What Makes Polish Look Polished? - YouLookFab Forum

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What Makes Polish Look Polished?

Jeanie

Veteran

My sister and my aunt Linda are both incredibly polished. Their houses are impeccable as well....clean, beds made, everything in place. My sister can wear a concert t-shirt, jeans and runners and look more polished than I. Do you have to be born this way? What is it that makes polish look polished? Sometimes I think it's straight, classic lines but then I think of Victoria Beckham (the queen of polish) and she very often wears oversized clothing. I think maybe I was just born a hippy or is there a way to make my summer go-to outfit of maxi skirt, tshirt and Birks look more polished?

Dressing

74 replies

Latest reply was from Barbara Diane

Anonymous

I'll be watching this thread to learn the secret. I hope there is a secret and it doesn't come down to being born with it.

Angela K

Veteran

Good question. I don't have an answer but will follow this thread for more expert input!

Liz

Veteran

If I were wanting to "polish you up," while you were still wearing t-shirt, birks, and maxi, I'd check your grooming (hair, make-up, skin care, nails). I'd check your t-shirt and skirt -- that the fabric of either wasn't worn out or saggy or droopy, that the fit was right on, that the proportions were great, that you were wearing the items deliberately. I'd make sure your birks were cared for and that you'd had a pedicure (or at least that your feet had lotion and neat nails). And then there's the stuff like posture.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think some of it has to do with the supporting acts - hair, makeup, nails, etc. It has to look sleek and neat. Victoria Beckham always has perfect makeup and hair.

always trying

Veteran

What others said-it is the whole person, the total look, neat, clean, unruffled, unwrinkled-everything has to look like you just came from the hair salon, had a facial, all clothing fresh out of the laundry or dry cleaners, shoes brand new, etc. Can't do this with small children, dogs, babies, or whatever in tow.

Jeanie

Veteran

I think you are onto something Liz. All of the people I can think of who are polished have impeccable grooming......hair, makeup, nails all well kept and in place. My sis wears her hair long but gets cuts and color every 6 weeks. I'm sure VB has someone to do her hair and makeup everyday.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree that details of grooming are key. But I also think some people do look more polished than others quite inherently. Angie has said that it is quite difficult for her to look unpolished and I can believe it. I am similar -- even if I were to go wilderness camping for a few days I would probably come back looking tidy (if exhausted).

But clothing choices definitely influence this. It is harder to look polished in a style that is by its nature super. super casual. Classic pieces automatically look a bit more polished. Crisp colour (or neutral) colour combinations can look more polished. Tailored items look more polished than oversized.

Jeanie, what about your sister's and mother's looks do you admire and want to emulate? What (perhaps) doesn't feel right to you -- since you seem to have a different style? What do you love about your favourite fallback outfit and is there a way you could get that with slightly different pieces if you aspire to a more polished look?

Anonymous

I look tidy!! (But polished, not necessarily).

I am going to spend exactly three weeks really focusing on grooming. Perhaps best-ever grooming can become a habit.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I tend to smear my eyeliner and muss my hair to actively avoid looking too polished. I think it's about crisp lines, whether in hair, makeup, or clothing.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think good posture makes a huge difference. VB looks deliberate in her oversize garments, because she stands up straight with her shoulders down. She isn't slumping, like she is hiding herself.

Nishaa

Go on ye wise ones.... I am listening..

Kristin L

Veteran

I agree with LBD. I think posture can be key.

Muffin

Veteran

Agree with the others- posture, grooming, fit of clothing, also the editing of accessories or just the right detail of a garment.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

First thing that comes to mind is hair. As someone with a frizzy mane, it's impossible for me to look polished unless my hair is professionally done. No amount of drape, flow, or structure can compensate for longer hair that looks messy (frizzy halo, cowlicks, etc), even if you've taken care to contain it. Make-up and clear nail polish help, though. I also think that very slim IT people can look polished more easily than others, just because of how clothes hang on them.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm afraid there might be an element of "you have it or you don't" when it comes to polish. I know it doesn't come naturally to me, and is a struggle if I try.

