I’m asked a lot about the definition of Chic.
It’s not surprising given that I’ve run a company with Chic in the title for the last ten years and the definition is plastered all over my site. But I think the key difference in how I define chic and how others define chic is in this explanation you’ll find on our homepage.
Back in 2004 when I was looking to name my events company, I stumbled across the word ‘Chic’ in an old dictionary. The definition was: “a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit”. I fell in love with the word and the idea that chic is the pursuit of something better, prettier, or cooler than you are today. Chic isn’t a state of being or even a destination, chic is the journey you take on the way to something greater.
You see, as far as I’m concerned, you’re chic just for trying. You’re chic just for showing up. You’re chic because today you decided to spend three extra minutes curling your hair, ironing your shirt or cutting the crust of your five year old’s sandwich. You’re chic because you took the stairs. You’re chic because you chose the side salad over the fries. You’re chic because you put on a statement necklace, a bold lipstick or you managed to keep your newborn alive AND take a shower before your spouse came home from work.
So many people are selling chic these days. They want you to believe that if you buy this bottle, that throw pillow, the right mascara, the “good” bra, or this magazine… you’ll be chic just like them! But I believe that all you truly need to do to be chic, is just try to be a little bit better every day.
Sometimes your try is going to be epic. It’ll take the shape of a perfectly brined turkey that’s set just so on the Thanksgiving table with the cornucopia centerpiece you made by hand.
Sometimes your try is going to be small… maybe as simple as remembering to change the laundry over before it mildews (again!).
Sometimes your try might seem small to others but utterly epic for you… like battling a crippling desire to stay hidden in bed but forcing yourself to get up and take care of your babies because they need mommy to find her strength, even if it isn’t readily available.
Anyone can remain stagnant. It’s easy to stay in that same place with the same routine, accepting whatever life decides to hand you. But the warriors, those of you who encourage this new definition of chic, are the ones who are willing to try just a little bit harder. Chic is being a little bit better every day. I hope you’ll remember that readers. I hope you know how amazing and powerful and chic you really are. I hope you’ll print out the quote we made for you below and pin it, tape it, attach it somewhere you can see it everyday. I hope it inspires you to try harder. I hope it reminds you how utterly fabulous you are. Remember friends, by an inch or a mile, chic is just trying be a little bit better than who you are today. I know you can do it because you already are! xo, Rachel
