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Home » The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Graceful, Honest and Individual

The ABC’s of Chic Sightings: Graceful, Honest and Individual

Awkward is always awkward.  If you seriously feel that this is something you want to improve, look into yoga, ballet, or some other physical activity. Nobody is too old to improve muscle control and enhance their grace.

More than anything else, you have to look like yourself.  You can dress up in outfits that are supposed to make you more professional, or sexier, or more elegant, but ultimately you have to dress like yourself.  Yes, of course it is possible for you to be more professional, more sexy, and more elegant, so long as at the core of everything, you continue to have a core SOMETHING that is truly you, as you are now.  

So many of the people that I see when I’m hiking around Chicago look as if they bought the entire outfit off of a mannequin, or out of a magazine.  These women often look just fine, but there’s nothing unique, creative or at all individual in these looks.  Somewhere, every day, you have to show your own personal style.  Your perspective on the world.  Your very quirky tastes and preferences. 

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07.06.13 11 Comments

Tags: ABC's of Chic Sightings, Chic sighting
<<Packing for a Special Event: BlackBuilding a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: L’Estaque by Georges Braque>>

Comments

  1. LauraH says

    July 6, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    This is a great series of posts. Your comments are very insightful and get me thinking in new directions.

    On a different topic – i was wondering if you might do a posting or postings about mixing different shades of the same colour. As part of my wardrobe renovation, I've been doing a lot of shopping around just to look and think. Given that I want a certain cut of clothes, a certain style, a preferred neckline, etc. it's going to take a while to build the new wardrobe. Given that, the nature of the clothing business means that the exact same colours won't necessarily be available. For example, I love fresh spring greens but am finding that I have various shades. How do you see that working?

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Reply
    • Grasshopper says

      July 6, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      I, too, would be interested in a post on mixing different shades of the same hue.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      July 7, 2013 at 10:14 pm

      Me too. I remember you saying in past posts that exact matches are not necessary, and I am trying to shake off that preconception, but guidance would be a great help.

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    July 6, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    What a great post. I think all of us would like to be elegant. We know elegant when we see it. And yes, honest. In the last few years, I have focussed on building a wardrobe of clothing for my real life. That means it has to be a very versatile wardrobe that can be dressed up or down for whatever event/place/situation I find myself in.

    If you can, would you please expound on individual? I know that it means having your own recognizable style, but can we talk about the elements of this style?

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    July 6, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    me too for combining different shades of the same colour. cool and warm blues if that is appealing.
    I love this series and can see it as a core for a book….hint, hint.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  4. Chicatanyage says

    July 6, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Excellent advice.

    Reply
  5. Edith Scheie says

    July 7, 2013 at 3:24 am

    I agree with Susan, I could use some advice on how to look like myself in whatever I'm wearing. I tend to wear certain colors (shades of pink, blue, gray and white on top, and dark blue or black for bottoms). I like to make sure every piece in my wardrobe works with every other piece. But when it comes to wearing jewelry or accessories, I'm clueless. I need help in this area, and I'm pretty sure others could use some guidance, too.

    Love your posts … they always give me something to think about.

    Reply
  6. Allure says

    July 7, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    "How to look like myself in whatever I'm wearing" is the basic issue, I agree with Susan & Edith. Please, tell us the direction from the beginning, how to start, how to upgrade and follow your personal style.
    I am looking forward to read all your new posts. Thank you Janice!

    Reply
  7. Bea says

    July 7, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    This is your big sister, AKA Grammar Nazi. Seriously, not serious. Love you!!!

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 7, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks GN! luvs to you and the kids!

      Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 8, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Really like these posts. How about a sample picture to go with….because I know you would do something interesting and maybe a bit quirky from time to time to stretch our usual conceptions.

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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