Rachy, that's right. "Lack of (evident) strain in the finished product." it's a particular aesthetic.

As opposed to (I guess?) a "mannered" style.

I think I fall somewhere in the middle of that -- I have always loved a bit of matchy-matchy and don't mind it if people know I made an effort, but "ease" (and practicality) are also important and I rarely like to look completely "done." I.e. My fingernails are clean, but almost never polished. Hair has movement. Makeup on but light. But I'm bookending with my footwear and I'm ok with it if you call me out on that, LOL.

Mannered is a great term! I love that. I can think of a few awesome mannered styles. High-end shop girl is one.

I’m on team Make an Effort and Have It Show! Like Jenni, Suz, and others have pointed out - presenting ‘effortlessly’ means front-end loading the ‘effort’ with careful shopping and grooming far in advance of getting on with getting dressed.

Helena captures my thinking (thanks, Helena!). Can I throw a similar, Italian word--sprezzatura (i.e., "studied carelessness")--into the mix as well :)? I think that these types of words are used, typically (in the benign sense, as Helena described), to suggest personal style that appears natural and genuine to the particular person, and conveys a sort of ease and confidence. Maybe these types of words are popular right now especially as we are all grappling with how to dress post-Covid lockdown? Just my two cents!

Of course I think the flip side criticism of "she's trying too hard" or "she's a try hard" is sexist, offensive, and absurd, and a way to try to shame people into falling in line with what the viewer thinks is appropriate. I don't have time for the style police, lol.

This is such an interesting and nuanced discussion! In answer to your question, Dee, do you try to look effortless or do you want to look like you made an effort?

When I think "effortless style," I think of the experience of watching a really good juggler or ice skater. These are difficult skills, but the best practitioners make them look easy and even playful or graceful. That's the level of effortless I want to achieve in my dressing. I do indeed try to look effortless, but not in the sense that I didn't put in the work--effortless in the sense that my style has become so innate to who I am that I don't really have to think about it anymore.

Mannered could be "neat as a pin." Or "matchy-matchy." Or "ladylike" or "Vegas showgirl." At the far reaches of "mannered" I guess you'd have camp?

Or maybe it comes full circle. Maybe it's also mannered to be self-consciously "effortless."

I could tie myself up in semantic knots forever here.

Oooh, I love that word "sprezzatura," Jonesy! Fabulous.

I also love what you and Jenn and I think Janet said about "effortless" conveying a style that feels authentic to that person, natural to them.

When I think Effortless, I think of Ralph Lauren ads, or the Great Gatsby. People who look effortless (and like they really do not have to care) because they have the money and support system to buy lovely things and get them taken care of properly. Their stuff is tailored to them. Someone ironed it. It’s all back end, as several people have put it.
So, the end result is people who wear their clothes with a sense of freedom from toil.
Effortless.
Just how I see it when the word pops up. In life, I make an effort. I show up clean and dressed appropriately. Seems respectful, to self and others.

High five, RunCarla! We bat for the same team.

Jonesy, what you eloquently said here, I agree with by a billion percent:

"Of course I think the flip side criticism of "she's trying too hard" or "she's a try hard" is sexist, offensive, and absurd, and a way to try to shame people into falling in line with what the viewer thinks is appropriate"

Suz, you make a great point about practicality. And how it's innate to your style. It keeps things light, easy and natural - it's effortless because that's who you are. Isn't that authenticity?

If an effortlessness style is about ease and confidence, then it boils down to authenticity......

I’ve never really understood the concept of looking effortless - it feels elusive and unattainable to me if it means what I interpret it to be . I do make an effort because I want to look polished and put together . BUT , I’m aware that I might look a bit too “sprayed into place “ and feel somewhat self conscious about that too . My issues with this stem from not having that naturally attractive appearance that seems to be required for the effortless look . So like others have mentioned , I try to have the best haircut , skin and clothing I can manage in order to prop up the sagging infrastructure - lol. Without making an effort , I feel invisible and ordinary: something I don’t like .

As to the comment above (although it’s now on page 1 and I can’t backtrack to check for accuracy without losing my reply ) regarding feeling pressured to make the effort ? I don’t feel it . I’m happy to put the work in as it has proven beneficial over the years .

Yes, I think that's right, Angie. So it's a paradox. Bright colours are authentic to you and therefore come across as effortless even though you make an effort and don't mind if people know it!

I went for my walk today in a nature conservation area and I was wearing my white coat and white boots. The person I was walking with had to stop and marvel at my ability to stay clean on the trail (which was muddy and covered in slick leaves.) She said she is in awe of how "put together" I always look. That's the white, and the matchy matchy she is seeing, I think. I am guessing she is saying (and knows) that it is not "effortless." But it also comes across as effortless in the sense that I'm just going about my day and not worrying about the boots.

I’ll meet sprezzatura and raise you soigné!

Yes, exactly, Suz! Angie, I do think it's tied to authenticity and genuineness, and I love Jenn's addition of playfulness and gracefulness, and how someone who is skilled can make what they are doing (wearing?) look easy. Again, I am talking about the benign usage of effortless, as Helena described.

Continuing with your example, Suz, and picking up with Angie's dog walking style: Angie walks her pups in her immaculate velvet pants, pearls, and beautifully tailored wool coat and this is "effortless" for her, in that she doesn't have to think about it too much--she's just going about her day--and she conveys stylish ease, confidence, and genuineness. Whereas for me, if I were to wear a similar outfit to walk my dog, it would definitely require a lot of effort and I would feel ill at ease and conscious of what I was wearing, if that makes sense? So that would not be "effortless" for me.

