iCiNG's Definition Of Chic
[ 13 April 2007 ]
Yesterday, Kristen suggested that we all — as a community! — compile a list of what we think is chic. In her words, a “positive, fun, happy” list. I think it’s a brilliant idea, so here it is!
What makes somebody ‘chic’? We all have different ideas. It is too easy to rattle off a list of things which aren’t stylish & it doesn’t help anyone — so what about a person makes you sit up & take notice? What about a person makes you aspire to be like them?
My idea of a chic person is basically how I imagine the best people to be. I certainly don’t fit all these criteria, but I’m working on it. Here are my ideas. Please feel free to write as much as you like in the comments!
I think a chic person…
Has exemplary manners (or at least makes the effort)
Has enough clothing to feel properly attired at a business meeting, a club or a wedding
Is passionate about something — art, business, communication, philosophy etc.
Respects his- or herself & other people
Doesn’t betray confidence, aka can keep things private
Has excellent posture
Practises what my friend Kaia calls “right speech” — meaning, does their best to only say things which are constructive, helpful &/or positive
Looks after their nails (only since I stopped biting mine have I realised what a difference it makes it one’s presentation)
Can charm the pants off anyone, from other people’s parents to grumpy shop-keepers
Travels across the city for what she thinks are the best croissants, coffee or olives
Reads the Sunday newspapers
Is organised (stylishly, of course)
Only spends her time with people who make her feel good
Takes responsibility for himself
Glides instead of walking (it is an elegant way of moving, lithe, a sleek creature rather than a galumphing human)
Can cook, eats well & drinks a lot of water
Takes care of their possessions (shines their shoes, cleans their bathroom, hand-washes any delicate clothing, etc.)
Has distinct personal style, from clothing to hairstyle to handwriting
Lives life to full capacity every day
Has things that are what I call “signature” — personal elements that define them, which are distinctly individual. This can range from a way of walking to a tone of voice to a love for anything vintage
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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I think a ‘chic’ person…
* Uses a really lovely perfume/cologne.
* Is kind and thoughtful.
~Has depth (intellect & interests)
~Speaks beautifully {not all haphazard and slang-y, but with developed sentences, stuff that i can never get the hang of, clear & eloquent}
~Has a good cause that he/she is devoted to, passionate about. (This one came from Audrey Hepburn, and the whole UN thing)
I agree with Liz, someone that smells nice.
Also, someone who values and possesses integrity.
Confidence
Thoughtfulness
A chic person-
* realizes that they cannot, and will never be perfect, but nevertheless puts great effort into every aspect of their life (family, work, relationships, personal style, et cetera).
* doesn’t care if their favorite article of clothing is no longer trendy if it holds a special place in their heart (and looks good!).
A chic person carries their style with confidence, has self-awareness and a number of good hats.
Is well travelled and has command of at least one European language other than English and has basic conversational skills in 3 others.
Takes time to appreciate other people, objects and nature and can relate positive sentiments to the aforementioned.
Can walk into a room/place/event, safe in the knowledge that they can conduct themselves in whatever situation they find themselves in to the highest degree.
Knows where the best places to eat/drink/shop/club/see bands/see artists are months before the press get wind of them.
Has a knowledge of wine/food and social cultures outside his/her own usual culture.
[a}, you are on to something. Chic = Audrey Hepburn. W.W.A.D? ;)
For me, chic is a woman who understands that in 10 years time she will look back at the body/face she has NOW and give her right arm to have it back… so she enjoys what she is today and makes the most of herself. Far too many women give up being fabulous because they think fabulousness is only for their youthful sisters. It’s a crying shame. Audrey Hepburn has been mentioned here and who better to serve as a reminder that beauty, elegance and chic have no age limit.
Refined and tasteful in appearance, behavior and style.
someone who is not afraid of showing the world who she really is
someone who spends the same amount of time working in their inner as in their outer beauty
someone who is happy with what she do and its proud of contributing to the society with her acts
A chic is do her best to keep being herself.
Your check list applies to my boyfriend. Evidently guys can be chic too. :D
This is such a great topic. It’s helped me figure out who I aspire to be. A chic person, as Gala said, is one whose personality everyone else admires.
I have been pondering this for a while; I think the main criterion is someone who looks great, rather than someone whose clothes are fabulous. Wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you! And lovingly accept what you cannot change, eg hair texture, height etc. I also like good posture, a good haircut and a positve attitude.
People who often look quite swish but are so “done” they can’t maintain the look for swimming, camping, or weekend mornings don’t qualify as ‘chic’ to me.
Long time listener, first time caller ;)
Chic requires both taste and grace.
I’m working on the taste; I fear that grace might be forever out of my reach.
yay my boyfriend also fits the criteria!! I will proudly tell him he is officially chic!! x
I think you hit the nail on the head regarding personality as much as style. Rude, ignorant people will never be chic. And while a woman may not care much about fashion, if she carries herself gracefully, she can seem tres tres chic.
I’m 16 and am a regular reader of Cosmopolitan, which led me to your fantastic website! Being 16 is kinda hard, you never really know who you are and therefore are always trying to “fit in” with other people. Your article on what YOU think being “chic” means has opened my eyes. I am a HUGE fan of manners and hate people who think that manners (as well as other people) are below them, but where I’m from this view isn’t chic. You’ve shown me that being chic means being the best person you can possibly be, not the rudest most popular person. Thank you its really nice to know that there is a network of intelligent and individual people out there (who don’t mind using their manners)!!
Edie — Yay, yay, yay! I’m so pleased that you identify with the sentiment! I agree, it really is hard being a teenager (cheesy though it may sound), especially when it seems like everyone around you is a complete imbecile! But you’re in good company here sweetheart, so I hope you stick around! xxx!
oooh…i’m new here, but i had to comment.
chic is
~someone who doesn’t look like everyone else their age
~someone who is clean and well-kept no matter what
~someone who only owns/wears clothing that looks fabulous on them
Good point.
I’ve been thinking what’s a chic person. After all I’d say that it would be someone who can:
- manage to look elegant even on a sunday afternoon at home watching dvd’s;
- stay away from excess like too much drugs & alcohol
- still cares about other human beings & puts an effort to that.
**
...a chic person makes others around them feel fantastic by association, not ugly by comparison.
I think a chic person is fearless, but prudent and never reckless.
I think she must take care of her body, along with her mind, by doing excercise, meditation and reading.
I agree with the signature and the nice smell, more like a signature perfume and a signature item, like a ring or a pendant.