On Being Chic While Still Being Yourself
This post came about because I keep seeing posts on social media that are titled “Things I Find Incredibly Chic”. I usually enjoy these posts and find them inspiring. But…I began to think about what is chic to me individually. Chic isn’t really about a thing, it’s about how you do a thing. Social media can be so homogenous…definitely narrowing down an idea and making everything the same…but there’s more to life than that. This season, at least in fashion, I love so much of what I’m seeing. Vintage pins and brooches that are used to pin up blouses, pant cuffs etc., men’s ties that are used around the neck, but also as belts and pocketbook handles. I love that you can take an item and the spark of an idea and make it your own.
Personal taste is specific to you...the vintage find styled with a designer piece, Billie Holiday playing on your Spotify, the way you set the table or arrange flowers. It's reaching for the thing that feels like you without thinking.
Here's the thing though…personal taste and chic aren't the same. Personal taste is just what you genuinely respond to, and it's yours no matter what. But taste on its own can go sideways...the room where every surface is covered, every trend chased, every good idea used at once. Chic is taste with restraint. It's the edit. It's knowing what to leave out and when enough is enough. You don't get there by adding more, you get there by trusting what you love enough to leave the rest out. Personal taste is the raw material. Chic is what happens when you have the confidence to subtract until only the true things remain.
So I'll keep reading those 'Things I Find Incredibly Chic' posts, because I do enjoy them. But chic isn't a thing you can save or screenshot... it's the way you do it, the things you reach for without thinking, the responses that are only yours. You can't be chic until you're willing to be yourself first because real chic was never about the trend!
Having said all of this…here are things I find Incredibly Chic…
A simple white linen blouse, sleeves rolled up, worn all summer long…a huge round pouf, coffee table books - everywhere…simple silver hoops, a glossy lip.
A table that’s set simply, but beautifully…seasonal flowers, cloth napkins, elbow room…slim pants with kitten heels, gingham in the summer and chilled rose served in a handblown glass that’s a little out of the ordinary.
Being willing to share your story with others…a skirt styled with espadrilles, simple jewelry and a straw bag…always hydrangeas and pink roses.
A bucket hat worn with a dress, bandana print in every color, ferns on the front porch with rocking chairs, chartreuse, homemade basil pesto served in a handmade bowl - all summer long!
Tuna Nicoise my way…as a composed salad with asparagus instead of green beans…a rattan bowl for bread, a rattan bag worn over and over again in the summer, white sunglasses, and a gingham sundress.
Any variation of a white blouse and jeans…styled with kitten heels.
An understated look for July 4th…red eyelet top and white jeans…more bandana print…my beautiful pups, smash burgers with fresh ingredients…always served beautifully. Anything with pickled onions!
And…a few other things I find incredibly chic…
Heirloom Tomatoes (preferably German Johnson) with flaky sea salt
Caviarwith Crème Fraîche on potato chips by the pool
Slowness... lingering over coffee (this is my new favorite) in the morning and a glass of wine in the afternoon
A big bowl of limes on the counter
A gorgeous cheese board
Saying no without an explanation!
If you’ve gotten to the end of this post, please be sure to check back! The day has gotten away from me already and I have more to add so I’ll be adding it shortly! Thanks for reading!
~XOXO Suzanne