It's more, why can't I ever capture this air of effortlessness. And yes, yes, I know, it's not effortless, there is effort in professional photographs. And yet...

I think we all know people who look wonderful in their clothing seemingly effortlessly. These are the women who know proportion and fit and they inhabit their clothes like a second skin. I have yet to reach this promised land.

I think by using the word "model" I'm stirring up a gut response to the word "model." Which, as we all know, is shorthand for anorexic/fake/photoshopped/etc. That is not what I am saying. Clearly I am saying it badly.

Lol - I can understand wanting to look effortlessly stylish. That makes sense to me I still don't know how to do it, but it makes sense to me.

I'm just interested in the semantics and of course analysis of the whole concept. We all know artlessness is an art and effortlessness takes effort. I feel I achieve a certain panache by simply not bothering - but I don't know if it is the right panache or not!

Hmmm. I've been reading this discussion trying to figure out what's aimed at. I'm not sure I know anyone who is effortlessly elegant in her clothes 100% of the time. One of my friends, a tall, willowy and gorgeous Russian expat, looks fabulous most of the time and has a great eye for what suits her, but even she has off-days where she doesn't quite get it right, and she's told me about the bags of clothes she's donated after realizing she never should have bought them.

Public figures (who have stylists, usually) and folks you don't know that well may appear to always look stellar, but I am sure that even they have off days, you just don't see them.

I hated sewing for a long time, and still find it draining, but under the influence of Angie's blog posts about perfect fit I started looking for good hemlines, more fitted tops, etc. That updated my style in a hurry.

My mother-in-law got tired of me hauling bags over to her for altering and insisted I start learning. I have to admit that taking in side seams of tops or altering hemlines on skirts is pretty easy.

Now, though, I can be drained after finding a wonderful item - because I still have to tailor it! Almost every top, skirt, trouser, or dress I own has had something done to it. I just remind myself to persevere and enjoy the wardrobe-so-far of perfectly fitting items.

Ah, so is your question more about wearing your clothes with panache and style, IK? Because that is a much more elusive thing than wearing stylish, well-fitting clothes that suit you and your lifestyle. It's true that some women seem to be able to imbue even the most mundane items with a sense of elegance and style that goes beyond just understanding the basics of fit, proportion, and fashion.

Personally, I think I come closest when what I wear seems like an extension of who I am because the items seem to be made for my body and my life. I lose that sense when I try to emulate someone else, or try too hard to get something just right, or step too far outside of my comfort zone in the name of fashion. Maybe "effortless" dressing is just another way of recognizing the importance of developing an inner style sense instead of being seduced by the plethora of images, items, and trends that would have us equate style with consumerism?

Not even the models look like the models after they are done with all the photoshopping. Just enjoy what you love and feel good about yourself.

I agree wholeheartedly with Gaylene's latest comments. I think I come closest to this when I'm wearing something that fits me really well that I feel physically, emotionally and mentally comfortable in. My DVF wrap dress and the Rockstuds come to mind. Or that outfit the other day with the Amber Sun sweater and the tall Frye boots. Or my blue leather moto with just about anything (seriously, that thing makes me feel like a rock star every time).

I'm learning to trust the feel of an item as well as the appearance in the mirror. Some things lie on a person's body just so and contribute to that effortless look. Some *types* of items are particularly well suited to certain people and certain body types. For me, it's structured jackets, and that's why I have so many of them. For other ladies here, it's trousers, or slim jeans, or pencil skirts, or button-front blouses, or drapey knits. When we throw on one of these magical items, it meshes with our personality and style persona and looks effortless.

Very little that looks effortless is truly effortless, and pictures show only a frozen microsecond in time, and they can be endlessly manipulated. It's alllll an illuuuusion!

Sal refers to what Janet is talking about as "style alchemy":

http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....chemy.html

I feel the same

comparison is a sure path to misery ... embrace yourself and forget the models