How to look classy & put together with subtlety?

[mellecyn]

Personally, for me....
Non-wrinkled clothes can very easily take you from messy to dressy! I swear by my steamer!

Manicured nails and toes. I live in Florida, so I there are quite a bit of people that wear flip flops 24/7 (my BF being the #1 offender of that), but I think a nice pair of heels can easily take your outfit to the next level. Speaking of heels - to not wear shoes that show excessive wear and tear. I know we all have that favorite pair of go-to shoes, but when it looks like your shoes have walked a thousand miles and back or your dog got ahold of one of the stilettos for an afternoon snack, it can make an outfit look a little less well put together. My rule of thumb, is that when a pair of shoes start seeing serious scuffs or a little too much wear for my liking, I put them in the donate bunch.

Makeup: I think simple makeup is key. Some mascara, maybe a lip tint or natural color, some blush/hi-lighter. And don't forget those brows! I have mine microbladed, so I don't have to fill them in every morning anymore, but having my eyebrows perfectly how I like them already makes me feel more attractive.

Clothes: I think everyone should express themselves while still dressing age appropriately. Personally, I don't like snug fit, body con clothes anymore. So, those all got donated long ago... but I always feel most put together when I'm wearing a knee-length, flowy dress or nice pants and a blouse... and don't forget the heels!

And I wanted to make an edit to this...Since I know we have ladies (and gentlemen) of varying age groups that contribute to these posts! By "heels" I don't necessarily mean stilettos. It can also be a nice loafer or flat. I just said heels, b/c that's what I usually gravitate towards. I just think a nice, classy shoe that suits your lifestyle! And keep the flip flops at the pool or beach, please lol

Agree with the steamer and the eyebrows done!
Concerning the flip flops we don’t have that issue here
Good points with the shoes not too worn out. And to me leather shoes will always be a big part in looking classy (rather than pleather or sneakers) where it’s worth investing a minimum in quality.

 

[niseylee]

Well cut clothes.
Manicured nails-left either bare or painted with classic colors, flattering hairstyle "done" use hair products that help your issues, flattering makeup-especially groomed brows
Decent shoes. IMO trainers and flip flops are usually gross, hard to pull off nicely when you want to look "elevated"
Tasteful jewelry, watch, accessories
Good posture!
When speaking, try not to sound like a complainer or be sarcastic most of the time. Make eye contact.

I love this. I am learning.

 

[mellecyn]

View attachment 4869699
I´m gonna watch this! and see.... But I already see a lot of camel / neutrals. True that timeless classic is better to achieve that goal. And colors are fun but easily look cheap.

Ok she has some good basic tips. It’s a good place to start! Neutrals, so it’s versatile, and about taking care of your items....but it’s for sure not a guide for individuality or expressing your personality! I feel like every second insta fashion influencer looks exactly the same.

 

[jade]

Sign me in!!! I already love colourful collar shirts.

But class has always been equal to timeless boring basics. Like where I’m from, I used to go to a catholic secondary school filled with old money people. This was in 1990, you could wear the same today. The style hasn’t changed. We even have a name for the type of old money, conservative, catholic look “la Versaillaise” mix British or German aristocrats. Ok I would wear : navy, grey, blue grey, green grey, burgundy, white. Collar shirts, lambswool or merino pullover, jeans Levi’s, pleated midi skirt, and loafers. Easy. and the padded headband.

I spent part of my childhood in the South, where that old money looks was a little more colorful.

I also grew up in California. I grew up middle class, but my parents were fairly conservative on the clothing allowed spectrum (you know how respectability politics influences views on how you present yourself) and my mom had some pretty strict rules on what is ladylike and what wasn't! I am in my early 40s, and I am not kidding when I say my mom didn't think that it was appropriate for women to wear pants to church until I was like 22. And you definitely needed to wear panty hose. I wasn't allowed to go bare legged with a dress/skirt until I was in high school. She finally came around to not wearing hose at church when I was like 17 or 18 and we only went on major holidays. So many memories from the age where I was too old for tights and both struggling with finding hose that was a suitable shade for me, and a pair that didn't have a run in the mad dash to go to church on Sunday!

