Coco Chanel once said, “Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.” And she was right! True elegance is more than the clothes we put on our bodies – it’s how we style them, how we care for them, how we care for ourselves, and the confidence with which we carry ourselves. While ripping off a price tag might seem like a step in the right direction, you can learn to feel just as classy in the clothes you already have. Ready for seven easy ways to get the elegant look you’ve always dreamed of? Let’s dive in!
1. Have a wardrobe full of classic essentials
As I already mentioned, an elegant look is about more than just filling up your closet with expensive pieces. In fact, an elegant woman knows that a capsule wardrobe full of classic pieces is the easiest way to achieve a sophisticated appearance. Having a closet filled with timeless staples makes it that much easier to get dressed in the morning and mix and match items that will look great – no matter where the trend cycle is at.
Capsule skirts, blouses, trousers, etc., don’t have to be designer to give you an elegant look. As long as you’re prioritizing quality pieces that fit well, you’ll achieve that elevated look you’re going for. Even a purposefully oversized look can be done well. And if clothes don’t fit perfectly right off the rack (or online), you can always consider taking them to a tailor. A $30 adjustment might even make your piece look like it came with a designer price tag!
Everlane
The Oversized Blazer
2. Don’t rush to get ready
amazon
Clothing Rack
If you want to adopt more effortlessly elegant style habits, making small changes to your daily schedule can have a big impact! For instance, setting out your clothes at night can vastly improve your morning routine. Having clean clothes prepped and ready to go will give you a few extra minutes to meditate, journal, eat a healthy breakfast, or do your skincare routine.
Setting your clothes out the night before also gives you the opportunity to do any ironing, steaming, etc. that needs to be done. These little touches make all the difference in making you look more put-together!
3. A small selection of quality jewelry
Quince
Emerald Cut Necklace
Elegant women take the time to develop their own unique, personal style – and their daily jewelry stack is a big part of that! Jewelry that you wear every day is as personal as your signature scent, and can take your outfits to the next level.
Try to invest in a few quality pieces that you can wear regularly, and that complement your personal aesthetic. Dainty pieces are always a good choice if you’re going for a classy look! Think pearl stud earrings, a small pendant necklace, a bracelet watch, etc. You might also want a few pieces to wear on special occasions, like a tennis bracelet or more elaborate earrings. You can treat your jewelry collection like a mini capsule wardrobe!
Related: How to Build a Jewelry Collection: 11 Must-Have Timeless Pieces
4. Add a thin belt to your look
j.crew
Skinny Italian Leather Belt
Another easy styling habit to adopt for an elegant look? Take the time to tailor your pieces – whether you bring them to a professional, or use little styling tricks to do it yourself at home. Rolling up the sleeves of a crisp white blouse, cuffing your jeans, or adding a belt are all free (and easy) ways that you can make your clothes fit better, for free.
Adding a belt can help to give you a flattering hourglass shape, and make you look more expensive! If you’re styling oversized pieces or shapeless layers, a thin belt can complement your natural beauty and body shape with little added effort.
5. Opt for luxe fabrics
everlane
Cashmere Slim Crew Sweater
Get in the habit of prioritizing natural fabrics and textures when you’re getting dressed. These not only feel great on your skin, but also hold up well over time, and usually look more elevated than their synthetic counterparts. For example, if you’re shopping for a new white shirt, look for high percentages of cotton or linen. Or, if you’re shopping for cozy winter sweaters, cashmere or wool are great picks! These high-quality fabrics will be easy to style into classy outfits for occasions from casual days to your next formal event, and every day in between.
6. Have go-to outfit formulas that you love
everlane
The Box-Cut Tee
Having a selection of go-to outfit ideas and formulas is another easy habit to develop if you’re trying to style elegant looks. If you find yourself frequently looking at your open closet and feeling like you have nothing to wear, these go-to outfits and formulas can save you from the urge to go out and impulse-buy pieces that you don’t really need.
Whether you prefer to reach for a little black dress or stick to slightly more casual pieces, like a white t-shirt and jeans, finding go-to outfit formulas will make you that much more confident when you’re styling new outfits.
7. Go back to basics
gap factory
Modern Trench Coat
A great style foundation will help you build up elegant looks – and sometimes that means going back to basics! Often, simplicity is the best way to achieve elegance – and that means prioritizing quality basics like white t-shirts, a timeless trench coat, well-fitting denim, etc. True sophistication doesn’t mean you have to overthink your outfits, and these reliable pieces will make getting dressed that much simpler.
An Elegant Look from Head to Toe
Elegance is about more than how you wear clothes – it’s also about poise, good posture, confidence, and how you treat others! Being elegant can impact nearly any area of your life – but these 7 tips can help you get the sophisticated look you’re going for when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. And the best part is, you have to go out and invest in a brand new wardrobe!
Now that you’re on your way to a more elegant look with these daily habits, here are a few outfit ideas to try out next! Up Next: 9 Casual Elegant Outfits for Every Day
Lovely! Winter is my favorite season, even in Louisiana we have a few cold days perfect for sweaters/coats.
I love being able to wear all the chic layers!