What do you think makes a woman look chic - I mean, what swings it?

[Unprune]

Good haircut
Clothes well cut
Everything well-groomed and not overdone (eg I think French manicured nails are overdone but a nice manicure isn't - is that just me? And extensions - let's not go there)

What else? I feel like such a heffalump

I realise some women are born knowing this stuff but I wasn't and I need SPECIFICS

And if I said 'no toes showing over the age of 35' would that be reasonable?

ironing, I reckon, is crucial.

(Myself, I actually don't know where the household iron lives atm. I suspect this might be why I often look eccentric, rather than chic.)

A good coat can bring about instant chic. Good coat, good hair and a good scarf. Da-dah!

I think 'having a massive hereditary double chin' is probably not chic, is it? Bone structure is so important. Sob.

OOh yes, a good coat. I desperately need one of those. SO HARD TO FIND one that fits well though.

chic is different from style you either have it or don`t have it no matter what you wear .Sexiness is the same i have latter not former

Good hair, definitely.

IMO, cheap clothes can look great if your accessories are stylish/posh - e.g. New Look jeans with a lovely leather belt, Primark trench coat with a vintage scarf...that sort of thing.

Do you have to be 'chic' though? It depends on circumstances and character, no? I like to look good, and I try and look fairly chic/professional for work (although on days when I am just doing emails/writing reports, I am less bothered...)

I don't always feel the need to look chic out of work - but I do like to look good/sexy, depending on mood.

To me chic is about toned down grooming, ironed with colours that compliment each other. Fairly minimal accessories. Def some make-up, but quite understated, and neat hair.

Some times though, I deliberately go for the slightly dishevelled beach hair look, some strong colours and big accessories. I have put thought into how I look, and I hope it looks good...but not necessarily 'chic'.

I think true 'chic' isn't easy to achieve - some people just have a certain aura which makes them look sensational whatever they're wearing. However, I do think that chic is an understated, classic, fairly timeless, fairly polished look. Sadly I don't think it's me!

It's probably Bonsoir

'understated'. I think I agree with that. "chic" and "the cath kidston look" would probably explode on contact.

no, Bonsoir is a bloke with hairy hands

Oh and I don't think age has got anything to do with it. It's an innate attribute bestowed by God on those who are extremely lucky

I tend to think Lucia Van der Post is chic.

I think good hair and makeup, clothes that fit/flatter and shoes that are clean/polished.

I have hair extensions in atm, love them for making my thin hair fuller and more oomphy.

ironed clean clothes...
classic clothing items that are flattering rather than 'high fashion'...
outfits that are well put together...
Good hair cut that suits natural hair type and is not over done...
simple minimal make up...
neat short nails painted with clear varnish...

Manage this and you too will be CHIC

I have studies the chic French and Suisse women here.

1. Good haircut, no brassy highlights, no straightners
2. Light make up, even at 8am on the school run
3. Earrings, not too flashy, but understated jewellery always makes an outfit
4. Decent accessories. Bag, scarf, shoes. Clean shoes.

Definitely not chic:

straightened hair - sorry, either your hair is naturally straight or let it curl a bit
too much make up
drinking too much

Good jeans/genes

I hate to say it, but I think you have to be thin to be chic.

I am not chic. Or thin.

No, Yuno. It helps but I know some very chic women who are not near being thin.

Chic for me is the meeting of neatness and character. For it I think you need:

• clothes that fit, in colours that suit. (Easier on a slim person, but absolutely not limited to the slim only.)

• hair whose style looks like you meant it. (Could be neat, could be bed-heady. Again, neat is easier to pull off.)

• shoes that look fit-for-purpose. (Trainers with a business suit don't work. Similarly spiky skyhigh shoeboots.)

• accessories, just a bit, the kind that people notice but not stare at. Doesn't need to be shoes-&-bag that match, could be just a scarf in a pretty colour.

There are quite a few ancient ladies around where I live who have tidy white hair, smart shoes with patent leather bits, and old-fashioned skirt suits in interesting textured fabric - they look chic to me. (And as if they would be interesting to talk to.)

If you can do a light grey pencil-skirtish slim dress with a skinny belt, or yellow slim fit cords or something with flat riding boots- preferably in Paris- and have good hair you are probably chic.

I thought Bonsoir as well :o I really wish she'd put up a photo...

Gawd knows. It's not a look I feel up to, frankly.