There’s always that girl- the one who looks seemingly perfect, no matter what hour of the day. How does she do it? It looks like she threw on whatever clothes she found on the floor yet somehow it all goes together flawlessly. Her tousled hair and more than simple outfit somehow look better than the one you spent the better part of last night planning.
I truly believe there is a gift behind it and I almost always use this way of thinking when I go out. There’s just something unbeatable about looking great without “trying,” right? So, I’ve brainstormed some tips on how we too can master the art of looking effortless.
Decide on the look you want to achieve First, you need to decide what “effortless” girl you want to be. Is it the vintage inspired girly girl who was born loving floral prints or the girl who treats class as a pit stop before the gym? Once you’ve decided your look for the day, you can begin to develop this natural style you’ll naturally gravitate to- therefore making it effortless.
The beauty of layering I have always been a fan of layering clothes, especially come the fall season. By layering cottons and other comfortable fabrics, you’re automatically making an outfit seem more casual. It also gives workout clothes more style then before. For example, a simple t-shirt or top poking out from under a jacket or sweater poses the “just threw it on” look.
Find a go-to one piece outfit Develop a favorite outfit that’s just one piece such as a romper or maxi dress (a staple in my wardrobe). The look of a nice solo piece is appealing. The simplicity of one garment also allows you to dress it up easily with a scarf or long necklace.[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]
“I just rolled out of bed” hair I’ve spent countless hours trying to make my hair look “perfect without trying,” (ridiculous, I know, but we’ve all done it) yet some of my best hair days were a product of skipping the shower. Beach, curling, or texturizing sprays help create the tousled look on day-old locks. You can always add in a few loose curls by wrapping your hair around your curling iron instead of using the clamp. This allows the curl to appear looser and fall more naturally. Other effortless hairstyles are messy buns or braids.
Finish it off with your favorite accessories Just the quick addition of a long statement necklace or unique headband can add a lot to a plain outfit. Accessories add cohesion to a look and also make your personal style more apparent. Scarves are a great way to make an outfit seem less planned. Whether it’s the celebrities hiding behind them or their easy going nature, they just work.
A style icon I believe has mastered the art of looking effortless is Blake Lively’s character Serena Vanderwoodsen on the series Gossip Girl. From her elaborate, yet always polished, wardrobe to messy ponytails, braids, and neutral makeup, she always looks perfect without that sense of planning (like Blair Waldorf’s character).
P.S. I will be attending Phoenix Fashion Week this Thursday so anticipate my upcoming Saturday blog post describing what I saw front row!
Contact me at amlarso2@asu.edu with any comments or questions! To hear style advice, links to other fashion sites, or other fashion thoughts, follow me @soamandawaslike.