Lol, Carla :)!

Yes, that's it exactly, Jonesy.

An "effortless" personal style does have something to do with one's environment, of course. Not just environmental norms (which we are free to ignore if we like) but the actual environment. Angie can look and feel natural walking her dogs in her velvet pants and pearls and wool coat on city streets, but when she's on the beach she is wearing a slightly different outfit -- still her bright colours and often her pearls but probably not the velvet pants. And I'm wearing white boots on the trail but they are lug soled waterproof white boots, not the kitten heels Janet showed in another thread.

It kind of seems (and correct me if I’m wrong) that those with more polished styles are more likely to chafe a bit at the idea of effortless style, whereas those who consider themselves more RATE are more likely to embrace it? For the record, I do think that many people on this forum with polished styles do look effortless in the most positive way.

Suz, I have an example in contrast to your story. No one would ever call me polished—my shoes are usually scuffed, my hair flyaway, and my makeup more smeared on than carefully applied. Still, on chemo days, I usually put on my prettiest clothes because it’s one of the few places we ever go. One of the receptionists there complimented me on my outfit (not for the first time) and the other receptionist told me, “You’re just the embodiment of everything she loves!” That made me feel like I managed to hit effortless for me.

Jenn, I totally agree with your observation about RATE vs. more polished styles! Your story is very touching and illustrates how style and feeling good/authentic/effortless (and getting lovely feedback--being truly "seen" if you know what I mean) can be so meaningful, especially when life is punching you in the gut.

Thanks everyone for all your fascinating, intelligent, funny, and thoughtful opinions on the subject, I was surprised by how much effort (lol) it takes trying to explain the term ”effortless” in fashion with all its connotations, nuances and contradictions. I guess that’s buzz words for you.

So many good points on this thread that I have lost track ! I started off nodding along with Helena. I definitely agree that effortless is not my favorite word and have expressed this before although I do think a key part of my style is undone. I will explain - I am naturally RATE as opposed to polished, with my cuffs, sleeves, laces, whatever forever coming undone, my hair undisciplined, my makeup smudged etc. But I do not consider myself the least bit effortless, in the literal sense of having made no effort. I make lots of effort! I love the concept of sprezzatura, which I also think includes something being a bit off, but see it as intentional. Finally, I strongly agree that there are sexist implications in how we speak of women's style and our expectations of how we appear.

Jenn, that makes sense about RATE v polished, although I’ve certainly seen some very carefully done, effort-full RATE looks here in Berlin. What a great compliment that was too!

The comments on sexism confound me. The only way they make sense is if women are inherently drawn to fuss and make an effort about our appearance. Ew. I’m on this blog thinking about my appearance, but that certainly doesn’t mean I wasn’t a woman for the previous half-century when I didn’t think about it.

Jenn, what a touching story. How meaningful to be seen in such an environment. And yes to wearing the dress!! (Or whatever pretty things) on the chemo days.

I think you're right that those who are polished vs. RATE might chafe more at the idea that style should be effortless-- in which case, those who chafe are perhaps chafing at the idea that there is only one authentic way to look stylish. They are saying, hey, what looks "too done" (or something) to you is my natural. Or something like that!

Which goes back to semantics -- to Helena's point about the word being used in different ways, sometimes to describe a specific type of aesthetic (that does in fact require a lot of work on the back end and that may or may not appeal and may or may not be possible for any given individual) and sometimes in contrast to "trying too hard."

I don’t think we need to point fingers at anyone for being the baddie insisting there is only one way to look good. Sneering over unpolished looks—isn’t that just as narrow as insisting on only RATE?

I don't think anyone on this thread or on this forum is insisting there's only one way to look good. On the contrary. There are many authentic ways to look fab.

Such an interesting read and a great question to ponder. I love the look of effortless elegance with a slight touch of RATE or bohemian luxe in the mix, but I know that this is not for me. I am practical, so wear gear when exercising and don't need to be immaculate at all times but most happy out of the gear, with hair and makeup done and dressed up, this is when I feel like me.

I am not a casual person - not in my personality, in my work or personal relationships. I like to put in effort and see the rewards, and that is reflected in my appearance. Congruence between how we look and who we are, being authentic to oneself is what is most important.

Suz, this is what I was referring to and disagreeing with:
“ chafing at the idea that there is only one authentic way”

I like the idea in theory. In reality, however, any attempt to be 'effortless' tends to make me look like I rolled out of bed instead (not in the 'cute' casual way either - just sloppy)

I feel like certain body types & essences can pull off looking 'artfully dishevelled'... I, on the other hand, have taken to wearing a gold necklace every day - since I look 'unfinished' without accessories (even casually)

Suz, here here! The prime directive of YLF as far as I've ever experienced xx

I think you're right Zaeobi. People that have Natural or probably Gamine in their style type can get away with being a little more "undone" than the rest of us!

Suz and Jenn, you are both soooo deserving of those kind and very accurate compliments from friends and strangers! LOVE that! It's a testament to your stylish ease, confidence and authenticity. PLEASE ROCK ON

Jonesy, thank you for your grace and kind words!

Zaeobi, your gold necklace is my pearl necklace. Feel naked without my pearls. HIGH FIVE!

Bijou, you hit on an interesting point that resonates. I'm not a casual person in my personality, work, or personal relationships either. People would not describe me as chill. I am formal, prompt, private, detailed, and proper about things, and very neat and tidy with just about everything. It's no wonder that my style reflects a similar vibe. Just like yours does! High five

Who is sneering over unpolished looks ? Comments like that drive me crazy . No one is sneering at anything here .

LJP, I clarified what I was referring to above