How to Look ‘Classy & Elegant’
by Amanda Russell
There is no question that being admired is one of the ultimate compliments, right ladies? As women the words classy and elegance are adjectives we aspire to be named, hell we even have role models. With elegance, there are the late Princess Dianas, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Sophia Lauren. For classiness, there are the Angela Bassetts, Michelle Obamas and Sen. Hillary Clintons.
On one hand, elegance is displaying beauty and poise amongst your peers. While class denotes showing strength, resolve and maintaining your feminity no matter the circumstance. All of these ladies are examples of exhibiting each trait. So how do we pull off "the look" of being classy and elegant?
IT'S ALL IN THE DRESS
There is a misconception that only slender women can be classy and elegant. Fit doesn't discriminate. If you're an average to plus-size, buying clothes that FIT will make you look polished and put together.
Dresses with prints that balance your shape are useful. A petite woman shouldn't don on a dress with an overwhelming floral print. A voluptuous woman shouldn't wear prints too bold and that stretch across.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just needs to FIT beautifully. Jeans and a t-shirt can look like a million bucks, or a total disaster – it’s all in the fit!
IT'S ALL IN THE PORPORTION
Proportion is crucial in a wardrobe. Should a 5'0" woman wear a long, flowing dress down the floor? No. Should a 5'9" curvy woman wear a size 9 dress that barely reaches her knees? No. The clothes and the wearer should "go together". A petite woman has to find clothes in her size. An average-sized woman has more choices. She can find the size she is. She can also go up a size and have her clothes tailored.
IT'S ALL IN THE ACCESSORIES (INCLUDING MANICURES AND PEDICURES)
Take care of yourself, look polished. Again, this does not take immense amounts of money. My mother always said it doesn’t take money to have a lovely clean home, it just takes care. The same goes for your appearance. Make sure your nails are clean and well kept!
Jewlery! Appropriate bling can make a plain ensemble shine! Jewelry with "expensive features" and unique detail add interest to a woman's attire. Of course, the amount of jewelry does depend on the wearer. But, a petite shouldn't be subjected to just a ring. A larger-size shouldn't be purchasing gaudy and outlandish pieces.
You want your jewelery to add beauty and class, know when to glam it up and when to be subtle. When in doubt, subtlety is always better.
It’s ALL in the WALK
Classy, elegant women often walk alone! They are not followers, they set their own style and walk with their head held high, exuding confidence, poise and yes class!
“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever seen before.” – Albert Einstein