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What makes an outfit glamorous?

Anonymous

Over the past month or so, I have been looking at pictures of Hollywood starlets from the past and thinking, “wow! Do they ever look glamorous!”.

My next thought was, “I’d like to incorporate some glamour into my own look.”

My next thought was, “I have no idea how to do this!”

So my questions are:

- Do you know what makes an outfit glamorous?
- Do you know how to Incorporate glamour into an everyday look (for work, for example)?

I’m really feeling like I want a lot of structured looks this fall season, with a lot of skirts. (I discovered that I look so much better in skirts than pants this year!) So maybe skirts would add an element of glamour. Dunno.

Even if you don’t have any ideas for me, I’d still love to hear your thoughts on what a “glamorous look” is and whether it’s possible in an everyday outfit.

Thanks!
Smittie

Dressing

53 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

POLISH, posture and poise.

I don’t think you can look glam without an extreme dose of polish: which means make-up, hair that is done and looks neat, accessories, and clothing that fits to a tee.

anchie

Veteran

I wonder that myself. There was one picture of me, and everyone who saw it told me how glamorous and like 50’ movie star I look, but there was nothing special about it - I had basic tee and shorts and sunglasses and fresh haircut. So I wonder..

Staysfit

Veteran

Ditto what Angie said plus add a smile.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Immaculate presentation .Somethings are inherently glamorous,sunglasses and diamonds for example but in the main I think it is all about how you present yourself.As Angie said ,with polish and poise.

unfrumped

Veteran

Wow, good question.

I admit that from a definition standpoint I think if glamour as being more alluring and related to attraction and desirability than just “ romantic” style. So in my particular kind of work, glamour ( if I could achieve it) would not be especially wanted. Glamour would be intentionally a lot of focus on “ me”.
There could be a related style that’s “ attractive” in a more leader- follower way, helping one’ s presence to be more enjoyable ( “ charisma” in the definition), and that might overlap with “ approachable “ style.
What was the other term we were discussing- vis a vis longer skirts and such? Overlaps there a bit.
Will be interesting to hear other ideas!

Anonymous

I like Angie's and Cardiff Girl's response.

Anonymous

Ah yes, polish and immaculate presentation.
I think I fall short with bottoms, jewelry and hair. Hair especially. That is something I’ll have to think about.

Anonymous

Unforumped, I think the word was “elegance”. Longer skirts are more elegant.
I guess “elegance” and “glamour” are similar but I think of glamour as being more dramatic. A stronger word and a stronger look.

Anonymous

Big sunglasses seem to be inherently glamorous

Becky

Veteran

I agree with the polish and impeccable fit. I also tend to think of glamorous as being a notch up in dressiness, though it wouldn't necessarily have to be.

unfrumped

Veteran

I agree with all the “P” words being necessary but they are not sufficient, in my mind, to reach what would make “ glamour” which I see as different from all the other words. Though again, overlap. An evening gown could be elegant AND glamorous and in fact, an evening gown is often inherently - or I guess intentionally- glamorous or maybe it’s situational because EVENTS can be glamorous.

Vicky L

I think glamour is mainly in the attitude (ie.not self-conscious like me!) As others have said, hair and makeup are important, though I would love to hear that glamour could be achieved without makeup (and I'm not talking "natural makeup", I'm talking cleansed, toned and moisturised only!)

As far as clothing goes, I think it just needs to be something that suits your body shape and fits well. Well presented (clean and pressed, no blobs or stray threads). Not too complicated or fussy - simple fluid lines and not too many colours. There is room for a little flamboyancy if it suits your personality, but I would probably express that through one item and keep the rest classic.

It's definitely possible to look glamorous in "everyday" outfits. I see others who manage it. Must start paying more attention!

The thing about sunglasses intrigues me, because they are definitely inherently glamorous - as Cardiff Girl pointed out - but they always look hilarious on me, maybe I am just destined to be unglam...

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

You’ve hit on a topic I’ve been thinking about quite a bit recently. We spent yesterday afternoon driving around the part of California we’re moving to, and it’s heavy on the “old Hollywood” vibes. Big sunglasses (prescription for me) are the one thing on my must-have list.

I think it’s possible to be glamorous without being dressy. I’m thinking of the airport looks of certain celebrities. Polish is a big part of it, but I also think choosing the right fabrics and accessories helps. Sunglasses, a great bag, and a signature piece of jewelry can make jeans and a t-shirt look glamorous.

