Everything you need to look polished in five minutes

I have never been an early person. I have perfected the snooze button and can roll out of bed with exactly 17 minutes to spare each morning before I run out of the door, dressed. It wasn’t much of a problem when I worked from home two or three days a week at my old job, but after I started at an uppity magazine last year (still pinching myself about that one), things had to change.

Late mornings led to rushed mornings which led to me turning up at the office looking like…well, like I’d rolled out of bed and ran to the office. My first week was somewhat disastrous. I sat in on an editorial meeting with my shirt inside-out (how did I not notice that?!).

I had lunch with an important advertiser with mascara running down under my right eye (nobody said anything, bless them, until I went to the bathroom after lunch – hell). One day I wore two different earrings on purpose because I’d thrown on clothes in the semi-darkness of my room.

My boss Charlotte — perfectly styled Charlotte with her flawless blow-dry and starched white shirts — said nothing explicitly but there was one tell-tale raise of an eyebrow that spoke volumes.

My flatmate Priya laid down the law one evening as we were getting ready for dinner. Wine glasses in hand, she looked at me sternly and said, “Babe, I love you, but you can’t keep waking up looking like a tornado came through your room.” As a consultant who is always expected to look professional when meeting with clients, she’d refined her look-o-ver-night routine to perfection. “You have to have a system,” she said before showing me how she could go from freshly showered to fully dressed in the time it took me to open my underwear drawer. Five minutes later – I timed her – she’d whizzed through brushing her hair into a messy up-do, doing her skincare routine, stick-on eyelashes, curling her lashes, and wearing lipstick so dark she basically looked like she was wearing sweatpants compared to me.

I spent that evening overhauling my entire approach to mornings. It’s been six months and I’ve pretty much got it down to a science. I will never look (mostly) pristine like I do now unless I follow these steps.

Stained teeth and all. Sleep-brushed hair be damned. Truth is, there are shortcuts to every part of your look that allow you to step out the door feeling like you spent hours in front of the mirror.

When it comes down to it, those are really the only kind of shortcuts that work when you’re trying to look polished in five minutes or less. The beauty of a pulled-together look is that it rarely has anything to do with what you’re wearing. Spend all day looking frumpy in expensive clothes and you’ll still look frumpy.

Wear an old college tee and jeans but change how you’re wearing them and voila — instant sophistication. This was a hard lesson for me when I first started spending serious coin on “grown-up clothes.” I still had no idea how to wear them, so I kept spending money thinking something would click. One day it did.

I realised that it wasn’t about buying new clothes, it was about focusing on these five areas that allow you to look put-together in minutes. Think about what you’re wearing underneath everything else. If you’re wearing a skirt or dress, are your knickers going to be hanging out of the bottom?

Do you own a properly fitted bra? When I started working in an office I was buying expensive brands of bras only to realise they looked terrible on me. It wasn’t until my mum sat me down and said I was miles off in terms of cup size that I had my wake-up call.

Get fitted for the correct size brand at a department store then invest in two or three well-made bras that look great on you. Seamless underwear isn’t the most glamorous part of your wardrobe, but as long as you own a few pairs of those laser-cut knickers that flatten your booty to nothing you’ll never see them under skirts and trousers. On days where I’m wearing something form-fitting I reach for my smoothing shorts — not the TNT worthy belly-binding version, but ones with enough structure to smooth out lumps and bumps.

Dry-shampoo through your hair, throw on a bun, then apply cream blush to lips and cheeks. When you’re short on time you don’t have the luxury of getting dressed and thinking “Yup, this looks great.” Foundation pieces like these bulletproof your look and stop you having to change at the last-minute. That moment your hair goes from smooth and flattering to you could stick velcro on it and it’ll stay up all day bad is avoidable.

If your hair is naturally curly skip to the next tip but for those of us with straight hair that’s lived on top of pillows too long, follow these steps. Get into the habit of using dry shampoo as part of your styling routine, not as a means to avoid washing your hair. Sprayed directly at the roots dry shampoo adds volume and soaks up any unwanted oils.

Worst case scenario? Make a sleek low bun your go-to hairstyle. After showering at night grab your hair tie and run your fingers through your hair to get rid of excess moisture, then throw everything on top of a clip in your hair and spray with hairspray.

It takes all of 45 seconds and looks like you’ve made an effort versus “I couldn’t be bothered to wash my hair.” The same goes for your makeup. Keep a selection of the RIGHT products at your desk, in your gym bag, and by your front door so you always have back up. During winter I live by one coat of mascara, a lipstick, and a pair of earrings.

Ask me how I know these are the miracle employees. Ok, this tip is a game changer. Tattoo eyelashes aren’t for everyone, but good-quality stick-on lashes can be a godsend if you’re short on time.