I ended up with a classic-ish style with colors and casual items. All the influences blended in my brain!

 

[MsMarni]

These are the things that make me feel this way:
-Hair looks healthy, is well styled and colored
- Skin is clear and fresh
- Makeup is polished and not overdone or loud (chantecaille and Bobbi brown are my favorites)
- Nails are done- short with a beige rose or nude color
- Jewelry is minimal but good quality
- I wear a lot of camel colors, roses, beiges and ivory colored tops- they are flattering on me. They are still classic colors but black sometimes looks harsh on me or washes me out.
- perfume- subtle, clean and usually from Chanel lol
- shoes- I wear mostly loafers and booties because I don’t care for heels. If I am uncomfortable in what I am wearing, I don’t feel classy.
- and of course- top it all off with the perfect bag. ❤️

 

[Sophie-Rose]

I don't think looking classy has anything to do with colour palette or "minimal" accessoires, and more to do with how you carry yourself and personal style... case in point: Iris Apfel!

I think "looking classy/elegant" has more to do with poise and taking care of your things... invest in items you love (regardless of colour) and try to avoid fast fashion & "trends"

 

[Le Lion]

Sign me in!!! I already love colourful collar shirts.

But class has always been equal to timeless boring basics. Like where I’m from, I used to go to a catholic secondary school filled with old money people. This was in 1990, you could wear the same today. The style hasn’t changed. We even have a name for the type of old money, conservative, catholic look “la Versaillaise” mix British or German aristocrats. Ok I would wear : navy, grey, blue grey, green grey, burgundy, white. Collar shirts, lambswool or merino pullover, jeans Levi’s, pleated midi skirt, and loafers. Easy. and the padded headband.

oh, you both made me lough so much. I agree, it is so sad that color is so neglected in the „classy“ style world.

I personally love color and on my inspiration board is almost every outfit from Gwyneth Paltrow in "The Politician". That would be my tipp. Search for exact looks that you like and try to copy them for you and your body type.

 

[JenJBS]

I don't think looking classy has anything to do with colour palette or "minimal" accessoires, and more to do with how you carry yourself and personal style... case in point: Iris Apfel!

I think "looking classy/elegant" has more to do with poise and taking care of your things... invest in items you love (regardless of colour) and try to avoid fast fashion & "trends"View attachment 4879985

Totalyl agree that how you carry yourself matters immensely.

The Thread title does say 'with subtlety'... I'd call Iris inspirational, colorful, vivid, fun, and many other wonderful things, but not... subtle. Especially this pic, which imo is about the opposite of subtle.

 

[Christofle]

Totalyl agree that how you carry yourself matters immensely.

The Thread title does say 'with subtlety'... I'd call Iris inspirational, colorful, vivid, fun, and many other wonderful things, but not... subtle. Especially this pic, which imo is about the opposite of subtle.

Iris and subtlety are like oil and water

 

[Honeymoon]

When I think of looking classy, I think of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. That early 1960s look, to me, is the most timeless and beautiful.

 

[papertiger]

It might not wrinkle but it just feels weird and makes me all itchy, the hand steamer, they usually come with attachments, I am addicted to mine, it is minutes and items look fantastic. I have some things that are linen, silk, cotton and 1% elastane, they wear so well, on the other hand I spent a fortune on Brunello Cuccinelli pants, wool and cotton blend, and they wrinkle like crazy, fab if you put them on, really smart, just do not sit down...

Hijacking thread alert

Name that steamer please!

 

[Gabs007]

Hijacking thread alert

Name that steamer please!

I'm on my 3rd as darling Harvey (he doesn't eat Hermes anymore but he hates the steamer and hoover) usually fights it when he sees it and it only takes a certain amount of bangs and chewing, plus they have been working nonstop, we're moving to France and I am throwing everything I am not planning to wear again or haven't worn much on VC, that and cleaning upholstery due to cat and dog (then I forget to switch it off or drop it), been basically working 24/7 for the past 2 years. I attach a picture of the one I reordered (just in case) as this one seems to work best for me. It's between 15 and 20 on eBay or Amazon, for that amount, you really can't complain. I have the proper stand up garment steamer but have to say I don't like that one as much as the small hand steamer, works even great for suede boots and bags, just with the suede attachment.

