How to Look Polished in 3 Easy Steps
Have you been wondering how you can look classy, chic, professional, and polished? Well, I’m happy to tell you it has nothing to do with spending money on expensive clothes and accessories.
Let’s talk about what it really means to look polished and how you can take steps to make it a part of your everyday life.
You can read this article or watch a YouTube video version of it!
What does it mean to look polished?
Looking polished means paying attention to detail. It means taking time to focus on your grooming and the small details of your outfit.
People notice the details and they can make or break your appearance.
When you look polished, people will notice and begin to show you more respect.
Why? Because YOU are showing respect for yourself.
In this article, I’ll provide you with a head-to-toe checklist of how to look more polished. I’ve broken it down in 3 easy-to-follow steps.
How can I dress more polished and well groomed?
It may be surprising but the little details are what add up to having an overall polished look.
This does NOT mean you need to spend hours primping every day, you just need to make sure you keep yourself clean, pulled together, and well maintained. I’ll explain more below in Tips to Being Well Groomed.
It also does NOT mean you have to spend a fortune on clothes.
What it does mean is making the most of your assets. Take what you already have and care for it - your body, your skin, clothes, and accessories.
Step 1: Tips to Being Well Groomed
This section is focused on your body and personal hygiene.
Create a daily and weekly regimen so that it because an effortless part of your daily routine. Not only will you look better, you’ll feel better about yourself!
Clean Skin - Shower daily and use moisturizer and deodorant.
Fragrance - Use a little perfume, but don’t overdo it. For example, use about three squirts/sprays so it’s not overwhelming.
Teeth - brushed, flossed, whitened, and maintained by regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Hair - clean, combed, and styled. Maintain routine hair cutting (and coloring) schedule. Stay up-to-date with a current hair style.
Face - follow a daily skincare routine to keep skin clean, moisturized, and pimple/blackhead free. How to build a skincare routine.
Makeup - The best look in makeup is a natural look. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear makeup. What it does mean is that you should use makeup to highlight your best features and still looking like you aren’t wearing much makeup at all. Here’s how to apply makeup for a natural look.
Fingernails and Hands - Keep nails cleaned, trimmed, shaped, polished and free of hangnails. Keep hands moisturized and free of cracking and dry lines. Skip the salon and doit yourself. How to maintain nails at home.
Toenails and Feet - keep nails trimmed, clean, and polished. Feet should be moisturized and free of callouses and dry skin. Here’s how to give yourself a pedicure at home.
Shaving - Keep eyebrows and other facial hair trimmed. Also groom under arms, bikini lines, and legs.
Step 2: How to Look More Polished
This section focuses on your apparel and accessories. As I mentioned before, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your wardrobe.
Looking more polished is possible on a budget. You can look chic and put together just by following a few simple tips.
Maintain It - Go through your closet and make sure all of your clothes are well maintained. Repair or donate clothes that are ripped, stained, or threadbare. Fix broken zippers, missing buttons, or hems that have come undone. Keep a small sewing kit on hand for easy mending.
Iron It - Nothing looks more unpolished and unprofessional than wrinkles. Use an iron to keep clothes looking crisp and wrinkle free. Invest in an iron and ironing board. I’ve always hated full size ironing boards because they take up so much space. My favorite is this portable tabletop ironing board.
Steam It - A hand steamer is an ideal way to remove wrinkles and freshen up delicate garments.
Goodbye Pet Hair - If you want to look polished, don’t show up to an event wearing your pet! All it takes is a few strokes of a simple strokes of a lint roller or lint brush to remove pet hair from your clothes.
Scuffs Be Gone - You may be shocked to know that one of the first things people look at are your shoes; so don’t neglect them! Scuffed, torn, and stained shoes do not scream, “I’m polished!” Take the time to maintain your shoes. If you don’t want to do it yourself, find a local cobbler. They will have your shoes looking brand new for just a few dollars.
Bag Care - Just like you care for you shoes, be sure to give your handbags, purses, and wallets the same attention. Keep bags dirt and stain free. Remove scuffs, and repair any wear and tear.
Scarves - You wear them for a few hours and then throw them back in a drawer or basket. After a while, scarves and wraps can begin to get a little funky. Several times a year, hand wash all of your scarves and wraps. Lay flat or hang to dry.
Jewelry - Jewelry is a big investment. So be sure to give it the care it needs. For gold or platinum jewelry use this type of cleaner and brush. Silver jewelry can tarnish. Instantly polish it with this silver cleaner.
Step 3: How to Look Professional, Classy, and Sophisticated
This last section has nothing to do with how you are dressed but it has everything to do with how you carry and present yourself.
You can be wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and still be seen as elegant and classy!
Here are the do’s and don’ts to being professional and sophisticated at all times.
Stand up straight and maintain good posture. Carry yourself like a lady.
Be on time for appointments, dates, and meetings - it is a sign of respect.
Be friendly, caring, and thankful.
Use proper grammar, speak clearly, and be articulate.
Do not speak ill of others - if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Maintain composure. If angry, take a step back from the situation and don’t lash out.
If someone annoys you, kill them with kindness. You catch more flies with honey!
Don’t be rude, condescending, or inconsiderate.
Be professional.
Be kind and respectful of others no matter who they are.
Follow the golden rule - treat others as you want others to treat you.
By following these simple steps you will begin to notice you respect yourself more and feel better about who you are. Others will take note and being to show you the same respect.
Now you have the keys for how to look polished from the inside out.