Gradfashionista is right about the hair, for one thing. I'd need a keratin treatment for mine to look smooth. It wants to be wild. And hair is a hugely important for a person's overall look.

If I were to spend a few days in the bush with Suz, she'd come out looking neat and collected, and I'd have twigs in my hair, hot chocolate down my front, mud spatters on my shins, creases everywhere, greasy skin and a sort of aura of unravelling sweatiness.

Nothing wrong with a tee shirt, long skirt and Birkenstocks, by the way -- why do you want it to look more polished? (But if you do, smooth hair, or a very short haircut, with fresh-looking skin and tasteful jewellery will do the trick).

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I think of "polished" as pulled together which I think makes the concept a bit less abstract. It's about taking care of all of the details from head to toe as many others have mentioned here. I also think it has to do with accessorizing...You never want people wondering if you just got out of bed if polished is what you're going for! Angie is just about the only woman I can think of who can get away with so few accessories, but she does have great specs, a cute hair cut, fab shoes and always her wedding set and a fab watch.

Ginger

Veteran

This is fascinating! A couple things stand out so far. I don't know if I'm polished, but what Suz said about Angie really resonated. I *can't* pull off a boho look. I've tried repeatedly over the years, with various items and outfits. But the casual, free spirit, airy vibe is just beyond me. I'd like to think it's natural polish... but some of the things mentioned here I've never done (smooth hair, manicure/pedicure, facial). That said, my hair isn't out of control, my nails are neat if not professional, and I'm blessed with great skin. Hmm. Lots of consider.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

There's a blog post about team polished or team RATE from several years ago. I thought I had responded, but now I don't find my answer there. Anyway, I recall thinking I was RATE because my of my hair style, which is basically an unkempt curly look. And yet everything else about my style probably looks more polished than I would have guessed. Ginger brings up a good point--being able to pull off a boho look would suggest that one can achieve a less polished and perhaps RATE look. I do have boho elements to my style, so perhaps I'm not super polished. I also like to wear flowy rather than crisp fabrics. Maybe crisp and structure are elements of polish, too.

Eliza

Veteran

I don't do boho, yet I think one can be boho and polished. The elements of polish include that head to toe attention mentioned, as well as a comfort in one's own skin. I need to think more, yet can't one be polished in almost any style of dress? Perhaps it is partially a matter of what one prefers or is accustomed to wearing or seeing. I am trying to achieve a polished casual vibe and I need to believe it is possible.

Jeanie

Veteran

Suz - I have some days were I try to be more polished and I don't seem to accomplish it. So I think I am left musing about polish and how someone can wear jeans and a tee and look more polished than my maxi and tee. Then some days I am happy just being boho. Maybe it is inherent. Angie reminds me a lot of my Aunt who prefers a very dressy style. I don't think either could look unpolished. You gave me some good questions to consider. I am a wash and go hair person so that is one area that I would have to change or accept.
Sterling - good luck on your grooming quest. Maybe I will try to do the same. I do think my sis spends way more time doing her hair than I do and that may be a big difference.
Jenn - I like that you are a rebel! I do think the lines matter.
LBD & Kristen L - I believe you are right about posture. VB did many years in ballet and I suspect that gave her stellar posture.
Nishaa- so great to have this wise community.
Muffin- Editing is a word that came to mind when I was thinking about this. I have good editing skills and often help people decide how to wear their clothes. I believe some people must be better or take more time applying editing to themselves.
gradfashionista - I suspect you are right about hair. Mine is frizzy and wavy and sometimes I'm fine with it. But if I am gonna strive for more polish I will have to reel it in and spend much more time at the salon.
Aziraphale - Ha Ha! I would look just as you after that camping trip. I am a spiller and would definitely be wearing the hot chocolate.
Dana - Yes, attention to detail is important. And maybe polished people are just good at knowing how to make the accessories work just right.
I do wonder if you can be polished without jewelry?
Ginger - maybe you have the polish gene
Firecracker - thanks for the link. You bring up interesting points. When I think of someone who can pull off boho I think of Kate Moss. When I look at her photos I guess I see that she has style but I don't know that I would call it polish. Though it is certainly as polished as boho gets if that makes sense.
Eliza - I think I strive for polished casual as well and I think it does exist.

