6 Quick and Easy Ways to Look Put Together, Stylists Say

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Looking polished can often feel unfeasible when you’re throwing on clothes to walk the dog, visit the grocery store, or run to the coffee shop. Sometimes, we even struggle to pull it together for life’s bigger moments, like a dinner party with friends or a day at the office. In order to ace each of these occasions, the key is to know a few simple tips. Here, personal stylists share their favorite easy ways to always look put together. From what to do with your hair to how to organize your closet, if you follow this advice, you’ll always be dressed to impress.

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In order to look put together in a pinch, throw on something that requires minimal mixing and matching, like a jumpsuit .

“I love a lounge jumpsuit that has a wrap top, worn with a pair of ankle boots,” says Michelle Barrett , stylist and founder of Capsule Closet Stylist . “Some lounge suits almost look like PJs or sportswear, so something with a wrap top looks more sophisticated but still feels super comfortable to wear.”

For the winter, select one with long sleeves and wear a T-shirt or tank top underneath in a contrasting color.

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For dressier occasions, a tea dress (one with short sleeves, a full skirt, and often a floral pattern) always fits the bill.

“They are a classic design and can be dressed for work with comfortable shoes or up for the evening with a pair of heels,” says Barrett. “If you are worried about your tummy, choose a tea dress that comes in under your bust and then gently falls in an A-line to the knee.” It’ll instantly enhance your silhouette.

Style the dress for the office with a blazer . For date night, wear a pair of glitzy slides. In the winter, pair the tea dress with tights and ankle or knee-high boots.

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An easy way to keep your outfit cohesive—especially if you have little time to put it together—is to keep your accessories one color.

“For example, if you have black shoes, match the same to your bag and belt,” says Barrett. “In addition, you can also link it through to a hat, too, if you are wearing one.”

If your outfit has a print, match your accessories to the color of the print , not the base color of the item.

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While you don’t need to re-do your entire wardrobe to create a more polished look, you should keep its color story in mind as you continue to grow it.

“If you limit your colors to under eight, it makes it much easier to mix and match your clothes,” says Barrett. “Learn which colors work for your skin, hair, and eyes and what styles work for your body type.”

As you put outfits together, keep them to three colors, max. “One or two for the main part of the outfit and the other as a highlight color you use for small items of clothing or accessories,” Barrett explains.

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Who needs makeup when you have a fabulous pair of sunglasses ? Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling , says they’re a key element for any put-together look.

“Invest in quality materials like heavyweight acetate or polished alloy, titanium, or stainless steel metals,” she says. “Choose timeless designs like oversized statement styles, wayfarers, or aviators and avoid conspicuous logos.” Pop them on and prepare to impress.

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One of the best things you can do to always put your most polished self forward is to find an easy hairstyle that looks incredible on you.

“If your haircare routine is difficult to keep up with, try a slicked-back look that’s timeless, flawless, and super sophisticated,” says Kosich. “Style in a chignon at the nape of the neck or braided ponytail if long, or slicked back with a headband if short.”

A swipe of lipstick also does wonders. “Find a statement color that best harmonizes with your skin tone, choosing blue-reds and berries for cool undertones and orangey-reds and corals for warm ones,” says Kosich. Even if the rest of your outfit is a simple white T-shirt, you’ll look totally chic.

6 Prints You Need in Your Wardrobe as You Get Older, Stylists Say

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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably started many sentences with the phrase: “My wardrobe would be complete, if I only had”—and then ended it with a closet essential like trousers , a button-down, straight-leg denim, or a leather jacket . Without these core pieces, it’s difficult to put together cohesive outfits, and you might often feel like you have nothing to wear. But staples don’t only apply to clothing items and silhouettes. There are also core prints you should own, especially as you get older. Here, personal stylists spill their favorite clothing prints that create the backbone of a mature, sophisticated wardrobe. With these in your closet, you’ll be able to create interesting, layered looks that truly shine.

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There’s no way around it: Stripes are a classic .

“Pairing a chic striped top or bottom with a basic [bottom or] top will balance a look well and give it an effortless Parisian vibe,” says Sahra Schukraft Brandt , personal stylist and founder of Shop the City . “If your style errs maximalist and bold, pair it with another print like a floral or an alternating stripe!”

If you opt for a second stripe, choose one in a different size. If you match your stripes with a second print, choose one in a similar size as the stripe.

You’ll also want to pair the color of your stripes to your outfit properly. “Use the color in the pattern, not the background of the pattern, to match other garments or accessories,” says Michelle Barrett , stylist and founder of Capsule Closet Stylist . “This way, the block color of other garments or accessories will lift and link the colors in the pattern.”

So, if you have a cream sweater with a black stripe, you’ll want to pair it with black pants, as opposed to cream ones. It’ll make the pattern pop.

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Polka dots have been on-trend for ages, and you can expect them to retain that status. Add them to your wardrobe for an easy way to make any outfit more fun.

“Remember that the larger the dots, the bigger the trend statement, so go smaller the older you get,” says Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling .

She also says it’s important to consider the dots’ contrast in comparison to your own. If you have a low contrast between your complexion and other features (say, if you have dark skin and dark eyes), you’ll want to avoid dots that have a high contrast (like black and white). It’ll take your entire look to the next level—even if people can’t quite put a finger on why.

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This print doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, Schukraft Brandt says it can be timelessly chic.

“I think going small with leopard print can help it feel more approachable—think a leopard-print shoe, neckerchief, or hair scarf,” she shares. “Pairing it with other basics and using it as a neutral ensures that it isn’t too statement-making but just enough of fun.”

If you want to try something bold, team a leopard midi skirt with a streamlined black heel or boot.

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Add some grooviness to your wardrobe with a funky swirl print piece. “A cool psychedelic print can really be a statement item that can help you feel bold and young,” says Schukraft Brandt. “I love a bright ’70s print paired with a bold solid color dress or pants and top for a monochromatic look, paired with a more tame shoe.”

If you go big on this print, you’ll want to keep things fairly minimalist elsewhere.

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It wouldn’t be a list of essential prints without a floral. “The key is to complement your skin tone,” says Barrett. “As a general rule, if you have pale skin and hair, choose pastels ; if you have dark hair and medium to dark skin, you can choose brighter tones; and if you have dark skin and hair, choose medium to dark or bright tones.”

No matter what, you’ll be able to style florals year-round. Barrett is particularly fond of wearing them on a silk scarf that’s paired with a Breton striped top.

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Similar to florals, there’s paisley. “It’s a classic, traditional motif that—depending upon color palette—can skew either fresh and youthful or stately and mature,” says Kosich. “Shop paisleys in summer brights like turquoise, teal, orange, and coral to project a light-hearted, spunky mood, or choose a quieter palette in earthy tones like mustard, burgundy, and forest green to send a conservative, quiet message.”

It’s a fun pattern for a scarf, dress, or shirt. Try a paisley tank top under a solid-color blazer to dip your toes in the trend.