You’re sitting at a cafe, sipping a latte, feeling good
about how you look: sleek hair, hot dress, trendy accessories, great shoes. You
feel stylish, well put-together, and confident. In walks a girl, about your
age, dressed far more casually than you – flats to your heels, pants to your
more glamorous dress – but one look at her and you suddenly feel overdone fussy
almost tacky.
Why is it that no matter how ‘chic’ you put yourself
together, there are always other women who seem to be born ‘expensive’? Whose
clothes seem to reflect ‘pricey’ even though there is no label on sight? Who
spell effortless while you, somehow, just look like you’re trying too hard? Is
it genetic, like the diabetes gene, or is there a secret that the rest of the
world is in on – minus you?
The answer lies somewhere in between. Yes, some women are
mysteriously born alluring (think Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn and Angelina
Jolie), but the important thing to remember is that they weren’t born rich!
What they did learn are some essential rules that make the difference between
classic and contrived. We culled what you need to know.
What permanently gorgeous women know that you don’t..
Moisturizer is your
best friend – and it needs to be on every single miniscule inch of you.
It’s like a prayer, the one thing you don’t skip whether you
are happy, sad, dumped, hung-over, exhausted, partying, whatever. The world’s
best groomed women rely on less; less makeup, less products, less drama,
because they prime their skin to be one their best assets. That means giving everything
- yes, even rarely seen areas like your lower back – an intense daily moisturizing session. It means focusing on you heels and knees, elbows and
shoulders. It means firm, clear, unlined skin; it means eye cream under your
eyes and night cream before you crash.
Stock up on Sun-block
A tan is sexy, a burn isn’t. but that’s not why you need sunscreen; true
sun damage shows up as fine lines and less than flawless skin, truly nourished,
protected skin has an evenness and glow that only comes with pathological about
sun damage.
Fragrance Rules
That
means never running out of alcohol free deodorant and a subtle but sexy
fragrance. Subtle is the keyword here; there is nothing chic about a perfume
that announces its presence five minutes before you do.
Hair dos
Think
of five classic women you admire, and zero in on their hair. Chances are none
of them have over done fussy styles. But hairstyle alone isn’t the key to
looking like a direct descendant of Princess D. the bottom line of chic mane;
Quality. That means glossy, thick, zero frizz hair. How you get that: spend
time, efforts and yes, a little money on giving your hair deep conditioning and
nourishment. Experts insist you condition every time you wash, make leave in
conditioner part of your beauty arsenal, and above all, sleep in a deep
conditioning mask at least once a week. Another style tip to internalise when
getting a hair colour job never go more than three shades lighter or darker
than the colour you were born with. Wondering why you should pay good money to
get virtually you own natural shade out a bottle? Yu will get the answer the
instant you see a glossier, more finished version of yourself in the mirror.
When it comes style, pick classy, with a modern twist, get face flattering
bangs or of the moment layer, but without getting an entirely “now” hairdo that
will need to be invented every season.
Nails
We know ditching the red varnish may seem too
high a price to pay, but its an absolute no go for classic style. There is
nothing loud or resting about expensive women. They don’t do drama they do
style. My long talons, black varnish and – gasp – nail art will just have to
leave your lexicon. Think well-buffed, sleek nails with a French manicure for
dressed down chic and cool metallic and classic shades for dressed up glam.
Go bare – or at least – clean on the make up front. Peach
blush, gloss and mascara are you beauty best friends, ditch foundation (with
your new flawless skin you wont need it) . but do stash some concealer in your
bag.
The Outfit
Here
is a fashion oxymoron; to be always in style you have got to give up being
trendy. As every truly chic woman has learnt, trends come and go, timeless
stays. Put a fabulous tailor on speed dial; cant figure why Angelina’s plain
black pants and waist look uber cool while your high end splurge doesn’t quiet
manage? There's nothing more chic than an outfit tailored to your shape. Doesn’t
mean ditch store bought – but it does mean you give up the habit of buying
unless you are hundred percent satisfied with the drape. That means putting
back on the rack the jacket that will fit like a dream once you lose those last
two kilos!
Pick natural fabric
that flow
You are never going to find a truly chic woman who wears
polyester. For truly well dressed women material texture and fall is
everything. Cotton, linen, pure wool, or cashmere, silk – they are suited to
hot climate, which means you stay cool. They drape well, which flatters any
shape; they have fabulous finish, which means never looking OTT or tacky.
Buy quality even when
buying basics
It tells in the wash and the wear of your clothes; the fit
and fall of even a simple pair of track pants, the cut of waist. It helps you
look as chic on the tenth wear of a particular outfit as you did on the first.
Ruthlessly acquaint
yourself with your body
Every A-lister you have ever spoken to has issue
with their body. Flawless figure seems a figment of our imagination. Chic women
aren’t always the once with the best bods – though fitness ranks high on their
priorities – what they do have is ruthless awareness of their flaws and how to cloak
them. That’s part of why they won’t wear trendy, not every trend flatters every
shape. They wear what works on them and make that as signature, trendy or not.
The extras
They
make or break the outfit, and tell the wannabes from the well-heeled.
Shoes and bags- all shoes are not born alike, so buy the
best you can afford. Finishing, fit and quality of leather, will all show up in
the long run, not to mention comfort, when you have been standing at a cocktail
party for three hours straight. Go for classic, sexy styles and invest in at
least one very well fitting pair of boots. Ditto for bags, don’t buy the “IT”
style of season pick the eternal favs that have sustained season after season.
Not buying luxe? Pick bags that are clean and fuss free, it’s the detail which
tells quality from inexpensive, so pick styles that don’t have too much fuss
and you will be fine.
Bling
Diamonds,
it goes without saying, are your best friend. But that doesn’t mean other
things aren’t. The secret is in how you wear them rather than how many you wear;
a dramatic crystal ring is just as chic as a solitaire if worn right.
