How do you have class ?

[Haircut100900]

Well groomed ?
Lady like in manners etc ?
Expensive clothes?
Other ?

Less is most certainly more.

This is in style and beauty though so I guess the OP is talking about a classic style/classic beauty and what that looks like rather than anything to do with the class system?

I think what a lot of people here are describing is having class or being classy, rather then being upper/middle/whatever class. Different things IMO.
As for S&B, likewise probably.

umm, interesting, I'm beginning to think that the 'ideal' I'm looking for is more to do with elegance as opposed to class. I have a couple of very posh friends that no one would describe as 'elegant' although they have class in abundance, again, to me, its a kind of elusive 'thing' I can't quite catch.

Some people just carry themselves well and are genetically lucky in terms of their hair, height, skin etc. and although it's really annoying I think slimness probably helps. Anyway, I'm not one of them

I am well-dressed and groomed and not classy, nor do I want to be! Sounds really boring, be a good listener, don't do anything dramatic, wear elegant clothes. I just don't get it. It's nice to look nice, but personally I'm not interested in classy people in the style sense anyway- polite, nice, fun, interesting, quirky, don't care what others wear, yes, classy in itself, not particularly.

I agree with this

Generally the "posher" they are, the more likely they'll be in moth eaten jumpers and wellies, driving 18 year old Volvos.

@allhellcantstopusnow , no, my 'posh' friends do not fall into that camp, even though they both live on inherited land and in lovely country homes, they both drive pretty good cars, have nice clothes etc but they are simply not elegant. I simply cannot elucidate what I mean.

I don't think that 'class' or being 'classy' is actually related to S&B or actual social class.

Some people just have 'it', it's more related to insouciance, it's a personality trait rather than how one looks.

It's obviously easier to be absolutely sure about oneself if you're privileged in all the ways it counts.

However the women that are deemed coolest and classyist aren't the ones from privileged backgrounds.

I could start a cool and classy woman name game now and we could all name women who are absolutely iconic. I guarantee very few of them would actually come from uber privileged backgrounds.

It's not social class or background. It's surety. It's confidence.

That's what class is.

I think it's linked to self composure and a particular type of confidence, as @Galiana said.

A person who appears 'classy' generally doesn't seem to be seeking the approval of the world. They appear comfortable with their place in it, but it's a calm, sort of arm's length confidence, rather than a loud/arrogant type of confidence.

So imo that tends to translate to not engaging in obvious attention-seeking behaviours, and also not looking like they are trying to fit in / be fashionable/ say the right thing.

I think it is statistically vastly more likely that you'll have that sort of quiet composure if your background/drmographics have supported your social- and self-confidence, so you aren't anxious about whether you are 'acceptable' /valid as a human in our society.

If you've lots of money, and have always felt like noone is going to question your right to be somewhere, then you're less likely to be anxious about that.

If like many of the rest of us, you've spent your life feeling like you don't or might not fit in, you're much more likely to feel anxious about that and be (consciously or unconsciously) seeking approval from those around you, rather than projecting an air of composure.

I was agreeing with you.

It never occurred to me that having class can be either pretended or 'worn' as dress.

To me having class means behaving in a way that treats people with respect and dignity, no drama lama, not gossipy, good emotional regulation, intelligent and kind. Above all it means not to treat others arrogantly or as lesser.

A classic style is well cut clothes, nothing too fashionable, good materials, no polyester, no obvious branding but that's different to having class.

This is an excellent post! And classy 😉

Class is as class does

Absolutely no fake tan.

People say that I’m classy, I don’t always dress classy though!

To me it’s accent, language, and respect for others. I’m not able bodied although I look it, but I agree that people don’t associate obvious enhancements like filler to be classy.

I do have tiny bits of filler but I’ve made a conscious choice to not get certain areas treated so I still look natural. But that to me is not class.

A classy person would return to the thread they started

I view having class as different to being upper/ middle/working class.
I don't think it has anything to do with money but everything to do with how you carry yourself and the choices you make.
Shouting, swearing at other people however rich you are is not classy.

I think some people are confusing “class” with “boring” and “dated” 😂

It's definitely not money.

Boris Johnson bought a £4 million house with cash outright but he has no class.

You have class by living in a society which is discriminatory. The particular hierarchy, distinctions and boundaries regarding that discrimination vary. There are usually elements of inherited power, wealth, perceived beauty, perceived intelligence and health indicators evident in the discrimination.

In terms of grooming: lack of visible artifice

In terms of clothes: lack of attention-seeking

In terms of personality: quiet confidence and generosity