Ballet flats, manicures, and bobs are often labeled chic, but true chic has little to do with what you buy or how you look. It’s not materialistic. It’s perceptual. Chic is the quiet confidence in how someone moves through the world.
Oxford Languages defines “chic” as stylishness and elegance. Yet modern interpretations often mistake chic for aesthetic trends rather than personal presence.
It seems like identifying as chic is the new trend. With articles, videos, and posts going up every day explaining parts of style, things, or clothes that make a person chic, one begins to question what defines chic. We’ve seen coquette, indie and alt, but I believe there’s something quietly magnificent about being chic. It’s not quite an adjective but a lifestyle. It’s the fact that simple tasks, actions and parts of us are chic without intention.
What is It?
Chic, a deep dive into the mind, soul and body.
When I think of a “chic girl,” Audrey Hepburn immediately comes to mind. I used to have this book when I was younger, called Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo. I read it every day, and Hepburn quickly became one of my idols. However, this book never discussed how Hepburn looked, what she bought, or the trends she followed. It was all about how Hepburn marched to the beat of her own drum and slowly became her own unique person. Her insecurities became her favorite qualities; she was not afraid of individuality, but most importantly, valued kindness above all.
“Audrey had become more than an actress. She was an inspiration. While most Hollywood starlets were curvy, and wore glamorous outfits, Audrey would only be herself…It was such a different style that it got its own name: The Audrey Look,” Cardillo says.
Audrey became one of the most famous and recognized individuals for her elegance, humanitarian work, dedication to her passions and the kindness she showed strangers. That is “The Audrey Look,” and I see it in the everyday girl.
The Breakdown
“How?” you might ask. Well, it’s in her mind, body and soul.
Nothing feels more chic than someone who knows who she is, what she wants, and what genuinely brings her happiness.
Her Mind
- Finishing a book in the middle of the night, the adrenaline, excitement, and emptiness of reaching the final page all in one sitting.
- Writing in calligraphy long after learning it in third grade, when handwriting becomes something that makes your work quietly stand out.
- Baking during moments of stress, it’s hard to stay angry while topping a cake with sprinkles, and the house fills with the scent of vanilla, forgiveness, and effort.
- Reaching for foods you’ve never tried before, when curiosity wins, and first impressions slowly shift.
- Doodling in the margins of homework, getting lost in your own world and leaving behind a small corner of personality created with nothing but a pen.
- Sending handwritten letters, choosing intention and patience over immediacy.
Her Soul
- Journaling after an exciting day, pausing to acknowledge joy and gratitude rather than letting it pass unnoticed.
- Taking nature walks, sitting on a rock, admiring unique leaves, or noticing stray cats so the world feels briefly enchanted.
- Playing an instrument with a friend, two voices merging into one song, whether in a garage, a bedroom, or onstage.
- Letting childhood TV shows play in the background while completing tasks allows nostalgia to make the world feel softer and more carefree.
- Going on solo dates, to the movies, the library, or for ice cream, because satisfaction does not require an audience.
- Hosting friends at home, creating a space filled with bright, joyful energy, and meaningful connection.
When I say “Her Body”, I don’t quite mean that literally or appearance-wise, but to the small physical rituals that ground a person in herself.
Her Body
- Using reusable bags at the grocery store, filling them with fruit and memories from years of being carried along.
- Peeling an orange and smelling like citrus for the rest of the day, wearing nature’s perfume.
- Having a favorite color, customizing life through small choices of neutrality or vibrant contrast.
- Posing for photos in crowded places, embracing careless energy that makes the moment and the picture feel more alive.
- Trying different hairstyles each day, adding small effort that creates confidence and individuality.
- Dancing or stretching alone in your room, using movement to regulate emotions and begin the day with intuition.
- Keeping a secret tattoo, something done entirely for yourself, quiet, a lucky charm that never leaves your side.
Being chic never meant buying more, copying others or straying from what makes you, YOU. It’s quietly accomplished by listening to your heart. I gave some examples of things I thought about while reading, people-watching, or going about my day, but there are endless possibilities around us.
Like Audrey Hepburn, those remembered as chic are often celebrated not for conformity, but for authenticity.
What makes you chic?