Sinéad, a fabulous CF reader, left a comment on my What to Wear to the Gym article saying she’s looking for a casual but polished style for her summer in a new city.
I decided to expand on this idea to show you how to upgrade your outfits from casual and basic to polished and put-together.
Time to level up! Scroll down to see 7 easy ways to look more polished:
Table of Contents
Tip 1: Add a Blazer
One of the easiest ways to transform your look is with a blazer. A blazer instantly increases your points on the glam-o-meter, even when paired with the simplest of shirts.
Here, the combination looks youthful, modern, and casually chic with jeans and sandals. Rolling up the sleeves adds to the trying-but-not-trying look. This black necklace also ties the whole outfit together.
Tip 2: Patterned Pants
It’s easy to fall into a basic blue denim rut. Break out of the jean jail! Floral and patterned denim is the new black, er, blue jean. I love patterned pants and find that they’re a comfortable, casual way to show a little personality.
If you’re still skeptical about jumping on this bandwagon of wild pants, stick with subtle patterns or subdued color schemes. Slowly, you’ll find yourself swimming in a rainbow of colorful pants. I doubt they taste like Skittles, though.
Tip 3 & 4: Add Tights and a Fitted Jacket
You know what’s tight? Wearing tights with summer clothes.
A simple day-to-night formula is to simply add tights and a fitted jacket to any outfit. I like fake leather, because I am so rebellious that I sometimes don’t do all the extra credit assignments in class. I am a rebel with a cause, and that cause is Netflix and having time to shower.
Tips 5 & 6: Add a Statement Necklace & a Pop of Color
If you want your graphic top to look as fancy as Iggy Azalea, put on a chunky necklace.
I tend to not wear too many graphic shirts, but who can say no to a snuggly sweatshirt? No one. Except for Genie, because he doesn’t wear shirts. In honor of Genie’s expression (BTW, why are there no Disney character Emojis? Their expressions are gold!) I added a bright pop of color in his signature shade – blue.
Pops of color bring bring muted outfits to life. It’s easier than rubbing a lamp, Aladdin. Get with the program.
Tip 7: Glitter Accent
Nothing looks classier than neutral-colored nails. My favorite neutral polish is Revlon Colorstay’s Bare Bones. The formula is the opposite of bare, and it bears longer on my nails than many Essie and OPI polishes.
I leave the nail art to the professionals, but adding a glitter accent nail is foolproof. Now you swing from the chandelier like Sia, or a rub a lamp in style.
Your turn!
How do you like to look more polished? Will you be trying out any of these tips? I am the genie to your requests, so keep them coming, please. (Big thanks to Sinéad for this request!)
Hiral, you can sit with me any day and we can share clothes. BFFs for life! Thank you so much for the sweet comment! <3
Thanks Holly! I was so afraid of looking frumpy and hidden in blazers, but now I'm a blazer believer. I really wish this IRL so I could see your secondhand one!
Hey, I was just wondering where you got your Aladdin pullover?
Leah… Can we be best friends?
I’ve been reading your posts for a while and I think your fashion style sums up mine. I absolutely love how quirky and fun your writing is too. Keep it up! <3
Hi Cece, my floral jeans are from H&M 🙂
Hi Polly, my blue shoes are from Aldo.
Divya, my elephant romper is from Wet Seal. It has pockets, which is a win in my books!
My Aladdin pullover is from Forever 21.
Leah-
I’m a big fan of your posts – you have great advice and great style. Also I always love the personal touch to your commentary.
I do feel like it has gotten to the point where it drives me crazy enough to say something, and I hope this doesn’t come across the wrong way.
When it comes to your posts, you have great content but you seem to take the pictures as an opportunity for some sort of photography or taking a picture of you in the same position over and over. While this can be good so we have examples of how it would look on, I come to CF mainly because CF writers usually show outfits that we can buy piece by piece. Its not as great seeing someone with great style just showing us what they have and not giving us some suggestions.
I don’t think all of us have, say, printed denim or a blazer that can look casual.
I hope this makes sense in some way and I hope this isn’t taken as harsh, just a request! Thank you very much!
-Julia
Hi OMG Really BeautyFull Blogs Nice Articles And Tips For Fashion Thanks For Sharing Dear Good Job I Like Your website Thanks Alot
Love the post! The jeans are super cute — where did you find them?
I agree %100 with blazers! I bought my first ever blazer at a second hand store a little while ago, and I love it! It instantly makes you look chic and polished.
I always love your posts, Leah!
Where did you get those blue shoes? Cutest things I’ve ever seen!
Adding glitter does not make anything look polished.
I think the blazer suggestion is the best one–that always makes everything look way more professional.
How does glitter nail polish make you look “polished”? It seems like it would make you look more childish to me…
This is me! Thank you so much for responding 😀 As someone who gets cold all the time (Ireland isn’t exactly renowned for the weather), wearing an extra layer is essential – I live in my leather jacket!
Hi! I love all of your tips, and where did you get that romper? I love it!!
Great ideas, but the Genie shirt? Really?
I agree, a blazer instantly makes any outfit look more polish. They are a great staple and you can find them at really affordable prices. I actually bought a blazer at H&M for $5.