What makes you look "polished" or "put together"?

I think the detail that makes the biggest difference is your clothing fitting right. Ill fitted clothing ruins a polished look no matter what else is going on. A good hair cut that flatters your face and is easy for you to maintain is also a necessity. IMO, make up doesn't have to be (men look professional without it after all!) Shoes in good condition (not run down and worn down around the heels)

Since you say you have no clothes that fit right, that's the first place to start. If you are shooting for upper level management, look for more tailored pieces that you can mix and match. Really focus on the fit -- if it doesn't fit correctly, keep looking. Don't be afraid to ask store personnel for help. I would also advise sticking more to solid colors and less busy patterns for upper management. (Look at what female TV news anchors wear -- tailored, solid, very professional).

Some keys pieces:
- a black skirt that hits right at the knee
- trousers as in dressier pants... not khakis or chinos
- wrap dresses are typically universally flattering
- tops in white, cream, black, and some jewel-tone colors
- a fitted cardigan (no sloppy, baggy sweaters)
- good shoes (I'd do heels but YMMV)

Fit of course, like others have said. Attention to details (no panty lines, no bra straps showing, pants the correct length for shoes, shapewear if needed). I think the number one thing that came to mind for me is a third "completer" piece -- jacket or scarf or strong jewelry piece, etc. Takes outfit to next level and makes it interesting.

Also, pay attention to the condition of your clothes. If they start to fade, pill, etc., it's time to replace them. This may seem obvious, but I see so many office workers that often show up in clothes that have seen much better days.

Channel your inner Tea Leoni , Madam Secretary

IMO, high quality materials and workmanship make a huge difference. Buy the absolute best you can afford. If that means having fewer wardrobe items, that's okay. High quality fabric drapes better and has a noticeably different look to it than budget grade fabrics. Same with leathers. Good leather looks different and wears better over time. Go for simplicity, think classic and timeless. Quality doesn't rely on trends to stay relevant. Quality is usually understated and quiet. Also, it's an investment. Well made high quality garments and accessories will last for years, and can be tailored and repaired/maintained over time.

Please invest in a good iron, too. Well-pressed clothes look so nice on all of us.

For some reason, if my fingers are painted, I feel put together more than when they are not.

This is an interesting topic because in a situation like this you are trying to meet others definitions of looking polished in order to get a certain job. When I was a technical writer I usually worked in all male groups (in the financial and software industries) and their idea of looking polished were different than the ideas of women I knew in other parts of the company. I think you have received great suggestions but I would also say know your audience and your corporate culture.

Here are my suggestions:

- Add mascara to your makeup routine. Nothing too dramatic (no clumpy looks). If you don't like mascara, you can have your eyelashes dyed.

- I also think people underestimate the difference in having your eyebrows done. So I would start getting them waxed on a regular basis. Again nothing overly dramatic (not too thin or extremely arched).

- Make sure your foundation isn't too heavy and keep your blush and/or bronzer light. I would transition from lip gloss to lipstick. Start with a color you are comfortable with that works with your skin tone.

- If you are going to wear dresses or skirts, make sure your legs are shaved or waxed. Doesn't seem fair but people notice.

- Make sure your hair is appropriate for office. I have always had very long, wavy hair and it was a challenge in the workplace. It just didn't look professional when all the way down even when I used barrettes. A bun or a well groomed ponytail worked fine though. Obviously no crazy colors and I would add that if you color it, just make sure you keep up with appointments so roots aren't super noticeable. Use frizz control products if you need them (I always did in the summer when it was high humidity).

- If you have visible tattoos, try to wear clothes that covers them if they are large or color. My daughter has a sweet little sunflower on her ankle and I think she is having second thoughts now that she is working in a professional office.

- I always found dresses were easier than skirts because less matching to worry about but either works. They key is good tailoring, nothing too low (I saw women in other departments occasionally wear lowish tops and would later hear the men make sexist comments - not fair but unfortunately reality), and nothing sheer. If trousers are acceptable in your workplace, tailoring is crucial.

- Undergarments matter. Make sure you are wearing the correct bra size and invest in good ones.

- I adore color and pattern but I find many people perceive looking polished in a fairly narrow way. The safest colors are navy and black with accents of other colors in a blouse or scarf. The more conservative the item or cut, the more adventurous you can be with color (for example, a teal suit, a simple blue or green dress, a red blouse with classic black trousers). Skip "baby" pinks, purple all over, eyelet, anything overly lacey or ruffled, large abstract prints. I think it is fine to add small florals, polka dots and even animal prints in scarfs.

- Shoes matter and if you are dealing with customers who will see it, so do purses. They don't have to be expensive or designer, but they should free of scuffs and need to be in good condition. Don't go overly high if you wear heels. I do think a small heel is perceived as being more professional than totally flat, but if you can't walk well in heels, my opinion is to skip them. There are some professional looking flats, but I think it is more of a challenge to find them. I think structured bags tend to look more polished.

- Keep jewelry simple. No long dangly earrings. Diamonds and pearls are always fine but I think you can have a little fun with jewelry as long as you don't go overboard wearing a lot or anything that looks like it could be worn to a nightclub or is too boho.

Hope this helps. Wishing you good luck getting that promotion!

What NOT to Wear!

I really like this website: The Vivienne Files

You could email her and ask for a post with suggestions.

What industry do you work in? If it is entertainment have a look at what Kathleen Kennedy (producer) wears. 

Things that are well-tailored. No matter how cute something is - or how expensive - if it doesn't fit well, it looks cheap and you look frumpy. On the other hand, things that fit well can look amazing, even if they are very simple.

Careful, but thoughtful, accessorizing. Keep it classy but not necessarily classic - accessories are a good place to be more trendy and can really bring a whole outfit together. A professional outfit without any accessories can look perfectly nice, but a couple good accessories can really elevate a look.

Shoes are super important IMO. Don't always be so predictable with them. Wearing mostly neutrals? Try a colorful shoe in a complimentary tone (and tie your accessories in a bit to bring it all together).

Think about how things can mix and match in your wardrobe. Try not to buy things that you'll only be able to wear one way.

Dresses are awesome and *easy*. A beautiful, professional dress, suitable accessories and shoes and you're done. And you'll look great.

You don't have to spend a ton of money to have a nice professional wardrobe, but be thoughtful about what you buy. A black jacket that is super cheap on sale may seem tempting when you're building your wardrobe. But if isn't made from a very good fabric and fits OK but not great... in the end, you are probably not going to be very happy with it. Even if you get it tailored (which I would ALWAYS recommend), if it's a low quality fabric, the results will only be so good. You won't feel great wearing it and you'll probably buy the next inexpensive black jacket you find. hoping it will be better. But if you buy one nicer jacket that you really like and have it tailored, you will probably feel great in it, wear it more, and not always looking to replace it.

Don't think you're going to get everything right now. Build slowly and carefully over time.

This is me.  I almost never iron anything.  If it is not nice enough for me to want to pay the money to dry clean it, then I better be able to pull it out of the dryer and have it look fine!

It really is all about fit. Don't get hung op on sizes. And if you're not an off-the-rack fit, find a good tailor. You should fit your largest part and can have the rest taken in.

I find places, like Ann Taylor, where I can mix permitted and regular sizes. I have a short torso and arms and can wear a petite jacket. But I need standard sized pants and skirts. I have to have all nearly standard standard sized jackets tailored. An exception is 3/4 sleeve jackets, which are a great way to avoid tailoring sleeves.

I also always wear a third piece--a jacket or sweater, usually.

Finally, as said above, good shoes and a good haircut.