How To Adopt And Dress Effortlessly Chic | Wardrobe Curation
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Today, we will be focusing on the basic foundation of curating your wardrobe consisting of everyday wear that is very chic and effortless. This will be a more modern approach that has elegance with a bit of edge consisting of different elements to elevate the look. There is a very Parisian element to this as it should come off very effortless and natural. We will first look at the basics because the effortless chic and elegant look is not a trendy approach to fashion it's rather timeless and versatile in nature meaning the style can be worn pretty much anywhere at any time. I will often refer to wardrobe staples as this is how you decipher a wardrobe piece from a trendy one to curate a long-lasting style. And also, I wanted to share some tips on different ways that can help to achieve effortless chic style starting with my first tip so which is to keep things simple and work with basics. Having basic pieces means a more versatile and interchangeable wardrobe and therefore limitless outfits.
Wardrobe Staples
To start we'll be looking at shirts a simple Tee is usually a go-to for a lot of people and a plain white one is a good investment piece but you can easily elevate this look with a Turtleneck or Mock Neck with a three-quarter sleeve that can come off sophisticated. Blouses, a plain white button-down is a must staple but a ruffled blouse will give your outfit dimension. Light knits like a jersey with a shape that's not basic for instance something Off-shoulder or a regular shape like a Tank Top and outside of stable tops statement pieces can be invested in based on your own personal preference,
Blaze corset suits can be feminine versus Graphic Band Tee can come off cool.
Concept of Portion
For pants, trousers both slim fit and wide work Denim is also a great base foundation as you can dress up a look and still be very comfortable but not as formal as wearing trousers. For example, Palazzo pants flare or bell button and boot cuts are good keywords to look for. The palazzo shape is the most comfortable one since it attaches to you, at the waist and all the rest all the length is very wide and very flowy. Also, they elongate the legs optically. Try sticking with dark denim, the light wash can be dressed up and look very good but it will always have a casual feel.
Art of Layering
Now outerwear, Sweaters are great for bringing different subtle elements to a look and there is such a wide range as preppy, intellectual to upscale grunge. They are also very great for layering as you can play a lot with a look when you mix color texture and pieces of different styles to create a very unique and fresh look. For example, two jackets: trench leather or faux fur are great staples to have as they're not only warm but can be a great accessory to add to a look.
Wardrobe Staples
To start we'll be looking at shirts a simple Tee is usually a go-to for a lot of people and a plain white one is a good investment piece but you can easily elevate this look with a Turtleneck or Mock Neck with a three-quarter sleeve that can come off sophisticated. Blouses, a plain white button-down is a must staple but a ruffled blouse will give your outfit dimension. Light knits like a jersey with a shape that's not basic for instance something Off-shoulder or a regular shape like a Tank Top and outside of stable tops statement pieces can be invested in based on your own personal preference,
Blaze corset suits can be feminine versus Graphic Band Tee can come off cool.
Concept of Portion
For pants, trousers both slim fit and wide work Denim is also a great base foundation as you can dress up a look and still be very comfortable but not as formal as wearing trousers. For example, Palazzo pants flare or bell button and boot cuts are good keywords to look for. The palazzo shape is the most comfortable one since it attaches to you, at the waist and all the rest all the length is very wide and very flowy. Also, they elongate the legs optically. Try sticking with dark denim, the light wash can be dressed up and look very good but it will always have a casual feel.
Art of Layering
Now outerwear, Sweaters are great for bringing different subtle elements to a look and there is such a wide range as preppy, intellectual to upscale grunge. They are also very great for layering as you can play a lot with a look when you mix color texture and pieces of different styles to create a very unique and fresh look. For example, two jackets: trench leather or faux fur are great staples to have as they're not only warm but can be a great accessory to add to a look.
The Bigger the Better: Draping, Belting, Cascading...
Moving on to Skirts that are great as well as they can give a very feminine flair to a look that can be adapted to or contradicted with other pieces. Dresses in a solid color or ones that have very subtle patterns or textures are great basics. A classic one is the little black dress made famous by Givenchy and Chanel. Dresses that are more of a statement in a casual setting can be balanced out by pieces that are darker and less delicate. And a formal setting you can do the same duality to a lesser degree or stick with other delicate pieces to create a focus on the silhouette of the gown or dress.
Situation + Proportions
For shoes, having the right shoes can make an outfit and it can really take it from casual to formal. Pointed shoes for example can help to elevate a look to something chic. If you want to wear flat shoes I would opt for a type of loafer. They're more sophisticated and have a more luxurious element to them. And they can have a very academic look without being overly scholarly yet, they are cool in nature. A classic like a Loafer makes an outfit more relaxed without compromising on looking sophisticated and polished.
Investing in the perfect pair of shoes that are going to last the test of time is really important like a go-to heel that you can walk in comfortably is a must.
Another is Boots like a go-to are black heeled boots. Also, boots with a platform come off a bit edgier but they need to be sleek and polished to look chic.
