Effortless style is a term often thrown around in the fashion world and the meaning can be somewhat ambiguous. Many women, including myself, are always striving for effortless style. The meaning of this can vary from person to person, but for me, effortless style is not too polished or too put together. I want there to be an ease to my look, like I didn’t try too hard. The crux of this style is, however, that although a look may appear effortless, that doesn’t actually translate to less effort (I know, ugh.) An ‘effortless’ look is actually well thought out, and it can often take time to put together, adjust, and tweak. However, this style is definitely not out of reach, and with time, it does get easier to nail it on the first try. In this post, I’m giving you a few tips for looking more ‘effortless’ along with a few outfit ideas as well.
Tips For Creating An Effortless Look
- You need to think about more than just your clothing. Consider your hair and makeup as well. Personally, my wavy (and also usually frizzy) hair definitely contributes to my overall effortless vibe. Try wearing your hair a little less ‘done’ to accomplish this look. You could try air drying your hair to add a little wave. Washing your hair at night and sleeping with it in a braid can help to create some natural waves as well. And while makeup is definitely a personal choice and you should wear (or not wear) as much or as little as you like, for an effortless look, I think a more natural ‘no makeup’ makeup look is the way to go.
- Effortless style is less about the pieces you choose and more about how you style them. For instance, a classic button down shirt looks much more effortless if you roll the sleeves, pull the neckline open, and wear it untucked. As with your hair, always leave something a little undone, maybe a shirt untucked, a loose sweater over your shoulders, some buttons undone, etc.
- Keep it simple. While I love watching runway shows and getting inspiration from maximalist street style, I will always prefer a simple look with a minimal color palette and a few thoughtful layers and accessories. I want there to be an ease to my outfit, and if I’m wearing too much color or too many layers or accessories, it feels fussy and complicated.
- Wear comfortable clothes. As I’ve said, effortless style is less about the actual clothes and more about how you wear them. If you feel pinched or squeezed or you have to keep adjusting something, you will not be comfortable and your look will not feel effortless. In my 20s and early 30s, I would sacrifice style for comfort most days, often wearing three inch heels and jeans that made it difficult to sit down. Now I opt for looser, oversized styles in good quality fabrics that feel good on my body.
- Confidence is everything. Effortless style is a vibe. When you see someone who exudes effortless style, it is less about what they’re wearing and more about their overall confidence. Wear clothes that make you feel good and wear them with confidence.
Three Effortless Summer Looks
Look One
A plain white tee definitely reads ‘I didn’t try too hard,” and, when paired with a pair of perfect fitting denim shorts and some wavy hair, this look feels very effortless to me. Plus, it’s super comfortable and means I can move around with ease which also makes the overall look more natural and effortless.
Look Two
As a millennial, the urge to tuck in my shirt is very strong, but lately, I’ve been testing out some untucked looks, and I’m feelin’ it. This outfit’s effortlessness comes from the undone look of the shirt and the relaxed fit of the pants. Nothing is too tight or constricting, and the whole look just drapes nicely over my frame. This striped top and cotton pants look is one I could wear all morning, afternoon, and into the evening without feeling like I need to change into lounge clothes. And, if effortless and chic are some of your personal style words, stripes are always the right choice.
Look Three
Sometimes achieving effortless style means trying silhouettes that are new to you. This look with a linen button down and white cotton skirt is one I’ve never worn before but have been wanting to try. The effortlessness comes from the fabric choices (linen and cotton are an easy breezy option for summer) and the styling of the button down which I’ve worn untucked with the sleeves rolled and the neckline open.
I hope this post gave you a clearer idea of effortless style and how to achieve it. Like I mentioned, it’s less about the clothes and more about styling and confidence.
Read More:
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