When you think of words such as chic or elegant, you most likely associate them with wardrobe and fashion. Chicness is more than one’s daily attire, it includes authenticity and presentation of one’s character. Chicness is timeless, which makes it the most arguably intriguing and desirable characteristic of style. Now more than ever, we see the rising fixation with becoming the new Carolyn Bessette and the desire to recreate ‘90s fashion, inspired by models like Naomi Campbell or Kate Moss.
For me, the following women represent the essence of chicness: authenticity, cleverness, and great fashion sense.
1. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Even after Carolyn’s passing, she continues to be associated with the word “chic” because of her ability to stay true to herself even when she was faced with societal pressures and scrutiny from the tabloids. Many individuals (including myself) love her fashion because of its simplicity. Carolyn primarily dressed in neutral colors, strayed away from prints and logos, and stuck to good basics. She hardly wore accessories but if she did, they were clearly worn-in and loved. The worn-in look of most of her pieces indicated that her fashion was genuine. This is a prime example that nothing is more chic than being yourself. This theory is further supported by Carolyn’s makeup style. She wore very light makeup, which she paired with red lips from time to time. Carolyn felt most comfortable in simpler styles and consistently presented herself in them, which is why she’ll forever be seen as elegant and timeless.
2. Emma Watson
Cleverness is a part of being chic because it means you’re able to engage with a variety of people due to your extensive knowledge on many topics. Emma is an accurate representation of an intelligent, well-educated woman. Not only did she receive a bachelor’s degree at Brown University, but she’s currently attending one of Oxford University’s PhD programs (and she’s an avid reader). From the countless interviews and clips of her, two things have remained constant: her graceful nature and her ability to communicate with many. No matter the circumstance, she is always calm and eager to engage with others. These behaviors imply she’s confident and allows others to develop nothing but good opinions of her.
3. Alexandra Leclerc
Ever since Alexandra and Charles Leclerc, a notable Formula One driver, made their relationship public in 2023, she has established herself as an icon in the world of fashion. I would describe her as feminine and simplistic. She tends to gravitate towards florals, lace, and silk. Similar to Carolyn’s style, Alexandra’s style is very authentic to how she is perceived, which in Alexandra’s case is graceful and soft spoken, characteristics that are often associated with femininity. She is usually seen wearing pieces from Realisation Par and Chanel.
Besides her fashion, another way she establishes herself as elegant is how she presents herself. She almost always has great posture and a soft, yet eye-catching walk. Body language is a huge indicator of a person’s emotions. By consistently appearing as cool and collected, Alexandra comes off as approachable and confident.
Tips and Tricks
Now that you’ve learned about three women that I would consider to be the epitome of chic, I would love to share some tips and tricks to help you become your chicest self. As mentioned earlier, having great fashion taste is an important aspect of chicness. Discovering your style and having that transcend through your entire wardrobe is a major step into achieving chicness. By selecting pieces that are comfortable and unique to you, you ensure authenticity and confidence. Another trick is to be mindful and respectful. Avoid talking bad of others and lend a hand to those around you because despite fashion being a component of chic, character is a much more valued component in comparison. Overall being the happiest, most knowledgeable, and confident version of yourself is the chicest thing there ever could be.