How To Cultivate Simple Sophistication into Everyday Life

Being sophisticated is typically defined as having a refined knowledge of worldly experience cultivated especially through knowledge of fashion and culture. It’s a quality that I have cultivated into my daily life through simple processes of elevating my surroundings, style and personal pursuits. Being more sophisticated is not about being wealthy.  Money just provides easier access to certain things like luxury hotels and fine dining which can help in the cultivation of sophistication.  But there are other ways to cultivate simple sophistication into everyday life that has nothing to do with a large bank account. Sophistication is more about moving through life in a more exquisite way.  A way that incorporates more beauty and elegance into everyday life.  It is easy to fall upon aspects that may be mediocre because they are trendy, cheap and easily accessible, but when one starts to refine their life in all aspects, their standards become raised, and life simply becomes more sophisticatated. The ideas listed below can help to create some sophistication into everyday life with most tips being free to implement.

-Play Instrumental Music in the Background

Whether it’s jazz, classical, or even one like this luxury hotel vibes playlist I created, instrumental music can set the tone to elevate the day and your surroundings. Put the music on first thing in the morning when getting ready or enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.  Listen to it while doing the weekly planning, while working, or reading and even while doing things like an at home spa-day. Music has an absolute effect on our environment, so when you choose sophisticated music throughout the day, you will also raise the environmental feeling as well.

-Dress Appropriately for the Occasion

Style is an important aspect of everyday life and dressing well matters. Be sure to not only dress for the essence of who want to be, but also be sure to dress appropriately for the occasion.  Whether running errands, going into the office, going to a symphony, a casual restaurant or fine dining restaurant, be sure to select a sophisticated outfit to match the occasion.

-Elevate the Presentation of Your Meals

When pursuing sophistication in everyday life it is crucial to pay attention to the details and one area where this can really set the tone is the presentation of meals. When visiting fine dining establishment one can’t help but notice the beautiful presentation of the food as it comes out. It feels luxurious and elevated, and it can set the standard for how to enjoy the meal.  Most likely one would sit up a little straighter and start to move more delicately.  Putting this into practice at home can set the habit of everyday sophistication and not just when out at nicer places.

-Drink Water from Clear Glasses

In a country that is seemingly obsessed with oversized water bottles, why not elevate this concept to a more elegant option than trendy (and pricey) water bottles? For less than the price of a Stanley cup, one can purchase this beautiful set of 12 crystal glasses for only $34.00. I have stayed in a few luxury hotels and have also dined at Michelin star restaurants and one thing they always have in common are beautiful crystal water glasses. That’s not to say that a water bottle is never needed, I have one that I will use for the gym or to go to the pool (never taken out in public), but when at home especially, I drink my water from beautiful clear glasses.

-Use Proper Sleep Attire

One area that seems to get neglected when it comes to pursuing daily sophistication is that of sleep attire. It can be assumed that if no one is going to see you, then what does it matter? But when pursuing everyday sophistication every detail matters. What we wear to bed sets the tone for how we end our days and start our mornings. Being able to go to sleep and wake up in attire that is sophisticated in manner will keep your mindset and self-image of one who infuses everyday sophistication into all aspects of their life. Start the day in a more sophisticated way and look into proper sleep attire that fits your lifestyle and let go of the oversized logo t-shirts, tank tops and sweatpants. You can always start with a simple silky nightshirt like the ones I use below from Target for only $29.99 or this beautiful cotton pajama set from Quince for only $49.90.

-Study the Art of Being an Epicurean

If you’ve never heard the phrase Epicurean before, it is defined as a connoisseur of the arts of life and the refinements of pleasures, especially for good food and drink. Become curious about the finer foods and drinks of life in indulge in those that interest you most. Purchase a box of luxury chocolates, visit a vineyard and do a wine tasting, visit a French patisserie and indulge in a delicate dessert, try luxurious food items such as truffle oil, saffron, foie gras, etc., or dress up and go to an afternoon tea or visit a fine dining establishment. Food and wine is a pillar of refined culture and can be easily incorporated into daily life for more sophistication.

-Visit Museums and Gardens

Art is the foundation of creating an everyday mindset of sophistication. When surrounded by art and culture life takes on a more sophisticated feeling which imbues elegance into daily life effortlessly. The same goes for beautiful curated gardens. Gardens are works of art themselves, just not on a canvas. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to visit historical mansions that have been owned by some of the most wealthiest families in American history.  Two things that every estate has had in common is their personal collections of art they’ve collected from all over the world and their beautifully designed gardens. Visiting museums and gardens gives the knowledge and appreciation of the fine arts world. Find a few eras or artists that you are curious about and learn more about them through reading and documentaries.  Same thing goes for gardens. Find some flowers or types of gardens you love and learn more about them. Studying the arts will always have an essence of sophistication that is basically free to pursue.

BONUS: Wear A Pair of Diamond or Pearl Stud Earrings

We couldn’t leave off without some more style inspiration for sophistication as well.  While this subject could be a whole post by itself (and it may be in the future), I wanted to leave a very easy tip for everyday sophistication and that is to wear a pair of either diamond or pearl stud earrings. A pair of diamond or pearl studs are simple, but beautiful in their presentation. They elevate any outfit and can be worn with nearly any outfit. You do not need to purchase “real” diamonds or pearls either.  A pair of crystal earrings looks just as sophisticated as the real thing. I got this pair of 3 piece crystal set from Target for only $9.99 a few years ago and they have not faded and still looks great. Same for these 3 count of pearl studs from Target for only 7.99. This is such a simple and inexpensive way to elevate any outfit effortlessly.