FashBlog.com

Of all the fashion challenges I've come across in my life- from being short, to being a professional in an office setting, to dressing to hide my own figure flaws- the single most major issue I've had to face has been looking put-together. I realize that's a very general statement; but it encompasses lots of facets of fashion that I think more people could afford to pay attention to when choosing their daily wardrobes.

Looking put-together can be tricky. Sometimes we get lost in finding clothes that don't make us 'look fat' or that suit our age or positions. What we don't notice is that our outfits tend to look last-minute, or like we've given up and just thrown on whatever was on the floor. Sometimes, no matter how much time you spend on your outfit, you can walk out of the house looking like you haven't changed clothes in three days.

Fashion is exhausting, and looking put-together is sometimes such a challenge that many people (me included) just don't bother. But over the years, I have developed a few strategies that have helped me to create a more put-together look without much effort on my part. These tips help keep me from wishing I'd never left the house the first time I pass a full-length mirror.

Tip One: Get constant trims for your hair.
This doesn't necessarily constitute fashion, but honestly, a good hair day is the single easiest way to make yourself look professional and polished. If your hair is in an awkward growing-out stage, it is going to have a tendency to look unfinished no matter what you do. Find a stylist that you trust to listen to you when you say that you are trying to grow your hair, and visit them every three to six weeks for trimming and shaping of your hair without losing length. Similarly, get any coloring jobs updated more often than you think you need to. Your hair may look fine to you, but under florescent office lighting or in the sunshine it might look multi-colored and outdated.

Tip Two: Keep the things that need work away from your closet. Far away.
If you notice a loose seam, a missing button, or a stain on a certain shirt or a pair of pants, remove the item from your wardrobe rotation immediately. If you're like me and you get desperate enough on some mornings to put the item back on even though it has a flaw, you'll end up wearing it out of the house and regretting it. Take the item and box it up or move it to a different closet on a different level of the house if you really don't trust yourself. Once a month, or more often if you have the time or need the clothes, go through the box and do the necessary repairs before allowing the item back into your everyday wardrobe.

Tip Three: Add the right accessories.
I know that everyone says this, but accessories really can make an outfit, and a plain pant and shirt combination that looks bland and boring can look much more put-together with the addition of a great necklace, a striking belt, or a pair of fantastic shoes. Form a collection of small accessories that go with anything, and keep them on hand for those mornings when there's nothing to wear. As you're running out of the house in an outfit that you don't love, you can grab a scarf or hat that you know will work and instantly pull together your entire look.

Tip Four: Pay attention to the details.
The details of your appearance are extremely important. If you're anything like me, you probably dress to draw attention away from things. Maybe you've got a pair of pants that sit strangely at the waist, so you can only wear them with a shirt that is long enough to cover the problem. Or you have a shirt that gapes oddly at the bottom button and can only be worn with a cardigan sweater buttoned over it. If your daily wardrobe is plagued by these sorts of situations, you need to start phasing out the problem clothing. Trust me- it will make your day that much easier and make you look much more polished in the long run. I understand that almost every piece of clothing can sometimes have a problem, so this isn't a quick fix. It will take several months to weed out the problem stuff (or fix the problems) and gradually replace the items with new and acceptable ones.

Tip Five: Take a chance.
Once in awhile, you just need to punch it up. Buy something in a color that you would never wear, such as a bright burnt orange or a soft buttery yellow. Pair it with a color that you feel safe in- your favorite jeans or a neutral pair of khakis- and see how it makes you feel. If you feel overwhelmed by the color, it may just be a natural reaction to something you're not used to, so ask your friends for opinions. If they love it, then force yourself to wear it and chances are good you'll start to love it, too. If you're not bold enough to purchase a shirt or sweater in a new color, try a scarf or a piece of costume jewelry. Try parting your hair on the opposite side. Pair heels with your favorite jeans for the first time, or buy a pair of patterned black tights instead of solid ones. The important thing is to mix it up, because by doing so you will feel more polished and presentable immediately, and that will show through in your attitude. Someone who gives off the air of loving what they are wearing can make even a not-so-perfect outfit seem to radiate with confidence and style.


Looking put together is a lifelong fashion process. Sometimes, we can't pull it off; and running out on weekends or cleaning the house aren't times when it's terribly important. But learning a few basic rules and abiding by them will instantly make you feel better about yourself- and the more often you do it, the more confident you'll become in your fashion choices.
-by bjp