Style Buzz: How to Be Sophisticated + Styling Monochrome Outfits

Eugene Stylist
Aug 7
4 min read

Three Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"DRESSING CASUALLY BUT

THINKING CLASSY"

I actually read this quote in a collection of personal ads (inspiration is everywhere!) and I loved the concept. You don't have to be "dressed up" all the time to radiate style and polish. Your style is influenced by your attitude, so wearing casual clothes doesn't preclude having an air of class and sophistication about you.

xxx rachel

HOW TO LOOK SOPHISTICATED

I'm a sucker for any article that says "How to dress like an Italian/French woman/millionaire." It always has the promise of bringing their effortless style to the Pacific Northwest and suddenly, perhaps, I'll also be sipping bubbly on a yacht, wearing a giant sun hat and mules with marabou feathers on them, looking elegant and posh.

I think why I keep reading these articles is not because the previous ones were full of click-bait false promises and I'm on an futile search for real tips, but because they remind me to look at my clothes differently. Even the most basic of wardrobes can give the wearer a feeling of sophistication because style isn’t about labels or price tags – it’s about how you carry yourself. And if you approach your clothing as a tool to make you feel sophisticated, it will. You can definitely feel elevated if you invest in quality fabrics like silk and cashmere, of course, but here are some helpful tricks you can try with little-to-no investment.

Fit: This is the foundation of all personal style, but when you're aiming for sophistication, it's a must. The clothes should hit where they're supposed to on your shoulders, chest, waist, wrist, and hip. Yes, some things can be greatly improved with the right undergarments, but if there's even an iota of riding up, gaping, pulling, or falling, it's not right. You not only lose sophistication points because of the poor fit, but because you'll be fidgeting and fussing all day.
Minimal Skin: Have you ever really stopped to look at the difference between Catherine, Princess of Wales and a Kardashian? Both can buy whatever they want, but Kate's style is so much more sophisticated. Why? Because she shows very little skin. She'll go sleeveless or wear shorts, but it's one or the other, not both, and she rarely shows torso skin. She's not necessarily modest and covered up - she uses fit to show off her figure - but there's certainly no chance of seeing her knickers or knockers at a gala.
Neutral Palette or Monochrome: These are two different things but can be lumped together easily. A neutral palette is wearing only white, cream, grey, black, brown, or navy. Monochrome is wearing head-to-toe in a single color. While the most sophisticated monochrome look is an all-neutral one, you don't necessarily have to do that. I love wearing all olive, and a client just bought a red pantsuit that rocked her world.
Accessories: Of everything you wear, accessories show off your personality the most. While fewer, more delicate pieces are usually equated with sophistication, who's to say that a chunky watch and oversized earrings can't join the party? The trick is to use them deliberately. Only one piece should be the attention-getter, whether it's the statement necklace, a colorful handbag, or the strut-your-stuff heels.
Makeup & Scent: As with accessories, understated is key. Makeup should be used to enhance your features, not conceal them like clown makeup. Nail polish should be chip-free, and natural colors for makeup and nails that complement your personal palette are a great place to start. As for perfume, a signature scent should work with your body chemistry, and really shouldn't overwhelm those who hug you!
Attention to Details: The small things like polished shoes, wrinkle-free clothes, garments without snags, pills, or stains don't necessarily add to a polished look, but if they're there, they detract exponentially. I give all my clients a Clothing TLC kit so they can take care of those little matters as soon as they spot them (and doing so also helps the clothes to last longer.)

These are such simple ways to start with your outward appearance, and they all contribute to your style. There are other suggestions, too, that tap into your mental and emotional self, like dressing for the occasion (being aware of social and environmental factors to keep you comfortable), etiquette (manners and social conduct), and even how you carry yourself (calmly, deliberately, and kindly, but most of all with confidence).

Give a couple of these tips a try and see if you're able to elevate your style and feel even a little more sophisticated on a day-to-day basis. And if you have to fake it til you make it, that's ok, too! Just keep adjusting and trying new things until they become habit.

3 WAYS TO WEAR IT: Monochrome

Monochrome doesn't mean boring or bland! You can mix in prints and textures of the same color to achieve some visual interest while still getting that pretty, polished look.