If you're well groomed...

[wheresmymojo]

I know we've had a million threads on why some people look 'expensive' or 'put together' but this is a slightly different question.

I've been working on putting together a capsule wardrobe in the right colours and shapes for me, with reasonable quality and flattering items as well as re-working my skincare and make up. I look much, much better than I did.

What I want to know is tips and tricks or ways that you (dear groomed and put together person) have for staying that way...

For example - how do you live in white tops without getting stains on them? I went through two(!) white tops before lunchtime yesterday...

How do you deal with kids and dogs/cats who appear to be attracted to clawing / jumping up on / depositing hairs all over / smearing things over lovely clothes?

How do you keep your whites, white?

Is there anything about the way you launder or store your clothes, coats and shoes that keeps them looking nice for longer?

How do you ensure your make up stays looking good all day? Do you check and touch up through the day?

Are there things you never do or avoid because you feel it would impact your style/finish?

Tell me everything you know

PS... Explain it to me like I'm an alien...don't assume I must already know to do 'XYZ thing' because I probably don't! 👽

OK I'm not sure about being well groomed or immaculate all the time, but with my make up I'm pretty good at keeping it perfect all day, the trick is to literally never touch your face, if you get something in your eye be very careful about eyeliner, mascara and always use mirror to see what your looking at, I used to be horrendous at forgetting I had make up on when I was younger but years of training myself to never touch my face without first seeing what I'm doing has done it!!🤣
With my dog, hes a slobbery bugger at times (bullmastiff) when I wear nice clothes and I'm around him I always make sure to put a blanket over my legs when i sit down to cover my clothes so I don't get slobber/hairs on them and as for white tops I bleach them when laundering and they come up superb, unfortunately when it comes to eating and general sorting dc out i'd always wear an apron so I don't get food down it or dirty mucky hands on me!
It's bloody hard with 4 kids to look immaculate and turned out all the time, kids/animals will always find a way to ruin whatever your wearing, god love'm
another thing i tend to do is make sure i always smell nice all day, (it really lifts my mood) so i carry even just cheapy little body sprays in my bag to spray every now and again, but also a little trick is to spray your clothes when you put them back in the wardrobe, it just keeps them smelling lovely all the time! 😊
During lockdown I literally lived in joggers and jumpers and just felt my mood deteriorate, I've made an enormous effort the last year to buy more nice clothes and generally make more effort, it makes you feel better, even just little things!

Sorry for the essay, got carried away🙈

Don't apologise - it's very useful.

I have an apron tucked away in a cupboard somewhere never used so that's one thing I can fix.

My dog is a rescue and came to us with massive seperation anxiety - we've managed to get her over most of it but the one thing that's left is that she goes mental when we come in (even if we've just been outside to the car for 2 mins) and jumps up a billion times with her claws in my clothes 😣

Obviously we're trying to get her out of the claws thing but when you don't respond or tell her 'off' and push her off she looks at you like 'why don't you love me anymore?' 😭

I agree that it really perks up my mood to feel like I've made an effort.

I've stopped putting my clothes on the 'floordrobe' which has made a big difference to how they're looking (as in...I think being on the floordrobe doesn't do them much good even after washing).

I’m not all that groomed and polished, but trying! On the whole “say the obvious” thing - setting powder or setting spray on make up makes it last better.

Don’t sleep with your hair in a ponytail if you are hoping for 2nd day from blow dry, you end up with the bump from the bobble and it not looking as nice.

beyond that, I’m pretty messy so not much help.

For whites: use a washing powder rather than liquid, treat any stains with cold water and an enzyme pretreatment as soon as they occur (vanish is good). Hang out in the sun as much as possible to dry, even in cold weather.

Hang clothes up to dry on hangers go reduce creases. Polish shoes.

Good skincare helps keep make up looking fresh. Use a setting spray or translucent powder if needed to finish makeup.

Keep a couple of simple pieces of solid gold or silver jewellery for every day wear.

Maintain good oral hygiene.

Keep good posture (stretch everyday).

