Carla Bruni is Most Elegant
Elegance. Hepburn had it. Marilyn Monroe reaped in it. Jackie Stallone couldn’t even buy it. But who is Ms elegance of today? Victoria Beckham? Kate Moss? Jade Goody?
Carla Bruni topped a recent poll of elegance and out of the thousand women polled by Bold 2in1 the French First Lady and model scored a massive 133 votes. Princess Beatrice came a surprising second followed by Kylie Minogue in 3rd with 87.
Lily Allen was voted least elegant and only scored a measley 10 votes in the survey. With the research also revealing that 95% of women don’t wear heels and a further 3 in 5 don’t know how to do their make-up it begs the question has elegance been lost in the UK?
Female First caught up with Ladette to Lady's etitquette expert Jean Broke-Smith to find out how we can all improve our elegance....
How do you think the level of elegance of modern women compares to that of past generations?
There is no comparison, the elegance that was present in the 30’s and the 50’s just isn’t there today. In those days care and thought went into clothes, style and behaviour. I believe this died in the 70’s and 80’s when the grungy look arrived. The 50’s was a fabulous and glamorous time to be alive in.
People don’t care now. They claim they are too busy, but the post-war generation were equally as busy, it is important to make time to spend on your appearance. New research by Bold 2in1 however does suggest that some things like manners never go out of fashion with 76% of women believing that polite behaviour is the most popular characteristic of modern-day elegance.
What are the key factors involved in being elegant?
Jean’s top ten tips to being elegant:
1. Finding a style that suits you
2. Know your size: measure yourself with a tape measure
3. Wear a beautiful fragrance to make you feel elegant everyday
4. Style your clothes to suit your lifestyle
5. Find the right hair cut and the right hairdresser
6. Wear suitable make up that flatters the face, it should be subtle and not clown like!
7. Have perfect posture: own the room when you walk into it
8. Good manners are essential – you should always respect others
9. Wear nice accessories, but don’t dress like a Christmas tree
10. Have confidence.
How easy is it to improve your own elegance? How would a woman go about doing this?
Natural elegance is difficult to emulate. The best way to learn to be elegant is to observe others, read high fashion magazines or see me for a consultation! Alternatively visit the Bold 2in1 White Diamond and Lotus Flower ‘Everyday Elegance’ boutique which tours the UK this summer, see indulgewithbold.com for details, dates and locations.
It also depends on how much you want to learn, many of the people I have taught in the past have been reluctant to change, in which case they are impossible to teach. On the other hand many are very receptive in which case transformation is much easier.
Why is wearing high heels important in terms of elegance?
Quite simply high heels elongate the legs, make you walk better and improve your posture.
Carla Bruni topped Bold 2in1’s list of elegant women according to a mathematical formula created by a scientific expert, why is she more elegant than Lily Allen?
Carla Bruni epitomised modern day elegance in her recent visit to Britain. She styled herself well and chose her colours perfectly for what was potentially a very difficult trip. Although I think her grey suit was rather dull she wore some beautiful purples that really matched her colouring, she is tall with a fantastic figure and wore pumps to compliment her husband’s height without walking flatly in them.
Lily Allen (and that ilk of celebrity) has her own style, but does not know herself of her figure. It is possible to have your own style and look elegant, for instance Sophie Ellis-Bextor always looks fabulous.