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What is your definition of "effortless style"?

Jewell

Veteran

I was mulling over the list of adjectives I jotted down to describe my style aspirations. The word "effortless" is among them. The last thing I want is to look like I'm trying too hard, but I find this ideal very hard to put into words. Even as I clicked through pictures of myself, I had trouble pinpointing what made one outfit look effortless and another one not. To be honest I put "effort" into all of my looks. I thought it would be interesting to see what other community members have to say:

How do you define this seemingly contradictory term?

How do you personally achieve effortless style in your looks?

Bonus points for posting a picture that you think epitomizes effortless style -photo could be of you, but doesn't have to be : )

45 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

fern

Veteran

No definition for you, but my husband & I were discussing my "style renewal" and my style aspirations, and he said "Well, now you look like you are trying."
Um, thanks?
I'm not effortless yet.

Queen Mum

Veteran

To me effortless style has a relaxed look that is uncomplicated. It's definitely not "effortless" but appears to be seamless in some ways.
Here are two from my faves of 2011 that I would call my "effortless" looks. I feel casual yet put together and not at all fussy in these two outfits.
I do think a dressy look can look just as effortless, I just don't seem to have an example.

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Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hmmm....that's quite a difficult question Jewell. I don't have any photos to add (no bonus points for me!)...effortless style to me means not wearing anything that you have to fuss over. If I'm tugging, tucking, pulling at my clothes or fidgeting in them, then it can't be that effortless can it? Now I'm wondering if I'm confusing "effortless" with "comfortable"...

Jewell

Veteran

@fern- Husbands sure have a way with words- lol

@Queen Mum- It's interesting that you mentioned uncomplicated because that's what came to my mind as well, and your photos are very much like my own. 10 bonus points (5 per picture : )

@Transcona Shannon- I agree that effortless isn't fussy, and I wonder if that includes both fussy feeling and fussy looking...if that makes any sense

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Queen Mum is onto something - the pictures she posted look effortless to me.

I have a funny feeling it might have something to do with overall comfort level too? What looks effortless on someone is something that looks comfortable on that person. Something that looks effortless on Angie or MaryK might not look effortless on me, because I am not used to some of those looks/outfits yet. Does that make sense?

I had the strangest experience a few months back - I'd gone up north to visit my Mom, who was ill - and although it was technically "summer" it was still kind of cold, and I was totally unprepared for the weather, having traveled with shorts, summer tops and very lightweight casual skirts. I was freezing. Ended up at a grocery store of all places, and bought some "boyfriend jeans". Well, somehow - these looked effortless and supposedly stylish on me. They were extremely comfortable, and I could do my running around and looking after my Mom without being too cold. I also picked up a casual grey blazer too, since I'd gone up there with no jacket or coat and it was still cold. Somehow this all worked?

I think it has to do with the wearer's comfort level with what he or she is wearing - if that makes sense, and of course - it also has something to do with context/occasion as well. Oddly, when I tried to come up with the updated sweater dress formula that Angie posted a few months ago, with tone-on-tone tights, and the booties...I *felt* awkward. It looked great, but I felt weird in it. And yet, I felt good in a pencil skirt and a button down shirt on some other occasion. I don't think it has to do with casual versus not-as-casual either - it's probably mostly about how the wearer feels in the outfit. I haven't worn those boyfriend jeans much since, but they were perfect for schlepping around to doctor's appts., looking after family and running around like crazy. So...to me - it's a combination of context (ie. situation) and what feels comfortable to the wearer at the time.

Ginkgo

Veteran

What is wrong with looking like you've tried to dress better, that you've put in effort? The few months that I spent living in France, I admired very much that the women looked like they had put some thought into how they dressed, not that they looked fussy or that they seemed to taken a long time to get ready. They didn't have complicated hairstyles or obvious makeup but they did look as if they had paid attention. I know everyone is concerned with looking as if they're trying, but isn't that better than looking as if haven't tried. Guess to me effortless style obviously takes effort.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question! I look forward to reading the replies. When I hear effortless style I first think of "ease"--easy to throw on, ease of movement, easy on the eyes (not too loud or busy). But it also has to be stylish, a slight upgrade from the usual. Here's one of my outfits that I think looks "effortless". It's basically a comfy sweater and jeans, but the boots, sweater (poncho instead of sweatshirt), bracelet and sunglasses elevate the look.

