Does your style look effortless?

linked in 7-2-2015

One statement that I seem to hear a lot from my clients is, “I want to look stylish and effortless, like I just threw this outfit together.” Everyone I work with wants to look “put-together” but no one wants to look “too done” or look like they have put tons of effort into getting dressed.

I totally get it because I feel the exact same way. We not only don’t want to look like we’ve put lots of effort into our outfits but we literally don’t want to put lots of effort into our outfits!

Many times in the dressing room while styling a client in clothing that I have picked out especially for them, I say, “Ooh wear this blouse like this…or do a half tuck into your pants like this…for an easy effortless look, like you just threw this together.” My clients get giddy over the results. No one wants to look like they’ve tried too hard to look good. Women or men.

I also always stress, “It is not about looking perfect, it’s about creating an effortless, put-together look, and feeling great.”

So, how does one accomplish this “effortless, ‘Oh, this ‘ol outfit? I just threw this together this morning!’ style?”

Here’s the Do’s and Don’ts for creating a stylish and “effortless” look:

  1. Don’t fall into the trend trap becoming a slave to fashion. When you buy pieces just because they are a big trend but they are not necessarily something that works with your Body-Type, Personality or Lifestyle-Requirements, you can come off looking not only uncomfortable in your skin, but you may come off as looking like you are trying too hard. This can be a distraction from people seeing your true essence shining through. Do invest only in trends that flatter your Body-Type, compliment your Personality,and meet your Lifestyle-Requirements .
  2. Don’t wear one designer from head to toe unless you are nominated for an award at Oscar night. Wearing an exact copy of an outfit you picked straight from a store catalog or off of the store’s mannequin, lacks creativity and originality. Most likely you will not feel totally in your own skin and people will pick up on this sensing uneasiness not “effortlessness.” Do be inspired by what you see, by finding similar pieces in your own closet that you may not have worn together before, mix it up, add accessories and make it your own. Sometimes, an “effortless” look is as simple as two pieces hanging in your closet that have never met before in an outfit!
  3. Don’t strive to be perfect. Magazine spreads create images to excite us and inspire us but many times they are not realistic and wearable. Remember that magazines have all the resources to style an outfit perfectly. But we may not. Nor do we need or want to. Do find the beauty in imperfection. (Yes, I know this is a hard one, girls.) You will be much more stylish and approachable when you are a tad “less done.” By that I mean, if you truly want to have an “effortless” look, perfection is no where near. The reason why stylish women and men look “effortless” like they just threw something on and look amazing is because most likely they did. OK, certainly there is always a little effort but too much effort looks trite and “over done.” Throw in an unexpected item or color that is just a “tad off” but still works. To know if it works, get out of your head and go with your gut.
  4. Don’t buy into the thought that having endless amounts of money that can buy you anything you want, can buy you “effortless” style. Because it won’t. Many closets with too much clothing usually equals mass confusion, and the feeling of, “I have a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear.” Do buy into the idea that you can be “effortlessly” stylish no matter what your budget is. Believe it or not, having less clothing in the right pieces, always makes for “effortless” dressing. And when getting dressed is “effortless” your outfit will look “effortless” too. Got it?
  5. Don’t limit yourself to only high-end stores or designer labels when it comes to creating “effortless” style. Great style spans all price points. I am always impressed when I see someone rocking an outfit that I know was not expensive, but they nailed it in the stylish department, and wear it with ease. That being said…Do take a hint from Iris Apfel and shop the thrift store or funky little boutique on the corner, or your neighborhood Goodwill. You get my drift. You will be surprised at the unique finds that you may stumble upon that speak beautifully to your Body-Type and Personality. Sometimes “effortless” looking style exudes from the confidence of doing something that no one else is doing, or wearing something that no one else is wearing.
  6. Don’t be concerned about being so “matchy matchy.” When you strive to match things perfectly, you are missing the fun and creativity that can happen, not to mention an “effortless” looking outfit that can be created when things mismatch beautifully in an unexpected way. Do be OK with mixing your different colored metals or leather accessories in the same outfit. Do be OK when colors don’t match perfectly. An element of unexpectedness or surprise when things don’t necessarily “match” can give a fresh air of “effortlessness” in your outfit.
  7. Don’t dress for others. What I mean is don’t dress in a way that isn’t authentically you just to be stylish. It is challenging enough to just be ourselves, let alone dress trying to be someone else.  Looking “effortless” happens when we honor our true selves. Do dress for yourself: Pay tribute to your Body-Type, your Personality, your Lifestyle-Requirements etc., by wearing clothes that look good on you. Dressing by honoring your true self will give you confidence. And nothing makes a stylish outfit look more “effortless” than one worn with confidence.

Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you. Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle

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