1) Plan ahead: Set aside a day for planning your wardrobe for the week. I do this on Sunday afternoons. It’s easy and so much more enjoyable when you can do it at your leisure. I find that I can come up with some great outfits when I take the time to “play” in my closet. The alternative is frantically pulling together an outfit when you are already running behind to get to an important event or meeting. We’ve all been guilty of having an outfit in mind for an event, then when trying it on, we realize that it doesn’t work at all. Better to try things on in advance and prepare the entire outfit, right down to the jewelry and handbag. I drape necklaces over the blouse/shirt hangers and pin earrings to the blouse as well so all elements of the outfit are together in one place. Sounds OCD, I know, but makes getting ready effortless.
2) Maintain your manicure: I’m not saying one must get their nails professionally done all the time. How you choose to maintain your nails is up to you, but do maintain them. At a minimum, keep your nails clean and neatly filed. I personally only wear colored polish on rare occasions. My usual routine is to neatly file my nails and apply a top coat of shine once a week. It’s the perfect thing to do during TV time.
3) Stand Straight: Good posture is something you learn at an early age. Unfortunately, I still struggle with standing straight and need to remind myself all the time. The trick is to be poised but still natural. Good posture can do wonders for your appearance by making you look thinner and appear more confident.
4) Lose the Elastic: One of my favorite episodes of Sex and the City is the one where Carrie mocks her fellow-writer boyfriend, Jack Berger for mentioning a scrunchie in his novel. You may remember that she clearly proved that no fashionable New York woman in her right mind would ever wear one. I agree to an extent. I do wear them at home, but do my best not to wear them outside of the house. I prefer instead to wear any of the lovely barrettes or wrap style ponytail holders that I have. I find that I need to brush and style my ponytail a little more carefully to wear these and so my hair looks more polished than if I just shoved it in a scrunchie. Tortoise shell barrettes and ponytail holders can be found at any drugstore, Target or Wal-Mart store.
From left to right: Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren and Etsy
5) Add Accessories: A basic outfit can quickly become boring without great accessories. Up the ante on your favorite black wrap dress or slacks and sweater combo by adding an assortment of accessories. A colorful, printed scarf, statement necklace in a bold color, or a cuff bracelet can increase the mileage on nearly all your basics.
What are your tips for looking more polished and pulled together?
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