How does one look more polished /high end?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also invest more in nice shoes, bags and outerwear - things that you use all the time and people notice most.

For me that means - an LV Neverfull for everyday. I use it all the time and necessarily ally worth it to me. Ferragamo myjoy ballet flats for casual looks, nice gucci pumps for work, a burberry jacket for spring and fall - wear it over my yoga pants and you still look polished. I buy jeans from Target or Macys - I refuse to spend on that and the difference is not noticeable. Same with workout clothes.

I also have one nice watch - Cartier. And always wear pearl studs or a pair of diamond hoops.

Invest in key pieces that you can wear often.

Hair done and a nice clean manicure is important too.

Sounds like your confidence comes from wearing high end brands, which is fine because I'm sure that confidence shines through. Personally when i see a person with designer clothing or accessories, it doesnt necessarily translate to a polished look. Like others have mentioned it's about clothes that look right and fit right. I love the look of the Burberry quilted jacket but no matter how many times I've tried it on at different stages of my life... it still looks hideous on me.

I definitely like higher end brands but the items I described are all classics - they've been around forever and will be in the future - and are pretty simple. They're great investment pieces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm overweight and give off a very polished look. It's all in the way you carry yourself. My make up is always impeccable. I wear high end workout clothing. Large diamond studs (mine are fake from nordstrom but no one would ever know). A little bit of self tanner goes a long way. Understated designer bag.

As for hair, my advice is that if you're a brunette, go dark. Light brown, washed out hair doesn't work for anyone.
Do a deep, rich brown and it will lighten your face and give you a more polished, exotic look.

I'm sorry, but overweight says "I don't give a fuck," not "polished."

[Anonymous]

Can someone post a link to a high quality and understated handbag that conveys polished/high-end, and preferably under $500?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post a link to a high quality and understated handbag that conveys polished/high-end, and preferably under $500?

Check out the satchels and totes by Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade and Tory Burch. All have some nice and professional-looking options in the price range you're seeking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post a link to a high quality and understated handbag that conveys polished/high-end, and preferably under $500?

Check out the satchels and totes by Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade and Tory Burch. All have some nice and professional-looking options in the price range you're seeking.

This is the PP. FYI, here are a few that I like:

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418129&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446597171&R=887712200498&P_name=Tory+Burch&N=4294922162+4294950150+306418129&bmUID=knquw9k

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418129&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446687874&R=846632467244&P_name=Rebecca+Minkoff&N=4294922162+4294950150+306418129&bmUID=knquw9C

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kate-spade-new-york-satchel-cobble-hill-little-murphy?ID=836916

http://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/shop/handbags/mab-mini-hazelnut-nyc.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the links above PP but I would argue that stuff hanging off a purse (like in the last link) is not "polished" but I agree with the other three.

I have a clarification question:
I think some of my blazer sleeves are too long. What's the right length? How do I decide if a blazer is worthy of investing in such drastic alterations?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My tip is more basic, if you're starting from a more basic place - and a classic from the old days of What Not to Wear. Find a completer piece. So don't just throw on a tshirt and jeans, but also a polished jacket or top or scarf or even a statement necklace- just one extra thing that says I took care with this outfit.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you take the blazer to Nordstrom and ask a stylist? I wouldn't have several blazer sleeve lengths shortened, but maybe one or two. While you are there, ask the stylist some questions pertaining to what you think is lacking in your own style. It's free advice and you don't have to take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm overweight and give off a very polished look. It's all in the way you carry yourself. My make up is always impeccable. I wear high end workout clothing. Large diamond studs (mine are fake from nordstrom but no one would ever know). A little bit of self tanner goes a long way. Understated designer bag.

As for hair, my advice is that if you're a brunette, go dark. Light brown, washed out hair doesn't work for anyone.
Do a deep, rich brown and it will lighten your face and give you a more polished, exotic look.

I'm sorry, but overweight says "I don't give a fuck," not "polished."

Disagree. Overweight and polished tells indicates that you do give a fuck, but that you also enjoy a good meal more than you worry about those 15-20 pounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good posture. Do not slouch, hold your back erect, shoulders back and extend your neck. It sounds silly and old fashioned, you will feel stiff/fake at first but you will look fabulous.
Good quality clothing in simple cuts and solid colors. Nothing torn, saggy, faded, or stained. Focus on black, taupe, grey. Natural fibers look best.
Do not use a clothes dryer, you clothes will wear faster and fade.
A good quality white shirt that has been tailored to fit
The best quality shoes you can afford. At lease one pair of heels and one pair of flats
Buff or polish your shoes every day
Stop wearing makeup and start caring for your skin. You might look like hell for a while but it will force you to get flawless skin which screams wealth
Push back your cuticles, hands and feet every night after your shower. No polish. Short, clean nails always.
One good trench coat always clean and pressed
Silk scarf
Cashmere blend shawl

This is great advice for elderly ladies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm overweight and give off a very polished look. It's all in the way you carry yourself. My make up is always impeccable. I wear high end workout clothing. Large diamond studs (mine are fake from nordstrom but no one would ever know). A little bit of self tanner goes a long way. Understated designer bag.

As for hair, my advice is that if you're a brunette, go dark. Light brown, washed out hair doesn't work for anyone.
Do a deep, rich brown and it will lighten your face and give you a more polished, exotic look.

I'm sorry, but overweight says "I don't give a fuck," not "polished."