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taylor

Veteran

Angie has effortless style
She looks confident AND comfortable in everything she wears!

I don't always feel confident..that is key!

Jjsloane

Veteran

To me effortless looks like you just put on anything you had laying around, yet it ends up as a certain sophistication level. I think 75% of it is attitude you portray in the photo (or throughout the day) I think some of my most effortless appearing outfits (sorry no photos come to mind) take a lot of thought (and for me editing back).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is what I think:

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

velvetychocolate

Veteran

That was an excellent blog post Angie - thank you for putting the link in here for us!

Jewell

Veteran

@Gingko- I don't think there's anything wrong with looking like you've made an effort to look good. I think the issue (at least for me) is when a person looks like they are trying too hard- too much makeup, too much jewelry, too many trendy pieces, too much everything.

velvetychocolate and Jjsloane, I think you're on to something with your mention of comfort level. I am without a doubt comfortable in my most effortless looks. And I agree that effortless looks often appear as if the wearer just grabbed a few things off a few hangers and it all just came together perfectly.

goldenpig, I love your 3 "e"s for effortless style and your picture is spot on!

taylor, you chimed in just as I was beginning to wonder just how much confidence factored into the equation. And I agree that not feeling super confident about everything I wear (often because I'm not yet comfortable in it) is one thing that hinders that effortless vibe I'm striving for.

Angie, thanks for the link to that blog post. I'd only read the older one from 2006 I think. My take away- "To thine own self be true" but first we must know ourselves inside and out- wear what's comfortable and allows us to project confidence.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think of things that are simple, but are pleasing to look at. Not a lot of accessories, but those that are there work well.

I think Miss Taylor Swift illustrates this point for me

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great question, and great blog post, Angie! And Fern, I had to laugh at what your husband said. My husband recently said something similar. Oh well. I know he meant it as a compliment.

I think the element of comfort is definitely important. Physical comfort, for sure, but also psychological comfort. Which means that if a style or look is very new to us, it might not feel or look effortless at first. I guess that's one reason why it's important to push our comfort zones gently rather than abruptly. We'll come across as more natural if we make changes in small steps.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Yes - suz gets it - it's not just physical comfort, but also psychological comfort (what a great way of explaining it all!).

Goldenpig - your outfit with the jeans, boots and poncho oozes "effortless style". Love that on you!!!

Ginkgo

Veteran

Yes, Jewell, I agree that effortless would not be too much makeup or matchy anything. I'm just still smarting from a husband comment yesterday -- I was headed off to the grocery store and he looked at me and said "what are you all dressed up for?" I was wearing jeans, a sweater with a necklace, and flat ankle boots! Guess he just has low expectations for me after too many years of wearing baggy jeans and running shoes.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Yes, I also agree, physical AND psychological. For me, I think:" If I can look absolutely fab AND be able to totally forget about it, it is a winner" ( = effortless, as this is what I am after). So before getting dressed or putting an outfit together I seriously wonder if I would be able to take a sudden run, climb little stools (I'm short), sit crossed legged at my desk or cuddle near the fireplace in it. If the answer to any of these question is no, then it is not an effortless style outfit. I might use it, but not for a whole day (ex. parent-teacher meeting, lunch out, etc).

Effortless is so difficult to put together, but, oh, when you happen on one such outfit, it feels really fabulous.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

I just read Angie's blog post on effortless style - and it sums it up perfectly!

So, "Effortless" isn't literal, it just communicates it! At ease, feeling like your best "you" in your clothes, and being simply confident you look fab.

KeepCalmAndCarryOn

Effortless style on other people always looks edgy, sophisticated, but unconsidered. Unusual, urban textures but classic, flattering shapes.

Effortless style on ME means forgetting what my body LOOKS like and just feeling the pure joy of its movement and senses--while simultaneously feeling confident, naked, beautiful, and authentic. Feeling absolutely myself. A tall order! But some days it just clicks.

