Color palate is important too. I tend to stick to neutrals and jewel tones, and am very careful about patterns. I find that patterns can look cheap more easily than does a solid.

Anonymous wrote:+1 to the (majority) PP's

4. Refresh your basic pieces - those basic pieces that are the building block for your entire wardrobe should be refreshed periodically. This is a great site to help with that http://www.puttingmetogether.com/2013/02/wardrobe-from-scratch-part-4-starter.html

Not OP but this is a really helpful site. Thanks.

An excellent, properly fitting bra if you have C boobs or larger. Back fat, side boob, bounce, nipple salutes in chilly rooms, boobs spilling out in front creating tacky, jiggling cleavage....lumpy ridges ... all serve to undermine the polished look.

I realize I come across as having sex hangups or something. Maybe woman hating. But I'm not! I love boobs and I love my sisters with boobs and I'm not saying we should hide femininity, exactly. It's just that the stretched out bra-as-afterthought look is absolutely unpolished.

Get shiny hair. No fly-aways. No frizz. No split ends. Coconut oil takes care of making hair shiny and taking away frizz.

Cover up any blemishes, get rid of under-eye problems (cucumbers!).

Wear clothes that fit well. Arm holes large enough that people can see your bra from the side? No bueno. Pants that are too short? No bueno. Anything black that's faded? Replace. Hem drooping? No good.

You do NOT have to spend tons of money.

I have been studying my peers (ages ~ 45-60 yo) to get ideas for this exact same question.

In addition to agreeing with most PPs, I would add "do whatever is nece$$ary to achieve excellent $kin" if you are 45 and older (and white -- we don't need to revisit the 'black don't crack' thread from a few months ago.)

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.

Note I am not talking about plastic surgery, intentionally.

So anyway, I notice that many of the middle aged women who ALSO possess all the traits described by PPs (hair, tailored flattering pants, etc) always have fresh dewy pink skin with no splotches and blemishes or fuzz. For most of us, that doesn't come easily by slapping on neutrogena stuff from cvs -- at least once you're looking at 50 (and white, needs to be said again.)

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.

+1 to the (majority) PP's

1. Get a great haircut that compliments your face and learn how to style it -doesn't have to take long/use a million products

2. Have a good skin care routine- wash your face in the morning & at night, use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, some mascara, and a lip balm to keep your face looking fresh

3. Go through your closet and get rid of anything that doesn't fit and cannot be tailored to fit - less is more and you would rather have a few well constructed pieces that are tailored to you then a hundred pieces where nothing fits properly

4. Refresh your basic pieces - those basic pieces that are the building block for your entire wardrobe should be refreshed periodically. This is a great site to help with that http://www.puttingmetogether.com/2013/02/wardrobe-from-scratch-part-4-starter.html

botox, keep the weight off a little lipo here and there

All those are really good suggestions!...except the really wealthy one. I certainly notice when people have scuffed shoes, pleather bags, ill-fitting clothes. You don't have to be wealthy. It's an investment in yourself, which will likely payoff in the workplace.

Step One: Be really wealthy.

Good bag. Good haircut. No sneakers or yoga pants. Enough makeup (usually at least moisturizer, mascara, lip gloss).

Anonymous wrote:Great haircut/color
clothes that fit
make-up that flatters
manicured nails/toes
Being thin always helps too.

This plus clothes in good condition--clean, pressed, shoes clean and polished, nice structured bag.

Have a tailor alter your clothes to fit (especially jacket sleeves);
Keep shoes and boots polished and without scuffs;
Good haircut; no scrunchies, claw clips, barrettes or distracting pieces
Understated, subtle makeup
clean, not too long nails, with or without polish
Good fabric -- no cheap polyester or anything that pills

Great haircut/color
clothes that fit
make-up that flatters
manicured nails/toes
Being thin always helps too.

I'm interested in looking a bit more pulled together. What can I do to look more high end/ polished? I need tips please! Thanks!