What does "polished" mean to you? - YouLookFab Forum

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What does "polished" mean to you?

Ann in New England

As I think about my style goals and descriptors, I happened upon the term "polished." I remember a boss of mine once remarking on a customer, whom she described that way. I feel like I know it when I see it, but what would be the identifiable traits that someone would have if they were, indeed, "polished?" What does it mean for you?

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

gryffin

Veteran

Ann - that's an interesting question and more complex as I think of it. I know what you mean, you know it when you see it! To me polished is, like elegance, an attention to detail - fit, harmony and quality being key. I tend to also think of polished as tailored - but I'm wrestling if this is due to my personal style. I'm not sure. To reference Caro's thread - from a book she mentioned "Simple isn't easy" - understated, appropriate, ease - and I'd add harmony of detail would be polished to me.

kkards

Veteran

like gryffin. i tend to think of polished as tailored, and complete, i.e. all the pieces fit together and work towards the same end. i think of polished as having an edge to it, but is not edgy.

Debbie

Veteran

Angie is the definition of polished to me. She has all the details together. She always looks elegant. I think some of it may be inherent. I think everyone perceives it differently. I can't seem to achieve the polish I am after but if you ask me to articulate what's missing I can't tell you that either.

shipskitty

Veteran

Polished evokes several different things to me which I think
individually or collectively can make an outfit or individual seem polished:

A high degree of attention to general grooming and outfit
finish.

Tailoring, fit and perceived quality of the components
included in the outfit.

Sophistication derived from the way components of an outfit complement or 'go' with each other.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's a great question, Ann. Neat, tidy, spic and span and even, literally "shiny" is part of it. (Shiny hair, glowing skin, etc.) This is one reason Angie epitomizes it. I also think harmony is part of polish or contributes to a more polished appearance.

gryffin, I think I tend to envision polished as tailored, too -- or maybe it is easier to achieve polish with a tailored style? But then I think of someone like our Deborah from Oz. Her style is not tailored yet is very polished (IMO).

Anonymous

It is an interesting descriptor (I feel like I've typed this word - descriptor - about 10 times in the past couple of days) in that I know exactly what it looks like, but am not sure I could use specific words to illustrate it. The lack of polish is maybe easier to describe: messy, rumpled, no clear attention paid to creating "look" , details left unattended (maybe a missed belt, wrong hosiery, etc, no real hair look, no makeup etc) . I can visual easily friends in both camps. Unfortunately, unpolished can sound and look like a negative word, especially to those of us who have polish as a goal at any and all times.

Staysfit

Veteran

I think of polished as attention to all the details in a way that they all work harmoniously, but they each are finished and attended to individually as well. That would include grooming, hair, makeup, nails, jewelry, shoes, handbag, undergarments, coats, and of course the outfit itself. I would be remiss if I didn't mention posture and attitude as being a big component.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes, Angie is very polished, but her style is not the only way to look polished. To me, 'polished' is the opposite of 'scruffy'. A polished woman looks fresh, even late in the day. She has an outfit that looks planned and intentional, and the individual pieces go well together, even if the overall look isn't 'matchy-matchy'. She doesn't have toothpaste stains down her shirt, or coffee drips on her lap. Her hair is usually smooth and sleek, or else in smooth, shiny, controlled curls. Or maybe her style is a bit tousled, like Angie's, but it never looks like bedhead. Her nails are neat, and if there is polish, it's not chipping. Her makeup is subtle but always there; she never has lipstick on her teeth and her face isn't an oil slick by lunchtime.

Anonymous

I think it's my fault that lisap has typed the word descriptor so many times.
When I think of polished, I think of someone who is impeccably well groomed, wears clothing that fits perfectly and is in pristine condition, etc. Every hair is in place. Makeup is flawlessly applied. You get the idea. I do think there's more than one way to look polished, Attention to every last detail of grooming and dressing is key.

My DH's boss is like that. He looks perfect all the time. I only saw him look less than perfect one time, and that was because he had been out mowing his lawn. He didn't look like himself, you know, because I am accustomed to seeing him wearing a suit and tie.

I do think some people have an easier time looking polished than others, just because of what nature gave them to work with. Some of us have to spend a lot more time on our hair, etc.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I looked it up in the dictionary, and polished in this context means refined and sophisticated.

