Sophistication is more than just smoking a thin cigarette in a French cafe discussing your latest visit to an art gallery. Class is a style, an attitude, a way of life. So how do you get sophisticated? Simply follow these steps.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Having the Look
Step 1. Acquire sophisticated body language
If you want to be sought after, then you need to master body language that reflects this way of being, so that people are instantly impressed when they observe your bearing. Classy people are self-confident, charismatic and calm, so make sure you never walk too fast, don't wildly search for a lost item in your bag, or generally do not behave in a way that makes you feel comfortable. seem stressed or unsure of yourself. If you want to look sophisticated, then your body movements need to be measured and calm. Here are some other things you can try:
- Make eye contact, slowly but surely. Don't stare at people you're not talking to and don't take your eyes off those who are talking to you.
- Avoid fidgeting with your hands. Keep them at your sides if you are standing or fold them in your lap if you are sitting.
- Maintain good posture by keeping both your back and neck up and looking straight in front of you instead of pointing your gaze to the ground. It is not sophisticated to have a slouching gait or hunchback.
Step 2. Go for a sophisticated haircut
Part of being fine is having the right look. Make sure you cut your hair every two months, more or less, and that your cut is refreshed at least once a year, so that you continue to have a current and trendy look. You don't have to follow every trend you see, but you should make sure you have a cool and trendy style, don't wear the same hairstyle for a decade.
- Change your style. If you normally have very long hair, choose a short bob and see if it fits your personality. Part of being sophisticated is having the willingness to embrace new looks without following trends too closely.
- Consider doing highlights on your hair if you think it will enhance your look, but only if you can afford to have them done professionally.
- If you are considering covering up white hair, make sure it is something you really want. Having a touch of gray in your hair or even wearing a salt and pepper look can actually make you look more sophisticated.
Step 3. Make your face always look sophisticated
Both men and women should not neglect the face, so that it looks fine and well-groomed. Here's what you should do:
- Women should wear light makeup to show that they have made an effort, but not so much that they end up hiding their natural features. Just a touch of eyeshadow, eyeliner and lipstick or gloss will do. There is no need to put on false lashes or over-layer the blush.
- Men should keep their faces clean, but they can keep a long, well-groomed beard or even just a day's beard. You don't have to be free of facial hair to look sophisticated. A beard can actually help achieve this look, especially if it has a touch of gray.
Step 4. Dress in style
Wearing classy clothing is a must if you want to be sophisticated. You should aim to be a little more elegant on any occasion, whether you're going to take an exam or your friend's birthday party. This doesn't mean that you should show up to a casual event in an evening dress, but that you should try to look 10% more elegant than the people around you. This subtle difference will allow you to stand out as the most sophisticated person in a group of people.
- Your clothes don't have to be expensive, but taking care of them is essential. Make sure you keep them fresh, free of stains and wrinkles.
- Go for simple clothes, like plain or striped sweaters and sweaters instead of intricately patterned pieces or printed t-shirts with clever comments.
- You don't even need a boundless wardrobe. A few essential items will be enough, such as a pair of black jeans or a white t-shirt; the basic pieces are enough to create a simple yet classy wardrobe.
Step 5. Bring sophisticated accessories
These items can help complete your sophisticated look once you understand how to tidy up your wardrobe and overall look. The key is not to overdo it, putting too many accessories for one outfit. A few key pieces will be enough to give your clothes a touch of sophistication. Here are some items to try:
- Simple black sunglasses.
- Solid color belts.
- Scarf.
- A clock.
- Simple gold or silver jewelry (for women).
Part 2 of 4: Speak the Right Way
Step 1. Discuss sophisticated themes
If you want to be researched, then you need to be prepared to talk about topics along this line and avoid less classy topics whenever you can. You need to prepare to discuss current affairs, politics, literature, art, cultural events and anything else that demonstrates that you are a well-rounded individual, aware of what's going on on the planet. Being elegant is not just about the look: even your words must demonstrate your subtlety.
- You don't have to artificially force the discussion of sophisticated topics into a conversation if the people around you are talking about something else. However, if you naturally bring up a sought-after topic or if people around you are already discussing something like this, you need to be prepared to step in.
- If you've recently traveled or read something interesting about another culture, you can share this information with other people. Just make sure you don't end up boring them by listing a whole bunch of irrelevant data.
- Here are some of the more sophisticated topics: museums, good wine, foreign cultures and languages, travel experiences, political movements, philosophy, literature and cinema.