Anonymous

Money has to be mentioned from the original description, in my opinion. If you have money you also probably have time ... or can pay someone.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think one can be boho and polished -- probably quite an elegant, opulent boho, like some of the looks coming down the ready-to-wear runway for 2016, in fact.

One can also be casual and polished (I hope) but it is easier with more tailored pieces.

Ginger, what you said fascinated me because like you, I cannot do boho. It used to be my "shadow style" in that I wanted to do it, wished to do it -- but always failed miserably in my attempts. I mean, I could put the clothes on but I just looked like a sad mess.

I have similar problems with full out hard edge. Just does not feel or look right on me.

Both of these are styles that can skew RATE. So there does seem to be some connection.

Aziriphale, the weird thing is -- I'd come out of that bush with stains on my shirt and pants, probably a few twigs or other detritus about my person, and chipped, dusty nails -- yet I would still probably look more polished than not. How the heck can that even happen? I really don't get it. "Artful dishevelment" is completely out of my range.

Jeanie

Veteran

Well after reading the link that Firecracker sent and trying to digest everything I think I am more RATE/boho but just feel I look better when I am more polished (especially as I get older). So maybe it's just something that I strive for but I don't think I have inherently. I think I achieved it at my son's wedding but that took a year of planning and a lot of help from the salon. And Suz if you can have spills on you and look polished then polish must be your secret gift!
Floradora - Somehow I suspect the Suzs' and Angies' of the world would pull off polish even if they had to spit shine their shoes! Money probably helps the unpolished look more polished and the polished become uber polished!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well...hmmmm....I do think wavy hair can look polished! It's true that it requires a really good cut to look polished -- and that costs money -- so to that extent, Floradora is correct.

You can be polished looking in inexpensive clothing, though -- if you pick well. And iron it.

I'm a wash and go hair person, too, Jeanie -- so I just wear a style that lets me do that. I do get pedicures but rarely manicures. I don't spend a lot on makeup or wear a lot -- but I do wear it every day.

Oh -- and I carry a Tide stick against the stains! I'd probably even take it into the bush.

kkards

Veteran

Well...not sure,.... I don't think its grooming.....as I don't think Grace is any less well groomed than Anna (& isn't it wonderful that we are on 1st name bases), but I see Anna and think polished, and I see Grace and think free spirit......so maybe it's attitude, or maybe it's my perception of their body language and what it says to me.

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Tammyb

This is an interesting article on looking polished. I love the recognition that there is a team making The Good Wife and Scandal look the way they do. https://www.washingtonian.com/.....good-wife/

Staysfit

Veteran

Kkards, I also see a difference in the style choice for Grace and Anna in your examples. Anna looks much more carefully composed. It appears as if there was some thoughtful effort put into making her look, whereas Graces appears as though she spent much less time and energy putting it all together, even though that may not be the case. I'm not referring to a RATE or slapdash quality. It's something more subtle than that.

catgirl

Veteran

For me it takes remarkable effort to look close to polished. Something is always slightly off. Right now I have blueberry stains and a blood blister on my hands, and I've neglected to shave my legs since last Friday. For others it's an effort NOT to look polished, I suspect!

I will look up my original thread on RATE (a term I randomly made up) which prompted a huge discussion. ETA: it's linked in Firecracker's link!. Ironically the more RATE the situation (camping!) the better I tend to look. Twigs and dirt as accessories suit me strangely well!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely inherent and I am inherently RATE. I think some people are just more aware that their cuffs are uneven, their makeup smudged, and their body awkwardly posed. Nonetheless, I can decide to polish myself up a bit on occasion.

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