Have you ever thought of someone being very classy or graceful?
Have you ever wondered why you found that person so elegant?

What does it even mean to be elegant?

For me, graceful, sophisticated, dignified, and classy are a few words that can sum up the essence of elegance. In my view, being elegant is something about the way people carry themselves – the way they speak, the way they behave, their style, their charisma. Their entire personality has an air of elegance and class to it.

In a nutshell, elegance is something that turns – a woman into a lady, a man into a gentleman.

But elegance is not just restricted to dressing, speaking, or behaving in a certain way, it rather is a lifestyle – a graceful, authentic, and dignified way of living a life.

Some people are born with elegance while some eventually or intentionally become elegant.

Now the question arises – What makes one truly elegant? How does an elegant life look like? What elements bring elegance to an individual’s life?

Well, to be elegant – 

1. You Should Be Confident.

The most important element of elegance is being confident. Being confident about how you look, what you like, what you dislike, what you think, what you feel. In short, be confident about who you are and who you choose to be.

But how to be so confident?

#Accept Yourself

In this gigantic world, no one is flawless. Everyone lacks something in themselves.

Accept your shortcomings before someone else tells you. These insecurities will be no more once you accept them. Once you get rid of them, it frees you from the burden of needing others to accept you. When you accept yourself, you can be YOU and that’s what makes you unique. 

#Love Yourself

We spend so much time pleasing others we forget to acknowledge ourselves.

Spend some quality time with yourself; it might be your coffee hour or while you meditate. Spending time with yourself helps you to know yourself better. And when you know yourself better, you love yourself naturally.

#Believe in Yourself

Always do what your heart says.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for others’ viewpoints. But what goes wrong is to let their opinions dominate yours. Never let that happen.

Always remember that if you’ve thought of something, there’s a reason for that. So, never let your feelings and thoughts get faded behind others’. Just introspect a little and give time and attention to your every thought. Believe in yourself and go ahead!!!

2. You Should Have A Strength Of Character.

In a person, the first thing we look for is a good character. Rest all comes later. Your character is that mirror that shows how beautiful you are from the inside. No one would enjoy the company of someone selfish, fake, and callous.

After all, true elegance comes from within.

So, how to build a strong character?

#Be Generous

No one has ever become poor by giving. Giving expecting nothing in return generates the utmost happiness.

Be generous with not just your resources but with your time and words too. Spend time with your friends and family. Wherever you are, encourage and acknowledge people when you see they deserve it. Make people shine!

#Be Authentic

Stop looking for perfection, it doesn’t exist. Stop pretending to be someone you are not.

Be true to yourself. Be a genuine and trustworthy person who lives by a code of morals and values. Strengthen your authenticity in such a way that the people around you feel safe to be themselves too.

Be genuine… Be real… Be authentic.

#Be Empathetic

People will never forget how you made them feel. Never consider anyone any lesser than you.

Be sensitive enough to stand in someone else’s shoes and feel compassion towards their experiences and struggles. Be respectful and kind enough to make others feel better about themselves.

Always remember that it’s always about give-and-take, not take-and-take.

3. You Should Have Effortless Etiquette.

Whenever we think of an elegant person, the first thing that comes to our mind is about the mannerism, the graceful and poised way of carrying oneself, the etiquettes. The idea of etiquette is not to confuse or irritate people, but to make everyone’s life simpler.

But how to have effortless etiquette?

#Be Mannerly with your Actions

There’s a massive difference between ‘Have-to-do’ and ‘Want-to-do’.

Never see the etiquettes as a set of rules which you need to follow. Instead, make them a natural part of your lifestyle and use them to empower yourself with poise and grace.

Be polite when you talk. Stay calm and composed while doing any work and have enough patience in learning the finest possible ways to do any task.

#Be Mannerly with your Words

You should have social tact and charm.

Use your honesty and charisma to make you a joy to be around. Engage the conversation by putting your thoughts into words and make your company enjoyable and uplifting.

Always remember that there’s a time and place for certain conversations and behaviors, so try to act as relaxed or refined as the occasion calls for.

#Be Mannerly with your Intentions

Do not follow the rules of etiquette blindly but understand the intention behind following them.

Respect, consideration, and honesty are the three principles of etiquette that stand behind all the mannerisms we follow. You should treat your peers with respect but never neglect your own worth. Be honest enough about speaking the truth but considerate enough to avoid even the white lies when expected.

Acting with good intentions according to the situation and ensuring that it doesn’t embarrass or pain someone else makes you elegant with effortless etiquette.

4. You Should Have A Tasteful Style.

The way you dress expresses what your personality is. Your style is a way to tell who you are without actually speaking anything. The first thing people notice is your appearance before trying to know what sort of person you are. So, you should have a tasteful style that makes you look ‘YOU’—the amazing, authentic YOU.

