7 Instant Elegance Killers

We often discuss how to look and behave elegantly but it is also worth thinking about what instantly kills your allure and elegance. There are many, many, ways to kill your elegance but today I wanted to focus on some that I’ve noticed lately.

1. Chipped Nail Polish

It happens to the best of us. However, Don't make the mistake of thinking that people won't notice because they absolutely do. It is better to forego nail polish altogether if you know you simply can't keep up with the required maintenance.

There is something so unkempt about chipped nail polish, especially if the polish is of a contrasting shade. It is so visible. If you are out and about be prepared with a mini version of the nail polish to carry in your bag for emergencies.

A lot of women resort to shellac or other permanent manicures but they are so unhealthy for your nails. I would not recommend these procedures at all.

It goes without saying that acrylic nails are the enemy of elegance, as are very long nails even if they are real.

Keep them short and trim and wear a clear or nude color if you know you just don’t have the time to maintain them.

2. Wrong Bag for Occasion

I've seen many well dressed women - perfect makeup,hair, and elegant dress, but the bag is just so wrong for the outfit and occasion. One example was at a ball, I saw a very distinguished looking lady with a beautiful sky blue gown but her evening clutch was a tired looking black leather pochette. Eek!

It was such a shame because her whole look, including the shoes and hair was so on point. It was as though she had no time and just grabbed the first bag she saw or perhaps didn't own an evening bag.

Don't let this happen to you!

3. Fake Tan

Most self-tanners look so artificial. I was once guilty of trying some back in college and frankly I don't think they were very flattering. Can you imagine Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn sporting a fake tan? I don't think so.

I'm sure these chemicals are also hazardous to your health.

Embrace your natural skin-tone! Perhaps all you need is a little bronzer, a BB cream, or a new shade of blush to add a bit of life to your complexion.

4. Fake Eyelashes

This is a trend that is everywhere these days. The problem with most fake lashes is that you can always tell a mile away that they are not real.

Same goes with these microbladed brows that look great in pictures but awful in real life. I'm not saying to not do these procedures, just make sure they look natural.

5. Oversharing

Elegance for me will always be tied in to an air of mystery. Less is more. Excess in all its forms is the antithesis of elegance.

Therefore, oversharing (sharing details of your private life with anyone other than very close friends or family) will always be one of those jarring alarms.

Think about it - why overshare in the first place? Desperate for attention? Want to monopolize the conversation? All very inelegant.

It is much more alluring to share less of yourself and let others wonder about you than it is for them to be overwhelmed by you.

6. Loud Voice

There's nothing wrong with raising your voice occasionally if there's good reason for it. To prevent a child from hurting themselves or some other emergency. But speaking with a loud voice in general is so vulgar.

Again, it's like oversharing - everyone can hear you. You're not being mysterious. Everything is out on display, strangers can overhear your entire conversation.

It's also annoying and grating to many people when you speak in a loud voice all the time.

7. Eating on the Run

Audrey Hepburn might get away with it during the opening sequence of Breakfast at Tiffany's, but most of us don’t!

It's ironic that the character of Holly Golightly is remembered for her style and elegance when she was supposed to be a total phony. (The credit goes to Audrey Hepburn's innate grace and Hubert de Givenchy's stunning and timeless sartorial creations).

Eating on the run is truly classless. I once saw a woman decked to the nines - she walked into a gas station (we were on our way to a fancy ski resort). I admired her style until I saw her munching on a sandwich while waiting in line.

You might think in this case it was forgivable as we were at a gas station but she could have sat down - there were tables and chairs or she could've eaten her sandwich in her car. But she chose to munch on it while standing waiting in line. The point is that action instantly broke her elegant appearance.

Elegance is really about being polite and subdued, in essence. All of us can benefit from a bit more elegance in our lives. What are some of your instant elegance killers? I’m curious to know.

Stay classy & elegant.

with love,

Mrs. Hannover

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my free Feminine Every Day 5 Day Challenge to learn how to easily and effortlessly look feminine every day!