Have you ever wondered how some women can look so effortlessly chic? Even in jeans and t-shirt they just seem to be so put together. Is it magic? Is there some sort of secret formula or genetic coding that makes them look so fashionable without looking like they tried? Yes and no.
People everywhere have tried to crack the code to what makes a person stylish without looking overdone. Over the years, a formula has begun to emerge that is accessible to everyone. The good news is that you can become one of these women that look as if they #wokeuplikethis, by implementing new habits in your lifestyle and of course, your wardrobe. This articles discusses those tried and true methods as well as, changes you can make today in order to look fabulous with minimal effort.
Becoming Effortlessly Chic
chic
/SHēk/
adjective
1. elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
synonyms: stylish, smart, elegant, sophisticated, dapper, debonair, dashing, trim, tasteful, understated, attractive, flattering; More
noun
1. stylishness and elegance, typically of a specified kind.
“French chic”
How you wish to define the word chic is entirely up to you. However, there are some “classics” that just never go out of style, but that doesn’t mean they are for everyone. The following methods are simply a jumping off point, if the suggestions don’t match your style, make up your own! With that in mind, here are what the following effortlessly chic fashionistas seem to have in common.
Choose Classic Silhouettes
Style blogger, Abbie Madsen of Devastatingly Chic, aims to look effortlessly chic everyday. One way she does this is by incorporating classic silhouette pieces into her wardrobe. This includes, your favorite pair of skinny jeans, the perfect white tee, a pair of ballet flats and a black blazer; all of which can be found at your favorite modest clothing boutiques. According to Abbie, “ These kind of silhouettes allow many pieces to mix and match quickly and with great easy during a hectic morning.”
Dress in Three Colors at a Time
Another chic formula component that you’ll find in countless style blogs is the idea of wearing three colors to 1) help reduce decision fatigue and 2) look stylishly put together not matter what. Geneva of A Pair and A Spare, gives the following tips on how to put this style secret into action:
- Aim to wear no more than three colors per outfit.
- Since black and white are actually shades, you can be more flexible with these. For example, if you’re wearing white you can add three more colors to your outfit.
- If wearing metal jewelry try to stick to either gold or silver. This rule is particularly helpful for chunky jewelry, but if you love to play around with your accessories, try mixing it up.
- When wearing a busy print, try and keep the rest of your outfit simple. If you do wish to add another color to the outfit try to stay in the same color palette of the print.
- Red lips count as a color!
Check out the original article to see proof that this fashion advice actually works!
Layer Your Outfits
Layering opens up the door to even more outfit possibilities according to Abbie Madsen, Adding a cardigan and a blazer over a t-shirt adds depth to your outfit. Similarly, as you start to grow more confident with your lawyering abilities, start to think outside of the box and try adding a cable-knit sweater over a favorite dress to create more dimension and impact.
Your Clothes Need to Fit YOUR Body
One of the most important elements to looking effortlessly chic on the daily, is having a wardrobe that fits you correctly. If you’ve ever tried on clothes before at the mall or a modest clothing boutique, you know how difficult it can be to find the perfect top or skinny jeans that fit you just right. That’s ok, if you want an item and it can be tailored and you know you will take it to get tailored, purchase it.
Invest in Timeless Pieces
Choosing to invest in timeless pieces for your wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to pull something out of your closet at random and know you’ll look great in it. Timeless pieces are extremely versatile and go with virtually any outfit. According to this article, some timeless pieces that you can include in your wardrobe include:
- Black Pumps
- Trench Coat
- Dark Wash Jeans
- Pencil Skirt
- Riding Boots
- Tailored Button-Up
- Blazer
- Neutral Satchel
- Little Black Dress (LBD)
- The Perfect White T-shirt
Keep Your Ensemble Simple
More often than not, when it comes to fashion, less is more. Of course there are some specific occasions where going over the top is completely appropriate, but most of the time, simple is where you want to be. Plus dressing simply removes making even more decisions, which is always a good thing. A basic rule of dressing simply in the fashion world is to take off an item before leaving the house. However, if accessoires are your jam, go all out, it’s your personal style so own it!
Go Au Naturel
Apart from your outfit, hair and makeup are one of the biggest factors that can affect your “overall chicness”. Spending just a few minutes on hair and makeup in the morning to enhance what nature gave you will only help to elevate the style of your look. Many of us know this as the no-makeup, makeup look. Real Simple offers the following tips to achieve a classic and natural look, which you can implement into your lifestyle right now:
- Take care of your skin. If you plan on wearing little to no makeup, taking care of your skin is the first step.
- Moisturize and even out skin tone.
- Conceal any imperfections.
- Pick a warm cheek color.
- Define eyes natural shades that enhance the color of your eyes.
- Dot an eye pencil. (Optional)
- Use a lip tint that matches your natural lip color.
- Lengthen and thicken eyelashes with mascara.
Dress For You
The most important tip for looking stylish and feeling beautiful is choosing clothes that you love. You may love wearing a double hood sweatshirt with your favorite skinny jeans to hang out with friends, rather than a sharp blouse and riding boots and that’s OK. Fashion is all about what you make it. But no matter if you’re wearing a flowy swing dress or have your hair pulled into a messy bun beanie, the most important thing you can wear is confidence.
To begin dressing your best, chic self this spring start by doing a little “wardrobe rehab”. This guide from Simply Fate Clothing will help you to organize your closet, choose your style, and start wearing pieces that you love today.