I guess everyone has their own interpretation though. The above definition implies good taste. However, I see a lot of polished presenters on TV that I don't think have elegance or good taste. Their hair and make-up can be overdone which isn't as tasteful to me.

ETA -- I think my own definition veers towards "carefully groomed, carefully dressed" rather than refined and sophisticated. I guess I've been wrong all along.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh! Denise -- that is an excellent point. Sometimes polish looks more like shellac!!!

Take Canada's current Prime Minister, for instance.

shedev

Veteran

I would define polished as clean, sleek (could be tailored, but also could be more minimal, unfussy). As someone who does not seek polish, I get a cold prickly feeling at attention to detail as a descriptor unique to polished styles. I propose that anyone talking on a fashion forum cares about attention to detail no matter what degree of polish they seek. Rate items do tend to have a lot of detail to attend. I may be feeling a little contentious today though.

Staysfit

Veteran

Ha! Shellac! Having a hard outer shell, shiny and slick! What a great description for a leader Suz.

I like the refined and sophisticated definition. That sums it up nicely.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not my favourite guy....

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Anonymous

Haha Suz ! Don't get me started As I was driving to the wine store, I was thinking more about this thread ( I am always cringing afterward at what I write, thinking it could have been worded better , been more intellectual and thoughtful, or less cranky-sounding) and the crux of it for me is polish is all about grooming. The clothes take a back seat. Meaning, you can be polished and wear inexpensive non-trendy clothing.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, I agree.

Also, it's a continuum, from shellac to RATE to nothin' but a hangnail.

rachylou

Veteran

Tailored, clean, neat.

Gaylene

Veteran

If "polished" is used as the opposite to "sloppy", then it means one thing, but, as a style descriptor, I think it denotes a certain look that relies on refinement, harmony, and elegance for its effect. In this sense, what we call RATE (Rough Around The Edges) would be its opposite. The RATE look is every bit as constructed, but the overall effect is nonchalant and edgy, with more than a hint of a rebel spirit that thumbs its nose at convention. Polished goes for an impeccable pair of well-fitted jeans that look high-end even if they are not, while RATE's distressed and "dirty" wash denim might cost $$$$, but looks like it has been heavily used and carelessly thrown on after spending the night on the floor.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of that polished does not necessarily mean good taste. Angie is extremely polished with extremely good taste, but as mentioned polished can be seen on lots of people. Speaking from camp unpolished, my sleeves are never stay the same length, my cuffs are uneven, my hair is undisciplined, something is always tugging the wrong way and so on. I am clean but I am not tidy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Whereas my house is tidy, but I would not vouch for its cleanliness at all times.

Gaylene

Veteran

Suz, it's that HAIR!!

Ann in New England

Thank you all. I think I agree that being "put together" in an elegant, refined way, alongside good grooming, would get someone most of the way to"polished." But yes, it's also confidence, posture, and I think some inexplicable something. I will never get completely there (my nails are proof of that), but I think I'm striving for elements of polished.

I think I've nailed down my 5 descriptors, and it truly has helped me figure out where I'm trying to go with my style. I feel a longer post coming on, inspired by many of you, especially Suz.

AM

Veteran

I would echo: personal grooming, make-up, jewelry, shoes (in great shape), clothes (in great shape) -- and details like scarves and hats.

Susie

Veteran

It's the word I think to myself when I use my flatiron on my hair a bit, rather than leaving it fuller and a bit wavy!

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting thread! When I think of polished, I first and foremost think of personal grooming: makeup very well done, hair all in place and holding its style, nails clean and nicely shaped, etc. For the clothes, they can be oversized and not necessarily tailored, but even if they are oversized they fit in all the important parts (I'm thinking especially of the shoulders) to create a sense of structure so that you still have a cohesive outfit.

I have tried being more polished in the last several months, and it is a lot of work. But it is making me feel better about myself overall. It does get easier the more I make the effort.

margaretz

Polished to me is attention to detail. Did someone take the time to review each piece and make a conscious decision. With polish, with attention to detail, small adjustments are purposefully made.

Versus everything is thrown together...

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks for the kind mention Suz:) I love the definition of refined and sophisticted. Polish is something I know when I see it, and it's not so easily defined IMHO. One picture that came to mind is the silver. The cutlery might be clean and ready for use, but that few minutes spend polishing each piece 'completes' it. What I tend to notice, and that I think add polish are things like attention to make up, hair and nails.