I actually sometimes left it on for days as I never knew when I wanted to steam something up, or steamed 5 items up, then forgot about it, that possibly contributed to their demise, none of them "died" on me, but the button you push then seems to get very hot over time, they really did heavy duty and hundreds of hours, if you only need it to steam up clothes you wear, then switch it off, I would say one will last you years, and yes, Dobie chewing the water tank or flinging it against the wall because he hates the steamer hiss, that also doesn't help much.

 

[doni]

oh, you both made me lough so much. I agree, it is so sad that color is so neglected in the „classy“ style world.

I personally love color and on my inspiration board is almost every outfit from Gwyneth Paltrow in "The Politician". That would be my tipp. Search for exact looks that you like and try to copy them for you and your body type.

View attachment 4880860View attachment 4880858View attachment 4880857View attachment 4880859

I agree with you. In fact, I think there is nothing classier than sophisticated use of color.

Sometimes (dare I say often) neutrals are a default to safe. But it is true it is easier to look put together in them. Not that put together is necessarily a synonym of classy.

But I think one of the best things we can do is to learn which colors and tones suit our complexion. This used to be the .1 of dressing, but we have kind of forgotten... It took me too long.

On steamers, I also love mine! It is this, the Fridja.

 

[papertiger]

You sound like you want (to feel) your power back:

1. Choose a haircut which requires your hair type (mine's the wavy/messy sort - terrible shorter than shoulder). Not just a default style but a style no one else can do (except with your hair type/face shape) and make it your own. Book an appointment with an online hairdresser for a consultation.

2. Buy and/or use the following powers/cream products and some decent make-up brushes if you don't have them already (Japanese are usually best for hand-bundled natural fibres).

a) Joe Blasco Ultrabase in exactly your own lightest skin colour (usually found at your jaw line). Use a small synthetic paddle blush and blend out thinly to conceal shadows under the eyes, use the faintest amount of something like Pat McGrath Blur powder under to set.
b) One brown/grey shadow colour (that is the same as the shadow on your face) for transition shade to deepen crease and for contour.
c) One semi-matte peach eyeshadow (since you are warm toned) for lids and under brow and same product for blusher.
d) Mascara
e) Same colour than lips lipstick in Demi-matte (to even out lip colour)
Don't go too '3D' (contour/highlight). If you have to 'sharpen' use a slightly lighter (than skin-tone) concealer sparingly on top of the cheek bone to widen and lift, no gloss/sparkle highlight.

Since a friend bought me a good brush I have not looked back. I have used Blasco's concealer since (ballet) school - a little goes a long way, the other good concealers are Armani Power Fabric.

2. Buy the sharpest suit jacket in a dark neutral that suits you and don't let any other anything argue with it (jewellery, pants/trousers, skirt, dress, footwear) have 2 looks with the jacket that are failsafe. Then you can gradually add-in and play with other variations.

 

[papertiger]

I'm on my 3rd as darling Harvey (he doesn't eat Hermes anymore but he hates the steamer and hoover) usually fights it when he sees it and it only takes a certain amount of bangs and chewing, plus they have been working nonstop, we're moving to France and I am throwing everything I am not planning to wear again or haven't worn much on VC, that and cleaning upholstery due to cat and dog (then I forget to switch it off or drop it), been basically working 24/7 for the past 2 years. I attach a picture of the one I reordered (just in case) as this one seems to work best for me. It's between 15 and 20 on eBay or Amazon, for that amount, you really can't complain. I have the proper stand up garment steamer but have to say I don't like that one as much as the small hand steamer, works even great for suede boots and bags, just with the suede attachment.

I actually sometimes left it on for days as I never knew when I wanted to steam something up, or steamed 5 items up, then forgot about it, that possibly contributed to their demise, none of them "died" on me, but the button you push then seems to get very hot over time, they really did heavy duty and hundreds of hours, if you only need it to steam up clothes you wear, then switch it off, I would say one will last you years, and yes, Dobie chewing the water tank or flinging it against the wall because he hates the steamer hiss, that also doesn't help much.

View attachment 4883052

What's the brand/name?