sartorial elegance

Meaning

1. 1noununcountableformalapproving

   A graceful, stylish way of dressing that shows good taste, careful tailoring and attention to detail.

   Grammar: No plural and no a: he is known for his sartorial elegance.

   Patterns

   • sartorial elegance of someone
   • known for his sartorial elegance

   The old actor was famous for his sartorial elegance, even on rainy days.

   She walked into the meeting with effortless sartorial elegance.

   Nobody could match the sartorial elegance of the head waiter, with his crisp jacket and polished shoes.

Common combinations

known for sartorial elegance

The diplomat was known for his sartorial elegance.

a model of sartorial elegance

Her grandfather was a model of sartorial elegance.

effortless sartorial elegance

The film star showed effortless sartorial elegance.

display sartorial elegance

The guests displayed sartorial elegance at the gala.

lack sartorial elegance

I admit I lack sartorial elegance on a camping trip.

Synonyms and how they differ

stylishness

Stylishness is plainer and can describe any fashionable quality, while sartorial elegance suggests refined, often tailored clothing.

dapperness

Dapperness describes a neat, smart look, especially in men, and sounds a little more lighthearted.

smartness

Smartness means looking tidy and well presented, but it does not suggest the refined taste that elegance does.

chic

Chic is a short, fashionable-sounding word often used for modern, urban style rather than classic tailoring.

Opposites

Word family

sartorial adjective

relating to clothes or tailoring

sartorially adverb

in a way that relates to clothing

elegant adjective

graceful and stylish

elegance noun

graceful and stylish quality

Commonly confused: sartorial elegance or sartorial?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sartorial elegance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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