Now, Sneakers can be chic to some degree, but they always will come off with a more sporty vibe even if they're not made for working out, but it's not always the most elegant option. They can downgrade a look to a smart casual rather than elevating. It does look very good on the right person though or in the right setting. It just has to be very well done to suit this style.
Now let's add accessories...
When you're deciding how to accessorize go for bold or subtle. An easy way to set guidelines: if you're wearing basics go for bold to upgrade your outfit but if you're only wearing statement pieces go for subtle to complement and create focus; If you're only wearing statement pieces go for subtle to complement and create focus. You want to keep it quite simple and clean structured. Bags and Sunglasses are great functional basics. This tip is of course subject to personal taste and preference but having the perfect everyday bag can really pull an outfit together whatever color that may be in and if you have a favorite bag in a bright color this can add as a beautiful accent investing in a classic handbag is great as it'll last you for years and years and you will get bored of it and it'll go with everything this is where you can play around more with subtle statement pieces such as hats scarves purses or more depending on your personal taste.
How to get that casual chic feel the classical way is of course to go with jewelry and how you combine it. Jewelry has been worn for centuries to enhance people's looks or to make a statement of status. While trends come and go there are still some basic guidelines that are timeless. Staple jewelry should be able to go with anything in your wardrobe and having a chic style is about being put together and jewelry can contribute to this. If you don't know whether your skin undertone is warm or cool or maybe neutral then gold or silver is a personal preference but the shade should match you so it can complement your features and your skin tone. if you are cool-toned and you gravitate to Gray's and cool colors go with a silver necklace. if you weren't owned and you naturally are attracted to warm yellows warm green tan shades then you'll go for a gold necklace.
If you add the Earrings plus the Necklace plus the Rings it will look more formal and maybe a bit less casual, but it's a matter of taste. And it's of course up to you to also consider Hair Accessories. Many brands this season are offering hair accessories as designs. It's a good time right now to invest in a few pieces. If you like having plenty of hair accessories it always looks a bit like you made an effort because it's less expected than regularly like clips, sliders, or pins, and headbands.
Apart from classical metals, you can totally go for colors. The outfit so far is really quite neutral so feel free to go crazy and look into bright colors. You curated your wardrobe and that made a clear decision as far as accessories are concerned and knowing what you want. Confidence is always chic.
Style Balance: "Rules may be broken
Now for color schemes, bright colors are not necessarily off-limits but should be straight away from blacks whites and neutral tones such as beige greys and navies should be the overall color scheme. This type of color scheme is chic as black is the color of sophistication, seriousness, control, and independence. Although neutrals can create a more classic European look they do indicate a lack of enthusiasm passion and sentiment but are very timeless versatile and natural this is because they are not located on the color wheel. If you're going for a casual outfit at home, then neutrals or harmonious colors are an excellent choice. Think beige, cream, Gray's, tan, and those muted or mid-tones. There is a psychological effect of neutral colors or harmonious color palette. It's very easy on the eyes and it's easy to take in. It's not loud. It's not in your face. It's very calming. You would get the maximum effect if you went for an all-neutral monochromatic look. However, adding soft pastels, accent color, or bright pops of color can elevate the look to being more effortlessly chic.
The next point is matching colors. An outfit looks chic If, it seems curated and the best way of achieving that is through color. For instance, if the pants and the shoes match; the lipstick matches the accent color of the bracelet; the accent color of the purse matches the dominant color of the shoes it can be done in a subtle way barely visible but the brain picks it up. And that is what makes the overall impression of being chic. Sometimes you'll see fashion week photos or street style pictures where people make a point of mixing and clashing both colors and patterns. It is a strategy as well, no doubt but it often looks very modern very trendy but not always chic. Now the more advanced version instead of color matching the pants and the shoes let's say you take two colors from the same family. There are different ways of doing that for instance, if the shoes are red the pants could be red where some black was added it will still look like it belongs together even though the two colors are different techniques or if the shoes are red the pants could be purple. Why purple? Well, because that's the color next to red on the color wheel that will always look a lot more fashionable, modern, and contemporary than if you do it with neutrals. But it is very hard once you have the right shoes to find the pants of the right color. That's why being a fashion stylist is a real job.
My next tip is to keep a limit of three colors in an outfit now not only does this give you room to make getting dressed a seamless process but it keeps a general outfit looking more simple and effortless
I'd like to move on to something which is often ignored in styling advice and that's the texture of what we wear. The chic in casual chic isn't just the way you look it's also the way you feel in what you're wearing. That's why looking into materials and textures is essential. Let's say you're wearing black from head to toe, very simple. Well, if the pins are in a nicely woven wool material and the sweater is cashmere is worn directly on the skin you feel great you just need one piece of jewelry and you're good to go. Less is more.
