In my opinion, the bare minimum of a "put together" look is clean, well-groomed, neat looking, and conveys the message that a person takes pride in their appearance. Hair should be styled (yes, ponytails count as styled). If the wearer likes make up, it should be minimal, enough to enhance the wearer's features for daytime. Not the drag queen look with contouring/highlighting that has become so popular. Clothing should be clean, neat, free of wrinkles, in excellent condition and should fit properly. The colors worn should be harmonious together and compliment the skin tone of the wearer. Also, the cut and shape of the clothing should be appropriate for the body type of the wearer.

Proper fit is something that many in my area (Midwestern USA) seem to struggle with. Unfortunately, when people gain weight, their pants get shorter and tend to hug the rolls in the midsection. This is really unattractive.

*Athletic wear is only appropriate for athletic activities or sporting events, and should not be considered casual wear. Sweats, yoga pants, school/team shirts should not be daily attire for adults. Many people seem to believe that jeans/t-shirts/sneakers or sweats/yoga pants are the only comfortable outfit combinations, but this is simply not true. Slacks, skirts, and cute tops are just as comfortable, and look significantly better.

Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott is a good book that discusses the subject of being "put together" every day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to this, it's really crucial to be thin and in shape. A fit, toned woman can look amazing in super casual clothes such as skinny jeans or running tights and a tee in a way that an overweight one can't.

Other than that, clean hair, minimal make up (under eye concealer if you're getting up at night, mascara, blush, lip gloss) can do wonders.

Get a pedicure if you're wearing sandals.

I disagree with the bolded. The woman in the first picture in 12:18's post is on the larger side and she looks very put together. It's a simple look, but her clothes fit, are flattering on her body, and her accessories and shoes really pull the outfit together. And I don't care how thin you are, running tights and a tee shirt is not a "put together" look.

lol I was just coming in to say that she still looks frumpy because she't so fat! Compare her to the girl underneath her. The second photo is tons more casual but she looks good because she's thin.

But not everyone has eating disorders. Only thin people can look good? You people are ridiculous.

Not put together


[img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/01/article-0-1BF1809E00000578-450_634x729.jpg[/img

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to this, it's really crucial to be thin and in shape. A fit, toned woman can look amazing in super casual clothes such as skinny jeans or running tights and a tee in a way that an overweight one can't.

Other than that, clean hair, minimal make up (under eye concealer if you're getting up at night, mascara, blush, lip gloss) can do wonders.

Get a pedicure if you're wearing sandals.

I disagree with the bolded. The woman in the first picture in 12:18's post is on the larger side and she looks very put together. It's a simple look, but her clothes fit, are flattering on her body, and her accessories and shoes really pull the outfit together. And I don't care how thin you are, running tights and a tee shirt is not a "put together" look.

A skinny girl in running tights and a fitted tee will still look better than a fat girl in a skirt. 10 times/10

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to this, it's really crucial to be thin and in shape. A fit, toned woman can look amazing in super casual clothes such as skinny jeans or running tights and a tee in a way that an overweight one can't.

Other than that, clean hair, minimal make up (under eye concealer if you're getting up at night, mascara, blush, lip gloss) can do wonders.

Get a pedicure if you're wearing sandals.

I disagree with the bolded. The woman in the first picture in 12:18's post is on the larger side and she looks very put together. It's a simple look, but her clothes fit, are flattering on her body, and her accessories and shoes really pull the outfit together. And I don't care how thin you are, running tights and a tee shirt is not a "put together" look.

lol I was just coming in to say that she still looks frumpy because she't so fat! Compare her to the girl underneath her. The second photo is tons more casual but she looks good because she's thin.

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to this, it's really crucial to be thin and in shape. A fit, toned woman can look amazing in super casual clothes such as skinny jeans or running tights and a tee in a way that an overweight one can't.

Other than that, clean hair, minimal make up (under eye concealer if you're getting up at night, mascara, blush, lip gloss) can do wonders.

Get a pedicure if you're wearing sandals.

I disagree with the bolded. The woman in the first picture in 12:18's post is on the larger side and she looks very put together. It's a simple look, but her clothes fit, are flattering on her body, and her accessories and shoes really pull the outfit together. And I don't care how thin you are, running tights and a tee shirt is not a "put together" look.

I'm not even a mom and I love me some athleisure. It's not all created equal, though. Someone else touched on this, if it's old faded pants and a ratty freebie tee, that's not put together. But you can look really cute in yoga pants or leggings that are in good shape, fit well, with a top that's also in good shape, fits nicely, has a fun design or bright colors. Brush your hair before you put it up. Have a pair of cute, clean sneakers that you wear for just kicking around and running errands. A little makeup is nice, but I don't even think it's necessary if you take pretty good care of your skin. It really doesn't take a lot of effort to be comfortable and also look presentable. I do think people are crazy who expect the bare minimum of "put together" to mean a blazer, jeans, and dress shoes. That's just not practical.

For me, if I'm wearing some makeup (mascara at least), a bra, and my hair is non-greasy and in some sort of style (incl bun or ponytail, just not frizzy mess), then I feel put together enough to leave the house. Everything else is dependent on where I'm going/what I'm doing. I have no problem wearing gym clothes or flip flops to the grocery store or to run other errands if I'm planning to work out later. I wouldn't wear them to brunch or to a bar.

I feel like my standards for off-duty clothes are more relaxed because I have a pretty formal work environment. I don't need to dress up on my weekend errands to feel like a real person, because I have to look professional all week.

Ill fitting jeans with any random tee shirt tossed on and tennis shoes. There's no excuse for ever wearing platform flip flops!

I don't mind athleisure wear in general if it's matching, properly fitting, and doesn't consist of washed out yoga pants and an old 5K tee.

Put together:





Not put together and what I see most in the suburbs of VA:

When it comes to this, it's really crucial to be thin and in shape. A fit, toned woman can look amazing in super casual clothes such as skinny jeans or running tights and a tee in a way that an overweight one can't.

Other than that, clean hair, minimal make up (under eye concealer if you're getting up at night, mascara, blush, lip gloss) can do wonders.

Get a pedicure if you're wearing sandals.

Unironed/wrinkly clothes. Ugh. Can't stand it on men or women. Take stuff out of the dryer before it's all wrinkled and hang to dry the rest of the way or dry clean. Greasy hair. I personally don't like athleisure unless you're going to/from gym. I won't wear yoga pants to the farmers market with my 15 month old etc. I'll throw on a pair of linen pants or a skirt instead.

To me not being put together means poor hygiene or grooming: open toed shoes without clean feet, dirty/untrimmed fingernails and scraggly cuticles, greasy or too dry hair or face, too much perfume on (what smell is being masked?!), wrinkled or saggy clothes, etc

Anonymous wrote:Hair in a pony tail (with no product, blow dry or whatever), no makeup, pants with an elastic waist band.

is this true? a pony tail can be chic, skin can be dewy and fresh looking without makeup, and *some* elastic waist banded pants are in fashion/not gym clothes.

Hair in a pony tail (with no product, blow dry or whatever), no makeup, pants with an elastic waist band.

In the thread where people are talking about how American women are frumpy and overweight (lol) a lot of people mention they do or don't look put together when they go out. What does this mean? Full face of makeup? Non-gym clothes?