YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you define the word "Chic"?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How do you define the word "Chic"? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 03:07:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php BlondeAmbition on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-815178 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:34:10 +0000 BlondeAmbition 815178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chic is not one particular style. It is the ability to put an outfit together with confidence. I'll never forget one instance when my aunt put an outfit together brilliantly - it was a simple off white cotton sheath dress, a cute pair of neutral flip flops and a basket woven purse. Very neutral and simple. On her way out the door she grabbed a colorful scarf and stuck it in her purse and let it peek out a little - it made the ensemble sing! So simple but tres chic! ManidipaM on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-815158 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:41:35 +0000 ManidipaM 815158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elements brought thoughtfully together with an eye to creating a specific holistic impression, subduing or modifying their individual 'vocabulary' with maybe just a nod to current trends, but also definitely garnished with a judicious dose of personal style integrity, and then worn with insouciance so as to appear effortless rather than studied. To me, that's the hallmark of chic. I think it is actually hard to 'throw chic on' --- there is, as Gaylene and Vildy note, a certain degree of self-conscious effort. In fact, very often there is a RATE element to chic (at least as I understand it) in the *wearing* of it, even if not in individual elements --- and yet it is definitely intentional and the viewer who recognizes it as 'chic' also implicitly recognizes the intention. There is also, to be, a notion of 'chic' wrestling the elements of a look into submission, so to speak. It isn't so much that the look is necessarily refined or polished, but that the wrinkles and the anti-fit are there because they are *intended*, and there are *not* RATE elements creeping in unnoticed, uninvited or unchecked (the wearer is never oblivious, while appearing insouciant, of wrinkles, bagging etc, but will not be so 'precious' as to necessarily 'fix' herself in an obviously self-conscious way). Mia on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-815007 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:52:46 +0000 Mia 815007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ines de la Fressange is the epitome of chic for me. I think she was even voted most chic woman in France or something. I often ask myself if I can see Ines wearing an item if I am dithering on an expensive purchase She just looks elegant, comfortable in her own skin and put together. Always... Jaime on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814973 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:15:05 +0000 Jaime 814973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So much food for thought! I think my favorite is Astrid's quote: to paraphrase, the first step to gaining chic is recognizing you don't have it. So true for so many things. Deborah on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814964 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:09:46 +0000 Deborah 814964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So interesting. Angie glad you mentioned RATE can be chic. I find Emmanuelle Alt often looks very chic (to me) and she is most certainly RATE:). A book I have breaks individual style into 5 categories and Chic is one of them and while I realize we are not necessarily using "chic" here as definitive style type, I find their thoughts interesting. I quote "Chic - The style is defined by a powerful look and sharp lines that seem to come together in an effortless way. It is often monochromatic and combined with bold accessories". They also suggest that a Chic will go for clean, sleek lines, but will integrate a hint of the untraditional and the "now" into her outfit to create a personal look. A Chic also likes to keep her foundation outfit simple and elegant, is interested in what is current but is not a slave to trends. She likes to be fashionable but with a subtle flair that keeps the look uniquely hers. When I consider woman I think look chic, they certainly encompass some of the above, but it's one of those things I don't think you can artfully create, you kind of have it or you don't:) Angie on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814688 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:44:12 +0000 Angie 814688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh WOW! Your thought processes are so fab I can't stand it!! (Thank you so much Suz and Day Vies. I am deeply flattered). These are the points that really resonated when I think of chic: - Zap: "je ne seis quoi". It is when you no longer see the clothes in isolation, you see the person first, then the clothes. Chic is a "state of being". - Jules: Refinement. Chic is never overdone, there is an ease about the look both in terms of movement and acceptance. Yes there is polish but chic is not rigid and would never hobble in overly high heels for fashion. - Day Vies: Chic is when the look starts to provide a view into the wearer's thought process. - K can shop: Fashionable, tailored, polished, current styling. - Vildy: Forethought and control. An exactness. Decisiveness. - Dana: Polished. (I also think it's very, very hard to look chic when you are RATE. It's not impossible though. I have seen chic RATE people!) - Unfrumped: Chic is a package thing, not just the outfit. (I'll throw in good posture too). - Jamie: Chic, has nothing to do with particular style elements, such as classic, bohemian, romantic etc. - Gaylene: It's not the perfection of the garment, the outfit, or the woman, but the melding which results in something which is much greater than the sum of the parts. I do not think that Chic is necessarily these things: - Timeless clothing. You can be very fashion forward and trendy and look chic. - Minimal - Restrained - Feminine. I think you can look very chic in more masculine attire. - Someone who wears their clothes and owns them. Absolutely not. For example, Goths and Punks own their look - look cool, but they don't look chic. Most of the people photographed on the Sartorialist own their look big time - but they don't look chic. Hope that makes sense! Suz on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814611 