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

MI, me neither, me neither (as I am sure you could tell...).

"Chic for me is the meeting of neatness and character."
Aha. Right.

I am going somewhere très chic on Saturday. Hair appt booked in. I have a few rather nice bits of well-fitting black clothing. I have flattish riding boots. A coat eludes me. I'm going to do my nails (not a regular occurrence). Make an effort with make-up.

I suspect I'll still look British but I will have tried

carefully chosen accessories

Hmm, yes. Conspicuously absent from my wardrobe. Although I do have a couple of nice silk scarves.

I don't think I like people who are chic.

They're usually really booooring

MmeBodyInTheBasement how do you do chic without being thin? Please share! Everyone I know who would consider chic is size 8 (or less!).

Chic to me = demure-but-expensive clothes, carefully chosen accessories, natural-but-groomed hair and makeup. And yes, usually thin, in fact I think having one of those slightly androgynous bodies probably helps.

It's a sort of Hermes/Donna Karan look (as opposed to, say, Vivienne Westwood) I'm not sure the Brits really do it.

I don't think you have to be slim to be chic but I think anyone obese would struggle.

I think part of it to me is appropriateness. Chic people know how to dress correctly and fit in wherever they are.

You need a house with massive mirrors and lots of time to check every aspect of appearance also.

I have a friend who can do it all quite quickly. She is very slim. (which is a nice way of saying she really should eat more)

Eek! Does anyone else agree with the "no toes over the age of 35" rule? This is important for me to know

No, formerdiva I don't agree with that rule either!

I think it depends what your toes look like - straight toes, smooth feet, polished nails are chic. Bunions and cracked heels are definitely not!

everythingiseverything
Black and navy is surely one of the main style no-nos?!
It actually makes my eyes bleed. (Sorry!)
Seriously, the blacks do match. I checked.

no I am hardline where toes are concerned, even nice ones.
I think les femmes d'un certain âge don't look good in anything opentoed, and peeptoes should be banned entirely for any age.
However I realise I am a bit weird about it and try not to let OPT (Other People's Toes) spoil my day

O me too. I cant bear any toes under age of 6 (or age of oldest child). Even the word t..o.. nyerk.. can't write again.

What about in the summer...in chic sandals? Are TOES allowed then??

lalalalalalalalalala

In my world, NO
In the real world, MEH

Hides from all the ugly toes with Prune.

Defo slim beautifully curvey in portion.

Well cut hair something bob shape and no longer than shoulder length. No bleach!

good makeup application, minimal jewellery, gentle and calming perfume - no poison!

Quality clothing, nothing short.

Natural coloured nails buffed - no false or french polish. Toes fine as long as well prepared.

Natural tan, no leather faces!

No tatoos!!!

and plenty of money to carry the look through.

Ooh yes, facial expressions - yes. I can look v sour but try consciously to, well, not. I find imagining I've just been properly kissed softens my features. TOP TIP there ladies.

PMSL at 'No tattoos' - no kidding!

Isn't the bob hair cut mostly just a boring hairdo for mums? That's how it looks. I can count the number of chic bobs I've seen on my fingers, and my toes, which are showing.

Runs away from enraged bob-haired brigade. :o