How to have elegance / poise?

[Lackofpoise]

Read a thread on Kate Middleton earlier and there were a lot of comments about her elegance and poise?

Are you either born with it or not? My SIL (also v posh) certainly has it. Is being tall a requirement?

I am not very tall but I am slim and yet carry myself like a sack of spuds. Some of my candid wedding videos and photographs were a wake up call 😃

I think it’s mostly innate but can be taught. Being tall and slim makes it easier

It's definitely a skill

One which is usually picked up from private education and/or certain hobbies/activities E.g. ballet

Pausing before reacting to anything. Being nervy is unhelpful when you want to look poised and elegant!

Calmness is essential.

My boss has poise, and its certainly because she spends 4 hours a week in ballet classes

I’m always told I have it. I’m tall and have a long neck! I’m also very self confident. Not obnoxious - I just like myself. I think that helps.

Posture has a lot to do with it

Sit up straight.
Wear clothes that fit you properly and suit your build. Forget fashion, go with what works for you. Nothing that digs in or makes you self conscious or uncomfortable.
Be confident and kind in your interactions with people.

...but honestly, it's the sitting up straight that does it. I had a back injury in my late teens and since then have always tried to carry my body properly, rather than slumping and hunching and slouching. I'm always told I have "poise" and "elegance" (or look "impressive" especially as I'm got older and more matronly about my middle) and it can only be that, because I'm certainly not slim or expensively dressed.