How To Be Elegant
We’re all a combination of style characteristics. That’s what makes personal style…personal. How you dress is the outer reflection of your personal style and your behavior usually speaks the same language.
Working with a new client last week, we discovered that Elegant was a large part of her style formula. She also incorporated, sporty and sensual into the mix…but always in an elegant way.
..{ elegant behavior }..
~ She must have self-confidence.
~ There’s a graciousness to the elegant woman.
~ She is polished and refined.
~ She speaks softly and listens with quiet attentiveness.
~ She has a warm smile for everyone. She is kind.
An elegant woman looks people in the eye when they’re speaking to her. She doesn’t rush and acts as though every conversation she has… is the most important one of her day. You have her full attention when you’re speaking to her.
She is perceived to be highly intelligent.
Princess Grace of Monaco epitomized elegance.
..{ elegant appearance }..
An elegant wardrobe requires the art of self-restraint. The guidelines for an elegant wardrobe are simple and need not be expensive.
~ Uncluttered looks with clean simple lines. No overabundance of frills and extraneous details.
~ A comfortable, neutral color scheme that is not overly bright or jarring in its contrast to one’s own inherent coloring.
~ Beautiful tailored clothing that fits the body with a natural ease for movement, neither too tight nor loose-fitting.
~ Quiet, well-bred accessories that do not overpower the woman. Loud, ostentatious jewelry or accessories are the antithesis of the elegantly dressed woman.
~ She chooses clothing in the finest fabrics she can afford. Cashmere, silk, linen, the softest cotton, and wool.
~ The focus is on the woman. Clothes and accessories never eclipse her.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is an example of grace and elegance in the face of tragic challenges.
“Less is more…”
wrote Robert Browning in his famous poem “Andrea del Sarto”, published in 1855.
wrote Robert Browning in his famous poem “Andrea del Sarto”, published in 1855.
This same concept is applied to the elegant woman’s wardrobe.
The famous architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe embraced this concept as a precept for his designs in the early twentieth century, which were characterized by simplicity and extreme clarity. His designs were refined.
Refined is often used to describe an elegant woman.
Audrey Hepburn was another icon of elegance who embodied a sweet charm and gentleness of spirit.
We know an elegant woman when we meet her. We recognize her when we hear her speak and we are comfortable with her integrity.
Serenity, honesty, sincerity, and intelligence are all attributed to the elegant woman.Who do you think is elegant today?
Do you have elegance as part of your style recipe?
Thank you so much.
I m so glad to know there are others out there with an appreciation for elegance and grace.
Wow. So , I’m not alone.
You are absolutely, not alone, Ann.
I wonder how you teach children in an elegant way. Being an example is one way. There are so many instances where children need to be corrected. As a grandmother, I would like to help my grands become elegant so that it does not appear that I am correcting them. Is this possible? Elbows on the table, chewing gum, and encouraging my granddaughter to wear a dress are three examples that come to mind. All suggestions are appreciated.
I explain to my grandson how a gentleman would behave in the situation. Then I explain how gentlemen are appreciated and why they are preferred by everyone than someone who isn’t.
You have a great question.
I’m not a Grandmother yet ( tho’ I’m always hopeful.)
What I did with my daughter is I’d always wear dresses in front of her and say nothing about it.
And when she was 12 I found the movie “Gigi” and said “ you’ll probably like this great movie. If you don’t like it in 1 st 10 minutes you don’t have to watch it…”
I picked up copy of book ( it’s a soft back more like a pamphlet) “ Tiffany Etiquite for Children.”
And I’d say something CASUALLY. such as “ oh I found this little book. Its fun to read. The girl looks a lot like you.”
Take your grandchildren to Sunday school. My daughter refused to go.
So I’d get dressed and wake her and say “ I’m going to Sunday school see ya later.” When I came home I’d Casually say “ I saw so and so with her kids there. We had ( whatever, picnic outside or whatever childrens events were there.”)
I did that for several months until she began on occasion to go too.
Just you and grand children go to lunch at a quiet restaurant occasionally.
Julie Andrews is my all time icon. And i do love Diane Keaton.
Michelle Obama is always elegant. She is intelligent, kind and passionate about helping others. I am in my early thirties and she and Kate Middleton are my role models.
They are both are lovely role models!!