For nail polish choose salon not highstreet brands. Expensive but lasts much longer and much less likely to cheap. I threw out all my high street polish and just have 3 salon brand bottles. Nail buffer or clear polish for plain nails.

Keep eyebrows tidy. Moisturise daily.

Add a little starch to wash or when ironing to help keep clothes crinkle-free. Avoid polyester. Wear natural materials or rayon or viscose. When shopping online, zoom in on pictures to see weave of material and whether it looks cheap/shiny/poorly stitched. Anything puckered or not lying correctly on the model will look even worse on you.

Use a heat protector spray on hair when using heated styles or a dryer. Visit hairdresser at regular intervals during the year even if only for a wash and blow dry, always accept the treatment offered during the wash. If cannot afford hairdresser, find a hair mask that works for your hair and apply it regularly to keep hair in good condition. Doesn't have to be expensive, vo5 hot oils works for me. If you cannot tame frizz, embrace it.

Dine properly - sit at a table, use a napkin and sit up straight.

And finally - eat and sleep well. Daily exposure to daylight. These things will keep you looking fresh.

Always carry a nail file. Filed nails will look 10x better even if cuticles are dry!

I find I look more groomed when I take regular brisk walks, even if I can't get my usual exercise. It seems to do my skin the world of good, which means I can get away with my serum/moisturizer and then small touch ups of concealer instead of a tinted moisturiser or foundation.

With short nails, I find I look more groomed with clear or a sheer pink nail varnish on rather than brighter colours.

Get perfect nails with shortish acrylics in a neutral or French manicure.
Use napisan in every wash for stains/ whites.
With the dog jumping up - try to avoid loose knits, and obviously clothes that the stray hairs stick to.
Make sure footwear is clean ( unless you're out in dog walking boots!)

To keep whites white, I always wash whites separately to any other colour. I never ever mix and always hang on clothes horse to dry, I’d never tumble dry whites.

I wear an apron over whites if I’m doing housework or cooking or else throw an oversize shirt over.

Also, all my cotton shirts, blouses, tops would be ironed, never just dried and folded.

I use Scotchguard spray on white or light clothing and accessories.

I keep my pets claws trimmed every six weeks and keep a lint roller in the downstairs utility room. I sometimes wear a ling dressing gown/kimono to keep fur off if i want a cuddle.

I dont wear one but a silk hair wrap worn at night will keep your hair pristine for the next day.

A touch of gradual self tan works wonders for skin on most people.

Exfoliate regularly and moisturise.

Have a look at the princessing threads.

I never ever wear white clothes because they get dirty within minutes of putting them on.
I get changed out of clothes that need handwashing ( cashmere jumpers for example) as soon as I get home and put on easily washable hoodies in dark colours. I put on an apron if I am cooking or washing up, and don't own any garments with trailing sleeves.
I wear patterned dresses quite a lot, make sure shoes including trainers are clean, and always wear lippy and eyebrow pencil, but not much other make-up on a regular, daily basis. I do wear scent every day.
Lipstick gets reapplied at lunchtime, and I have coloured balm (Burts Bees or similar ) in my pocket for in between times.
I hang up everything, tshirts, jumpers , and air clothes hanging up outside the wardrobe when I take them off.
I wash most clothes on a low temperature so as not to fade them, and I only wash if them if they actually dirty. If I can sponge clean , I do. Washing clothes doesn't do them any good, except jumpers at the end of season - make sure they don't get put away dirty because of moths.
I don't have animals , but if I did I would avoid black cotton leggings or black anything or any fabric that hair sticks to.
My whites ( not many of them, only pants and socks really) stay white because I separate them from all other colours, and wash them in Ariel. When my DC had white shirts for school, I'd wash them on a short wash but pause it once the machine had filled to let them soak for a bit.
Really, if you've got DC and animals, you have to keep it practical, and rule out anything that shows stains ( satin, plain fabrics, light colours) or clothes that need ironing to look good. Get colours that suit you to make you look vibrant, get your hair cut into an easily maintainable style so you're not spending hours blow drying or having to style it before you can leave the house.