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:37:39 +0000 Suz 814611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laughing out loud, Caro. That is SO true - great example with the ballet flats. An article of clothing is not chic in and of itself. Anonymous on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814610 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:37:03 +0000 Anonymous 814610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So many deep thoughts and ideas to meditate on. I can't think of anything to add except personality and movement may figure into it. Has anyone ever seen chic on a mannequin? Caro in Oz on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814595 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:25:56 +0000 Caro in Oz 814595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To be chic one: Needs to be stylish & fashionable - not trend driven but not out of date. Needs to have refinement in clothing and personality, which is why some 10 year olds are chic & some 60 year olds aren't. I think there needs to be a certain amount of elegance too. Good grooming is part of this refinement, as is attention to detail. I think the meaning of the word is changing (or just being overused or both). I don't think clothes are chic of themselves without the right wearer they are just clothes - for example Audrey looked chic in ballet flats but I see many people walking around in them (or should I say falling out of them) & they do not look chic. Debbie on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814594 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:25:44 +0000 Debbie 814594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The first word that comes to mind for me is confidence. For me chic s a projection by the person that they are confident in themselves and their look. No fussing with the clothes. Perfectly groomed and every element works for them. I also think it looks effortless but in reality may not be. deb on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814590 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:23:57 +0000 deb 814590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it is when the clothes and the person meld into one. Now I will read what the others said. Vildy on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814578 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:14:08 +0000 Vildy 814578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the term "effortless chic" is rather sly. There seems to me a lot of effort that goes into chic, not thinking of polish and grooming or even drama. Chic seems to me very decisive. And confident in one's decisions. The rightness for oneself. A city thing? Can't quite picture chic in the country, though I suppose there's Edith Head in her gardening clothes. kellygirl on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic/page/2#post-814532 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:46:23 +0000 kellygirl 814532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Stylish, minimal and elegant are words that come to mind. It's a tricky word to capture. Diana on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814528 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:43:10 +0000 Diana 814528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Someone who wears her clothes and OWNS them, not the other way around. Someone who looks great in her clothes and knows it (not in a vain sense but in a self-confidence sense.) Anonymous on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814526 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:39:56 +0000 Anonymous 814526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm just cracking up on this one, great quote Astrid: "If you are aware of your lack of chic, the battle is already half won, because the only really hopeless case is the woman who hasn't the faintest idea of what is chic and what is not." I'm off to evaluate if I have a "lack of chic".... hahahaha. I'm enjoying this thread. You are all so intelligent and eloquent. Gaylene on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814524 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:38:32 +0000 Gaylene 814524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To me "chic" describes a synergy between the wearer and the outfit that elevates both the clothing and the wearer. And I also believe that "chic" is not universally perceived as such--what is "chic" to one person might be classified as "overdone", or "not exciting", or even "aesthetically unpleasing" by another. Just like Beauty, there is no universal standard upon which everyone will agree. In my definition, it's not the perfection of the garment, the outfit, or the woman, but the melding which results in something which is much greater than the sum of the parts. I've known women who look chic wearing quite ordinary clothes, while I've also known women who wear wonderful garments who look like clothes hangers or, worse, like they are in costume. I also think that the term "chic" is really overused by the fashion industry these days as in a "chic" little black dress, or Euro "Chic" style. To me, "chic" is rare and beautiful, not something I can pull off a rack at BR. rachylou on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814523 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:38:06 +0000 rachylou 814523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lol, Anna. I reserve the word "chic" for women who are done up, styled head-to-toe, sophisticated, svelte, and elegant. They don't have to be all that original or stylish, just striking. Jamie on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814515 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:33:16 +0000 Jamie 814515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a hard one. When I recognize someone as chic, for me it has nothing to do with particular style elements, such as classic, bohemian, romantic, etc. Instead, I get an overall impression about the person and then hone in on what they are wearing. What strikes me most often when I think that someone is chic is that they look current, no matter what style preferences they are conveying. Along with that, I usually pick up on a sense of confidence. annagybe on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814507 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:24:50 +0000 annagybe 814507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not me. RoseandJoan on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814506 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:24:13 +0000 RoseandJoan 