Whether you have small children or not, getting up and out of the door on time looking presentable can be a challenge. If given the time, I can turn out a polished look that is not only presentable but stylish. However, most mornings, after wrestling my daughters into their clothes, I’d much rather just go to work in black sweats and a nursing camisole, but that’s not really an option for my office job. So, to meet the minimal demands of my workplace dress code and present a polished appearance, I’ve been using the following fashion hacks.

Shower the night before. This isn’t so much a fashion trick, but a general timesaver. I shower before bed, and as part of my bedtime routine, I lay out my outfit for the coming day. When thinking about what to wear, I check my schedule and the weather. Do I have a meeting tomorrow? Is it going to rain? Think about the practical needs for the next day, as well as the type of undergarments, socks, or hose, and accessories you’ll need to complete your look. Hanging them all together, or folding them on a chair, to grab and go will help you beat the morning rush.

When putting your outfit together, for quick and easy style, consider going monochrome (i.e., dressing all in one color). All black is most people’s go-to when it comes to monochromatic dressing. To pull off a bit more polish, consider other neutrals, like beige, grey, or navy. And don’t think you need a full suit to make this hack work. A navy shirtdress with a navy cardigan, or a khaki skirt and a cream blouse are less fussy, but still refined methods to dress monochromatically.

Even if your day is on the causal side, yet you want to appear more pulled together, swap out your standard jeans or leggings for a pair of trousers. A black pant will elevate casual basics, like striped shirts and t-shirts, for a more polished look. For those tunics, you normally wear with leggings, try a slim-cut tailored trouser for some quick sophistication.

When you do wear jeans, wear them with a blazer. Even knitwear blazers are a quick and easy add-on for a more polished outfit. If the weather requires more coverage, try a trench coat. Long outerwear can make any outfit more chic, plus it can hide less stylish pieces, giving the illusion of a more polished look.

Keep that illusion going with a structured purse. Leave your shapeless shoulder bag at home, for a sturdy tote or leather frame bag. You want a bag that can literally stand on its own. Having a statement accessory like a solid purse, paired with a blazer or trench, is a simple style trick to make the leggings and flats you’re running out of the house wearing more eye-catching, in a good way.

Another easy swap, when dressing to impress in a time crunch, are low-heeled shoes instead of sneakers. Yes, chunky kicks are fashion-forward, but for polish, a square heel, either as a pump or loafer, is a more thoughtful option. To match your fancy footwear, swipe on a bright red lipstick. What’s more sophisticated than a woman in heels and a full, rich red lip? A woman in a tailored blazer, carrying a frame bag, walking in heeled boots, and sporting a vibrant red lip color, that’s who!

As you may have guessed, when combining these tricks and tips, you can easily dress to impress, even with little-to-no time on hand. Basically, think of what you’d rather wear, like sweat pants, flip flops, and a hoodie, then switch each piece out for more sophisticated options. Plan ahead before bed and then getting yourself dressed come morning should be seamless.