Developing Class
Becoming a classier person really isn't all that hard. Contrary to what many people believe, you do not have to have an abundance of wealth to develop class. While appearance does play a part in it, class has more to do with personality than appearance. Knowledge, wit, elegance and style, a sense of humor, subtlety, pride in one's appearance, and humbleness are all traits of the classy person.
It is difficult to find good examples of people with class in modern times. Hollywood film studios used to take a hand in molding their stars' public behavior to exude a sense of class. Those days are long gone. But for purposes of illustration, two stars who were perfect examples of sophistication and elegance in dress and behavior were Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Clothes & Jewlery Make the Man (and Woman)
The main things to remember when seeking to dress classy are:
- Nothing shabby - rips, holes, frays may be "in," but they'll never be classy.
- Less is more - don't show too much. Pants hanging off your butt and showing your underwear is a look to avoid. Too-short skirts and very low cut or see-through tops are just plain trashy. Also, gaudy jewelry is not classy. A simple pendant will do.
- Don't go overboard with the patterns. Only one pattern per outfit. So if you have a big, patterned necklace, your clothes should all be solids. If you wear a patterned tie, your shirt should be a solid.
Wash Out That Mouth
Cursing has become far too prevalent in today's society. The "f" word has been overused to the point that some consider it a punctuation mark. Yet, nothing destroys an image of classiness faster than a stream of obscenities. You can wear the most expensive clothing and jewelry, have your hair and makeup done professionally, and drive an expensive car, but the moment the "f" word leaves your lips, you've completely ruined your image and reduced yourself to the status of guttersnipe. You weren't born using foul language, so you can learn *not* to use it as well.
Class on a Budget
Unless your closet is filled with ratty clothes, you probably already have some good, classic pieces. And you don't need to have a closet full of everything, either. Three classic skirts (at least one in black), a couple of pairs of classic pants (again, one in black), and two classic dresses in solid colors that are flattering to your coloring are a good place to start. You can then work on accumulating a number of tops to go with the bottoms. Nice jewelry isn't hard to find on a budget either. Many thrift stores have nice pieces too for affordable prices.
There's really no need to accumulate a wardrobe of shoes that would make Imelda Marcos jealous, either. One pair of classic, pointed toe pumps in black with a tapered heel should be a staple, as that will go with everything in your closet, summer and winter. Be careful of trends, and look for long-wearing shoes.
Classy is as Classy Does
Never mistake classiness for snobbiness. Snobs are not classy. The truly classy person is kind and considerate of others and never feels the need to put others down in order to make him- or herself feel better. Likewise, classy people do not need to brag about themselves. Such behavior is indicative of low self-esteem.
When you are working on becoming a classier person, don't be too hard on yourself for making mistakes. Remember that this is a process, and it won't happen overnight.