I wouldn't describe myself as well-groomed. But I do look after my clothes. I change into outfits for leaving the house and change out of them when I get home. They are then hung up. I use a lint roller. I fold things well, and I don't wash clothes any more often than necessary. I wouldn't drink coffee or eat lunch in a white or cream top, unless I had a napkin or was very sure of any lid security. Ace bleach is good to keep whites white as is hanging out in bright sunshine or frosty weather, but washing ONLY whites together (which in winter might mean you are only doing a white wash every month) is the most important. I wash my clothes separately to my husband. I don't dry anything decent over a radiator or in the tumble drier. I'll hang them on a hanger and let them air dry. Which is much easier when you don't wash after every wear.

Once you like your clothes, you'll naturally start to look after them better.

Oh yes only washing whites as a pure white wash is key as pp having been saying.

You can use a silk or satin pillowcase instead of a hair wrap (they never stay on my head)

And hair pins or those phone wire hair ties are good at putting hair up without leaving a bump when you take it out

I agree with PPs about washing whites separately with powder rather than liquid. I also wash them at 40 (I wash everything else at 30).

I have “indoor clothes” which I wear around the house. I put them on as soon as I get home, so I’m less likely to get stains on my regular clothes.

For clothes / shoes:

• Hanging things on good hangers (wide, not narrow wire or plastic ones) helps them to stay in shape
• Shoulder protectors - not sure of the real name but they are like little covers that go on the hangers and prevent jackets etc. from getting dirty
• Ditto plastic garment covers
• Get a sticky clothes roller and use for dog hair
• Polish leather shoes and handbags regularly and store them correctly. Use shoe trees for long boots and stuff handbags to hold the shape

Laundry:

• Get a good stain remover and bleach for whites
• I have not used one but gather that steamers are great

Make up etc:

• Build a little handbag kit to keep on you - mini hair brush, mini make up bits (concealer, lipstick, etc.)
• I like blotting papers to remove shine from face - better than adding more makeup
• Carry cotton buds to fix any make-ups smudges (eyeliner etc.)
• Find a good dry shampoo to keep hair fresh
• Invisibobble hairbands look much better than bands

Before wfh I always carried spare tights because I would snag them easily. Also floss in case I got something in my teeth.

The one thing I don't do anymore is have painted nails. Even with gels the upkeep is too much. Now I just keep my short and use a clear varnish / treatment plus hand cream.

I needed to read a few responses before I actually understood the question.

But yes - it comes down to only wearing your ‘good’ clothes outside the house - and changing into home clothes as soon as you step through your door. So there’s no danger of snot or ketchup or claws or fur ever coming into contact with your beautiful new wardrobe.

Then just follow all the excellent advice already posted!

(As a child we always had to change out of school uniform as soon as we got home. I’m always faintly horrified when I see children, either in real life or on TV shows, eating snacks, lounging in front of a screen or having their evening meal still dressed in their uniforms.)

I think taking care of your clothes is a good one.

It probably starts with having good quality clothes in natural fabrics as these always look better.

I have a steamer so pretty much steam most clothes before I wear them - it takes about a minute and makes them look much nicer and nearer.

I have a de-bobbler and lint roller so will look after knitwear etc. I will repair things if it’s something minor that I can do, or take them to the tailor if it’s something more complicated.

Boot buddy for cleaning boots, again takes a minute or two but clean boots/shoes make a difference.

Wash/dry things according to care labels, separate whites and colours, don’t tumble dry etc.

In terms of make up, hair etc…

I don’t do my nails generally but do have nice natural nails, I keep hand cream by my work desk so moisturise regularly. Once a week or so I just neaten/file them.

I don’t do loads to my hair but try and look after it with trims, masks etc so it’s healthy. If I’m going out for dinner, drinks etc I’ll use my Babyliss Big Hair as it makes it look nicely polished.

Skin care I use retinol, SPF 50, Vitamin C and Azelaic acid. My skin looks nice and healthy. I use light makeup - foundation (the Lumene one is amazing) blush and mascara, eyebrow gel - so it’s fairly natural and easy to wear - if it wears off it doesn’t look bad. I find heavy make up requires more maintenance and it’s more likely to need top ups etc.