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Anonymous

Jenn: I must google “celebrity airport style” I think they’re pretty polished.
I would love to live in LA or California, what a great picture.

Vicky: thanks for chiming in!
Re: big sunglasses looking silly. Yah, they look silly on me too. It’s because they don’t fit properly.

One thing I noticed is that usually, big sunglasses are plastic frames. I’ve figured out (finally) that my nose is too big or wide for all of them, and it causes the glasses to sit too high on my nose because the nose opening on the glasses is too small to fit lower on the nose.

When i switch to sunglasses that have the adjustable nose things, and push them so that they’re really wide, the sunglasses sit properly and don’t look silly.

I consider my mother to be somewhat glamorous (always wore a dress, even to do dirty tasks like paint the dock!) and she never wore makeup but she is very high contrast colouring with bright blue eyes and high-intensity/high self-confidence.

I think looking at pictures from the 40s, 50 and 60s: don’t all our mothers look glamorous?

Vicky L

It's true! Maybe its the black and white photos, but my mum, my auntie and grandma all looked glamorous to me!!

Thanks for the sunglasses comments too - I will have to take a closer look next time I'm shopping.

kkards

Veteran

I don’t know what makes something glamorous, but I know what ever it is, I don’t have it.

kkards

Veteran

Smittie re our mother looking glamorous in old photos—-I have to be honest and say no, even in her wedding dress I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever seen a photo of my mom and thought she looked glamorous, pretty, lovely even elegant, but never glamorous

binkle

Veteran

I think subtle glamour could work in the workplace (I'm thinking a traditional office environment though). As in tailored, polished, coifed. But too much Old Hollywood glamour ala Joan Crawford or Ann Sheridan, Roz Russell in their full career gal modes - tailored, padded, Max Factored to the nth degree - looks costumey today.

But then I think of casual Jackie O in trim slacks, big sunglasses - glamour too! Or chubby Liz Taylor on the Riviera in a flowing caftan and honking big jewels and messy hair - super glamour. Maybe we cause we knew their escapades and lifestyles already, so they were glam no matter what.

Anonymous

Apologies in advance for soapbox stance.
My DH and I have this conversation quite a bit.....not so much glamorous as how people dressed and behaved in the past. DH speaks of men dressed in shirts, ties and fedoras for baseball games. Now the cameras pan the stadium and you ask yourself- do these people own mirrors/ were they taught any manners?
When working I would walk on my lunch hour. Every day I would pass this gentleman in his 70s I would guess. He would tip his hat and wish me a good day. I would thank him, tell him he made my day and wish him the same...... he had class and glamour.
I see a couple regularly at summer farmers market- she in a skirt/ he in a shirt and tie. One day I commented on how nice they looked- she laughed- “ he is a preacher and I am a preacher’s wife- people need to see us look respectful.” And they did command respect even at the market. Ironic I recount this “ respect “ encounter at the time we lost a glamorous singer- Aretha Franklin. How right she was.
40s- 50s Stars were always “on” and studios demanded they act the part always. Find a star today that acts the part - maybe older actresses of stage and screen like Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury etc. but mostly stars ( and regular folks) look like street urchins wearing pjs , plumbers’ crack and Saying “ I just want to be comfortable “ . Stop -people.
If I leave the house I always try to wear something easy on the eyes for the general public to see. I always get “nice” comments for my effort. I suspect that people are so tired of the disheveled look, they see effort and think- alleluia! glamour!
I agree more structured looks in dresses, skirts, suits do come across as more glamorous......... so is looking and behaving like you should command RESPECT,

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My mum looked really glam to me when she dressed up. Not every day, not when she was in shorts and a top to garden -- but a lot of the time. She'd change into a dress to go shopping. She never wore makeup except lipstick, and never dyed her hair.

I agree -- polish, tailoring, good hair, sunnies. A bit of shine but not bling. A slightly dressier look than the norm. That's why celebrity airport style seems glam. It is very casual but still a cut above the typical.

I love this photo of a young Katherine Hepburn -- casually dressed but still glamorous, to me. It's in her languorous poise, here.

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rachylou

Veteran

Oh gosh. That’s quite tough when you really try to get down to it. You know, I don’t know how much glamour we have today. You know, everybody and their water bottle and all.

When it comes to the procedure for achieving it... I rather think glamour is always a little bit too much, a little bit fake, a little bit bigger than is called for... but stops just at the right moment, before being called out for tacky and overwrought. The home of glamour isn’t called Tinsel Town for nothing. And you have to pay attention to lighting...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kkards, I don’t think I’ve ever thought of my mother as glamorous either. But the clothes we bought for me to interview/work in after college (just a few pieces, thankfully) were quite glam. I think it was just that she had never dressed professionally, so didn’t know which direction to go.

