keep your silhouette current, so e.g. skinnies are starting to lose their dominance so someone will look more polished now if they wear a looser trouser.

[WingsOnMyBoots]

Agree with most of these but REALLY agree about the handbag!! I've made the mistake of lots of cheap bags but actually one really good quality one is they way to go. Somehow it speaks volumes and lifts everything else up about the person. Same for shoes. Probably sad, but true.

[Confusssed]

Money helps. Definitely.

I am very fortunate that I can afford a monthly pedicure + Shellac manicure. I can also afford regular waxing + eyelash tinting + teeth whitening. So my 'basics' always look good.

Also agree with now having to add in extra weekly maintenance. Saturday mornings are my pamper time where I apply a toner + deep conditioning masque to my hair + anti-aging face masque. Exfoliate with a Korean towel.

[elisexo]

I have been thinking about this recently myself. I watch a Youtuber called Annie Jaffrey and to me she is perfectly polished all the time. She never has anything that isn't perfect. Her hair is styled perfectly, her makeup looks flawless, her outfits always fit her well and look classic but with a few "trendy" pieces, always a good bag, a healthy diet and exercise routine, her body always looks tanned and well moisturised.

[MikeUniformMike]

Always wear underwear that fits, and have good posture.