The best compliment for a woman is an appreciation of her style. Most often, laudatory statements are awarded to an elegant style of clothing. It is not easy to create it, because, in addition to clothes, it includes many other details. Putting together a complete image is a real art. To look elegant will help either an innate flair, or the careful work of a stylist, or mastering the art of forming images. Let's talk about the basic principles of elegant style, what is its specificity and how to create it.
The concept of elegance
The word "elegant" in Latin meant "to make a choice". Later, in French, it acquired its familiar meaning - graceful, graceful, refined. But these adjectives are rather abstract and individual. Therefore, it can be so difficult to describe elegance, but anyone who sees a woman corresponding to this epithet will easily understand - yes, this isand there is she. Historically, the "elegant" style comes from aristocracy. And that is why it applies not only to a certain type and quality of clothing. Style is always a mindset. It is not in vain that D. Armani says that elegance is a form of manifestation of the mind. Indeed, style is always an element of personality, character, a unique self. And elegance is a manner of behavior, speech, the ability to combine wardrobe items, an unmistakable flair. Can this be learned? Or is elegance only passed down through genes? Of course, this skill can be mastered, although it may take a lot of work. After all, it's not enough to put on a suit and immediately turn into a lady if you haven't before.
Principles of elegant style
The "elegant" style is genetically linked to the aristocracy, hence its basic principles:
- Restraint. Clothing should not "scream" about its owner, it should only emphasize dignity, without sticking them out. An elegant image should not hit the eyes and cause a storm of emotions. It is in the calmness and neutrality of the emotional background that his main secret lies.
- Perfection. There are no trifles in this style, it is very intelligent and thoughtful, which is manifested in every detail - from gloves to fragrance.
- Accuracy. This principle builds on the previous one. It is impossible to look elegant in a wrinkled skirt or unpolished boots.
- High quality in every detail. Aristocrats have always preferred only the best, hence the attention to the quality of clothing. But elegance is notmeans luxury, this is precisely the quality of cut, accessories, materials.
In addition, the concept of "elegant style" includes principles such as relevance, individuality and simplicity. Appropriateness refers to the appropriateness of the costume to the situation. For example, you can be thrice elegant in a classic Chanel suit, but it will look ridiculous on a tennis player. Also, the costume must be appropriate for the age of the person. Style is a reflection of the inner content of a person. Therefore, elegance is an expression of a person's unique self.
You can wear a standard set of a white blouse and a black skirt and look like a third-rate secretary in it, or you can look like a real lady. It's all about matching the costume to the character and the unique selection of details. Elegance implies the utmost restraint and conciseness - nothing more. And this is precisely the greatest complexity of this style. In order to show the maximum of internal content with a minimum of expressive means, you need to have intelligence and taste.
Elegance every day
We have already said that the concept of "elegant style" is associated with the appropriateness of the costume. Therefore, choosing an image for work or everyday affairs, you need to understand where you will go in this suit. For the office or business meetings, a suit of a jacket and skirt to mid-knee or just below, with a simple silk or cotton blouse, is best suited. The material and color of the kit is very important. Do not get hung up on black and white, especially sincetoday these tones are more suitable for special occasions. It is worth taking a closer look at the blue or brown color of the fabric made from natural wool, in summer - cotton. You can also choose a trouser suit. Style is created by details. In this case, it can be pumps with medium heels or loafers made of genuine leather. You can choose a bag of a medium-sized briefcase type or a simple frame bag a la Birkin. A thin string of pearls or a silk square can be worn around the neck. For everyday activities that are not related to a business dress code, you can choose a pencil skirt or straight trousers and a cashmere jumper or cardigan with a cotton blouse.
Evening elegant outing
Traditionally elegant style is associated with evening wear. When choosing a suit for a premiere, social event, vernissage, it is worth remembering the basic principles of elegance. Therefore, you need to choose a dress or set made of natural materials, a discreet color palette and an impeccable cut. The length of the hem can be different: for a cocktail - up to the middle of the knee, for the evening - to the floor. You can not overdo it with jewelry: earrings can be completed with a necklace or bracelets, put on one ring. Shoes are needed with high heels - 8-10 cm, preferably in the color of the dress. The handbag should be small, evening. In some cases, a woman can afford to wear a trouser set a la tuxedo and a set of skirt and jacket with satin, velvet details.
Elegance and age
Traditional style of an elegant womanmentally connects with ladies of mature age. But in fact, elegance is beyond age, just in each period it has its own. So, for a girl of 20-25 years old, a classic boucle suit from Chanel is unlikely to be appropriate in any situation. But a laconic, light dress, made of high-quality natural material, boats and a string of pearls will be a very elegant choice. An active woman of 30-40 years old can afford a classic suit, a fitted dress and a trouser suit and will look elegant if she can not go too far with accessories and chooses the best things in terms of cut and material. Kate Middleton is the epitome of modern elegance. She doesn't always chase expensive brands, but her style has elegance and personality. And Queen Elizabeth is the ideal lady of mature age. You can see that these ladies are united by the impeccability of manners, the desire for simplicity of outfits and the measure and taste in the use of details.
Elegant wardrobe essentials
Stylists say that elegance is the art of combining simple things. To create a lady's wardrobe, you will need a few basic things around which images for different situations will be built. No matter how trite, but in the closet of an elegant woman there should be a dress, not necessarily black, perhaps dark blue, dark eggplant, dark emerald, but ideally cut for her type of figure and made of natural fabric. It is also worth getting a suit from a skirt and a jacket, perhaps from tweed or quality wool. It is advisable to sew it to order in a good atelier so that itperfectly emphasized the merits and hid the flaws. Perhaps for the summer it is worth getting a light linen suit. Perfectly cut trousers should also be in the lady's closet. You also need to buy several blouses, a cashmere jumper or cardigan, a classic-cut coat made of quality wool, several pairs of genuine leather shoes for each season, and at least two bags - day and evening.
Color of elegance
Thinking that elegance is black and white is a delusion. These colors have recently been losing their positions, especially since they are far from suitable for everyone. Therefore, it is worth finding your own shades of gray, sand, burgundy, blue, brown and keeping the main wardrobe in them. Although white is very appropriate for summer. And for evening attire, you can wear a black dress without any fear. The new colors of the elegant style are a restrained palette, the play of nuances is important in the image. It is believed that ladies choose only discreet, discreet shades. But it is worth seeing the monochrome images of the Queen of Great Britain in blue, yellow, lilac tones, and is it possible to refuse her elegance? Therefore, the main thing is measure and taste.
Elegance and classic
Classic is often called synonymous with elegance. There is an elegant classical style, whose icons are Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly. But today there is a new modern elegance embodied in Kate Middleton and before her there was Princess Diana. This is the style of an active lady whodoes not spend all his time at social events. A new classic is born, which is much freer than even 30 years ago. But still the main thing is the taste and the highest quality.
Stylists' recommendations
To create an elegant style, experts advise learning to observe the measure in everything, honestly realize the advantages and disadvantages of your figure and wear only what suits it. You need to form a basic wardrobe and diversify it with a few details. A real lady will not walk around in crumpled shapeless synthetic clothes, she will always give preference to quality. You don't need to buy a lot of clothes, a few things are enough, but really fit perfectly and of the best quality.