“Elegance is achieved when all that is superfluous has been discarded and the human being discovers simplicity and concentration: the simpler and more sober the posture, the more beautiful it will be.”
Paulo Coelho
Have you achieved elegance? I saw this simple, but striking editorial of Jung So Hyun for Marie Claire Taiwan October 2019 and was immediately struck by her elegance and the simplicity of the shoot. I also found Paulo Coelho’s quote about elegance encompassing simplicity, concentration, and posture to be interesting.
It’s definitely easier to be elegant with a simpler look. After all, even Coco Chanel reminded us to take off one accessory before we leave the house. I remember being intrigued by arm candy and layers of jewelry. But it was never me and I appreciate a cleaner look. When someone wears fewer accessories, then you can really appreciate her full outfit. These pictures also show how a good, simple and gorgeous outfit can be so effortlessly beautiful.
I can also certainly associate elegance with good posture. After all, can you recall a single ballet dancer who slouches her back? Or how many members of royalty have bad posture? I have a friend with excellent posture and she certainly appears more regal, even in the most casual outfits. I straighten up just a little more when I’m around her (though it doesn’t last because my posture is terrible!). Sometimes I will notice that my daughter also has a little slouch in photos and hope her ballet also teaches her better posture! Good posture is certainly also a sign of higher self confidence. I think my own poor posture was also one way I closed myself off in certain ways, but I slowly work on it. I hope that I can keep on owning my posture and my elegance and teach that to my kids as well.
Have a lovely week!
Agree about good posture! My parents were very strict about my posture while growing up, I thought they were being a pain but I am thankful now.
These days kindness, good manners and consideration define elegance to me. I used to have the worst posture until I started doing yoga and now I wouldn’t be caught dead slouching. It helps your body line and makes your clothes look better too..