Sal

Veteran

There are things you can wear that are a bit glamorous. Good sunglasses, quality shoes, luxe fabrics. And presentation- well groomed hair, great makeup.

I see elegance and glamour intersecting but not always being the same. Elegance is a bit quieter and more natural. Glamour can be trendy, avant grade or classic.

I don't usually see myself as glamorous but I could pull together some looks.

Interesting that glam conjures up a different image to glamorous.

LaPed

Veteran

I think part of our perception of glamour is indeed nostalgia. Take Audrey and that mile-long cigarette holder: would she still look glamorous today, or just gross? You never see celebs smoking anymore. Maybe it's a matter of context, temporal or otherwise.

I think at some point in some long-ago thread we tried to distinguish between elegance and glamour. Angie's 3 P's evoke, for me, elegance. So what is that little bit extra that makes something glamorous? I'm going to venture that it's the context, the backstory, the whole package.

Anonymous

Your question is : what makes an OUTFIT glamorous? Clearly the wearer, in my opinion. There are certain people who have the ability to elevate a skirt and sweater, or a blouse and pants to something beyond the usual, and I agree with Angie in saying a lot of it has to do with personal grooming, jewellery/accessories and makeup.

SandyG

Veteran

Glamour regarding the Hollywood starlets of the past was created for film, print and studio photographs. Carefully contoured and lighted, posed, using exclusive photographers, wardrobed by stylists such as Edith Head and other professionals -- everything had the singular goal of public consumption. It was a crafted product of the studio system. Look at the young Marilyn M and then her later photos and you can barely recognize the befores after she established her sexy look (and glamour).

With the death of the studio system, and the rise of social media, that degree of control is nil. Starlets on the street don't match their latest film or appearance. The studied, perfected signature 'look' is rare except in older actresses.

The polished look is attainable and easier to live with, but 'glamour photography' still exists for a reason.

kkards

Veteran

so....i've been thinking about this...and thinking about Angie's blog post and all our comments on elegance...
...https://youlookfab.com/2018/08.....an-outfit/

and i've concluded, that for me. glamour has a mysterious, hidden side...to be glamorous there must be an element of the unknown and unapproachable....

The Cat

Veteran

I associate glamour with some shine, luxurious materials, and classic, soft dramatic elements. Examples:
● Well-groomed, shiny hair. (Use a shine spray)
● Shiny lipstick in red or wine
● Nail polish in red, wine, beige, icy pastels or pearly white
● Long, "curly" dark eyelashes and soft dark eyeliner
● Face skin with a soft matte finish, which highlights the shine of your hair, lips, eyes, clothes and jewellery. (Use a translucent powder)
● Shiny, real-looking jewellery (i.e. gold, silver, pearls and diamonds)
● Fabrics like silk (i.e. blouses and scarves ), velvet (i.e. skirts and pants), fur (i.e. boas and fur-trimmed items) suede (skirts, pants and jackets), lurex (i. e. dresses and knitwear), and angora/mohair knitwear
● Footwear, belts and bags in suede or in metallics like gold, bronze or silver. Platform sandals and platform boots. Wide belts. Clutches. Totes in metallics.
● Items like silky turbans, big hats in soft materials, gloves, big dark sunglasses, long blazers, short waistcoats, wide-legged pants, harem pants, shiny midi skirts, knee-length pencil skirts, dresses in knitwear or velour (knee or midi length), thin hosiery, capes, coatigans, silky kimonos (all lengths), large coats in fine wool, velvet or fur, big shawls, layered necklaces, large pendants, and cocktail rings
● Colours like champagne, gold, creme, bronze, red, wine, deep purple, midnight blue, teal, bottle green, white, offwhite, silver, black, and icy pastels
● Patterns like leopard, stars, and roses. Self-patterns like shiny & matte stripes and checks.

Anonymous

It sounds like glamour is unattainable, mysterious and manufactured version of elegance. That rings true for me. There is also an element of glamour being within the person (the person makes the outfit glamourous).

The Cat: thank you for the list! There are tons of great ideas here. I agree that most of them are indeed things that have a sense of glamour. I particularly like your brainstorm of fabric and pattern ideas. I could definitely incorporate a little of that. Maybe I won’t be glamourous in the true sense of the word, but It gives me an interesting set of things to keep in mind for shopping.

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