Every woman has the ability to create a lasting impression of herself.
She brands herself through her words, actions, and appearance.
Think of the famous woman in history. How did they brand themselves?
Kate Middleton’s brand is classy and timeless. Marilyn Monroe’s brand was sexy. Audrey Hepburn’s brand was elegant. Kim Kardashian’s brand is sexy. Amal Clooney’s brand is classy and chic.
Each woman builds a reputation and brand based on her words, actions, and appearance.
As we grow, mature, and change our life’s focus, it is very normal for a woman to want to rebrand herself.
For example, Angelina Jolie was known as a partying, wild child back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
When she became a mother and humanitarian, she rebranded herself as an elegant, activist mom of six.
Another famous figure who rebranded herself was Melania Trump (politics aside).
Prior to becoming First Lady of the United States, Melania branded herself as the sexy, former-model wife of billionaire Donald Trump. When she became first lady, her fashion choices changed drastically. She began branding herself as an elegant, classy public figure who was concerned about the wellbeing of America’s children.
Rebranding takes time and consistency, but you can change other’s impressions of you if you show true, consistent change.
Also Read: “10 Ways To Be Taken Seriously As A Career Woman”
There are many different brands of women out there, but I am focusing on the brand that I have personally chosen for my life – classy and elegant.
This brand has always matched my personality, career goals, and style! I also found that men treated me with respect and dignity – two qualities that were very important to me.
Below are 15 timeless characteristics of a classy woman that you can put into practice. Some of these tips may seem simple, but a little can go a long way! If you want to build a lasting impression as a classy and elegant individual, follow the tips below!
1.) Don’t Complain
I’m not talking about a conversation with your best friend! (We all need someone to complain to, right?)
I’m talking about your reputation among your casual friends, acquaintances, and coworkers. If you are known as a chronic complainer, that isn’t classy!
It is an annoying habit that most people would prefer to not be around.
If you can identify a pattern of complaining in your life, work on focusing this habit in the opposite direction. There is always something to be positive about! Perhaps it’s the weather, your health, your steady job, your coworker’s new shoes. Find a way to be positive or don’t say anything at all.
Related Article: 9 Surprising Signs You’re a Negative Person
2.) Take Care of Your Appearance
I understand we all love our messy buns and sweatpants – and that is totally fine!
But if you are going out to an event, family get-together, date night, girls night out, or a work event, fix yourself up a bit!
Personally, putting on a nice outfit and doing my hair and makeup makes me feel so much better about myself! I just feel put-together and pretty.
As for your body, just try to be healthy! If you are looking easy ways to be healthy, read this article. The inside is just as important as the outside. Take care of it!
3.) Stop Being Jealous
I’m not talking about being jealous of a woman openly flirting with your man. Get her, girl!
I’m talking about not being jealous of your friend’s success, your neighbor’s new car, your sibling’s home renovation, your coworker’s outfit, or your friend’s toned body. You get the point!
Jealousy is an awful habit that will eat away at your happiness. It will create bitterness and resentment that will turn you into an ugly individual – someone no one wants to be around.
Always know that you aren’t competing with anyone! You are your own woman, created with your own purpose.
Related Article: 15 Signs Someone is a Narcissist
4.) Stop Always Explaining Yourself
Many women suffer with a chronic lack of confidence. Always know that you do not need to explain yourself to other people – especially those who you are 0% accountable to.
You know what I am talking about! Your busy-body friend, your nosy co-worker, the over-bearing Mom at your child’s school: anyone who has the audacity to think that your personal life is their business.
You don’t need to explain yourself. You can simply not answer their question, change the subject, or calmly say, “That is not something I am willing to share.”
Stand tall and be confident in your decision to stand up for yourself! If you are looking for tips on appearing more confident, read this article.
Related Article: 9 Easy Ways Women Can Project Confidence
5.) Ere on the Side of Modesty
As a career woman, I have noticed a great difference in how women are treated based off their clothing choices. Is this fair? The world isn’t a fair place!
However, we all know most men love butts and boobs. It is a man’s fault if he has a habit of objectifying women, but it is the woman’s fault if she knowingly wears revealing clothes.
If you have the mentality of “It is his fault if he looks!” you are cruising towards branding yourself as a sexy lady who is nothing more than eye candy.
If you are looking for examples, think Amal Clooney vs. Brittany Spears. Two different career paths – two different brands.
When choosing an outfit, I always think about the people I am going to be around.
When going to a business meeting, I always make sure my skirt/dress length is business appropriate and my blouse isn’t super revealing.
I always want my intelligence to seen, not my boobs. When going to an evening event or gala, it is ok to show a little more skin.
However, always remember that you are always branding yourself, regardless of your surroundings.
Related Article: 20 Personal Safety Tips Every Woman Needs to Know
6.) Be Punctual
I have had to work hard on this in the past. I use to be late for everything! But I noticed that I was getting a name for “always being the late one.” That wasn’t cool!
