What/who embodies sophistication for you?

[devildeepbluesea]

Just watching the Sound of Music with DD (her latest obsession).

Watching the Baroness with grownup eyes and she does it for me: not only does she dress beautifully but she has a sense of humour (the boat scene) and then departs the fray gracefully when she realises that the Captain loves Maria, even before he realises. I want to be like her.

Kristin Scott Thomas. She is sort of my idol. I'd love to look like her when I'm older.

OP - you might enjoy this article about the Baroness 🙂

www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-regret-to-inform-you-that-my-wedding-to-captain-von-trapp-has-been-canceled

This is a great topic!

Lots of your suggestions have made me think of particular examples.

In real life Julie Andrews has got to be one for me.

And Fiona in Four Weddings and a funeral.

It's that composed, quietly confident self-possession, isn't it?

Oooh, must look st SoM!
Diana Rigg as Emma Peel
Grace Kelly
Sophia Loren
Catherine Deneuve
Can’t think of anyone contemporary 🙁

So controversial , but a couple of years ago I’ve watched an interview with Diana Mosley , she spoke so eloquently and just looked so beautiful . very elegantly dressed with great posture she must have been in her late 70s.

kate middleton, always nicely dressed, never seems to screw up/ put a foot wrong, speaks nicely,

Amal Clooney

I agree I loved the Baroness and always thought she was set up to be the villain when actually she just knew her worth. She's very sensible and has lovely clothes.
I can't remember if she was a Nazi or not though. That would put me off her a bit!

@Imissmoominmama

My first thoughts were Honor Blackman and Joanna Lumley.

Definitely.

I think we can safely assume that the Captain would never have got involved with her if she'd been an open Nazi sympathiser, but she certainly wasn't openly anti-Nazi. I'm afraid I never liked her, which probably has a lot to do with my own insecurities about never have had an ounce of sophistication. I would think she'd have taken the same line as Max, i.e. we may not like the Nazis but here they are, we all have to live, so let's just keep our heads down and say nothing and see how things turn out.

I loved that letter from the Baroness, @AllAboutHallowsEve! Thanks for that.

Your username makes me think of Bette Davis, who was wonderfully sophisticated.

Otherwise, for me it's Audrey Hepburn all the way. I adore her. As far as I know, as well as looking absolutely beautiful, she was a thoroughly decent person too. I could never admire Diana Mosley, knowing what I do about her views.

*having. Sigh.

Grace Dent. Looks elegant, carries herself beautifully and comes across as being very 'real' which is far more elegant to me than false airs and graces (pardon the pun!)

Jennifer Saunders

a real life baroness, the Rt. Hon. Lady Haden Guest, aka Jamie Lee Curtis. very sophisticated, she has always been jaw droppingly beautiful, intelligent, funny, genuine.

Cate Blanchette
Michelle Obama

Definitely the Queen. I don't necessarily want to copy her style but I do want to copy her sophistication, poise, grace, etc. Even when she's horse riding (which trust me is a mucky business) she looks clean, calm, and self assured. I can't ever imagine her loosing her shit and yelling at people, looking a being a little bit disheveled or otherwise anything but serene. I admire her massively.

Audrey Hepburn.

Joanna Lumley. Yes, definitely. She seems lovely in every way.

supportivemyarse that perhaps explains why Jaime Lee Curtis was in line behind me at the cashier in M&S food hall it was about 18, or maybe more , years ago . She is striking and very tall, I’ve asked her if she is who I think she is , she smiled and nodded.

@queenofarles you met her? faints

The Duchess of Cambridge.

I can't believe no one has mentioned a Vienetta yet ...

When I was about 10 (a million years ago) my dad was working on a film in Italy. My mum took my sister and me out there for a few days which was a huge treat (late 70s) and we were sitting with my dad having lunch one day on the set when the most fascinating woman came over to talk to us. It was Sophia Loren. She was just unbelieveable and so lovely I've been obsessed with her ever since. I'll never forget she pinched a piece of pizza from my plate and was just so charming to my mum - who had terrible sunburn and was feeling a bit shit (so she said later) upon seeing this absolute goddess appear. She made a real point of complimenting my mums dress and was so friendly I think we all fell a little bit in love with her. She was so classy and just fascinating.

Emilia Fox
Lady Penelope

Another vote for Joanna Lumley.

Defo Amal Clooney - she's amazing. Iman too