Who do you think of when you envision a classy woman? Is it Audrey Hepburn, or Grace Kelly? Maybe it’s your mother or grandmother? No matter who you picture, there are probably some key style principles that all of these timelessly chic women have followed while getting dressed in the morning. If your goal this year is to emulate their effortlessly elegant looks, you can use the 15 classy elegant outfits below for inspiration for your own personal style.
1. red dress + leopard print heels + pearl earrings + top handle bag
dress | purse | earrings | shoes
While you may think of neutral colors when it comes to a classy look, bright colors can just as easily be styled in an elegant way. Classy looks and pieces can come in all shades and shapes. How you pair them is more important when you’re putting together an elegant outfit. For instance, keep the bright colors to a minimum – commit to one per outfit and style the rest of your look with neutrals.
A bold pop of red is the perfect place to start when it comes to incorporating more color into your wardrobe. This midi dress with a thin belt around the waist is the perfect example of how to make the timeless tone look classic! Next, try adding in a pattern to add interest to the rather simple dress. Leopard print and shades of red will always complement each other. Finish the look with minimalist accessories like a sleek leather top handle bag and gold and pearl stud earrings.
2. little black dress + wrap coat + pearl earrings + tights + ballet flats
coat | dress | tights | shoes | earrings
A little black dress may be one of the first pieces to come to mind when you visualize a classy outfit. Coco Chanel popularized the “LBD” in 1926, and since then it’s been worn by chic women throughout history, and all around the world. It’s the perfect foundational piece if you’re debating about what to wear! You can layer under it or on top of it, dress it up or down, and accessorize it in a near endless number of ways.
For the sake of this look, pair it with a wrap coat for a timeless winter style. Then, add another Chanel-inspired piece – a pair of cap-toed ballet flats. Sheer black tights and a simple pair of pearl stud earrings complete the look that’s perfect for every occasion from the office to date night.
3. leopard print coat + hat + gold earrings + burgundy accessories
coat (cheaper option) | hat | earrings | purse | tights | gloves | shoes
Speaking of leopard print, this next look has it all! Go big and bold by leaning into the classic print with a leopard print coat. The timeless pattern has notably been loved by fashionistas like Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie Kennedy.
Go a little deeper with the shades of red incorporated into your accessories. Scarlet or burgundy are the perfect tones to add a moody touch to your look with burgundy tights, slingback heels, leather driving gloves, a top handle bag, and lipstick. Add a vintage-style pill box hat to complete the look.
4. white button-down shirt + neck scarf + black pants + ballet flats
shirt | scarf | earrings | pants | shoes
You can create classy elegant outfits by pairing pieces from your capsule wardrobe. For this next look, start with your favorite white button-down shirt. Fashion trends may come and go, but the classic white button-down is here to stay! Next, emulate the French girls with your accessory. A leopard print neck scarf instantly upgrades the entire look.
On the bottom, try a pair of slim-fitting black dress pants. Then, add timeless ballet flats. Gold stud earrings complete the look that’s ideal for a transitional spring office ensemble.
5. leopard print coat + hat + tote bag + slingback heels
coat (cheaper option) | hat | purse | tights | gloves | shoes
You can always reach for a classic trench coat when it comes to timeless outfits, but there’s just something about this leopard print coat that we can’t get enough of! It’s the perfect way to add interest to your winter looks. After all, your outerwear does make your first impression!
Keep things simple and tonal in this look with slingback heels (I love the pearl droplet to make them stand out), tights, driving gloves, a croc-embossed bag, and a pill box hat.
6. lady jacket + coordinating skirt + heels + headband + stud earrings
jacket | skirt | earrings | headband | shoes | purse
A matching set will instantly give you an elegant look – especially if the top is a lady jacket style in tweed! Coco Chanel herself would love this next outfit idea. If you’re looking for the right fabrics for classy elegant outfits, tweed is a perfect choice. Also, little details like the gold buttons make a big difference.
Classic pieces like the tweed skirt and jacket not only pair well as a set but also work well as separates. Pair the jacket with your favorite light-wash jeans for a more casual take on the spring style. Or, try the skirt with a t-shirt and oversized blazer for another workwear-inspired vibe.
Accessorize with cap-toed heels, a shoulder bag, gold earrings, and a pink headband.
7. vest top + pleated skirt + pearl earrings + watch + slingback heels
vest top | skirt (similar) | watch | earrings | heels
One of the easiest ways to get a classy style is to create tonal outfits with timeless pieces. Tonal looks are ideal for everyday wear when you’re not sure what to pair together. It’s much easier to create an outfit all in one color than in different tones. Start with an all-white or cream for instant timeless style.
A pleated midi skirt is one of those classic styles that complements every body type. The vertical pleats draw the eye up and down for a slimming look, and the midi length will hit at a great spot on your legs. Plus, it’s the perfect style to also highlight your shoes. Add a pair of slingback heels with a pointed toe in order to continue the vertical line down your body.
Gold accessories with hints of pearl complete the tonal outfit idea of solid colors.