But, what’s the key to having a tasteful style?

#Dress for the Occasion

You will obviously never choose to appear in shorts for a wedding or in a flared gown for a job interview. You should have a smart sense of style and should know what to wear when.

Invest some time in choosing an outfit for whatever the occasion demands. It not only makes you feel confident but also indicates how much importance you give to every event.

#Discover Your Own Style

The key to look appealing is not following all the latest fashion trends. It’s staying true to your personal style.

You should dress with modesty and class. Understand how to dress for your body and know what styles best flatter you. Style your wardrobe smartly with a timeless sense of style.

Make sure you choose every item intentionally in your wardrobe to convey your unique personality through your looks.

#Keep Yourself Well-Groomed

Dressing elegantly is a second step to look elegant but the first one is personal grooming, which is essential to enhance the appearance and personal hygiene. It also lifts your self-esteem.

Making time to develop a skincare routine; keeping your nails manicured; doing hair-care and hairstyling; wearing subtle makeup (if you choose to) can develop a striking personality. In a nutshell, always try to be fresh, clean, and well-maintained.

5. You Should Keep A Happy Home.

The spaces you inhabit influence how you act and how you feel. Home is that space where we spend most of our time. It is a tiny space on the giant Earth that you can call your own. It is your sanctuary, made with your personal touches, that console you. In a nutshell, your home is an essential part of you that you retreat into every day for restoration. Keeping a happy home gives daily satisfaction, moments of joy, and good vibes.

So, what’s the key to keep a happy home?

#Have Tidy Habits

Your home is precious, and it’s your responsibility to take care of it.

Your home comforts you, so in return, keep it with respect. Keep it organized and clutter-free. Develop tidy habits to prevent your home from turning into a disaster.

Making your bed, not letting dishes pile up, keeping surfaces clutter-free, and allotting each item its own home are a few ways how you can keep your home tidy without investing a lot of time for it.

#Show Your Personality

A house is just four walls with a roof but what makes it home are the people who live in it.

Your home has a character in it that mirrors your personality. To make it more and more “Yours”, decorate it with your smart sense of style with your personal touches.

You can add your photos, colors which lift your mood and of the people living with you. Make a zen space that can help you start your day on a positive note.

#Set a Tone for your Home

Comfort is what we wish the most from our home and to have it always, it is highly important to set the tone of our home.

Whether you live alone, with your family, or with a roommate, always remember that your attitude matters a lot and is contagious to yourself and others. Hence, set the right mood for your home.

Never bring your work home. Do your part to maintain the tidiness of your home. Spend quality time and talk to people living with you. Sometimes doing favors for your housemates is not a bad idea. Fill your home with fragrance and sometimes a few candles can create beautiful moments.

6. You Should Be Well-Read.

Have you ever felt left out in a conversation just because you did not know what the people were talking about? It’s okay if it happened just a few times, but what if it happens now and then? It’s not about knowing all. To be ‘well-read’ means knowing at least something about a lot of stuff.

But how to be well-read?

#Enjoy Learning

Learning is never restricted to education. Learning is about expanding your mind throughout your life.

Understand the importance of expanding your knowledge and learn new things. If you enjoy gardening, spend some time learning more about it. Join a club or a community that interests you.

Enjoy reading because it engages your mind and teaches new things. It takes you to a whole another world of your imaginations.

#Stay Well-Informed

Information is a power that empowers you to act independently and to get help when in need.

Always do your best to stay up to date on important news, world events, and politics. But be mindful of what you read, see, or hear. Go for what you want to know from what you heard. Do your research to discover the facts instead of blindly believing what you read or heard. This keeps you one percent ahead of everyone.

#Have Your Own Opinions

You should always have your own point of view and be able to voice it.

Don’t let your thoughts get dictated by others, but always listen to what others have to say. It doesn’t matter if you agree with people’s opinions or not, learn to be open-minded and respectful to their thoughts. Resist yourself from compromising your own beliefs but respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Final Thoughts…

So, this is how being elegant looks like…

I know, you might think that how a person like this can even exist. How can anyone live up to these expectations?

In reality, no perfectly elegant person exists. Nobody is perfect.

But the existence of the thought of being elegant or being perfect enables you to grow, to improve, and to be better.

The concept of being elegant is more about being ‘you’ rather than following what others do. Making yourself a better version of yourself is a never-ending journey, and that’s what makes it beautiful.

I have begun my journey and you should begin yours too.

Always remember that aspiring after elegance is never a need. It’s always a choice. And, Everything you are comes from the choices you make. So, make a wise choice.

Until next time,

Nidhi Baghel

What do you think? What characteristics, according to you, makes one elegant? Do you think I left out anything to add? Do you agree with my thoughts? Tell me in the comments below!!