Elegance is more than looking good

NEW YORK (AP) -- Elegance is defined by refinement, poise, good manners and grace, not glamour, according to a poll of affluent Americans conducted for watchmaker Longines.
Of the 1,777 people with household incomes of $75,000 or more that were surveyed by Harris Interactive, 75 percent said that elegance is something you learn. They also said elegance is an attitude and is associated with luxury and expensive pursuits but that does not necessarily equate to assets, income or intelligence.
More than 60 percent of the respondents also thought that elegance is dying out, while three in 10 people considered themselves elegant.
"The results are an interesting window into how elegance is perceived and understood. Clearly looking good is just step one the survey shows that the idea of elegance is also in how you conduct yourself," said Stacy London, co-host of TLC's "What Not to Wear" and a spokeswoman for Longines.
When it comes to fashion, older respondents cited Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass as elegant designers, while the younger groups favored newer brands, such as Prada, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & amp; Gabbana.