8. red coat + waist belt + leopard print accessories
coat | belt | hat | gloves | purse | shoes
Little styling tricks can elevate your basic pieces for classy elegant outfits. For instance, you can add shape to your boxier pieces by adding a belt for a low-cost, quick fix. Loop a thin belt around your waist to highlight your natural curves, and draw attention to the narrowest part of your torso.
Speaking of accessories, they’re the easiest way to fit an elegant dress code without overhauling your whole wardrobe. Small touches like a pair of fur-lined gloves, leopard print heels, a pill box style hat, or a bag with an antique-style two-prong clasp are all vintage, classic pieces that will instantly elevate your coat and belt. This look gives all the Audrey Hepburn vibes!
9. tweed dress + gold earrings + shoulder bag + tights + ballet flats
dress | ballet flats | tights | shoulder bag | earrings
If leopard print doesn’t fit your personal style, houndstooth is another classic pattern that can elevate your look. It’s been adopted and utilized by well-known designers like Chanel, Christian Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
Add another texture to your look with a pair of quilted ballet flats and a quilted shoulder bag. This is another style of accessories that’s been incorporated into many Chanel ready-to-wear pieces if you love classic Parisian fashion. Add a pair of ornate gold button earrings to tie back into the buttons on your dress for a cohesive look.
10. polka dot dress + cardigan + pearl necklace + slingback heels
dress | cardigan | necklace | purse | shoes
Speaking of timeless patterns, polka dots are another fun style to wear in your classy elegant outfits. Plus, they’re trending this year! Fashion icons like Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, and Carolina Herrera are all big fans of the polka dot dress. It’s also perfect for warm weather looks.
If it’s still a little chilly this spring, add a cardigan in a bright color. Bright pink is perfect, and also looks great if you incorporate shades of red into the look as well. An elegant pearl necklace completes the ensemble.
11. cable knit sweater + trousers + tote bag + slingback heels + earrings
sweater | pants | heels | earrings | tote bag | belt
Certain capsule wardrobe staples, like a cable knit or cashmere sweater, are a great way to start your looks if you’re going for elegant style. You can also use them to create tonal outfits with ease – try styling an all-gray look for an easy winter office outfit formula.
When it comes to your accessories, keep the metal accents the same for a cohesive look. For instance, if you go with a belt with a silver buckle, try matching it with a pair of chunky silver hoops. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it can help to ensure you look more cohesive! The little details truly do matter.
12. leopard print coat + hat + red shoes + red lipstick + top handle bag
coat (cheaper option) | hat | purse | shoes
When it comes to classy elegant outfits, a bright red lip can help to highlight your best features. The key is finding the best shade of red to fit your individual skin tone. A great part about the red lip? You can keep the rest of your makeup look very simple and still look put together. Think a swipe of mascara, light foundation or concealer, and just a bit of blush for cheek color.
Just like you can play around with different shades of red for your lipstick, you can experiment with your favorite shades of red to incorporate into your accessories. High heels, a pill box hat and top handle bag are perfect examples! A bright cherry red is perfect for year-round looks and pairs well with a winter coat all the way to your white summer outfits.
13. white blouse + mini skirt + tights + headband + slingback heels
blouse | skirt | tights | heels | headband | earrings
If you want your overall look to be described as “classy” or “elegant”, black and white is always a winning color combination. First, start with a white blouse. The bow at the neckline of this piece adds a feminine touch. Next, add a black mini skirt. You can always swap it out for a longer pencil skirt, but a mini skirt can be ideal if you have a petite stature and don’t mind wearing tights.
Elevate this formula for special occasions with a pair of slingback heels and pearl earrings. Then, mix things up with a leopard print headband. For a more casual look, you can swap out the heels for a pair of loafers or ballet flats.
14. red trench coat + leopard print mary janes and bag + neck scarf
Just because you’re going for a classy wardrobe doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with statement pieces! How amazing is this red trench coat? Statement pieces are the perfect way to incorporate your personal style into your capsule wardrobe. A good rule of thumb before investing in an eye-catching piece is to think about different looks you will be able to create with that piece. If you can envision a handful of looks instead of one perfect outfit, you know you’re making a good decision.
Style the eye-popping trench with classic leopard print to elevate the ensemble. Then, add a neck scarf to finish off with that beloved French girl piece.
15. mini dress + top handle bag + gold bracelets + heels + oval sunglasses
dress | heels | bag | sunglasses | bracelets
High-quality fabrics are another key element to classy dressing. Although you can always mix high and low pieces, try to ensure that at least part of your ensemble has been created with quality materials like leather, wool, cashmere, linen, cotton, etc.
For this look, swap out your crisp white shirt for a sleek mini dress. The buttons going all the way down the front help to make this look appear more elegant. Next, add a pair of ballet flats or heels – the pair above is the perfect combination of the two!
Elegant clothes don’t need much when it comes to accessories. If you want to keep things simple, add thin gold bracelets, a top-handle bag, and a pair of oval sunglasses.
Elegance Never Goes Out of Style
If your Pinterest board is full of classy elegant outfits, you’ve come to the right place. With a few key pieces, you can create a regular rotation of effortlessly chic looks to elevate your daily style. You don’t need a starlet budget to get that timeless Hollywood icon look!
Ready for more classy feminine outfit inspiration? Up Next: 13 Classy Feminine Outfits to Wear for Elegant Style