814506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chic is never overdone, there is an ease about the look both in terms of movement and acceptance. Yes there is polish but chic is not rigid and would never hobble in overly high heels for fashion. Deborah on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814503 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:22:04 +0000 Deborah 814503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I might pop back when I arrive home later today as Im reading a book that provides a bit of a definition but can't recall the details. It says something along the the lines of chic being a little more individualistic than a pure modern classic. Angie subgested Queen Modern Chic for me on yesterday's thread (which made me smile) as I agree chic is one of those tricky things to define but for me there is always a component of elegance when I see someone I think looks chic. morethanbeige on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814502 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:20:34 +0000 morethanbeige 814502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Stylish and fashionable, but with the person's own spin or "skin" in the trend. unfrumped on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814496 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:13:19 +0000 unfrumped 814496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Often I think of a person as chic and not just an outfit--so I think it has something to do with the personality coming through as several posters mentioned above. The total package--hair, nails, makeup (or not), clothes, accessories and mannerisms all together. Chic is "cooler" in several senses of the term--the descriptors of effortless, polished, simpler used by others resonates with me, too. You can't be a "hot mess" and be chic. And "cool" in that old sense we discussed awhile back about having that certain something that others are attracted to even if you can't pinpoint it. But I don't think it has to be totally minimalistic. I think Natalie looks very chic in many of the outfits she has posted, and though they have much more going on than I can usually achieve, she has such great style sense for combining things. When I try to accessorize I sometimes think I'm closer to chic when I do the "put on your accessories and then take one off" thing. Chic to me tends to be more feminine than not, but doesn't have to be "romantic" or ruffly and definitely not overtly sexy. Again--cool, collected femininity. I think I would like to look chic....amongst other options as well. Day Vies on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814494 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:10:46 +0000 Day Vies 814494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think chic can "strike" the average person. I see chic walking down the street every day. I do believe there is a point when someone perfects their "look" to the point it can't be duplicated by anyone else. I certainly believe Angie is chic (agreeing with Suz) but I also believe I could post dozens of pics of the women on this forum when they have achieved chic. I also don't think chic is limited to super refined or restrained looks -- but there is certainly a balance of embellishment and thought about its placement apparent in the outfit. Above all, I think it is a perfect expression of the wearer summarized by the outfit. Emily on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814480 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:58:26 +0000 Emily 814480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Claire, in my opinion you are SO chic! You always look effortless and perfectly coiffed. Astrid on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814479 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:58:13 +0000 Astrid 814479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Some time ago I read the book "A guide to elegance", first published in 1964. They have an own chapter on chic that I thought was very well written out. "The essence of casual refinement, chic is a little less studied than elegance and a little more intellectual. It is an inborn quality of certain individuals, who are sometimes unaware that they posses it. [...] It is a gift of the gods and has no relationship to beauty nor to wealth." And further on: "In order to increase your chances of acquiring chic when it is lacking, the first requirement is to be aware of the fact that you do not possess it. [There follows some advice on how to emulate chic] If you are aware of your lack of chic, the battle is already half won, because the only really hopeless case is the woman who hasn't the faintest idea of what is chic and what is not." That's 1964 for you. But I think the essence of it is true. Suz on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814473 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:54:53 +0000 Suz 814473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How do I define the word "chic?" ANGIE. :-) I love Day Vie's formulation, also. "Chic is when the look starts to provide a view into the wearer's thought process." Hire that woman as a wordsmith. She is SMART!! Susie on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814472 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:54:14 +0000 Susie 814472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Current Polished Simple but strong Cohesive- all of the elements- from hair and makeup to shoes- work together with nothing jarring Effortless More minimal than ALGo ironkurtin on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814467 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:52:30 +0000 ironkurtin 814467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Polished. I think of Coco Chanel. I don't think RATE is chic. It might be edgy or glamorous. Not chic. Anonymous on "How do you define the word "Chic"?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-do-you-define-the-word-chic#post-814464 Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:51:52 +0000 Anonymous 814464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the chic dresser is very, very smart. She really uses her head to combine just right amount of current or trendy with other elements that are quite plain, but elegant in their simplicity. Line and proportion are so important, and I think of chic women of having a very one-of-a-kind look that no one can copy exactly, no matter how much money they have to spend. I strive for chic, but it will probably always be out of my reach. It's fun to try, though! There's so much to learn.