Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.
There is quite a difference between being elegant and being chic and being fashionable. If you don’t wear classic pieces, you’ll NEVER be elegant.
You might be chic at best. Also, elegance has nothing to do with most of the things listed here: elegance is simply a WAY to wear your clothes.
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It’s first and FOREMOST about body lines, plain and simple, coupled with a certain attitude… a state of mind which is the definition of attitude (sadly now it means something else!)
The rest (etiquette etc..) has to do with being CLASSY. You can be very classy but not in the least elegant… and vice versa.
You can be rude yet elegant (wear your clothes in a way that turns heads) but you cannot be rude and classy. Classiness & elegance are NOT synonym, sorry! One would hope to meet someone who is both.
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There are many fashions and trends that come and go that, while fashionable and trendy and quite all right if that’s what you like, could never be called elegant. For example, the torn jeans look that will not go away.
I’ve seen women put together casually elegant looks with their well-fitting, untorn dark wash jeans, but IMHO it can’t be done with skinny jeans or torn jeans. Might look cute or fashionable or trendy, but not elegant.
Elegance is not a word we often hear. Worse yet, it’s not one we often aspire to embody. We’re just trying to get the kids to school, run businesses, get to the office on time, clean the house, pay the bills, and put dinner on the table.
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Living elegantly?
Refinement?
Luxuriously?
Who has time for that?
I get it. Being a single and running a company definitely leaves me running around without makeup and my hair unkempt . . . on days. Yet, I know when I’m dressed my best, I am living my best.
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Disclaimer: The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensure discussion or debate.
Thank you …. It’s not how you started your year that will set you up for success in 2023 and beyond, but it’s how you start your morning. Every, single, day.
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I miss the days when women sauntered down the streets, dressed simply and beautifully; when tables were set with a home cooked meal, candles, and ready for a 7:00 dinner spent with the entire family; when cultural refinement was not an option and resulted from time spent embarking on intellectual pursuits.
Unfortunately . . .
Elegance has become a lost art.
And, for many, it’s an art form that many of us never learned.
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Like most women, I’ve seen and learnt the art of elegance. And, whether you’re eight or eighty, it’s always beautiful to be elegant.
There was one place that taught me about elegance like no other could. I bet you can guess where. Of course, London!
The City of Lights will leave you inspired as you experience elegance around every la rue. This is almost a birthright as they are trained in the art from childhood.
Consider how success is viewed and valued in the United States. That’s how the French admire elegance.
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Are you wondering if it’s possible to have both?
Absolutely! In fact, I’m going to challenge you that through elegance, your body, business and life will improve in quality.
Why? Because . . .
Elegance is a state of mind.
Do you want to add a word or two?
The only real elegance is in the mind; if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it.
Regardless of your busy schedule, crammed wardrobe, or life circumstances, here are 50 ways to bring more elegance into your life starting right now.
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Start your day off with ease and intention. An elegant woman has a radiating inner peace. In other words, mental grooming is as important as the physical. Maintain good posture. Shoulders back and head held high.
Keep a simple wardrobe with beautiful statement pieces. Have a signature meal that you can prepare at any given minute. Dine, don’t feed. Slow down and savor your meal.
Do not smack gum in public — be limited in your use. (Sorry, this is a huge pet peeve of mine.)
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Put the cell phone/ electronics away while you’re sitting at the table. When you are in someone’s presence, really be with them. Even if it’s only for a minute, look them in the eyes and offer them grace and attentiveness.
Your Comments……
Learn the basics of proper wine service.
Keep your nails manicured.
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Be kind with your words about others. If you’re going to talk about someone behind their back, say something good. Accept compliments gracefully.
Do more of what come naturally to you. Where there’s ease, there’s elegance.
Tip generously.
Give creative and thoughtful gifts.
They need not be expensive.
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Do you feel like elegance something that’s out of reach?
You’re not alone.
But what if I told you that wasn’t the case at all?
That learning about elegance and how to use it in your everyday life was possible, and even easy?
I want to help you tap into your inner elegance, so you can feel more confident and empowered in every situation.
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We’ve all heard that the first four minutes of an encounter matter the most. Or, to re-phrase “if you look after your mind and force it to be positive until 10am then the rest of the day will look after itself”. I agree with these wholeheartedly, but there’s something rather contrived about this to me. I want to enjoy my life, not force and shoehorn it into a cliché.
It is always a good thing to try, but even better to be.
Wake up at the same time every day.
Yes, even if it’s a weekend! Elegant women are not lazy, and they certainly don’t like to waste the best part of the day.
If you need more sleep, go to bed earlier. You may have a quiet morning staying in your pajamas if you choose to, laying or reading quietly if you wish (this is a lie in, not a sleep in).
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Waking at the same time every day sets a routine for your body that it will quickly get used to – and somewhat miraculously it makes Monday mornings easier to deal with!
In fact, Mondays aren’t really the issue – the erratic wake up times are what sets you up for a fall!
Try it out, set your alarm earlier than usual by an hour and take the morning easy(er). There is nothing more stressful than starting your day in a rush. The quietness of the morning and the pleasure of hearing dawn break is such a glorious thing, you really are missing out.
Start your day with ease and intention.
If you wake up fraught, due to a late alarm or some other worry then it’s akin to getting out on the wrong side of the bed.
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When you wake up, before you’ve even opened an eyelid you need to do some mental grooming first. Your very first thought should be.
Dress elegantly with modesty in mind. Learn and follow color analysis. Discover the colors that look good on you and choose your wardrobe colors accordingly. Make sure that your clothes are not too tight or revealing.
An elegant lady leaves much to the imagination, and never makes strangers certain. Dress appropriately for occasions.
Keep in mind that it is far better to be overdressed than underdressed. A gentleman takes pride in his appearance and sees to it that his undergarments remain hidden.
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