Through the last few decades, we've seen hundreds of media 'cool girls.' These girls seem to throw anything on, shake out their hair, and look perfect. We all know that on a TV set, hair, makeup, and genetics are behind their beauty, but what about real life?
The rise of effortless fashion cannot go unnoticed, and influencers are banking on it. Pinterest models seem to wear basic clothing and make it look stylish, a seemingly impossible feat in the average person's life. However, I'm here to make that dream a reality because there's a formula for looking stylish. I'll give you a quick spoiler: effortlessness takes effort.
Let us slide into your dms 🥰
Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Proportions
First and foremost, you need to understand your proportions. If you're trying to replicate outfits from 5'11 models on a 5'1 body, you're going to need different pieces.
Image Credit: charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
Height is just the first part of proportions. The best way to figure out what is going to flatter you most is by looking in a mirror. That's right, it can be as simple as that.
Look at yourself and notice the widest and most narrow parts of your body. Also, notice which aspects of your body you want to highlight with your wardrobe. Then, take a second to think about the clothes that you feel most confident in. Are they low-waisted? Tank tops? Long skirts? Now, you have a basic idea of your subconscious.
That's the easy part; now it's time to get out a measuring tape. A soft tape, like the one pictured above, will be most useful for this task. Make sure you jot down each measurement after you take it.
- Top of your head to the bottom of your chin
- Bottom of your chin to the middle of your bust
- Middle of bust to your natural waist (the smallest part of your waist / where you bend)
- Natural waist to your leg break (where your legs bend)
- Leg break to the middle of your thigh
- Middle of your thigh to your knee
- Knee to your mid-calf
- Mid-calf to the bottom of your foot
Okay, now you have a list of numbers that you need to make sense of. Add up the totals for steps 1-4 and then 4-8. Compare your two sums and notice which one is larger.
If the first total is larger, you have a longer upper body. Conversely, if the second sum is larger, then you're lower-body dominant. If both totals are equal, you have a balance.
Why does this matter? This conclusion is going to help you feel best in your clothing. If you have a longer torso, you can choose to wear high-waisted pants and cropped shirts to give the illusion of longer legs.
However, if you want to accentuate your torso, think about wearing low-waisted pieces and shirts that hem at your waist. If you have long legs, it's the opposite. The biggest takeaway is to figure out if you're trying to look balanced or to show off your natural body. Neither is wrong; it's up to personal preference.
Figuring out your proportions is going to help you look effortless because you can better create an intentional silhouette. Intention is a key aspect of fashion. You get to play around with shapes and illusions, making the process of getting dressed more fun, and you also are more likely to feel comfortable in your appearance through conscious choice.
Take the Quiz: Which Outfit Material Best Matches Your Style?
Curious about which fabric suits your fashion vibe? Take this quiz to discover which material is the right one for you!
Details
Image Credit: Luisana Galicia on Unsplash
One of the key parts of dressing 'effortlessly' is accessorizing. When you look at Pinterest girls, they tend to wear basic fabrics and simple designs. The thing that makes them intriguing is the details. Jewelry, shoes, and bags can make or break an outfit.
The first thing anyone will tell you about jewelry is to figure out your undertone. If you're cool-toned, silver will make you look brighter, and if you're warm-toned, gold will. Personally, I'm a big fan of mixing metals, so just choose what works with you.
In my opinion, the metal makes less of a difference than the style. Choose a couple of photos that really emulate your desired style and pay attention to their jewelry. Are their pieces chunky? Simple? Stacked? Statement? Find what resonates with you.
As a quick tip, the 'cool girls' tend to wear chunky jewelry and a lot of it. They usually have bangles up their arms and big rings on every finger. The way to make this step effortless is to find comfortable jewelry that you love.
That way, you don't need to take them off. You wake up in the morning and already look intentional.
Image Credit: BBiDDac on Unsplash
Now, onto shoes. Shoes can very quickly ruin an outfit, or they can make one. Recently, the most popular shoes have been Adidas Sambas, Onitsuka Tigers, and other flat sneakers. These aren't the only shoes in the game or even of the same style, so you can always search for more.
Like with proportions, your shoe will come down to a choice: do you want your shoes to blend with your outfit or stand out? Personally, I've found that the right type of contrast with footwear can make the 'cool girl' vibe immediate. For example, you're wearing a very feminine outfit: a flowy, boho skirt and a white tank top.
Pair this outfit with heavy moto boots or a bright sneaker. Conversely, if you're wearing baggy jeans and an oversized jersey for a streetwear style, think about a pointed heel.
This contrast will add to your effortless vibe because it gives the impression that shoes were an afterthought that just ended up looking good.
Image Credit: Alfonso Ramirez on Unsplash
Finally, bags. Bags are often overshadowed by an outfit as they're based on practicality and not style. I think it's best when an item can do both.
A bag should be able to fit all of your day-to-day items, so if you're a student, opt for a bigger bag that fits a laptop. However, you can search for something that has style too. Honestly, I think having one go-to bag is the most chic way to live, so don't feel too bad about splurging.
Recently, Jane Birkin's way of wearing a bag has been trending, and it truly makes you look effortless. Bags are to be worn, not displayed, so have fun decorating yours!
If you need some recommendations, I'm here to help. If you're on a budget, you can find any bag you like from a thrift store or Depop. If you have a slightly larger price range, look at Coach or Isabell Bernard. My personal go-to bag is the Tory Burch Perry Tote, and it has served me incredibly well for the last few years.
Makeup
Image Credit: Element5 Digital on Unsplash
If you wear makeup, it's such an easy gateway into looking effortless. There are a million tutorials online for different styles, but think about what you tend to gravitate towards and then enhance that. Some people feel uncomfortable in heavy makeup.
If that's you, think about elevating your basics: concealer, mascara, and lip products. Find your perfect shades and the consistency that sits best on your skin. This matters because it will make your makeup look more seamless; it doesn't have to look natural, just effortless.
If you want to lean into a heavier look, play around with some eyeliner. Different eye shapes complement different eyeliner styles. Do you like liquid eyeliner?
Eyeshadow as eyeliner? Waterline? Decide your favorite style, and then practice. The more comfortable you are with your routine, the more effortless it looks.
Final Thoughts
Overall, looking effortless doesn't come naturally, but that doesn't make it unattainable. That 'cool girl' look is curated by social media, and it's possible for you to do the same. At the end of the day, being cool is being confident.
If you take anything away from this article, it should be to develop a greater sense of your self-confidence. That's the true way you're going to embody effortlessness.
