Looking classy is more than smoking a cigarette in a French cafe while discussing your recent trip to an art gallery. Class is a style, a mindset, and a way of life. So how do you become a classy person? Just follow these steps.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Look Classy
Step 1. Master elegant body language
If you want to be elegant, you have to master elegant body language so that other people will immediately be impressed when they see the way you carry yourself. An elegant person always feels confident, responsible, and calm. Therefore, make sure that you don't walk too fast, search for lost items in your bag with uncontrollable emotions, or habitually act in ways that make you look tired and unsure of yourself. If you want to look elegant, your body movements must be measured and calm. Here are some things you can try:
- Make eye contact slowly but surely. Don't stare at people you're not talking to or take your eyes off the people you're talking to.
- Avoid unnecessary small movements of your hands. Place your hands on either side of you or fold your arms and place them in your lap when you are sitting.
- Maintain good posture by keeping your back and neck straight and looking forward, not at the floor. It would be very inelegant if you leaned back or bent over.
Step 2. Have an elegant haircut
Part of being elegant is mastering your appearance. Make sure that you get a haircut every 2 weeks or so and update your hairstyle at least annually to keep you looking current and trendy. You don't have to follow every trend you see, but you do have to make sure you look fresh and stylish, and don't look like you've worn the same hairstyle for the past ten years.
- Combine. If you usually have very long hair, cut your hair in a short bob and see how this hairstyle fits your personality. Part of being elegant is being receptive to new things without following trends too closely.
- Consider having highlights (dyeing a few strands of hair a shade lighter than the original) in your hair if you think this will enhance your look – but only if you can afford it with the help of a professional hairstylist.
- If you are thinking about covering gray hair, make sure that you really want to. By showing a little gray hair or even the appearance of quality salt & pepper (black and white hair), will be able to make your appearance more elegant.
Step 3. Women should wear makeup to show that they have put in effort, but not so much that it will take away their natural beauty
You can do this with just a touch of eyeshadow, shadow, and lipstick or lip gloss. No false eyelashes or layers of blush are required.
Men should keep their faces looking fresh, but they can also keep a beard or a little stubble. You don't have to be free of facial hair to look elegant. Beards can even make you look more elegant, especially if you have gray hair on your beard
Step 4. Dress in style
Dressing in classy clothes is a must if you want to look elegant. You should try to dress a little more formally at every opportunity, whether you're taking an exam or going to a friend's birthday party. This doesn't mean that you have to wear a formal ball gown to a casual event, but it does mean that you should try to look 10% more elegant than the people around you. This small difference will make you stand out as a more elegant person among the crowd.
- Your clothes don't have to be expensive, but well-groomed. Make sure that you keep your clothes fresh, clean, and unwrinkled.
- Wear simple clothes, such as shirts and sweaters in solid colors or stripes, rather than clothes with intricate patterns or T-shirts with funny graphics and text.
- You also don't need a big wardrobe. With just a few key items, like black jeans or a white t-shirt you can continue to wear it as a simple but elegant outfit.
Step 5. Use classy accessories
Accessories can help complete an elegant look when you have decided on your wardrobe and general appearance. The key is not to use it excessively, for example by wearing many accessories at once. With only a few key accessories, it is enough to help give an elegant touch to your outfit. Here are some types of accessories you can try:
- Simple sunglasses
- Light colored belt
- Shawl
- Watch
- Simple gold and silver jewelry (for women)
Part 2 of 4: Convincing Talk
Step 1. Talk about a recent subject
If you want to appear classy, you need to be prepared to cover up-to-date subjects and avoid less classy subjects as much as possible. Be prepared to discuss the latest news, politics, literature, art, cultural events, or anything else that suggests you are a broad-minded person who knows what's going on in the world. Being classy is more than just looks – your words should also show that you are classy.
- You don't have to unnaturally insert recent topics into the conversation when the people around you are discussing something completely different. But if you naturally bring up a cutting-edge subject or people around you are talking about something up-to-date, you should be prepared to enter the conversation.
- If you have recently traveled to a place or have read something interesting about another culture, you can share this information with others. You just need to make sure you don't bore them with information that sounds irrelevant.
- The following are some of the classy subjects: museums, fine wine, foreign cultures and languages, travel experiences, political movements, philosophy, literature, and film.
