Casual Elegance



Photo courtesy of Meant for Silence

When the phrase "casual elegance" is uttered, a handful of names come to mind - Audrey Hepburn, Selena Gomez, Kate Middleton, and Julie Andrews, among others. All of these women embody the combination of a carefree, relaxed attitude that allows them to appear just as pulled together and sophisticated in a pair of blue jeans as they do in a fresh-off-the-runway designer gown. They don't appear rushed or as if they are trying too hard. They seem very comfortable in their own skin - almost a take-it-or-leave-it attitude without going overboard and still exuding a nearly indescribable quality that makes you just want to enjoy their company. A relaxed refinement or grace, I guess you could say.

So the question I've been trying to figure out is how can I too carry off this casual elegant persona and welcome it into my life, creating a calmer, more relaxed environment that beckons a more playful, yet dignified and purposeful way of life? Here's what I've come up with so far.

Having Manners and an Engaging Sense of Humor

Being elegant requires that you have manners and exhibit proper etiquette, but becoming too refined eliminates the ability to be relaxed because there is so much stress on behaving correctly. By finding the balance of being able to behave respectfully, but being comfortable enough to have a chuckle, you help put others at ease. You set the example of what is expected, as well as what is tolerated because people do make mistakes.



Photo courtesy of Of All Loveliness. . .


Comfortable in a Dress as well as a Pair of Jeans
Now, I have never had the opportunity to wear a specially tailored designer down a red carpet like the talented Natalie Portman, but the idea here is to be able to be confident enough in your body to pull off a beautiful dress and turn around the next day and look smashing in a perfectly sized pair of jeans.

Able to Mix High and Low Fashions with Ease

Staying on the topic of fashion, someone who is casually elegant isn't about labels, but is instead aware of what looks best on their figure. Pairing ballet flats with Levi denim jeans and a navy cashmere sweater reveals to onlookers that you clearly have taste, but are not bragging about how much money you have - in fact, the sweater may be a consignment find you discovered last week while perusing the city, but no on will ever know. In other words, you have style because you know what works well together and what looks best on you.



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 Neutral Decor with Cozy Elements

I like to think of casual elegance in the arena of home decor as the blending of English traditional and French country. By understanding that, a keep-it-simple approach is best for big ticket items - walls, sofas, floors, you name it. A homeowner can then have fun with accessories and create a home that is welcome to everyone, but home-sweet-home to its inhabitants.


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 Able to Converse with a Prince and a Pauper

Casual elegance can quickly be displayed in a person's behavior, but it also reveals itself in the words and conversations each person involves themselves in. Elegance is having a depth of knowledge to enable you to discuss concepts, ideas, and be informed of history and current events. Being casual allows you to recognize when to take it down a notch and make sure whoever you are talking with is comfortable.



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A Quiet Self-Confidence

A person possessing self-confidence isn't arrogant, but calm. Neither are they boisterous, but even-tempered. Having casual elegance in this case is not needing an audience, but attracting one because of a winsome, honest, and non-threatening quality that piques others' interest.

Ability to be Spontaneous without Losing Control

The term casual elegance is itself a balancing act of two somewhat opposing ideas, and so is this last point. Being elegant suggest that almost everything must be planned and adhered to, while casual reflects a more lackadaisical attitude. I believe that the two ideas, when melded together, create a healthy balance, that if anyone stuck to it they would find themselves taking chances that lead to great discovery and moments of unexpected delight. By being spontaneous for those moments that capture your attention and curiosity, but at the same time being able to notice the difference when the idea is just absurd, you are striking a balance that is the essence of being casually elegant.



Photo courtesy of Meant for Silence