Monday, October 22, 2012

Considered or Contrived?



Patti, the author of the "Not Dead Yet Style" blog, has a genius for bringing up subjects that we're all thinking about right this minute. She's posted some astute, on-the-fly notes about achieving effortless style. Click here to see her encouraging thoughts.

I've been thinking about that too, as have lots of the women who made comments on Patti's post. There's a little article in the October issue of "Lucky" magazine featuring real women (admittedly, real pretty young women.) One of them, Simona Ternblom  (creative director at Createthe Group digital agency) made an insightful comment that resonates with me.

She said, " I like my outfits to look considered but never contrived." 

That's what I want.

I think.

You'll find magazine advice everywhere on how to achieve effortless chic. You'd think that the easiest way to achieve effortlessness would be to not put any effort into it. 
So wrong! The next time you see one of the how-to articles, please note how many steps it takes to get to effortless. Scads of photos of willowy young things, running through the city with glowing skin and precisely curved strands of hair show us how perfect one can look in boyfriend jeans, a blazer, tissue-tee and moto-booties. I've tried my own version of this look, and on my short, sexagenarian (only means age 60-69, nothing to do with sexy) body and face it doesn't work the same way at all. I can still stride down the street with the best of them, but I look more like I'm heading off to pick through the landfill than heading to a romantic, urban assignation.

So, I've come to the understanding that the desired effortless effect must sometimes be achieved by at least some consideration. I'm only just figuring out how to make this concept work for me. Here are some style elements that I'm trying to take from contrived to merely considered.

Hair
Right now, I'm tired of my string-straight hair, which only needs a smoothing to look finished. So ... for the sake of looking effortless, I'm spending more time forcing it into loose waves. Hmmmm.

Makeup
I cannot wear red lipstick. I've tried for years to no avail, and to those of you who wear it easily, I blow an affectionate but envious raspberry. So, low effort consideration for me results in what I know works most often: a warm or cool not-quite-nude lipstick. And generally less foundation and eye. However, too much effortlessness here makes me look like I don't give a flip what I look like. 

Clothing and Silhouettes
Fewer elements. I'm trying to stay with the most minimal versions of my go-to outfits, but my taste runs toward the polished. (Or what I think of as polished ... is that the same as considered? Is polished always trying too hard? I'm not sure ... I have to consider that. ) And while I am sometimes tempted to just throw together an outfit of mixed prints, I know darned well it takes some effort to do that well.

Accessories
My considering here consists of being more vigilant in avoiding what I think of as one of my generational vices. If I don't watch myself, I'll match my shoes and handbag. It takes more effort for me to successfully pair non-matching items, all for the sake of
artlessness.  I'm not saying it isn't a good idea, only that it takes some effort to grow past an old habit.

The upshot of the above and the whole truth is this; I give up trying to look like I put no effort into my turnout. This fall, I am doing a lot of considering, a lot more editing and more simplifying, and that means that truly effortless style will be beyond me.

Whether I'll look like I tried too hard to appear considered will have to be up to the beholder.


On another subject entirely: Hanging on just a little longer ....

There are a few things from my summer wardrobe that I just don't want to stop wearing yet. I'm glad to see there's a trend toward taking summer sheers into fall with layers. The little high-low, sleeveless dress below is a particular favorite of mine, and I'm trying it with boots, tights and a little jacket. I'm showing it to you so I can come out and play with everyone on Visible Monday at Patti's !


15 comments:

  1. Brilliant post, Jan. We all have to sort through the "advice" and fit it with our personal style, comfort zone, hair type (yes! - that's one reason I never look polished! : >), budget and body type. You look fabulous in your geometric print dress and dreamy boots. Thanks for reading and for sharing with Visible Monday.

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    1. My trained behavior is always to coordinate. Gotta stop that foolishness. But the minute I learn to mix it up, matchy-matchy will be back.(Sigh ...)
      Thanks to you for VM and your always kind comments.

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  2. What a thoughtful post!
    Your transition outfit is on point! You look great!

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    1. Thanks you for reading! I'm not comfortable yet in being photographed in outfits. Much more comfy thinking and talking about it all generally. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ... or not!
      Hope you had a great weekend, and thank your for your kind comments.
      Jan

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  3. You look great here. Wonderful colors on you.
    Oooh, and I love that post below too. Thank you for swinging by my blog!

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    1. Thanks Joni! Although I now live in Bumfuzzle NoWhere, we came from Seattle long ago. Miss it, and your garden reminds me of what I am missing. My BFA is from Cornish. Please keep letting us see your very interesting and appealing style notes. I'm always pleased to see a new one from you.
      Jan

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  4. Looking good!! You're no slouch yourself :-) Thanks for visiting Dross and I'll be back to see you too!

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    1. Truly, that last ensemble of yours was enviable and then some. When time permits, I've promised myself a prowl around your older posts. Thanks for reading, and writing!
      Jan

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  5. Good post— food for thought. And thanks for fixing whatever you fixed.

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    1. Those robot detectors get harder to read every time. I must be a robot now. Thank you for reading and glad you enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing what you have to say next.
      Jan

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  6. What a great post- and I agree that Patti often succinctly captures thoughts that we are all kicking about and she does it with natural style. I agree that To Look Effortless does require effort- my term is you accidentally woke up looking beautiful. The acheivement appeals to both genders and to all ages. And you work at it. I think you hit the nail on the head about not over doing an outfit. Chic top plus skirt/pant/shorts plus booties plus handbag = effortless. When we clutter it up with belt and necklace and ear rings and a watch plus whatever it de-evolves from chic to daily outfit. Fashion blogging has been helpful in helping me see this.

    Now I'm off to pile on a bunch of belts on my mixed prints of top-sweater-shorts-socks-and-nurse-shoes. I'm in a fashion don't kind of mood!

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    1. It's often just a teeny-weeny step between a don't and a do in my mirror. Another of my generational vices is stacking rings. More and more often these days, I go out the door fully aware that I have too much jewelry on. This is invariably accompanied by the understanding that I will be dead one day and that today I should be able to overdress if I flipping wish. Yes.
      Thanks for reading and writing, Bella.
      Jan

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  7. Love this post and quote...and what Bella says about piling on accessories making an outfit look contrived. When I take pics for my daily outfits, I want them to be something that I'm actually WEARING. Not something I'm going to have to strip off 15 bracelets, necklaces and change shoes before going out. That's my version of effortless.

    I love your blog and your writing style. As a woman enjoying her last year of her 30's, I appreciate your message.

    Alison

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    1. Thanks for reading, Alison. I really enjoy the thoughty, wonky, process-oriented part of style. I'm glad you found some meaning in my post. Makes it worth writing.
      I'll be checking in often ...
      Jan

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  8. Oh!it is good post Jabitt.your writing is very best.I like

    nurse
    shoes

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