Step 2. Avoid conversations that will make the other person feel uncomfortable
Understanding what should not be said is as important as understanding what should not be said. While you don't have to completely censor yourself so that you end up sounding like someone else, if you want to sound classy, you should avoid topics that will make the other person cringe, roll their eyes, or generally feel like they want to get out of the room. Here are some subjects you should avoid in conversation if you want to sound classy:
- How much do you earn
- Physical function
- Your last short romance
- How badly you were drunk last night
Step 3. Learn to speak more than one language
Don't go out and teach yourself French just to be classy, but understand that if you really want to be classy, you have to have an open mind and knowledge of other cultures and how they live in different countries; the easiest way to do this is to master a foreign language. This will take time, but will definitely make you look classier.
- Study abroad for 1 semester or during a summer program. Immersion is a good way to learn a foreign language.
- Take a course from a language tutor, or ask a friend who can speak a foreign language to teach you in exchange for the help you give him.
- Learning a language is learning more than just a series of words and phrases. It is about learning how another group of people live their lives.
Step 4. Avoid abusive language
If you want to look classy, you have to resist the urge to curse like a sailor. You should also avoid using vulgar language, referring to your private parts, or abusing other people's bodies. If you want to show that your thinking is classy, you shouldn't curse between every sentence. Be aware of the words you use and make sure that you avoid anything that is too offensive or makes you sound like a 13 year old.
If you accidentally use a harsh term, apologize or excuse yourself. It's okay to admit that you made a mistake, but don't make a fuss about it
Step 5. Improve your vocabulary
Truly classy people have a good vocabulary and are able to come up with the right words for every situation. If you want to look classy, you have to add more words than "good" and "bad" to your vocabulary, and you have to be able to explain things in sophisticated, scientific, and thoughtful language. Here are some great ways to improve your vocabulary:
- Play crosswords.
- Spend time with people who speak formal language.
- Read, read, read.
- Watch high-end movies.
- Look for words you don't know.
Step 6. Have an elegant debate
Classy people are capable of engaging in healthy and fun debates that won't turn for the worse. If you disagree with someone, be kind, polite, and blame-free as long as you keep arguing over the details of art, politics, or anything else you don't agree with. Don't use abusive and mocking language or get angry in the middle of an argument; instead, use your knowledge to prove your point and never make anyone feel smaller or dumber than you.
- Act like you have something to learn from someone else even if you believe you are right. It's very inelegant to be stubborn or petty.
- When you notice that you're starting to get angry, apologize and take a moment to calm down.
Step 7. Speak humbly about yourself
Part of being classy is behaving in a subtly confident manner without bragging in the slightest. Therefore, when you discuss your abilities at school or work, make sure that you don't talk about how great, intelligent, or brilliant you are. If you do something really great, other people will admit it without you needing to show it off. If you want to sound classy, you have to practice being humble, not proud of yourself, and respecting others by talking about yourself like a normal person – even if you are Bill Clinton.
- If you're running a marathon, don't say, "Wow, this is so easy." Be honest about how challenging the activity is.
- Do not announce a list of outstanding awards and honors that you have received. Let people figure it out in another way.
Part 3 of 4: Choose a Classy Hobby
Step 1. Choose a classy hobby
If you want to look elegant, you don't just have to look and sound classy – you also have to be able to do things that are classy. There are many classy hobbies and hobbies that you can start with, and you'll have to choose one – or several of them, the ones that really matter to you, that you enjoy doing them. Having a classy hobby will not only make you more elegant, it will also make you more likely to meet other classy people and provide sophisticated topics to talk about. The following are some of the hobbies of classy people:
- tennis court
- Badminton
- Golf
- Record collections (especially old LPs, but may include classical or jazz music)
- Fine wine collection
- Tour
- Read
- Watching movies (especially classic, foreign, or art films)
- Visit the museum
- Ballroom dancing (dance in pairs)
- Sail
- gardening
- Antique collection
- Yoga
- Martial arts
- Run/marathon
- Rowing
- horse riding
- Watch theater (Broadway, Opera, Ballet, Local Arts, Shakespeare, etc.)
Step 2. Follow the news
If you want to be classy, you have to know what's going on in the world. You need to keep up-to-date with the latest news so you have an idea of how the world works on a daily basis and you can contribute to conversations about political change, the arts, the media, or local government. Make sure that you watch the news for at least 15 minutes per day, or better yet, you make an effort to read the news for at least 15-30 minutes per day, whether in the morning, while in the office, or during the commute.
