Elegance is defined as ‘the quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance and manner.’ Therefore, an elegant woman can be defined as someone who carries herself with poise in a sophisticated and fashionable way.
The purpose of this guide is not to give you a step by step-by-step tutorial into carrying yourself with grace and poise. Rather, the purpose is to take you through the simple steps of finding the perfect style for you in order to accentuate your natural grace and poise, enabling you to present yourself as an elegant woman.
If you're trying to be elegant, start by wearing classic styles of clothing, like knee-length skirts and tailored button-down shirts, and choosing clothes made from high-quality fabrics, like silk and satin. Never too baggy, never too tight; the clothing of an elegant woman looks like it was made to fit just her.
1. Wear the right fit
No matter your body type, dressing like a classy woman means buying perfectly fitted clothes that enhance your figure.
For petite women: stick to classic cuts and silhouettes because they make you appear taller and leaner – no miniskirts or shoulder pads!
For curvy women: stay away from too-tight dresses, but wear belts and belted jackets to show off your waist – this helps define your curves without being too over the top.
For plus-sized women: Don long, full skirts and buckle belts to balance your body. Basically, belt them big and wear them big!
2. Monochrome looks are effortlessly chic
Monochromatic looks are one of the easiest ways to look put together with minimal effort. Plus, it will never go out of style. This works best with neutral colors like an all-black, all-gray, all-beige or all-white outfit. However, the beauty of this style is that it can be done with practically any color, even brights and pastels like an all-red or an all-dusty-pink outfit. Try your best to find the same shade and tone of the color to give it the most uniform look. Pant suits and jumpsuits are an even easier way of pulling off monochrome.
3. Wear the right materials
If you’re wondering how to look classy and elegant everyday, a good rule of thumb is to avoid shiny or flashy fabrics. Cashmere, wool, velvet, or silk are good safe bets, but you can also pick matte jerseys and cotton. At the same time, make sure the color and style of the dress fit the occasion. For example, wool is a great material for a winter suit because it keeps you warm. Cotton is perfect for a summer shirt because it’s breathable. Likewise, silk has a luxurious feel, making it ideal for evening gowns and dress shirts. Also, there are a few less-than-classy materials. Cheap dresses often use polyester and rayon, which are unbreathable. As with lycra, it’s stretchy and tacky. So, we recommend sticking to natural fibers.
4. Opt for simple, matching jewelry in gold
Simplicity is key to an elegant look. That’s why you should keep your jewelry very simple. Go for classic metals like gold, silver or rose-gold. Alternatively, you can opt for diamond-like stones like diamond studs. These are a great investment, especially if they are the real thing. Once you’ve decided on the type of metal, then aim to get each piece of jewelry in the same metal with the same, minimalistic style. This way you can easily mix and match the simple pair of earrings, necklace, bracelet, watch and ring(s). This will absolutely match your entire wardrobe and will take out a lot of the thought process when getting dressed.
5. Wear chic undergarments
A classy lady would never go commando (fashion trends aside). The market is full of refined and titillating lingerie options. These include silk robes, corsets, and chemises. If you’re wearing something tight and skimpy, chances are your panties won’t stay hidden underneath the dress or skirt. The presence of visible panty lines is a turnoff; anyone can easily see through chiffon skirts and dresses. Don’t be afraid to have great lingerie and seductive underwear! And let’s be honest, what’s the point of looking elegant if you don’t feel the same way underneath your fancy clothes?
6. Stick to neutral makeup and hair colors
While colorful eye looks and hair can be fun and look elegant if pulled off correctly, your best bet of looking classy is going for more neutral hair and makeup. Opt for more natural make up like nude lips and browns, like bronzer on the cheeks and in the eye crease. This just enhances your natural beauty and complements the rest of your neutral ensemble. Stick to natural hair colors and just play around with soft highlights and balayage during the seasons to spice things up.
