True elegance: between innate style and conscious construction or exclusivity

Elegance isn't synonymous with luxury or exaggerated sophistication. It's the result of effective nonverbal communication—an image that reflects authenticity, confidence, and context.

Elegance as a primary style

In image consulting, the Elegant Style is one of the seven universal styles described by Alyce Parsons. When predominant, it translates into a naturally polished and sophisticated image. Those who possess this style as their primary style convey elegance spontaneously: even with a simple t-shirt, posture, gestures, and the choice of harmonious pieces communicate refinement. It's as if elegance were "innate," rooted in the way they present themselves.

Constructed elegance: the result of efficient nonverbal communication

But there is also constructed elegance , accessible to all. It arises from the alignment between:

• Authenticity : dressing according to your identity.

• Security : feeling comfortable and coherent with what you wear.

• Adapting to the context (dress code) : adapting to social and professional demands without losing your essence.

This process is supported by studies of nonverbal communication , which show how clothing influences perceptions of credibility, competence, and social closeness, regardless of the value of the clothes (Hester et al., 2023 ).

Even those who have the Elegant Style as their primary skill need to be aware of this. After all, elegance isn't synonymous with sophistication . It's the result of appropriate nonverbal communication. Excessive sophistication, which doesn't match the person's essence or the context, can convey artificiality, affectation, and even a lack of naturalness.

When sophistication becomes excess

The psychology of aesthetics points out that coherence and simplicity are key to the perception of elegance ( Hekkert, 2006 ). Thus, refinement that goes beyond measure, clashing with authenticity and context, tends to generate the opposite effect: it conveys ostentation, elitism, or even disconnection.

The false concept of elegance in luxury and ostentation

The luxury industry often associates elegance with exclusivity, etiquette, and status. But displaying a high standard of living doesn't guarantee elegant communication.

In terms of visual communication, ostentation can be perceived as an excess of stimuli and convey exactly the opposite of elegance: a lack of naturalness and insecurity camouflaged by external symbols.

My difference in building elegance

In my consultancy, I combine high technical knowledge (style analysis, visagism, personal coloring) with a human and welcoming approach.

• No judgments: each client has their own unique journey.

• No impositions: we work together in the search for authenticity.

• No exposure: I maintain a low profile , ensuring privacy and freedom in the process.

Conclusion

Elegance can be innate , for those with a predominant Elegant style. But it can also (and should) be consciously constructed , as a result of effective nonverbal communication.

➡️ Elegance is not lifestyle or ostentation: it is authenticity, suitability and confidence translated into image.

Academic and theoretical references

• Hester, N., Jones, B., & Stolier, R. (2023). Dress is a Fundamental Component of Person Perception. PNAS Nexus. Available at: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Hekkert, P. (2006). Design aesthetics: Principles of pleasure in product design. Psychology Science, 48 (2).Available at: ResearchGate

• Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48 (4), 918–925. Abstract from: Wikipedia

• Semiotics of Dress. Available at: Wikipedia