Today I felt myself in black skinny jeans, a crisp red blouse, black sweater with a love-hole in it, combat boots, and my hair up. I don't know if it was stylish but it felt good.

rachylou

Veteran

I agree with Natalie. "Easy" is the word that came to my mind too. Not that an outfit was necessarily easy to come up with (or even get into), but once you're in it, you feel easy and are at ease.

Anonymous

For me, effortless style happens when the outfit expresses on the outside what I am feeling on the inside. When it looks like I am wearing the clothes and not the clothes wearing me. Sometimes an outfit happens and it just feels so natural. When the fit, the colors, the layers all come together and feel like an extension of yourself...then it becomes effortless.

Not saying that it didn't take effort to get to that point but the look when it's all put together looks effortless.

MsMaven

Veteran

Excellent topic--just the flip side of what I have been thinking about posting. TTH--how do you determine that your look is "trying too hard"? By taking more frequent outfit photos, I see that to my eye I often look TTH. On the other hand I have tons of vacation photos where I am embarrassed because I thought I was trying, but didn't look like it at all.

Much food for thought on this thread. I do think at times we get caught up in fashion and trends and overdo it.

jayne

Veteran

Effortless--- I think it is a touch casual to me
Effort like ironing, doing my hair in a perfect bob, or perfect makeup, having perfect matches shoes to belt, bag, etc.

Effortless - having the slight mismatch.
The style will only happen, for me, by effort though. Because if I really just grab things out of the closet and wear them, I could end up with a disaster. (there are alot of style experiments in there!)

The post Angie did about the pattern 'mis' matching emphasized how to 'mis' match, so the idea wasn't to just throw two pieces together but to also make sure those 'mis' matches still provided a pleasing result. But if you do it right, I assume you get the effortless style that LOOKS like you just threw two pieces together and 'voila'

did that make sense...? sorry, if rambling.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I think I agree with Suz, it's physical AND psycological comfort. A feeling that the clothes and you 'meld' together absolutely.

This photo of Jennifer Aniston sums it up for me http://www.hollywoodbackwash.c.....ort-style/

Anonymous

When I saw your post, I immediately thought of Jennifer Aniston.
Basically, when I think of effortless style, I think of those cases when I first notice the person, then I notice their clothes.

Queen Mum

Veteran

A few more thoughts....
don't confuse "effortless style" with "not caring or trying" Just because you look like you are putting effort/caring about what you wear doesn't disqualify you from being able to achieve a look of effortlessly stylish.

Also, I want to add that I don't always aim to look "effortlessly stylish" I can feel just as stylish and fab in an outfit that I wouldn't give the "effortless" label to. Here are a few outfits from my 2011 faves that I felt great in, but I wouldn't put them into the "effortless" category. These outfits have more detail and more "fuss" to them. It has nothing to do with how comfortable they were to wear or how easy they were to put together, they just don't give off that same "carefree, effortless" look as the other two I posted above IMO.

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krishnidoux

Veteran

I am enjoying reading all you guys definition of effortless. What a great thread!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Taylor! I never saw your comment. I'm blushing. Thank you. YOUR style is effortless.

This is a great thread! I find your perceptions *fascinating*.

Here are some of my counter thoughts:

- LOVED what Helen said in her second paragraph. That to me is the crux.

- I tend to disagree that an effortless style is relaxed and casual. Dressy style can conjure up the same levels of effortlessness to me.

- I am not generally a fan of Jennifer Aniston's style, but I do like the outfit that Buetterflylady posted.

- Am I the only one who dislikes the term "Trying Too Hard"? It puts a bad taste in my mouth each time I hear it. I know I'm being irrational but there you have it .

Anonymous

I agree with Angie that "effortless" is not the same as casual. I know lots people that are not casual but the style looks like an extension of themselves so therefore it is effortless.

When I see someone I consider to be "trying too hard"....it makes me feel like they are attempting a style that isn't working for them. Maybe they are experimenting or copying something or someone else. It probably means the clothes are wearing them....rather than they are wearing the clothes. For me, its the opposite of effortless...

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