They take all of two minutes to apply and can help you avoid hopping into the shower completely makeup-free. Once I’ve washed my face I do my eyes first. Addlash or Ardell lash stickers, spritz your roots with dry shampoo, then sweep your hair up into a bun and spray generously with hairspray.

Dry shampoo is also your friend when you need to wash your hair but are short on time. Use a paddle brush to flatten any major flyaways then spray dry shampoo on the roots only. Comb through with a brush and you’re ready to go.

Cream products are my makeup holy grail. Use a tinted moisturiser with SPF in your fingertips for a quick way to even out your skin tone and protect your skin from sun damage at the same time. Apply concealer where needed (eyes and nose) then dust translucent powder on top to set.

Add cream blush to your cheeks and lips then sweep mascara on your lashes. Multi-tasking products that don’t require precision make makeup morning miracles. Keep your eye shadow neutral and add a cream blush to your lips for an evening-out skincare-tone.

Add a lick of mascara and you’re sorted. If you love wearing statement jewellery, keep a pair of earrings and a necklace by your door that you can throw on in seconds. I prefer metallic hoop earrings for an instant put-together look but studs are great too.

Add a delicate watch necklace or chain and you’re 100% done. If you can wear leggings to work, do it. They’re the laziest work-appropriate clothes out there but thrown with a blazer and oversized shoulder bag everyone thinks you’ve made an effort.

Even if you can’t wear leggings, try picking out a ten-minute outfit the night before. That way, when you get up you can jump straight into them knowing they MATCH. Swap your jeans for a midi skirt.

It’s as simple as that. Skirts have a way of pulling your whole outfit together — even if your top is slightly crumpled from being worn over and over. Most of your wardrobe is basics.

Fact. Buy a few statement pieces that you KNOW work and build your capsule wardrobe around them. I have a go-to white shirt dress I can wear with boots or heels and know will always look intentional.

Pair it with a structured blazer and you can wear it to the office. Throw it over a pair of jeans for date night. Dresses are my best friend if I need to look EXTRA put together but don’t have time.

They can be jazzed up or down and still, look like you tried. Speaking of blazers, get one that FITS you. You wouldn’t believe the difference a well-fitting blazer can make to any outfit.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just needs to fit perfectly in the shoulders. The rest is easy. Add a hat to any outfit and BAM — instant sass.

Skip the brimless bobble hats for something with structure that will actually hide your hair. Bonus points if it covers your face so you don’t even have to do your eyebrows. When I worked in an office I wore roughly the same three trousers and about twelve white shirts on rotation.

Purchase a perfect white shirt that fits you in every way then build your wardrobe around it. Pair it with jeans and sneakers for casual Fridays or shorts and wedges for spring. It really is that simple.

Opt for leather loafers or a pair of flats that look stylish yet still feel comfortable. Add a blazer and you’ll look twice as put together as someone wearing heels that kill your feet. My go-to pair of shoes are these leather loafers I wear all summer long.

They go with everything in my wardrobe and allow me to walk miles. Invest in the highest quality jeans you can afford then buy a pair of black, boot-cut jeans that you KNOW FIT PERFECTLY. High-waisted with a slight flare works for me but pick a silhouette that suits your body.

Not only will these be your go-to jeans for work, but you’ll actually WANT to wear them on nights out too. Nothing pulls together an outfit faster than a good belt. Throw it around your waist, over your shoulder, or use it as a rustic handle for your tote bag.

It’s multi-use and will go with everything in your closet. Own a pair of jeans that FIT like a glove then toss them with a simple black blouse and POOF! Instant office-ready outfit that looks likes took you hours.

Buy dark wash jeans with JUST enough stretch that you can bend over without them giving you mad plumber’s crack. Trust. Add a jacket or denim jacket to any jeans-and-shirt combo to give it some structure.

Jackets are also amazing at covering your boo-boos if you didn’t quite shave all of your armpit hair away. Texture, texture, texture. Buy a few interesting textures that you love, then buy clothes around that.

A silk cami, a velvet blazer, a leather moto jacket. Mix and match textures for an easy way to level up all of your outfits. My last (and final) pro-tip is to have a system and practice it.

I literally brush my teeth, hop in the shower, grab my clothes I laid out the night before, take care of my hair and makeup, THEN put the rest of my outfit on. It took me awhile to work out what worked for me but now I can guarantee I look 100x more put together than I used to. The key to getting away with wearing as little as possible is BALANCE.

Pair your see-through top with boyfriend jeans and a blazer, or wear your white vest with a high-waisted midi skirt and cute heels. Find something solid and toned to counter-balance your barely-there top. Try wearing your shoes, belt, and bag first then get dressed.

Add jewelry on top and you’ll have created an outfit without even thinking about it. Less is more when it comes to putting together a quick outfit. Pick one statement piece you love THEN build the rest of your outfit around it.