Step 2. Avoid discussing topics that people find uncomfortable
Knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what you shouldn't talk about. While you don't have to completely censor yourself and end up looking like someone else, if you want to appear sophisticated you have to put aside the discussion of typical topics that make others embarrassed, roll their eyes or generally push them. to want to leave. Here are some topics you should avoid talking about if you want to sound sophisticated:
- How much money do you make.
- Bodily functions.
- Your latest conquest.
- How drunk you got last night.
Step 3. Learn to speak more than one language
Don't take a French course just because you want to look sophisticated, but know that if you really want to look fine then you need to have an open mind and some knowledge about other cultures and how people from different countries live; the easiest way to do this is to master a foreign language. This will take time, but it will make you look absolutely more sophisticated.
- Study abroad for a semester or on the occasion of a summer program. Complete immersion is a great way to learn a foreign language.
- Take a course with a language tutor or ask a friend who speaks a foreign language to help you in exchange for a favor.
- Learning a language is not just about absorbing a series of words and expressions. It means assimilating how another group of people live their life.
Step 4. Avoid swearing
If you want to be sophisticated, then you have to resist the urge to swear like a sailor. You should also avoid using overly vulgar language, referring to your private parts or discussing another person's body in a rude way. If you want to show that you have sophisticated thoughts, you can't go around scattering bad words in every sentence. Maintain awareness of the vocabulary you use and make sure you avoid anything that is offensive or that makes you look like a 13-year-old.
If you happen to swear by mistake or use an unpolite term, apologize. It's okay to admit you made a mistake
Step 5. Improve your vocabulary
Truly sophisticated people have a versatile vocabulary and are able to use the perfect word in any context. If you want to be fine, then you have to aggregate more words besides "good" and "bad" to your repertoire of adjectives to be able to describe things in elaborate, erudite and well thought out language. Here are some excellent ways to improve your vocabulary:
- Do the crossword puzzles.
- Spend time with people who speak in polished language.
- Read, read a lot.
- Watch sophisticated movies.
- Look for words you don't know.
Step 6. Conduct sophisticated debates
Wanted people are able to get involved in healthy and friendly debates that don't turn into quarrels. If you find yourself disagreeing with someone, behave in a kind and polite manner, without accusing as you continue to support your refined arguments about art, politics, or any other topic that makes you disagree. Don't resort to insults or anger in the middle of an argument; rather, rely on your knowledge to prove your point, and never make the other person feel smaller or more foolish than you.
- Act like you have something to learn from the other person, even if you think you're right. Being stubborn and short-sighted is not sophisticated.
- If you happen to get angry, apologize and take a minute to cool down the hot spirits.
Step 7. Talk about yourself modestly
Part of being sophisticated means conveying an air of quiet confidence, without wanting to flaunt at any cost. So when discussing anything you've done at school or work, make sure you don't talk about how awesome, smart, or bright you are. If you've really done something great, then people will recognize it without you needing to flaunt it. In case you want to sound sophisticated, you need to practice modesty, don't put on airs, and earn the respect of others by talking about yourself as if you were a normal person, even if you are actually Bill Clinton.
- If you've run a marathon, don't say "Oh, man, that was easy." Be honest about the challenge you faced.
- Don't run the list of your wonderful awards and honors in front of the people. Let them know through other means.
Part 3 of 4: Having Sophisticated Interests
Step 1. Cultivate fine hobbies
If you want to be sophisticated, then you can't just look like it because of the look and what you say, you also have to do fine things. There are various hobbies and interests of this type to consider, and you should pick one, or more than one, that is really meaningful to you. Having sophisticated hobbies will not only make you more refined, it will also give you more chances to find other people like you and give you sophisticated topics to talk about. Here are some popular hobbies among classy people:
- Tennis.
- Badminton.
- Golf.
- Collecting records.
- Cooking refined dishes.
- Collecting quality wines.
- Travel.
- Light.
- Watch movies.
- Going around museums.
- Practice ballroom dances.
- Go sailing.
- Gardening.
- Antiques.
- Yoga.
- Martial arts.
- Running and marathons.
- Boating.
- Horse racing.
- Go to the theater.
Step 2. Follow the news
If you want to be sophisticated, then you need to know what's going on in the world. You need to be up to date with current events so that you know how the globe works on a daily basis and that you can contribute to conversations regarding changes in politics, the arts, the media or local government. Make sure you watch the news for at least 15 minutes a day or, better yet, make the effort to read the news for at least 15-30 minutes a day, whether you do it in the morning, at work, or on your commute.
