Every woman has the ability to create a lasting impression of herself.
She brands herself through her words, actions, and appearance.
Think of famous women who are remembered (and currently known) for being extremely classy!
Audrey Hepburn, Kate Middleton, Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Amal Clooney – to name a few!
Each woman builds a reputation and brand based on her words, actions, and appearance.
Being classy and elegant often reap the reward of being treated with respect and dignity.
In the Bible, the Proverbs 31 Woman was the definition of classy. Today, her actions are still emulated by Christian women.
Below are 17 timeless characteristics of a classy woman that you can put into practice.
Although not all of them are necessarily “biblical”, they define what a classy woman is – inside and out.
1.) Don’t Complain
This is not referring to having a bad day and needing to call a friend.
This is referring to your reputation among your casual friends, acquaintances, and coworkers.
If you are known as a chronic complainer, that isn’t classy!
It is an annoying habit that most people would prefer to not be around.
If you can identify a pattern of complaining in your life, work on focusing this habit in the opposite direction.
There is always something to be positive about!
Perhaps it’s the weather, your health, your steady job, your coworker’s new shoes, or something special that God has done in your life recently! Find a way to be positive or don’t say anything at all.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
2.) Take Care of Your Appearance
Yes, we all love our messy buns and sweatpants – and that is totally fine!
But if you are going out to an event, family get-together, date night, girls night out, or a work event, fix yourself up a bit.
Putting on a nice outfit and doing your hair and makeup can sometimes make you feel a lot better!
Taking care of your body and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also incredibly important!
Although it is nice to take care of your appearance, your character is most important.
You can spend your whole life striving for beauty, and fail to focus on what really matters to God.
I Corinthians 6: 19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
3.) Stop Being Jealous
Have you ever felt jealous of your friend’s success, your neighbor’s new car, your sibling’s home renovation, your coworker’s outfit, or your friend’s toned body?
Jealousy is an awful habit that will eat away at your happiness.
It will create bitterness and resentment that will turn you into an ugly individual – someone no one wants to be around.
Always know that you aren’t competing with anyone! You are your own woman, created with your own purpose.
James 3:16 “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
4.) You Don’t Always Have To Explain Yourself
Many women suffer with a deep insecurity about who God made them to be.
Have you ever found yourself explaining aspects of your life to people who have no business knowing?
You don’t need to explain yourself.
You can simply not answer their question, change the subject, or calmly say, “That is not something I am willing to share.”
Stand tall and be confident in your decision to stand up for yourself! It is classy knowing when to talk – and when not to.
Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
5.) Ere on the Side of Modesty
Although it is an unpopular topic in today’s society, a woman is treated differently based off of her clothing choices.
It is a man’s fault if he has a habit of objectifying women, but it is the woman’s fault if she knowingly wears revealing clothes.
If you have the mentality of “It is his fault if he looks!” you are cruising towards branding yourself as a sexy lady who is nothing more than eye candy.
A classy lady wants to be seen for her intelligence and elegance, not her butt and boobs.
Wherever you go, always remember that you are always branding yourself, regardless of your surroundings.
I Timothy 2:9-10 “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel…with what is proper for women who profess godliness.”
6.) Be Punctual
Be a woman of your word, and that means that you need to show up on time.
If you are supposed to meet at 7:00, be there at 6:45 at the latest. It is very classy to be prompt and on time.
You know the saying, “Fashionably late!” When it becomes a habit, there is nothing fashionable about it.
Always try to treat other people’s time with the respect it deserves.
Philippians 2:4 “…not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
7.) Don’t Use Vulgar Language
We live in a generation where it is very common for people to use extremely vulgar language in everyday life!
Fowl language is not classy – ever.
There is a reason that television networks only allow certain words to be publically broadcasted.
Thankfully, there is still a social stigma surrounding certain words, regardless of how many people say them!
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”
Ephesians 5:4 “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
8.) Always Bring a Host/Hostess Gift
If you are invited to someone’s home for a party or event, never arrive empty-handed.
