Sunday, July 10, 2016

how to look cool without really trying

In a completely humble and not bragging way, I've been told many times that I am cool, or at least that I look like it. I'm a huge fan of art and aesthetics, so this affection not surprisingly translates into a love for fashion and clothing. Now, in no way am I any sort of "fashionista". In fact, I am one of the laziest people ever when it comes to getting ready on a daily basis. For that reason, I'd say I've mastered the art of looking cool without really trying. Obviously it takes a bit more effort than throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, but once you get the hang of it, getting dressed in the morning and actually looking good can be just as lazy. So without further ado, here are my tips that work for all genders, ages, and personalities.


Invest in basics.

When I say invest, I don't mean spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of jeans. I just mean take the time to find basic pieces that fit your body and personality perfectly. They should be items that you are completely and totally comfortable in, and make great starting points when you're putting together an outfit. Basics are versatile and well made (to last you longer than a year or two). From my perspective, some basics everyone should have in their wardrobe regardless of gender, style, or personality are...
  • A good pair of jeans.
  • Black pants
  • A white t-shirt
  • A comfortable and versatile sweater. 

It's in the little things.

The difference between you and your favorite fashion icon is that your fashion icon is not afraid to accessorize. Now, I know exactly what you're thinking. "You want me to waste precious time in the morning putting on a necklace/bracelet/earring/watch/ring/scarf/etc. that nobody will notice and I'll probably lose by the end of the day?" First of all, it takes less than a minute to pick out and put on a necklace and a pair of earrings, so chill out. Second of all, you can follow my trusty lazy girl tip: find something you really, really like and just never take it off. This tip works best if you have something that is pure silver or gold so that it doesn't get tarnished if you choose to wear it in the shower, but it's not a huge deal if you buy some cheap pieces that you take off when water is introduced. You would think it doesn't make a difference, but it does.

Groutfit? Yes please.

The easiest and laziest way to look like you know what you're doing is to wear a monochrome or all-one-color outfit. My personal favorites are all black, all white, and all grey. In my opinion this tip works best for neutral colors, but quite honestly you could do whatever you want! If you want to get a little wild, monochrome looks are a perfect opportunity to play with texture and layers. Seriously. It doesn't get lazier than this.

Yes, trendy shoes are made for walking.

Your shoes can make or break your outfit. If you've got a great look going on, but you're wearing a horrible and dirty pair of flip flops or something else equally horrifying, it ruins the entire thing. And vice versa, if you're wearing something that isn't perfect, a great pair of shoes can instantly elevate it. Now, I'm not suggesting you buy a thousand pairs of shoes or wear exclusively heels. Thanks to the growing trendiness of athletic wear in fashion, your tennis shoes can now be your "I tried today" shoes. Personally, when it comes to a shoe collection, I'd suggest black boots, tennis shoes (for exercise), sneakers (for comfortable day-to-day wear), sandals, and a pair of dress shoes (which could double as your black boots). But if you're on a budget, in all honesty, you could get by with just one really cool and durable pair. But just remember that your shoes matter!

Bed head is your secret weapon.


If you've been on YouTube lately, you'll notice tons of tutorials for "No Makeup Makeup Looks" and "Beach Day Windswept Hair". This is the only proof I need to tell you that you, naturally, is totally in style right now. Don't worry about spending too much time to do your hair or makeup in the morning. Throw on a little cover-up and brow gel if you want to, run your fingers through your hair, and get ready to face the day. Specifically when it comes to hair, intricate or time consuming hair styles are completely unnecessary and quite honestly a little bit tacky. Obviously if you like makeup (like me) or your hair takes a lot of work (like me), you do what you've got to do. Plus, it can't hurt to master the art of the cat-eye. But if you're trying to minimize your getting ready time and maximize your beauty sleep, don't stress about looking perfect all the time.

Pay attention to proportions.

The biggest fashion faux-pas (in my personal and completely unqualified opinion) is the complete disregard for proportions when you're dressing. If you want your outfit to look interesting, don't be afraid to play with the size and structure of your clothing. For example, if you're wearing a pair of skinny jeans, please don't wear a tight top. While this may show off your fantastic bod, it quite frankly is completely and utterly boring. (Note: Boring is different from basic. Basic is good, boring is your worst nightmare.) Instead, try something loose and flowy, or maybe even something chunky or boxy. This also goes for paying attention to your unique body shape while going shopping/picking out an outfit. If you want to make your legs look longer, wear high waisted jeans or match the color of your shoes to your pants. If you want to accentuate your neck or collar bones, wear low shirts and a necklace. 

Dresses are the key.

The ultimate lazy girl (or whatever gender you are, if you're into disrupting gender roles) should understand that dresses, rompers, or jumpsuits, are their greatest weapon. You don't have to worry about matching or styling. Just throw it on and hit the road! You'll look like you've got your life together and your getting ready time just got sliced in half. If you're worried about looking too feminine, a leather jacket or edgy black boots are an equally easy way to dress down an otherwise girly looking item.

Curate your wardrobe.

I know, I know, this tip sounds pretentious as hell. Hear me out! If all of your clothes roughly go together and have a cohesive feel, it makes throwing on an outfit at the last second way easier. You definitely don't need a big wardrobe. In fact, having too many clothes might actually hurt you if you are stuck wading through a pile of things you never wear when you're in a rush. Donate or sell the clutter! Take the time to find pieces that look great and are exactly what you need. Shopping sprees are a complete waste of your time. No need to go out of your way and do extra work, my lazy friend! When you find you have a little extra time on your hands, head to your favorite online shop or pop over to a store you love if it's on your way.  If you sleep through your alarm clock but you still want to look like you give a damn, a clean and curated closet makes this task a walk in the park.

Inspiration isn't a chore.

Fashion inspiration isn't just for the Vogue executives and fashion bloggers. Everyday people like you and me can and should look for inspiration on a daily basis, whether you determine a style you want to convey or simply fall in love with a trendy item you just must have. Take a look outside. See what people are wearing and determine what you like and dislike. Go to a museum or a trendy shop that you know you can't afford. The best and easiest tool for this can be found on your cell phone: Instagram! Follow accounts of your favorite celebrities, brands, models, or fashion professionals to keep you up to date and excited to get dressed in the morning. You're not putting in unnecessary work, simply making your daily routine work for you. 


I hope you take a couple of these tips and apply them to your daily routine. If you have any advice on how to look cool without really trying, please feel free to let me know in the comments or shoot me a tweet @theonechameleon.

Thanks for reading!

Aloha,
Camille


No comments:

Post a Comment