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 !
