Eliza Hartley
People who exude elegance aren’t necessarily wealthy or come from a higher social status.
Instead, what determines this are their qualities, attitudes, and behaviors. It’s from the way they carry themselves that others can see their sophistication and class.
Elegant people are pleasant to be around and they earn the respect of those around them.
So how do you know if you’re a genuinely elegant person?
Today, we’ll dive into 6 traits that determine this, according to psychology.
1) You have respect for others.
While people can pretend to be nice to others, genuine respect takes effort and a willingness to do so – especially when you don’t know or dislike the person.
But genuinely elegant people show their respect regardless of whoever the person around them is.
They believe that people should be treated with dignity and respect, even when no one’s looking.
According to psychologists, showing others respect involves treating them with courtesy. Through this, there’s a likelihood of compliance, and a chance to build feelings of trust, safety, and positive wellbeing in general.
This is why genuinely elegant people are so well-received within their communities. They value the presence of the people around them and make them feel belonged and heard.
And people often yearn to be valued and treated with courtesy. In fact, this may even be a baseline expectation when someone interacts with another.
Therefore, if you’re someone who respects others regardless of their status, where they come from, or looks, you’re likely a genuinely elegant person.
2) You’re open-minded.
Not everyone is willing to have an open mind and accept different points of view.
Some hold on to their opinions and disregard anything else that isn’t aligned with what they believe in.
Others may even pretend to agree with different viewpoints just to put on a facade to show that they’re open-minded, but genuinely elegant people are different.
They know how to be objective. While it’s true that our upbringing and education shape the way we see the world, and influence our opinions about certain things, it doesn’t stop us from being open to alternative viewpoints.
Genuinely classy people know that expanding their worldview to take in alternative views – even those that do not align with theirs – helps them connect with others better.
They’re able to make others around them feel valued and connected. It’s what sets them apart from the rest.
If you enjoy seeking out new experiences and maintain an open mind when you speak to people who may be vastly different from you, you’re likely to have a genuinely elegant personality.
3) You’re confident but not arrogant.
There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.
Confidence inspires and empowers while arrogance is driven by the idea that one is better than everyone else. Arrogant people have the tendency to put people down so that they can feel better about themselves.
What sets confident people apart is that they’re driven to achieve their goals, know how to make a good first impression, and position themselves as credible individuals, which consequently, put people at ease – according to psychology.
If you’re a confident person, you’re likely also a genuinely elegant person.
It’s also a trait that’s tough to fake. While people can pretend to put on a strong front, it takes practice to develop true confidence, which comes from recognizing your self-worth and truly understanding your capabilities – as opposed to overestimating them, while respecting and valuing the people around you.
4) You’re calm under pressure.
Not everyone can work well under pressure. Most people get overwhelmed and will react by breaking down, giving up, or worse, letting it out on others.
But elegant people know how to work under stress.
According to psychology, elegant people have good temperance – they focus on not being too extreme in whatever they do by prioritizing moderation.
If they’re going through a difficult time, they have sufficient self-awareness and self-management to regulate their emotions to avoid lashing out at others.
They may share their struggles with someone they trust, or let out their anger through exercise, having a good meal, or having some drinks with friends – yet all done in a responsible manner.
Are you someone who’s able to control their emotions well? People may even regard you as a reliable person because you’re able to commit to what you promise to deliver, regardless of the situation.
If so, you’re someone who exudes elegance, because of your ability to manage your emotions.
5) You have a willingness to learn.
Humility is central to an elegant personality.
Being humble means accepting that there’s a lot out there that you don’t know, and this positions you to be receptive to those who know more than you do.
Elegant people have a willingness to learn. They’re open to new information and are receptive to correction.
When they make mistakes, they don’t blame others. They take it upon themselves to improve while seeking feedback from others.
And it’s this trait that makes people enjoy being around elegant people. Their humility and openness – regardless of how smart or knowledgeable they are – sets them apart from those who pretend to know everything.
This trait is also centered around respect, as they acknowledge that connecting with others starts by being open and receptive to new ideas.
6) You make it a point to dress well.
Other than having positive traits, elegant people take pride in their outward appearance. This is different from being vain.
They make it a point to dress appropriately for an occasion because it shows respect for the host and the attendees.
When an event is set in a more formal setting, do you try to pick more professional outfits? Do you take note of how you present yourself beyond your attire as well – such as your hair, nails, and even, scent?
You’d be surprised to know that some people don’t even bother to brush their teeth or shower before heading off to a gathering.
And this is what sets elegant people apart from the rest. While we don’t want to overly focus on appearance, we cannot deny that maintaining a decent appearance heavily influences the impressions people make of you.
Hence, if you want to have an elegant personality, it’s important to dress the part and make sure that you’re presented well and decently.
Concluding thoughts
After reading this article, do you see yourself as a genuinely elegant person or do you find that there is still room for improvement?
If you’re someone who relates to most or all of the signs in this article, then congrats – continue being unabashedly yourself!
If there’s still room for growth, the best time to do so is now. Rather than focus on wanting to become an elegant person, focus on how this would affect the people around you and your overall well-being.
These traits will not only benefit you in navigating various environments, but they can also inspire others to become better individuals.