Be a woman of your word, and that means that you need to show up on time. If you are supposed to meet at 7:00, be there at 6:45 at the latest. It is very classy to be prompt and on time.
You know the saying, “Fashionably late!” When it becomes a habit, there is nothing fashionable about it.
7.) Don’t Use Vulgar Language
We live in a generation where it is very common for people to say, “Sh*t”, “F*ck”, “B*tch”, “A**hole”, etc.
Most people have said at least of few of these words! However, the key is to not make them a habit.
Think about it! When you hear someone say the F-bomb, do you think, “Wow, that person has class!” I certainly don’t!
There is a reason that television networks only allow certain words to be publically broadcasted. There is still a social stigma surrounding certain words, regardless of how many people say them!
They aren’t appropriate. Stay classy and don’t make it a habit to cuss.
8.) Always Bring a Host/Hostess Gift
My Momma taught me this one and it has served me very well!
If you are invited to someone’s home for a party or event, never arrive empty-handed. Even if they say, “Just bring yourselves!” always bring a small host or hostess gift.
I love to take a candle, bouquet of flowers, a small, potted succulent plant (super popular these days), or a pack of lovely napkins – something small that says, “Thank-you for welcoming me into your home.”
9.) Say “Please and Thank-you”
It is very surprising to see how many people no longer say “Yes, Please” and “No, thank-you”.
The art of elegance and gratitude is a dying skill! When someone is kind, be grateful and kind in return.
10.) Be a Woman of Your Word
A classy woman keeps her promises. She has a reputation of being respectable and consistent. When she says she is going to do something, she fulfills her promise.
If you are asked to do something and you don’t want to do it, say “No. I am unable to do that!”
Don’t make promises that you don’t intend to keep or that you don’t want to fulfill just to appease someone in the moment. Again, you don’t need to explain yourself. Whatever you do, be honest and dependable.
11.) Don’t Gossip or Badmouth
Although females are known to have a superior intuition then their male counterparts, this does not permit us to share our perceived insights with others.
Even though it can be an unfair stereotype at times, women do get a “bad rap” for spreading rumors and creating exaggerated stories.
Don’t let this behavior be something that you allow into your life.
If a rumor is passed on to you, let it die! “I’m sure that person will improve over time,” or “If you feel this is an issue, you should go talk to them.”
Allowing gossip to become a part of your life can be very damaging to your credibility.
Related Article: 11 Ways You Can Tell Who Is an Alpha Female
12.) Walk Confidently and Sit Up Straight
Keep your back straight and your shoulders back.
When you walk tall and confidently, people assume that you are prepared and confident.
In turn, you will feel more empowered and self-assured internally. When you slouch, you are minimizing your body, appearing uncertain and unconfident.
Confidence is very classy!
Related Article: 9 Easy Ways Women Can Project Confidence
13.) Smile
Classy people know the power of a warm smile! It shows warmth, confidence, and approachability. Positivity is contagious and people typically enjoy being around others who possess this character quality.
Have you ever talked to someone that had a warm, genuine smile? This personal quality helps people relax and warm up to you quicker.
14.) Don’t Dominate Conversations
There is nothing more annoying than a self-centered person who can talk about nothing but themselves.
People will not like you unless you allow them to talk about themselves – or talk in general. Relationships are ALWAYS a two-way street.
Take a genuine interest in someone and ask them questions about themselves. You will never learn anything with your mouth open.
Allow the conversation to flow between you and the person you are talking with.
Awkward pauses are normal and they can help the conversation to flow naturally, from subject to subject.
Related Article: 11 Reasons You Are Losing Your Friends
15.) Don’t Give a Compliment Unless You Mean It
People can smell insincerity a mile away! Don’t be fake! If you don’t like her dress, don’t tell her you love it! An overload of compliments can reveal insecurities and a tendency to be a suck-up.
When you give a compliment, it should be a genuine relaxation of your character. When you say something, you should mean it.
Related Article: 10 Ways To Be Taken Seriously As A Career Woman
Bonus Tip – PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY!
One of the class-less things you can do is to be on your phone when you should be talking to someone.
Your Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat will always be there! But the person sitting in front of you will not!
When you are having a conversation with someone, put down your phone and look at them.
Better yet, put it in your purse or tuck it in a pocket. Put it on silent, so you won’t be tempted to look at it if it buzzes.
Don’t be that girl that everyone will remember as “the one obsessed with her phone.”
Put the phone away and have a real conversation!
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Class and elegance are two dying arts! And yet, they are still timeless. Remember, a woman brands herself through her words, actions, and appearance. If you are currently branding yourself as a classy lady, put some of these pointers into practice. Let us know about your experience!
If you have any questions about this article, just let us know in the comment section below! We’d be happy to help you out!
