What is effortless style? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

What is effortless style?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

A few people have mentioned that my style seems effortless. I am thinking about that and wondering what that means to you. After all, I do go through the effort of stocking my closet with things I like and I try to wear things that look pleasing to my eye (sometimes I succeed more, sometimes less). But never mind about me:

When you describe someone's style as effortless, what do you mean?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Kristin SF

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh - I can't wait for Angie's response to this! She has written a blog post about it that Isabel linked to in another thread...I think she might have meant to link it here.
http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/.....ess-style/

What makes your style look effortless? Hmmm (by the way, this is high praise from me, as I love an effortless look). I think in your case it is not rate, but not spic and span super polished, either -- the outfits are clearly planned and yet it looks as if you just threw it on quickly, spontaneously. Also, you don't look too precious. You would run to catch the bus if you had to, you would sit down on a park bench with a friend, you wouldn't worry about the wind messing your hair.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think it is a contradiction because obviously you put effort into buying & trying the clothes & making them into outfits. When that part is done (& done well) I think it is more to do with attitude than the clothes themselves. I think to have ES you need to accept the body you have, dress for that body & have a certain amount of confidence.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Suz you are amazing pulling up that post! I am sure I read it but clearly have forgotten. Still that was a while ago so I appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts. I do agree with Caro that it is a bit of a contradiction! Off to (re)read Angie's post!

Beth Ann

Veteran

My first thought is that I could explain what ES is, if I only HAD it (lol)! I do think Suz has a great point --- ES is almost always casual and simple -- never too obviously planned or precise in the detail. I think most women who have ES cultivate their fashion knowledge, however, learning what works best for them and culling the rest.

Your statement that you do carefully select what's in your closet fits this description, also your style being a little rate and casual also gives an air of non-chalance. I love the fact that you allow your hair to be free, for example, but perhaps you are particular about the perfect cut so your "natural" look works.

Now, to go check out that link.......

Anonymous

That link led me to some great older posts; thanks Suz!

Shevia, I think of effortless style as meaning the wearer didn't try on a million different outfits that morning and leave a heap of clothes at home on the bed. She reached in her closet, and even if she never wore that exact outfit combination before, she just knew what would work, threw it all on and sailed out of the house with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The latter is how I imagine you getting dressed.

Anonymous

Isabel (MA) posted this on Mary's thread about style vs. fashion. I think she meant to put it here, so I'm taking the liberty of cutting and pasting for her;

"Hysterically enough, I wondered too so I googled it. And what was No. 2 on google ? Our very own Angie describing it in 2008."

http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/.....ess-style/

Deborah

Veteran

Shevia, effortless style to me is a number of things;

She is never overwhelmed by her outfit
She keeps her outfits minimal
Her look is never contrived
She really knows what works for her
And she look as though she simply went to the closet, grabbed what she wanted and moved on

I think these elements apply to you. You always look comfortable in your outfits.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Effortless style sometimes takes a great deal of effort IMO. It doesn't look too thought-through or contrived. It seems like a strong sense of personal style is important, too, so that the clothes almost feel like a natural extension of the self. As you said, it takes curating.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh Claire, what a lovely image! I am afraid the reality is not quite like that, but the thought does make me smile. I agree with you Rae - effortless can require a lot of effort, at least as it may apply to me. For example, although it is true that my hair is allowed to do its own thing, as Beth Ann notes, that is because I have a very good cut right now, which took a long time for me to figure out. I do not have great skin, much to my chagrin, and I spend considerable effort trying to improve it and make it presentable. But my makeup might look effortless to someone because I don't wear eye makeup or lipstick. I do often grab something out of my closet and make an outfit out of it - and often look like a hot mess at that. Or I repeat something I know works. And so on. That is why I, like Isabel, was so curious what is meant by effortless, because I don't really see myself that way. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Joy

Veteran

You have great answers. I just wanted to say that when you are told you have effortless style, it is high praise. To me it also means that one sees the wearer first, not the clothes, makeup, etc

moira

Veteran

I can't define it, but I know when I see it.
Lauren Hutton.
Isabella Rosellini
Michelle Obama.
They all look like they put thought into what they buy, but don't obsess about it. They have a strong sense of self and that shows in how they dress. Their styles evolve, but are timeless.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

For me the idea of effortless style is someone who looks very put together but to whom it just comes naturally and didn't require a huge amount of fussing. I often think of it as a bit less adorned or accessorized but well-coordinated and stylish.

The first famous person who popped to mind was Lauren Hutton.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

To me, effortless style means:

- nothing looks contrived
- there aren't a ton of layers or accessories
- the wearer looks comfortable both physically and stylistically
- the outfit doesn't scream "look at me"
- everything fits well but nothing is tight

When I tell someone their style is effortless, this is a huge compliment. You always look put together Shevia but not like you just spent the last hour trying to figure out what the heck you're going to wear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here's what I think:

http://youlookfab.com/2008/10/.....ess-style/

rachylou

Veteran

You know what I think effortless style is these days: I think it means the wearing of it is effortless. Once you put it on, you can stop thinking about it. You can walk easy. No fussing. No pulling. As Mo says, you could climb a roadside dinosaur at anytime. Yes! Even in evening dress! (You are allowed to remove the evening shoes when going up dino.)

Carole

Veteran

Well, this has been very enlightening this morning. My initial thoughts weren't too far off the mark: dressing with ease and confidence.

Kristin SF

Veteran

From one of my latest blog reads, Pret a Porter P:
http://pretaporterp.blogspot.com/

"It takes a lot of effort to build an “effortless” wardrobe."