- Get your news from as many sources as possible. If you only get news from The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal, you are less likely to get an objective perspective.
- If you find yourself particularly busy during the week, try to read the Saturday or Sunday paper very carefully so you know what you've missed.
Step 3. Be knowledgeable
You have to be knowledgeable if you want to be truly classy. Knowledge of classical and contemporary literary works will make you a person with a more fully developed personality in all aspects, attractive and elegant. Although it can be quite difficult to read between a busy schedule, try to read at least 2-3 books, or more, if you can spare the time. Here are some ways to become a more insightful person:
- Stop watching TV shows and relax with a good book instead; Stop listening to pop music and listen to an audiobook on your way to work.
- Join a book club. This club will motivate you to read regularly.
- Read a book that is on the list of the 100 best novels of modern libraries.
- Read a variety of books. Don't just read fiction, non-fiction, or books about America. Read different types of books that represent different cultures.
- Make a list of books you want to read at the end of next year. See how many can mark in the list after you read it.
- If you want to sound classy, make sure you know that writer George Eliot is a woman and writer Evelyn Waugh is a man.
- Learn to pronounce the names of French writers. For example, Proust is pronounced “Proost” which has the same final sound as “roost” in English.
Step 4. Love and respect other cultures
You don't have to leave the city to learn to appreciate other cultures, although sightseeing trips are a great way to increase your horizons and classes. You can appreciate other cultures in endless ways, from watching movies, eating special dishes from different cultures, and interacting with people from different cultures who can teach you a number of things. Looking classy means never sounding clueless when a foreign word or term pops up. Instead, you should know right away.
- Get in the habit of tasting dishes from different cultures at least once a week. Don't eat the same food every day.
- Watch foreign films at least once or twice a month. You will be surprised at how much you can learn from other cultures. Check out good foreign films like A Separation, The Lives of Others, Amour, or Pedro Almodovar's films to get started. Contemporary films tend to be a bit more accessible.
- If you have a friend who grew up in a different country, make it a habit to ask them about their background and cultural idiosyncrasies (without being intrusive).
- If you are still in school and have the opportunity to join French, Latino and other clubs that will introduce you to a different culture, take this opportunity. Don't be afraid to try new things; The Russian culture club in Westfield, NJ, had 40 members at its first meeting.
Step 5. Appreciate art
You have to know the difference between Picasso's and El Greco's work if you want to look classy. You don't have to know everything about art, music, literature, opera, ballet, and film. Or it could be said that every kind of art is really classy, but you should try to have at least a little knowledge of as many different types of art as possible. You can't learn everything, but you should try to look like you understand what the conversation is about when someone mentions Goddard or Goya.
Get in the habit of doing one cultural thing at least once a week. It could mean watching a film, going to a gallery opening, ballet, opera, or concert
Step 6. Travel as much as possible
Travel is a great way to broaden your horizons, become more open-minded, and have a stronger understanding of how the world works. If you have the budget for it, try traveling abroad once a year or as often as you can afford; if you are not on a budget, try traveling to a different state or province whenever you can. You can learn a lot about the world by watching how other people live their lives elsewhere.
- If you really can't afford to travel or if you're too busy to go anywhere, try watching a travel channel or any show that shows exotic locations when you can. It will also provide insight into how other people live.
- Traveling will also help you create more classy conversations with other travelers. If someone has just returned from Paris, you can ask, “What about the Louvre?” and start a conversation about it. Reading about Lovre and other cultures that exist in Paris, will help show interest and knowledge about Paris even if you have never been there.
Step 7. Appreciate the wine
Drinking wine doesn't mean downing a box of Franzia (a brand of wine) in the campus parking lot before a big football game. It means knowing how to appreciate wines from different regions and learning about how to recognize the different types of wines and the different flavors you can find from a glass of wine. Here are a few things you need to master if you want to be cosmopolitan and elegant:
- Different types of wine. Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are some of the common types of red wine you may find; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Reisling, and Pinot Grigio are some of the white wines you might drink.
- Wine tasting. To taste the wine, swirl it around, inhale the aroma slowly, and take a few, thoughtful sips. Do not drink the entire contents of the glass without paying attention to the richness of the taste.
- Pair wine with food. White wine tends to taste better with certain fish, while red wine can bring out the flavor of a large steak.
