Have you ever seen someone walk into a room wearing the most basic outfit imaginable and still somehow look like they’ve got their whole life together? Like, they are somehow wearing this basic, but very elegant t-shirt, and somehow, they look great. Yeah, that’s not luck, but it’s actually strategy. Just generally speaking, elegance isn’t loud; it’s smart. And usually, it’s hiding in the details.

Just think of Shiv Roy from Succession. Honestly, this is a perfect example of a basic yet elegant outfit (that whole quiet luxury movement is a nice example). So, how can you make your simple outfit look more sophisticated? Thankfully, you don’t need a closet full of couture to look put together. You just need to stop ignoring the little stuff.

The Fabric Is Everything

Sorry, but no amount of styling is going to save an outfit made from crunchy, shiny, weirdly thin material. It sticks to your body in all the wrong places and somehow looks tired straight out of the wash. So, instead? Well, just go for fabric that feels expensive, even if it isn’t. For example, consider a linen blend or a heavy cotton, something that moves when you walk and doesn’t cling like a needy ex.

That’s the kind of fabric that earns compliments when you’ve technically done the bare minimum. Ideally, move away from polyester.

It Needs to Actually Fit

You could spend hundreds on an outfit, but if it fits like a paper bag, it’s giving “borrowed from someone taller.” Yes, it’s harsh, but it really can’t be stressed enough that no one looks chic in trousers that puddle around their shoes or a blazer that hangs like a sad curtain. Maybe you’ve read or heard this elsewhere, but there needs to be tailoring.

Yes, this does include hemming the pants, taking in the waist, or even just rolling up the sleeves if you have to. Even just pinning something in place until you can get to a tailor can make you feel like you’ve got your life together.

Your Jewelry Should Do Something

Well, it’s true, a dainty chain is cute, but if it’s hiding under your collar and no one can see it, what’s the point? Sure, not all dainty small things are meant to hide; sometimes, they’re meant to allow other parts of the outfit to shine. But at the same time, accessories are supposed to pull focus, but in a subtle, smug kind of way. For example, just think about earrings that balance your face shape or rings that make your nails look intentional even when they’re chipped.

You could even pop into a good piercing shop for a fresh ear piercing because it can change your whole vibe (or get your first ever piercing rather than wear clip-ons; that works too). In a way, it’s like adding punctuation to an outfit, just one little dot that makes the whole sentence hit different.

Grooming Isn’t Just for Dates or Job Interviews

Maybe this one is incredibly obvious, but even so, you’d be so surprised how often this gets neglected. But elegance doesn’t mean a full face of makeup or a weekly blowout. It means looking like you care, even just a little. You don’t want skin that looks thirsty, or nails that are giving that “I’ve been peeling stickers all day.” It’s the same for your hair, too. You need a skincare, haircare, and of course, a nail care routine.