Is comfort the enemy of elegance? 👒
2026
4/17/20264 min read
Last week I talked about how we perceive different aspects of different eras as either modern or quaint.
Personally, the era I look back on most fondly is the 1950s and 60s.
And to be precise—if I could choose—I would live in 1950s Paris or Milan.
Why?
Because of my love for the aesthetics of that era.
I'm talking about the Western, glamorous aesthetic that bleeds through the archival images, films, music, and fashion of that era. The era of Maria Callas and Audrey Hepburn's elegance, and Gianni Agnelli's sprezzatura.
Now, I'm well aware that in terms of social and ideological matters, I'm probably far better off living in this day and age. (Only those who actually lived back then could tell me what was genuinely better—and what wasn't.)
But purely aesthetically speaking, that's the era I'd want to lay my eyes on every day.
Alas, the current world looks nothing like the 50s.
Quite frankly, the world is full of eyesores if you're someone who loves 50s aesthetics.
Seeing someone wearing Crocs in the city could have me gasping for air.
Seeing sports leggings worn as normal pants in the city could give me a heart attack.
But I choose to ignore these eyesores for my own welfare. 🤪
Instead, I try to remind myself they are interesting cultural and historical phenomena, not purely fashion-senseless individual decisions.
After all, no one would be able to wear those Crocs or sports leggings if no one had invented and mass-produced them.
But the complex and controversial topic of mass-market fashion shall be tackled on another day.
…
I've attempted to write this post in so many ways by now, but here's my take on how the 1950s differs from our vestiary landscape today.
There existed a general expectation for people to make an effort to look put-together wherever they went. It wasn't just about looking aesthetically pleasing—it was about showing respect for oneself, for others, and for the occasion.
Outfits were more formal, structured, and well-fitting generally speaking.
Garments and accessories were made to last, often from high-quality natural materials.
To some of you, these characteristics point to a reality where comfort had much less say in outfits than it does now. But to me they sound quite appealing.
Thinking of this era sometimes even tempts me to become a 50s purist who only wears clothing styles of that era—but then I always end up coming to my senses.
I love streetwear too much to want to completely abandon it. Plus, I appreciate the comfort of some of the excellent synthetic and technical materials we have today (think underwear in the 50s vs. now…).
…
My real issue with today's outfits is that their aesthetic value is too easily sacrificed in the name of comfort.
Many people seem to have a hard time believing it's even possible to create outfits that are both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable—but I believe in it completely.
I just think people have lost their touch for creating such outfits, and it's no wonder.
Most dressing conventions of the previous century have been questioned, if not abandoned, and there are far fewer expectations to dress according to the occasion. And since you're required to dress a certain way in fewer and fewer contexts—why make the effort?
In other words, we have too much free rein when it comes to choosing outfits. And having too many acceptable options leads most people to feel paralyzed rather than inspired.
The only people thriving in this landscape are the ones who enjoy finding fun combinations of items with different historical connotations and cultural registers—but the rest of us would probably benefit from a few clear rules of thumb.
People still want to look good in their clothes, but it's much harder to get there when there are too many easy, bad options around us. So we default to the most comfortable thing within reach.
Yet, we all know from looking back at fashion history that comfort is just as stretchy a concept as a pair of Lululemon leggings. Comfort is often deeply tied to confidence, and we all know how a slightly more structured garment can make you feel far more confident than a droopy hoodie.
So it's a shame how much more effort it takes to find well-fitting, good quality clothes. Buying a cheap, plasticky fast-fashion item is so much easier, even though you know you'll have to throw it out after a few washes.
The good quality pieces are out there—it just takes commitment to find them, and to find the balance between comfort and aesthetics.
I’d say the first experiment to run in this pursuit is to take a look at your closet and check the condition of each piece of clothing and each pair of shoes you have. Sometimes we just don’t even notice how worn out some of our items have gotten over the years.
I noticed this myself when I first moved to Paris—suddenly my clothes felt frumpy next to how put-together people around me were. And I know I’ll have to repair or get rid of some items again soon.
I’ll share more thoughts on our current aesthetics compared to the 50s next week, but until then I’ll leave you with this question to reflect on:
What do you think is the hardest part about being put-together and wearing good quality clothes these days?
Have an elegant weekend!
Bisous,
Elle
P.S. Major life update: I’ve found an apartment in Paris! My application documents were far from what's normally required. But fortunately a nice real estate agent liked me and picked me for the apartment. 🤩 So I’ll be moving in shortly and I can finally start my life as a working girl in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Can't wait…