- Get your news from the highest possible amount of sources. If you only read the news in Corriere della Sera or Il Sole 24 Ore, then you will be less inclined to develop an objective perspective.
- If you are really busy during the week, make the effort to read the newspapers on Saturdays and Sundays quite thoroughly so that you get an idea of what you are missing.
Step 3. Be well educated
This is a must if your aim is to be really sophisticated. Having some knowledge about classic works of literature as well as contemporary books will make you a more well-rounded, interesting and refined person. While it is difficult to carve out time and space in your busy schedule, try to read at least two to three books a month, or more, if you can. Here are some ways to be a more educated individual:
- Stop watching stupid TV shows and opt for a good book instead; stop listening to pop music and choose an audiobook to listen to on your way to work.
- Join a reading club. This will motivate you to read regularly.
- Read the books listed on the Modern Library's Top 100 Novels list.
- Read extensively. Don't just read fictional books, based on real facts or just about one country. Read books of different genres, which represent various cultures.
- Make a list of the books you want to read before the end of the year. See how many you can tick off the list.
- If you want to look sophisticated, make sure you know that George Eliot was a woman and that Evelyn Waugh was a man.
- Learn to pronounce the names of foreign writers. For example, "Proust" is pronounced "Prust", because this is how the diphthong "ou" in French is articulated.
Step 4. Love and appreciate other cultures
You don't have to leave your city to learn to like other cultures, although traveling is an excellent way to improve your sophistication. You can enjoy other cultures in an almost infinite number of ways, from watching movies to eating dishes from other cuisines, to interacting with people from different cultures, who can teach you a couple of things. Being sophisticated means not looking like a person who has no idea what a foreign word or a term in your own language means, you need to have a vast culture.
- Make it a habit to taste dishes from different cultures at least once a week. Don't always eat the same dishes every day.
- Watch a foreign film at least once or twice a month. You will be surprised at how much you can learn about other cultures. Check out great foreign films, such as “A Separation”, “The Lives of Others”, “Amour” or any of Pedro Almodóvar's films to start with. Contemporary films tend to be a little more accessible.
- If you have friends who grew up in another country, get in the habit of asking them about their backgrounds and the particularities of their cultures (without being annoying).
- Do you still go to school? If you have the chance, join a French, Latin or other club, the important thing is that it introduces you to a different culture, take this opportunity. Don't be afraid to learn something new. For example, the Russian Culture Club in Westfield, New Jersey, USA, had 40 members at its very first meeting.
Step 5. Appreciate the arts
You will need to know the difference between a Picasso and an El Greco if you want to be sophisticated. You don't have to know every little detail about art, music, literature, opera, ballet, film or any other kind of art there is to be truly refined, but you should try to have at least some vague knowledge. of as many limbs as possible. You can't do everything, but you should try to sound like a person who knows what they're talking about when someone mentions Godard or Goya.
Get in the habit of doing at least one cultural activity once a week. Which means you can also watch a movie, go to an art gallery opening, attend a ballet or opera show, or a concert
Step 6. Travel as much as possible
Traveling is a great way to broaden your horizons, become an open minded person, and have a firmer understanding of how the world works. If you have a good budget, then try to visit a foreign country once a year as often as possible. In case you can't, try traveling to a nearby city or region when you have the time and money. You can learn a lot about the world by seeing how people live elsewhere.
- If you can't afford to travel at all or are too busy to go anywhere, try following a travel channel or program that explores exotic destinations when you have time. This will give you some insight into how people from other countries live.
- Traveling will also help you have a more sophisticated conversation with people who have known other countries. If someone has just returned from Paris, you can ask them "Did you like the Louvre?" and start an interesting dialogue on the subject. But beware, reading about the Louvre could help you in a similar way.
Step 7. Learn to drink wine
Sipping on it doesn't mean gulping down a box of wine sold in cartons in your university parking lot before the biggest inter-university football match. It means knowing how to appreciate wine from different regions, understanding how to recognize the different types and flavors that you can find in a glass. Here are some things you will need to master if you want to be refined:
- The different types of wine. Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are some common red wines you might try; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Reisling and Pinot Grigio are among the white wines you could taste.
- Wine tastings. To try the wine, shake it in the glass, smell it gently and then sip it in a calm and conscious way. Do not throw the whole glass down without noticing the richness of the flavors.
- Pair wine with food. White wines tend to combine better with certain types of fish, while red wine can enhance the flavors of a rich steak.