Disagree. Overweight and polished tells indicates that you do give a fuck, but that you also enjoy a good meal more than you worry about those 15-20 pounds.

+1.
I would say that apart from some tall lean twenty somethings, most polished women I see are overweight. As someone said in a previous thread, they can have a real presence thinner women rarely have. (Though oddly, i have seen similar presence in a few older very petite women.) I am of average weight and draw inspiration from these overweight women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good posture. Do not slouch, hold your back erect, shoulders back and extend your neck. It sounds silly and old fashioned, you will feel stiff/fake at first but you will look fabulous.
Good quality clothing in simple cuts and solid colors. Nothing torn, saggy, faded, or stained. Focus on black, taupe, grey. Natural fibers look best.
Do not use a clothes dryer, you clothes will wear faster and fade.
A good quality white shirt that has been tailored to fit
The best quality shoes you can afford. At lease one pair of heels and one pair of flats
Buff or polish your shoes every day
Stop wearing makeup and start caring for your skin. You might look like hell for a while but it will force you to get flawless skin which screams wealth
Push back your cuticles, hands and feet every night after your shower. No polish. Short, clean nails always.
One good trench coat always clean and pressed
Silk scarf
Cashmere blend shawl

No makeup is nice advice for natural beauties, but some of us need a little help. Not sure why "looking like hell" will force someone to get flawless skin. Some of us can't have flawless skin without spending our wealth, which really defeats the purpose of this exercise.

Also, not everyone can wear the color white successfully. It is not very flattering on me. Also, a wardrobe that focuses on "black, taupe, and grey" is boring and on many people will look drab and even aging. I think better advice would be to wear colors that flatter. I also think looking polished means requires wearing seasonally appropriate fabrics and colors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
After observing well-heeled white-ish women in their late 40s+, and discussing with my own dermatologist, I am convinced that these women's skin is the result of MEDICAL and quasi-medical interventions and maintenance -- and not some pablum about "sunscreen in your 20s." I mean, yes we should all seek to avoid skin cancer, but these women are *also* all getting Fraxel / IPL lasers every few months; using tubes of $120 prescription cream like obagi and triluma; using Latisse; getting a tiny tasteful bit of Botox every few months; skin peels; restalyne in the "parentheses". Laser hair removal on the chin and cheeks.

Jeez. Any idea how much this costs on a monthly or annual basis to take a dip in the fountain of youth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good posture. Do not slouch, hold your back erect, shoulders back and extend your neck. It sounds silly and old fashioned, you will feel stiff/fake at first but you will look fabulous.
Good quality clothing in simple cuts and solid colors. Nothing torn, saggy, faded, or stained. Focus on black, taupe, grey. Natural fibers look best.
Do not use a clothes dryer, you clothes will wear faster and fade.
A good quality white shirt that has been tailored to fit
The best quality shoes you can afford. At lease one pair of heels and one pair of flats
Buff or polish your shoes every day
Stop wearing makeup and start caring for your skin. You might look like hell for a while but it will force you to get flawless skin which screams wealth
Push back your cuticles, hands and feet every night after your shower. No polish. Short, clean nails always.
One good trench coat always clean and pressed
Silk scarf
Cashmere blend shawl

No makeup is nice advice for natural beauties, but some of us need a little help. Not sure why "looking like hell" will force someone to get flawless skin. Some of us can't have flawless skin without spending our wealth, which really defeats the purpose of this exercise.


Also, not everyone can wear the color white successfully. It is not very flattering on me. Also, a wardrobe that focuses on "black, taupe, and grey" is boring and on many people will look drab and even aging. I think better advice would be to wear colors that flatter. I also think looking polished means requires wearing seasonally appropriate fabrics and colors.

+1

Colors should flatter. Of the three colors mentioned--black, gray, and taupe--only gray really looks good on me. Of course I wear black too because it is unavoidable; it just doesn't suit my coloring very well. Navy is much better for me as a dark neutral.

You can certainly wear makeup while your skin is getting tended to.

Also, the OP asked about looking more polished, not about looking like she was wealthy. So-so skin can be fixed with make up for a polished look without ever once having to do anything other than visit the drug store makeup and skin care aisles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone post a link to a high quality and understated handbag that conveys polished/high-end, and preferably under $500?

Check out the satchels and totes by Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade and Tory Burch. All have some nice and professional-looking options in the price range you're seeking.

This is the PP. FYI, here are a few that I like:

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418129&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446597171&R=887712200498&P_name=Tory+Burch&N=4294922162+4294950150+306418129&bmUID=knquw9k

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418129&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446687874&R=846632467244&P_name=Rebecca+Minkoff&N=4294922162+4294950150+306418129&bmUID=knquw9C

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kate-spade-new-york-satchel-cobble-hill-little-murphy?ID=836916


http://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/shop/handbags/mab-mini-hazelnut-nyc.html

Agree the Tory Burch Madison Double Zip Robinson is a great looking bag but I don't think it is a high quality bag. The saffiano leather is billed as making it durable. However, I bought one and used it for my everyday bag for about six months. It looks like total crap now so I don't carry it anymore. The leather started rubbing off the handles almost immediately after I bought it. I should have taken it back, but alas.

I replaced with a Michael Kors saffiano leather, which isn't quite as charming as the Robinson but it gets the job done and still looks great after close to a year of use.