I realise this probably sounds a lot but it’s about 10 minutes in the morning on skincare and make up in the morning. 5 minutes getting dressed including a quick lint roll etc if I need it.

I wear an apron at home, or put a fleece over "nice" clothes, if I'm wfh and not on a call/eating lunch.

Use napkins.

Whites in special wash, and ditch when they look dingy.

Put clothes away properly.

Get out of the "That'll do" mindset. Yes, I have scruffy pyjamas for about the house, but otherwise if it's not great, I don't wear it.

I spend about 3 mins doing make up in the morning - serum, moisturiser, BB cream, curl eyelashes, eyeliner and mascara, swipe off blusher and that's it.

Regular hair cuts

It probably starts with having good quality clothes in natural fabrics as these always look better.

There is that!

I remember, more than a decade ago, on one of the first threads I posted on I mentioned my beloved double sided, real bristle Kent clothes brush. (Bought in the late 80s when I started my first post graduation job in the City.) People were agog - bewildered as to what purpose such a strange item might perform. I realised a) that they didn’t own clothes in the sort of fabrics (tweed, wool flannel, velvet, etc,) that benefit from brushing, and b) that I must be very old indeed.

Eyebrows shaped
Manicures, & pedicures in summer
Regular hair cut and highlights
White (but not white white) teeth
Subtle jewellery
Staying thin

The above allows me to wear virtually no make up day to day and to dress for comfort (I live in yoga pants and hoodies).

Looking after your clothes is key. I have two wardrobes: one with casual day to day things in and the other with smarter, more expensive items. Cashmere & silk gets kept in plastic covers over coat hangers and I religiously put clothes away. I have nice clothes for work but tend to keep these separate from my really good clothes as I often find things get snagged or pen marks and generally need washing more if worn for work. I rarely wash my really good stuff and when I do, it’s on a hand wash setting.

Around the house with children, it’s only ever lounge wear or gym clothes.

I look after my skin and get my nails done regularly but my hair I don’t bother much with - it’s wavy and I like it fairly messy so it’s way down on my list of priorities. I give myself regular pedicures at home but am horrifically lazy with shaving my legs!

For what it’s worth, I think you look well put together if you’re happy in your own skin and wearing clothes you like. It isn’t really about conforming to a standard for me; if you feel good, you’ll look good! I love jewellery so a nice selection I can wear daily with fancier bits to go out in makes me feel great, but for someone else that might be handbags or make up or anything IYSWIM!

I think it's also about being organised, knowing what's happening in your day and dressing appropriately for it. You wake up, you have a plan for the day you've checked the weather you know what you need to wear for where and what you're doing.
You're not dressed up but then struggling to stay clean while cooking and doing chores or walking the dog. If you're going to dress up then dinner or chores were done earlier in clothes for the task.
You're organised with weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly (whatever frequency) appointments for your hair, teeth, waxing, facials, nails, eyebrows, whatever you get done so they are never caught out and constantly groomed. They love themselves enough that they prioritise their grooming and self care. They're not cheap with time or money on themselves, they're not martyrs for others.

The base of your wardrobe is good quality stuff that are maintained and cleaned properly.
Put together tend to have a boring but good quality capsule wardrobe type where everything goes with everything. They figure out a style or two that goes well for them (make up, hairdo, clothes 'uniform') and they stick to it.

Make up is high end quality, it tends to last better.

I wear a lot of whites, creams and neutrals. I could not live without vanish white - it works. Use it for every wash.

A blow dry that creates volume and shine instantly elevates any look.

I second gradual tanner, very natural shade and pristine white teeth that are not fake.

Very limited pieces of jewellery of exceptional quality.

Spotless bags that are not old or tired. Oversize always looks stylish.

Tan and black in the winter always looks chic.

Make up is natural and enhancing - never too much. Shaped and elegant eyebrows.

I always iron my clothes and use starch on cotton and linen.

A day time scent that is barely there suiting the season/ time of year