- Dessert wines. If you really like wine, you can enjoy a glass of sherry or port after a meal. Do not drink this wine during the main meal.
- Identify the aromas. Does the wine have a hint of oak, not oak, earthy or fruity? Can you feel a touch of chocolate, blackberries or oranges? You will have a refined palate with practice.
- Serve the wine right. White wine should be served cold, while red wine should be kept out of the refrigerator. Don't put ice cubes in white wine to cool it, unless you want to look unsophisticated.
- Air your wine. Let the red wine breathe for a few minutes before drinking it. Better yet, pour it into a decanter or glass through an aerator.
Step 8. Be yourself but behave with class
To be truly sophisticated you have to act naturally by presenting yourself at your best, you don't have to pretend to be someone else and do things you don't appreciate.
- When you try a sophisticated new thing, it's totally acceptable that you don't find it interesting. You may not like caviar, but that doesn't mean you're unsophisticated.
- You don't have to smoke or drink to be sophisticated. A lot of people of a certain class do not appreciate any of these vices.
- You can even take an interest in the mainstream. You don't have to pretend that you despise football, for example, or hate shopping malls.
- Being sophisticated doesn't mean being snobbish. Rather, show yourself as a tastefully dressed, well-educated, cultured person with a purpose in life. Sometimes sophistication is confused with presumption. A snobbish person looks down on others, especially if they are not neatly dressed, polite, dignified, and so on. Instead, those who are really sophisticated are distinguished by their courtesy, great friendliness and an open mind, but above all they always have a kind word for others.
Part 4 of 4: Behaving in a Sophisticated Way
Step 1. Spend time with sophisticated people
Refined companionship will improve your level of sophistication. You shouldn't give up all your friends in the spur of the moment just because they're not as fine as you'd like them to be; you should, however, aim to hang out with more cultured, interesting and open-minded people, in order to increase the elaboration of your thoughts.
You can meet sophisticated people in reading clubs, conventions, gallery openings and other such events, poetry readings, concerts and any art-inspired event
Step 2. Don't lose your cool
Being sophisticated means that you should behave decently in public. You shouldn't get angry, upset about something, be emotional, stressed out, or show any general signs of weakness when you're around other people. Of course it's okay to occasionally demonstrate vulnerability, but you should be known for having a calm and balanced disposition.
If you happen to get angry in public, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths until you feel like you are returning to normal
Step 3. Avoid getting too drunk in public
It is sophisticated to sip a glass of rosé or white wine on your patio, it is not refined to be seen tripping over a bar, falling between chairs and not being able to eat properly due to a hangover. If you want to be sophisticated but have awkward drinking habits, then it's time to change that. Next time you go out, try not to have more than a drink or two, or try drinking until you feel slightly confused, then stop.
If you want people to think you are sophisticated, then they should take you seriously. And no one takes seriously a person who can't control himself when he drinks
Step 4. Give off a calm and safe vibration
While security is not synonymous with sophistication, they are both qualities of people who seem to know what they are doing. If you are sophisticated, then you are not immature, unsure of yourself, or generally inept. You can demonstrate your skills by operating with quiet confidence whenever you can. This means staying upbeat by showing that you love who you are and what you do, and not throwing yourself headlong into questioning who you are and what you do.
- There is a big difference between being confident and showing off. You can show that you love yourself without talking about how great you are.
- It is good to ask for advice; in fact, admitting that you need it denotes character. But if you ask for opinions every five seconds, then it will seem like you don't believe in yourself.
Step 5. Treat other people with respect
You may think that being sophisticated means acting snobbish, being too cool to go to school, and blowing smoke rings in people's faces. Instead, to be truly refined, you have to show that you respect other human beings and that you think all people deserve to be regarded as your equal, even if they are not as cultured or refined as you are. Whether you are talking to an old friend, a new acquaintance or a stranger in line behind you at the bar, you should always be polite, kind and helpful when comparing yourself to others.
- If someone doesn't know much about a topic, don't act like you're a genius because you know. Instead, take the opportunity to share your knowledge (in case this person wants to know more).
- Being polite is a huge sign not only of your maturity, but also of your sophistication. Keep the door for people, do not pass in front of others when you are in line, say "Please" and "Thank you" whenever necessary.
- Pay attention to your facial expressions and your body language, as they can betray your thoughts. Above all, think about the thought associations and metaphors you use in conversations, because they clearly reveal what you really think.
