When you think about getting ready, you’re probably thinking primarily about the clothes and accessories you plan to wear. But if you really want to make sure you look as good as you feel, you need to be paying attention to the little hidden details. Something as simple as dirty glasses lenses or a wrinkled tie could cause someone to write you off as lazy or untrustworthy. And we’re not just saying that — research shows that your overall appearance has a big impact on the way people perceive you.
Luckily, there are a few affordable items you can stash in your back pocket to keep you looking like a million bucks. Here are a few of our top picks for looking put together all the time.
- A Reliable Lint Brush — A hard-working lint brush is our tried and true secret weapon for looking sharp, especially for those of us who love spending time with friends of the furry variety and who wear a lot of dark colors. Keep a portable lint remover in your car, desk drawer at work and somewhere near the front door to help ensure that you never show up anywhere covered in fur or lint. Brush your clothing as well as your car upholstery and furniture to ensure that lint and fur don’t wind up clinging to your pants or coat.
- A Reusable Dryer Ball — Dryer sheets are great at helping to collect dirt, fur and lint while easing away wrinkles, but they’re not so great for the environment. An eco-friendlier option is to use a reusable dryer ball made of a natural fiber material, such as wool. These will help keep your clothes looking and smelling their best without the financial and environmental burden of dryer sheets.
- A Shoe-Cleaning Kit — Scuffed-up shoes send the message that you couldn’t be bothered to tidy up before leaving the house. Invest in a high-quality shoe cleaning kit to keep your sneakers, boots and dress shoes in tip-top shape. Be sure to choose a kit designed for the specific material at hand, such as leather.
- A Pair of Fresh Shoelaces — If you’re keeping the uppers and soles of your shoes looking fresh, make sure to complete your efforts with a new pair of shoelaces. This is an excellent way to breathe new life into old, dingy sneakers, especially if they’re white.
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- Washable Shoes — Not huge on cleaning your shoes the old-fashioned way or constantly replacing the laces? We hear you! These days, there are tons of stylish and affordable washable shoe options on the market that make keeping your kicks clean a total breeze. Just make sure to follow the washing instructions exactly or you risk damaging the shoes in the process.
- A Glasses Cleaning Kit —Always make sure your glasses lenses are free of smudges and fingerprints. Dirty eyewear can be a massive distraction and can cause people to view you as careless or lazy. Not only that, but dirty glasses can compromise your view and prevent you from being able to clearly see when you’re working or driving.
- A Car Wash Subscription—The cleanliness and style of your car reflects on you in the same way the cleanliness and style of your clothing does. A subscription to the local car wash is a good way to ensure that you stay on top of keeping your ride clean. We recommend choosing a location that has free or affordable vacuums as well so you can address the inside regularly.
- A Claw Hair Clip — If you have long hair, you know that throwing it up in a messy bun is necessary when working, exercising or hanging out around the house. To make your bun look effortlessly chic and put together, secure it with a trendy claw clip in the back.
- A Powerful Vacuum — Regularly vacuuming your home is a great way to ensure that you don’t leave the house covered in lint, dirt or fur. Not only that, but vacuuming can help keep your space — and, in turn, your clothes and hair — smelling its best.
- Wool–Safe Detergent — Make sure you have the right kind of detergent for the clothing you wear. For example, if you wear a lot of wool, make sure to either drop your items off at the dry cleaner or wash with an approved laundry soap. Using the wrong detergent can cause serious damage and discoloration, and the last thing you want to do is show up with holes or bleach stains in your clothes!
- A Handheld Steamer — Have you ever noticed that your clothes always look a bit sharper when you try them on in the store? That’s because retail establishments tend to regularly steam their clothes to get rid of wrinkles. Dresses, jackets and slacks always look especially good when hit with a little bit of gentle steam before heading out the door.
- An Easy-to-Use Iron — It’s the same idea here! Make sure you invest in a high-quality iron that’s safe for the kinds of fabrics you tend to wear on a daily basis. Be sure to pick one that’s easy to use and not a point of stress when you’re running out the door short on time.
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Nice clothes are a good foundation, but the truth is that if you’re not meticulous about the minor details, all the effort will be for naught. Investing in the above essentials will help ensure that you look stylish and capable, no matter if you’re getting ready for a date, a job interview or a trip to the grocery store.
