Has how to look expensive / polished changed?

[Newpeople]

Inspired by the Chanel bag thread which is a great read.

The many previous threads on here describe (to me) what seems like a very dated look. Even a bouncy blow dry now seems old fashioned.

Anyone fancy discussing what makes someone looked polished / expensive these days? In my experience (people I know and have met) it’s vastly different and much more casual these days.

All that’s changed is trends in hair, makeup, clothes and accessories. As pp have said, it’s still good hair/skin/teeth, slim, good posture, well fitted clothes, grooming, and basically… having a lot of money.

Lots of excellent points here, and I would also add, dressing in simple, classic neutrals. Camel, cream, navy, and only black if it's excellent quality. Almost always gold accessories, not silver.

Patterns and cheap fabrics are the anathema of this particular aesthetic.

Slim fitting but not tight or baggy is spot on.

And if everything else is well presented, slightly messy hair just seems to balance it out in that laid-back Parisian manner.

I guess expensive is not seeing a red screen on the Phoebe Philo site. Nor having to buy your The Row handbag pre-owned!

Polished - looking like you understand the UK’s much diminished position in the world and the fact that most of the significant drive and talent exists amongst the global majority? (These threads used to be full of posters proclaiming that only thin and blonde was acceptable …)

Good skin , hair , teeth and a normal weight .

This sounds interesting - could you share a link to where you got them please?

I think, as others have said, looking healthy and wearing well-made, well-fitted clothes will usually make you look polished, even if you are not wearing a current fashion

This sounds interesting - could you share a link to where you got them please?

They are called dickey collars if that helps. Mine is from H&M but I got it last year.

“Polished - looking like you understand the UK’s much diminished position in the world and the fact that most of the significant drive and talent exists amongst the global majority? “

WTF?

Bizarre.

Yeah that comment is bonkers, isn’t it.

The irony is when one thinks of ‘polish’, one still thinks of a thin, white, blonde-ish woman. Last time I checked most of the chic Parisians that are fawned over on Instagram and TikTok fit this description.

If by ‘normal’ you mean ‘average’, this would be either clinically overweight or clinically obese among the Western World, where most adults are not a healthy weight.

The only way to look expensive and polished is to be rich and not need a job. Then you have enough time to go to the gym and work out with your personal trainer, get your hair cut and coloured every 6 weeks, go on enough holidays to keep your real natural tan topped up, research all the things you need to buy etc.

The very wealthy women I know wear expensive athletic gear (but subtle, absolutely no big logos shouting the brand) pretty much permanently; wear minimal make up but have great skin (subtle work or just expensive skincare?) and have expensive cuts and colours regularly. It's a very understated look.

I am not one of these women btw! I only wear work out clothes if I'm actually working out; love a bit of liquid eyeliner with lots of mascara; buy my skincare at Aldi and get my undyed hair cut twice a year when I start to look like a castaway!

Oh yes, and they're almost all very thin!

I don’t know. There are ladies who dress up in 1940/50s clothing who look stunning, elegant and classy. There are some videos on Instagram of ladies who dress up and walk around Italy and they look amazing and there is none of this boxy, clean lines stuff.

I think it’s about good fabric, the right cut and fit. Nothing revealing (I don’t have a problem with revealing but I think it doesn’t always fit in with the idea of what is traditionally elegant), and the right colouring to match yourself. No sequins etc. and tidy hair. I don’t think what looks classy and elegant has ever really changed.

This is what happens when you allow your robot to post!

This. I always buy silk/cashmere/pure cotton etc as I hate the feel of synthetics on my skin. I never look polished. I am not skinny enough.

I have to agree, you will never look polished if you’re overweight. Sad but true

I work in the City of London and it changes with the trends. Last couple of years everyone is in long floral dresses in Summer.

Men currently are in dark puffer / down vests. They were them alone / under suits etc. So outdoor wear is becoming more of a general item.

Women are more of a mixed bag but the days of power dressing is over.

I don't think this needs to be turned into yet another battle of the bodies, but I do think that 'polished' is a particular aesthetic. It does lend itself to being slim/thin. It's a modell-y style.

No big brand names on display
Good quality clothing with natural materials
Classic styles, no insta trends
No limp or bleached hair, should be full and healthy
Light makeup

I don’t get this, men are wearing puffa vests underneat suits? Surely they don’t fit!

What utter shit. One of the best dressed, most polished women I know is a larger lady. She dresses for her size and shape and wears clothes that fit her true size, not the size she wants to be.

AHH yet another ablist, classist and fat shaming thread on Mumsnet.

How fun 🙄

I’ve been watching (and loving) Ted Lasso. The character Rebecca is meant to be this rich divorcee and every scene she just looks wealthy and polished. I’ve been trying to decide how they’ve made her look rich every time 😂 I think it’s well cut, fitting clothing and good make up.

I do not agree with this comment about being overweight at all. I see lots of woman dressed in expensive looking , casual clothing with lovely hair and minimal make up. Good cheekbones, good posture, self confidence and great proportions. Actually I'm more likely to notice these woman, particularly if older as I think they've got the key to this look.