“The only real elegance is in the mind; if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it.” — Diana Vreeland
It seems that in this day and age people adhere philosophy that more is more. Between color streaked hair (I love people with blue!), cocktail rings for daytime (guilty!), a resurgence in neon everything and all sorts of new and creative ways to be blinged out and over the top, it seems that simple chic is a lost art form.
However, I often find that I feel most elegant, and garner the most compliments, when I adopt a more simple, streamlined way of dressing. Dressing to be simply chic can be accomplished in just a few easy steps. Remember, the key is to K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Sister (and you thought I was going to say stupid!).
I find the easiest foundation for a simply chic ensemble is a dress. Dresses immediately up your fashion game without trying to hard. The dress in this example is a simple navy blue jersey blend dress.
Next, you want to look for small, elegant details – whether they are a part of your dress or your accessories. The dress in our example has a rope belt with gold details and gold buttons on the bodice and sleeves. Again, simple and elegant. Your details do not have to be over the top. In fact, it helps to lean more towards understated details in this case. Of course, you want to go for pretty, but got for pretty and tasteful, not gaudy.
Finally, you will want to stick to two (potentially three) colors at most. You’ll notice that this ensemble is really only working with navy and gold. The purse is cream (it’s 2012 so your bag can be a different, coordinating hue) with tiny gold details to tie the look together.
The reason this look works is because the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Meaning, no one piece of the outfit overwhelms or outshines another piece. But, when they are all pulled together, the wearer looks pulled together, confident, comfortable and, of course, chic.
What is your favorite simply chic ensemble? Inquiring minds want to know!
Your Chic is Showing,
Photo credits: CoraStar Productions
It is fun to be over the top but clasic is called clasic for a reason. Always tasteful, pretty and in-style 🙂 Very nice look you have going on here.
I totally agree! Today, I’m definitely wearing a neon yellow cardigan and a skinny leopard belt! I love doing things a little extra and over the top. But I agree, classic is always tasteful and in-style. And, when I’m struggling with what to wear, I find myself gravitating towards the simple, elegent pieces in my closet because you never have to add too much to make them look good!
I LOVE this! Just my speed.
and I love your hair!
Thanks! There are plenty of stores where you can find a similar dress!
And full disclosure: that is only my hair because I paid for it lolol ;-). Hair is as much an accessory as anything else. Now I’m back to my hair an rocking an angled bob.
love this! i have this dress and switch out the belt too. i love the tassles, but the tassles on this rope belt didn’t do it for me =((
I generally am not a fan of tassels but these didn’t bother me so much. But, they are guaranteed to be the only tassels you’ll find in my closet!!
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