Even if they say, “Just bring yourselves!” try to bring a small host or hostess gift.
Everyone loves a candle, a bouquet of flowers, a small, potted succulent plant (super popular these days), or a pack of lovely napkins – something small that says, “Thank-you for welcoming me into your home.”
9.) Say “Please and Thank-you”
It is very surprising to see how many people no longer say “Yes, Please” and “No, thank-you”.
The art of gratitude is a dying skill!
When someone is kind, be grateful and kind in return.
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
10.) Be a Woman of Your Word
A classy woman keeps her promises.
She has a reputation of being respectable and consistent. When she says she is going to do something, she fulfills her promise.
If you are asked to do something and you don’t want to do it, say “No. I am unable to do that.”
Don’t make promises that you don’t intend to keep or that you don’t want to fulfill just to appease someone in the moment.
Again, you don’t need to explain yourself. Whatever you do, be honest and dependable.
Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
I John 2:5-6 “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
11.) Don’t Gossip or Badmouth
Even though it can be an unfair stereotype at times, women do get a “bad rap” for spreading rumors and creating exaggerated stories.
Don’t let this behavior be something that you allow into your life.
If a rumor is passed on to you, let it die! “I’m sure that person will improve over time,” or “If you feel this is an issue, you should go talk to them.”
Allowing gossip to become a part of your life can be very damaging to your credibility.
Proverbs 20:19 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
Proverbs 16:28 “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
12.) Walk Confidently and Sit Up Straight
Although this is not a biblical principle, this step does make you look quite classy!
Keep your back straight and your shoulders back.
When you walk tall and confidently, people assume that you are prepared and confident.
In turn, you will feel more empowered and self-assured internally. When you slouch, you are minimizing your body, appearing uncertain and unconfident.
Confidence is very classy!
13.) Smile
Classy people know the power of a warm smile!
It shows warmth, confidence, and approachability.
Positivity is contagious and people typically enjoy being around others who possess this character quality.
Have you ever talked to someone that had a warm, genuine smile? This personal quality helps people relax and warm up to you quicker.
Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
14.) Don’t Dominate Conversations
There is nothing more annoying than a self-centered person who can talk about nothing but themselves.
Relationships are always a two-way street.
Take a genuine interest in someone and ask them questions about themselves. You will never learn anything with your mouth open.
Allow the conversation to flow between you and the person you are talking with.
Awkward pauses are normal and they can help the conversation to flow naturally, from subject to subject.
James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”
15.) Don’t Give a Compliment Unless You Mean It
Don’t say something insincere and fake.
If you don’t like her dress, don’t tell her you love it. There are other ways to show kindness than insincere flattery.
When you give a compliment, it should be a genuine relaxation of your character. When you say something, you should mean it.
Proverbs 29:5 “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.”
Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
16.) PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY!
One of the class-less things you can do is to be on your phone when you should be talking to someone.
Your Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat will always be there! But the person sitting in front of you will not!
When you are having a conversation with someone, put down your phone and look at them.
Better yet, put it in your purse or tuck it in a pocket. Put it on silent, so you won’t be tempted to look at it if it buzzes.
Don’t be that girl that everyone will remember as “the one obsessed with her phone.”
Put the phone away and have a real conversation!
17.) Make Small Gestures of Kindness
If you see someone is going through something difficult or they are simply on your mind for no reason, do something small for them!
Write them a note, send them a little gift, take them out for coffee, anonymously send a gift card, or drop off a meal.
Sometimes, God puts someone on our hearts for a reason that we may never know.
Small gestures of kindness can go a long way!
Galatians 6:10 “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Class and elegance are two dying arts! And yet, they are still timeless.
Remember, a woman brands herself through her words, actions, and appearance.
If you are currently branding yourself as a classy lady, put some of these pointers into practice.
But always remember, you can be the “classiest” lady around and be doing nothing for the glory of God!
