Good thread.
Online definition of refinement: "cultured elegance in behaviour or manner."
I concur with @
the on the matter of an element of going against the common man, that is, carrying oneself in a manner distinct from the rudimentary mannerisms of the 'average joe'.
I had to Google what "rube" meant (unless you meant rude), rube meaning the equivalent of a redneck or country hillbilly, or what in Australia we might call a feral or bogan (though, slightly different). I don't believe refinement and sophistication can go hand in hand with being rude or a rube.
@
bolognamacaroni's description of gracefulness is very apt, and that woman she describes seems to be the epitome of elegance and sophistication.
Society would only deem someone middle class and above, as having the possibility of being refined and sophisticated. Yet I'd say anyone, no matter their socio-economic class, may be refined and sophisticated if they are
somewhat graceful, charming, articulate, self-confident and secure within themselves, pleasant, kind, affable, polite, intellectually rounded, informed and somewhat well read, but without the air of snobbery or arrogance, and all these things must be
naturally possessed and communicated not contrived. And as @
the said, neither overdoing it, nor underdoing it. In keeping with Aristotle one might say, the refined person is a well moderated individual - whose presence is not heavy and overbearing but light and always welcome.
Edit: There's a universality to refinement and sophistication, but also a particular/relative dimension. I suppose I am describing such features in Western societies (and those societies that are quite similar) in general.