- Wine for dessert. If you really like wine, you can enjoy a glass of sheery or port (a brand of wine) after your meal. Do not drink this wine while you are enjoying the main course.
- Recognize taste. Does the wine taste ripe, unripe, natural, or does it tend to be fruity? Can you detect a hint of chocolate, blackberry, or orange? You will have a sensitive sense of taste after some practice.
- Cool your wine. White wine should be cold; while red wine should not be stored in the refrigerator. Don't put ice cubes in white wine to cool it down if you don't want it to look unclassy.
- Air your wine. Let your red wine breathe for a few minutes before you drink it. Better yet, pour it into a wine carafe/decanter or even pour it through an aerator into a glass.
Step 8. Be yourself, the classy one
Looking classy means presenting yourself well, not pretending you're someone else and doing things you don't like.
- Try other classy things, but it's okay if you're not interested later. You may not like caviar… it won't make you any less cosmopolitan and elegant.
- You don't have to smoke or drink to be classy. There are a lot of people who are very classy giving up cigarettes or alcohol. You don't have to regret it.
- It's okay to enjoy the usual/common stuff. For example, you don't have to pretend you don't enjoy watching ice hockey. Or, maybe sometimes you don't go to Wal-mart (supermarket name). Or go to the circus with your family.
- Classy is not the same as arrogant. Being well-dressed, well-educated, cultured, and graceful is a worthy goal. Sometimes there is something wrong with being arrogant. Someone who is arrogant will look down on people who are not well-dressed, educated, elegant, and so on. Classy people can be kind, friendly, broad-minded, and think well of others.
Part 4 of 4: Show Class
Step 1. Spend time with classy people
You shouldn't dump all your friends right away because they aren't as classy as you would like them to be; but you should aim to associate with more cultured, interesting, and open-minded people so that you can improve your thinking.
You can meet classy people at book clubs, book readings, gallery openings and events, poetry readings, concerts, and other inspiring art events
Step 2. Don't lose your cool
Being elegant means that you have to be more organized in public. This doesn't mean that you never show any emotion, just that you don't lose control of your emotions and can't think clearly in public. An elegant person gets angry by responding sharply and intelligently to the opponent's argument, not by shouting expletives. An elegant person might cry at a funeral, but not make a fuss about it.
If you feel angry in public, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths until you feel like you're back to normal
Step 3. Avoid looking drunk in public
It's classy to sip a glass of red or white wine on the terrace while still engaging in intelligent conversation – not very elegant when you're seen staggering around a bar, falling onto a stool and unable to swallow your food properly without throwing it up. If you want to be elegant but have embarrassing drinking habits, now is the time to change your ways. The next time you go out, limit yourself to just a drink or two, or drink until you feel a little buzzing and then stop.
If you want people to think you're classy, even though you really are, other people will notice you, and no one will respect someone who can't drink alcohol
Step 4. Provide a subtle atmosphere of confidence
While being confident is not the same as being classy, these are all qualities of someone who seems to understand what they are doing. If you are a classy person, you are not someone who is immature, unsure of yourself, or usually not insightful. You can demonstrate competence with subtly confidence whenever you can. This means staying positive, showing that you love who you are and what you do, and not suddenly feeling self-doubt by pretending.
- There is a difference between feeling confident and boasting. You can show that you love yourself without talking about how great you are.
- It's okay if you ask for advice; in fact, acknowledging that you need advice will show your character. But if you ask for advice every second, you'll end up looking like you don't trust yourself.
Step 5. Treat others with respect
You might think that being classy means being cocky, too cool for school, and blowing smoke rings in other people's faces. However, to be truly classy, you have to show that you respect the rest of humanity and think that everyone deserves to be treated as equals to you, even if they can't read as well or as gracefully as you. Whether you're talking to an old friend, a new acquaintance, or a stranger waiting in line at a coffee shop, you should always be polite and willing to help when you're talking to someone else.
- If someone doesn't know much about a subject, don't act like a genius because you have more knowledge. Instead, take this opportunity to share insights (if the person wants to know more).
- Being polite is not only a major sign of maturity, it's also a sign of your classy demeanor. Hold the door for others, don't cut off lines, and say "please" and "thank you" as often as possible.
- Pay attention to facial expressions and body language because they will reveal the real you that you want to polish. Pay attention to what your thoughts are in the conversation, because that will show what you think or how you think… don't say anything about your plans to anyone else.
