Elegance, Class, Sophistication, GLAMOUR, Chic, and Style

undated publicity photo courtesy Running Press

This post is the fourth in a series about elegance, class, sophistication, glamour, chic, and style; words that are often used interchangeably when referring to attractive, well-dressed people, but which don't necessarily mean the same thing. Today, I'm going to talk about glamour...

Glamour; Exciting or mysterious attractiveness usually associated with striking physical beauty, luxury, or celebrity. Seemingly mysterious and elusive fascination or allure; charisma; bewitching charm.

Ahhh, Glamour! Of all of the words above, glamour is probably the hardest to put your finger on. Why? Because it is mysterious; unexplainable: and it's the most difficult to attain, unless you just have it; that "it"-ness that draws people in and holds them spellbound. 

To me, one of the most glamorous women in the world was Marilyn Monroe. Certainly, there are women who are more elegant, classy, and sophisticated than Marilyn; but she had that charismatic allure that was undeniable; she had glamour. And now, over fifty years after her death, she continues to be an icon of glamour.  How many women still purchase Chanel No.5 because of Marilyn's claim that she wore nothing to bed except Chanel No.5? Does it make them glamorous? Probably not; but hope springs eternal...

Other glamorous people? Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra; Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Clark Gable and Carol Lombard; William Powell and Myrna Loy. Who do you think of when you hear the word, glamour?

C