Throw on a watch necklace, metallic hoop earrings, and your favourite boots and you’re ready to go. Statement sleeves! Big puffy shoulders, bell sleeves, slashing.

Anything that draws the eye away from your top half being underwear will work. You know those lace-detail jeans that look adorable with a white shirt? Wear them with a white shirt.

Stop trying to overthink it. If something matches in your head, it probably matches IRL. Throw on a belt and you’re done.

Wait, what? Dental floss holds together way more than your teeth. Use it to tie your shirt around your waist for a chic-as outfit.

Or invest in a pretty scarf that you can throw on your shoulders when you’re running late. Ever notice how everyone wears the same style of leggings? They flatter EVERY body type.

Just make sure you get the thickness right. Thicker leggings will give you more coverage where as skinny ones are more translucent. Buy a tee that FITS you then build an outfit around that.

Pair it with high-waisted jeans and boden boots for autumn, or a pleated midi and strappy sandals for summer. Texture, mon ami. Throw a shirt with a pair of distressed jeans and a cute cardigan and you’ll look adorable versus plain jeans and a plain shirt.

Who said earrings had to match? Throw on a cute hat, oversized sunglasses, and a statement necklace to keep the focus off of your mismatched earrings. Identify your wardrobe weaknesses and purchase a few staple items that WORK.

There’s nothing more frumpy than a shirt that’s too big around your boobs but skinny through your waist. Fix it by purchasing a few shirts that FIT in all areas. T-shirt dresses are my jam.

They can be worn with sneakers and a blazer for work or thrown with sandals and jewelry for night time. Just make sure yours has a defined waist so you don’t look like you’re wearing a potato sack. You have no idea how many of my outfits revolve around blazers.

Buy FUN ones that you love, then throw them over literally everything. Jeans, shirts, dresses, skirts. The options are endless.

Throw your shirt over your pants and instantly chop off four inches. No one will blame you when your shirt is longer than your pants and you didn’t even try. Crop everything.

I literally crop every pair of jeans, trousers, and pants I own. It skims your silhouette and makes you look way more put together than not. Buy an oversized shirt you LOVE then throw it over your jeans or pants.

Add a pair of leather earrings and boots to skinny jeans for an edgier look or a midi-skirt for something more feminine. There’s a reason everybody and their mum own a white shirt. It’s versatile, easy to dress up and down, and flatters EVERY body type.

Buy silk for summer, denim for winter, and pick solids you KNOW will go with everything else in your wardrobe. Throw on sneakers to keep it casual or boots to dress it up. Statement sleeves are your friend.

Bell sleeves, puff sleeves, billowy sleeves, whatever you call them, THEY are your friends. Roll your jeans up and pin with a cute belt! If they’re still too long, cuff them again once you’ve rolled them up.

Thrift stores are your friend when it comes to unique belt finds. Statement sleeves! Big puffy shoulders, bell sleeves, slashing.

Anything that draws the eye up and away from your muffin top will work. Pattern on pattern! Throw on a scarf, necklace, and earrings that all share the same colour scheme for an easy way to spice up your shirt and jeans.

Don’t have two shoes, HAVE eight. Buy a pair of boots, loafers, sandals, and sneakers that you LOVE THEN buy them in every colour. Identify your weakness zones and purchase clothes that work for your body, not against it.

Buy fun, cropped shirts that show off your legs. Or throw a blouse over your jeans and belt it around your waste. Wear jeans that actually FIT your hips and thighs then layer a long sweater over the top.

Got thick legs? Wear boots as often as possible. Throw on sneakers for a chic-but comfy look or moto boots for an edgier vibe.

The point is, shoes with straps or boots will hide your legs and make you look skinny all around. I hope you’ve got some inspiration for those mornings where you need to wake-up and look instantly fabulous. These are my top tips for looking polished in under 5 minutes.

Do you have any go-to tips? Leave them for me below! feature row posts Danielle AlexisAugust 22, 2020·6 min read Chances are, you already own everything on this list. QUICK.

THROW ON A T-SHIRT AND JEANS. Tweaks // tips // tricks to make your jeans look expensive (as posted on Pretty Provence) When it comes down to it, I think we’ve all fallen into the habit of…

BUYING MORE THINGS.

We think if we just had a million-dollar dress or THAT cute blouse we spotted on instagram we’d look expensive. News flash. You will not.

Instead of churning through your clothes every few months why not learn how to STYLE what you already own? PIN IT FOR LATER! Need more fashion inspiration?

Check out my monthly recaps to see What I wore in… One thought on “10undress Look” AshleyJuly 7, 2020 at 8:33 pm Hi Danielle! I just found your website and I LOVE it!!! Very inspiring!

Thank you for sharing your style! ! Ashley 💕