Do you have a "polished" appearance?

[happybratpack]

Or I guess you could say a finished appearance. I'm seriously low maintenance, I mean I don't go out looking like a bum but I don't usually take the time for full hair, makeup, jewelry, etc. I've put on quite a bit of weight the last couple years and I know that's a big part of it, I just don't feel good in much so I don't really make a huge effort anymore.

I didn't really think much of it until someone made the remark that I don't take very good care of myself anymore and I didn't seem feminine really. Hmmm, I admit I was kind of hurt but he wasn't trying to be mean. Fast forward to today at lunch and I'm looking through the "What not to wear" book and my entire wardrobe was in the NOT section. Baggy shirts, pants, clothes not complimenting my body shape, etc. I tend to not wear a lot of makeup, eye makeup has never looked great on me and my hair is, well, low maintenance and non-descriptive.

Maybe I need a makeover. Like I said, I don't look like a complete slob but I certainly don't look pulled together either. Surely I'm not the only one? Any tips, suggestions, etc?

Feeling like a knee-scraped, messy boy,
-M

 

[Pugdog007]

I feel like I have a polished look when going to work or to any professional function. On the weekends or on vacation though... forget it! Jeans or shorts and T-shirts all the way!

I think a bootleg or flare leg jean, fitted top beneath a fitted jacket, and nice heels look great on anyone. Polished but casual at the same time.

 

[FreshTressa]

No, but I do know what you mean about the weight.

I hate spending money one nice clothes in the "wrong" size, lol.

If I feel good about myself and my weight, I'm much more likely to do the hair, make-up, jewelery etc.

But, when I'm home all day, I hate to spend money on a lot of that stuff, when I won't look that good when I'm done anyway because I'm fat! The irony is that when I am thin, I don't need that stuff to look good...I just kind of do anyway.

I'm hoping I can lose 10lbs and fit back into all of my 'cute' spring clothes soon.

 

[In a hurry]

When I am teaching...pretty much. I'm too old not to! While I am home this year post partum...not as much! I keep some nice non-baby stained shirts, and Khakis with comfy shoes available for leaving the house, but here I am in jeans and a t-shirt!

A make-over might be just the right thing to help you get past some of those inadequate feelings. Doing something nice for yourself. Lord knows, most moms don't!

 

[JVL1018]

I feel a bit polished, not majorly, but I do take care with my clothing and appearance to a degree.
I make time to put on some makeup, straighten my hair so it looks good and wear clothes that look nice...jeans and shirts, but nothing baggy! It makes a person look even bigger, who needs that? LOL

I do know how it feels ot have gained weight, I always felt like i didn't look good in anything anyway after my son was born..WW to the rescue!

 

[budbeerlady]

I have fallen off the polished band wagon. I used to get my nails done, hair style changed often, nice clothes, etc. I did the full makeup, curled hair, etc every morning! Then I had DD and just got too "busy" (or maybe lazy) (I could post this on the things you blame your kids for thread!!!)

Now I dont know where my makeup brushes went, last I knew DD was playing with them. The extra 15 lbs has made me not want to clothes shop, and I dont even own cute shoes anymore. I guess I fell into comfortable and havent had the energy to get out of the rut! I drag my butt outa bed 35 min before I have to leave for work and DD school, so that probley doesnt help as I am always rushed. I find myself thinking that now that I am leaving my 20s behind that this progression just happens since I am all settled in life.

 

[RitaZ.]

I try. It makes me feel good to look my best. Sometimes, I'm more casual than others, but I don't wear sweats. I just want to stay away from the frumpy look.

 

[happybratpack]

I try. It makes me feel good to look my best. Sometimes, I'm more casual than others, but I don't wear sweats. I just want to stay away from the frumpy look.

FRUMPY! That's the word I was trying to think of earlier. I've become frumpy and lumpy in my 30's.

 

[Southern4sure]

DH calls me high maintenance but I don't think I am. I feel better when I know I look my best.

 

[NMAmy]

I think it's possible to be low maintenance and still look polished. DH says I'm the only woman he's ever known who can take 20 minutes to get ready (and that includes my shower) and still look good. The trick is to get a hair style that suits your type of hair (I don't even blow dry my hair), fashionable and flattering clothes in easy care fabrics, and minimal, natural looking make-up.

I prefer to spend my time on other things besides primping so I've just learned to make it easy on myself.

I do think it was really mean of someone to tell you that you don't seem very feminine.

 

[Maleficent13]

Pretty much everything Amy said, including the mean part!

 

[RitaZ.]

I think it's possible to be low maintenance and still look polished.

I agree. That's usually the amount of time I spend getting ready. However, I spend a long time in the shower. This morning I went in the shower at 9:25, I was out at 9:50. I couldn't believe I took that long!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I've never been a primping, foo-foo make-up type person. I did used to feel better about myself when I was 20 pounds lighter and I do feel my best when I've taken the time to "fix" my hair, wear decent clothes, etc. But I'll never be the type that puts on her face in the mornings. It's just not me. So I guess that I'm not what some people would consider polished, but I'm not a slob, either.

 

[NMAmy]

I agree. That's usually the amount of time I spend getting ready. However, I spend a long time in the shower. This morning I went into the shower at 9:25, I was out at 9:50. I couldn't believe I took that long!

Well, I'm usually the last one to shower at our house on a normal weekday morning. Dh is first, then comes teenage dd. By the time I get in there, I run out of hot water pretty quickly!

 

[RitaZ.]

By the time I get in there, I run out of hot water pretty quickly!

Well, that explains it then!

 

[SC Minnie]

DH calls me high maintenace too. I don't think I am.

I try to wear clothes that fit me no matter what size I am. I am heavier right now that I was when pregnant with DD. It's not a pretty site but I try. Today I have on bootcut jeans, a fitted top, and blazer that is fitted at the waist, with wedge sandals. I am at work but it is casual Friday. I always fix my hair unless it is Sat and we aren't really going anywhere. I wear makeup just about everyday, again if we are staying home I give my skin a break. I keep gold studs in my ears all the time so I am always wearing earrings.

If I look nice (hair/makeup done, nice clothes) I feel better about myself. I also like to think I am doing it for DH and DD too. I don't want them to be 'embarrassed' being seen with me.

 

[JVL1018]

I think it's possible to be low maintenance and still look polished. :

It takes FOREVER to do my hair, it's thick and wavy and takes quite a while to dry with a hairdryer, and then I have to straighten it which takes 15 minutes at least..so I shower and do my hair at night..in the morning I am finished, dressed nicely and with makeup on in 15 minutes.
I am low maintenance except for the hair, but I make that as low maintenance as possible. LOL

 

[THE HAT]

i am high maintenance. even if i am going nowhere that day, i still do my hair, full makeup, put jewelry on, and a nice outfit. it just makes me feel good. i am not out to impress anyone, it is just how i was raised.

 

[NMAmy]

It takes FOREVER to do my hair, it's thick and wavy and takes quite a while to dry with a hairdryer, and then I have to straighten it which takes 15 minutes at least..so I shower and do my hair at night..in the morning I am finished, dressed nicely and with makeup on in 15 minutes.
I am low maintenance except for the hair, but I make that as low maintenance as possible. LOL

Trust me, I totally understand! I have REALLY curly hair but I just stopped blow drying and straightening it and I am SO much happier now. It took me about 35 years to realize that I was just investing too much time on getting my hair to look like someone else's and that I was better off just working with what I have.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I always have to do my hair, some make-up and look decent, even if I am not going anywhere. It's just the way I am. It doesn't take me very long. If I am pressed for time I can get from shower to being ready and looking good in 30 minutes.