Minimalism is often chic than maximalism though I realize that's an extremely French perspective. What do you think in terms of textures? Now think beyond the basic cotton Jersey which is very flat on the surface of it especially in the valued category. If you look at sweaters and outerwear you can have ribbon with stripes. In 3d you can have diamonds, checkerboard cable knitting, and etc. There are a million possibilities your wardrobe will always look more sophisticated. If you plan it...if you curate it taking into account that you want to have several materials and several textures in it.
A myth around dressing chic or elegant is that it's overly girlish and conservative in nature. Pieces do not need to be traditionally feminine. Actually mixing more traditional masculine elements can work in your favor as they emphasize and highlight the differences in each other. Structured or oversized pieces on a daintier figure create more visual depth and highlight features.
The last point I want to make here is attitude. It's actually a very relaxed approach to fashion that is catered to your personality. The pieces themselves can be chic in essence but it's really how you feel and carry yourself. It's about how you style the clothing, the way you move in them, and how you present yourself.
You get the point now of how to curate and accessorize an outfit to get a certain effect which in this case is casual chic. But the question before all that is actually what is your personal style. This is an extremely difficult question knowing your own style is the basis for any decision you want to make when you put together an outfit.
Moving on to Skirts that are great as well as they can give a very feminine flair to a look that can be adapted to or contradicted with other pieces. Dresses in a solid color or ones that have very subtle patterns or textures are great basics. A classic one is the little black dress made famous by Givenchy and Chanel. Dresses that are more of a statement in a casual setting can be balanced out by pieces that are darker and less delicate. And a formal setting you can do the same duality to a lesser degree or stick with other delicate pieces to create a focus on the silhouette of the gown or dress.
Situation + Proportions
For shoes, having the right shoes can make an outfit and it can really take it from casual to formal. Pointed shoes for example can help to elevate a look to something chic. If you want to wear flat shoes I would opt for a type of loafer. They're more sophisticated and have a more luxurious element to them. And they can have a very academic look without being overly scholarly yet, they are cool in nature. A classic like a Loafer makes an outfit more relaxed without compromising on looking sophisticated and polished.
Investing in the perfect pair of shoes that are going to last the test of time is really important like a go-to heel that you can walk in comfortably is a must.
Another is Boots like a go-to are black heeled boots. Also, boots with a platform come off a bit edgier but they need to be sleek and polished to look chic.
Now, Sneakers can be chic to some degree, but they always will come off with a more sporty vibe even if they're not made for working out, but it's not always the most elegant option. They can downgrade a look to a smart casual rather than elevating. It does look very good on the right person though or in the right setting. It just has to be very well done to suit this style.
Now let's add accessories...
When you're deciding how to accessorize go for bold or subtle. An easy way to set guidelines: if you're wearing basics go for bold to upgrade your outfit but if you're only wearing statement pieces go for subtle to complement and create focus; If you're only wearing statement pieces go for subtle to complement and create focus. You want to keep it quite simple and clean structured. Bags and Sunglasses are great functional basics. This tip is of course subject to personal taste and preference but having the perfect everyday bag can really pull an outfit together whatever color that may be in and if you have a favorite bag in a bright color this can add as a beautiful accent investing in a classic handbag is great as it'll last you for years and years and you will get bored of it and it'll go with everything this is where you can play around more with subtle statement pieces such as hats scarves purses or more depending on your personal taste.
How to get that casual chic feel the classical way is of course to go with jewelry and how you combine it. Jewelry has been worn for centuries to enhance people's looks or to make a statement of status. While trends come and go there are still some basic guidelines that are timeless. Staple jewelry should be able to go with anything in your wardrobe and having a chic style is about being put together and jewelry can contribute to this. If you don't know whether your skin undertone is warm or cool or maybe neutral then gold or silver is a personal preference but the shade should match you so it can complement your features and your skin tone. if you are cool-toned and you gravitate to Gray's and cool colors go with a silver necklace. if you weren't owned and you naturally are attracted to warm yellows warm green tan shades then you'll go for a gold necklace.
If you add the Earrings plus the Necklace plus the Rings it will look more formal and maybe a bit less casual, but it's a matter of taste. And it's of course up to you to also consider Hair Accessories. Many brands this season are offering hair accessories as designs. It's a good time right now to invest in a few pieces. If you like having plenty of hair accessories it always looks a bit like you made an effort because it's less expected than regularly like clips, sliders, or pins, and headbands.
Apart from classical metals, you can totally go for colors. The outfit so far is really quite neutral so feel free to go crazy and look into bright colors. You curated your wardrobe and that made a clear decision as far as accessories are concerned and knowing what you want. Confidence is always chic.
Style Balance: "Rules may be broken
Now for color schemes, bright colors are not necessarily off-limits but should be straight away from blacks whites and neutral tones such as beige greys and navies should be the overall color scheme. This type of color scheme is chic as black is the color of sophistication, seriousness, control, and independence. Although neutrals can create a more classic European look they do indicate a lack of enthusiasm passion and sentiment but are very timeless versatile and natural this is because they are not located on the color wheel. If you're going for a casual outfit at home, then neutrals or harmonious colors are an excellent choice. Think beige, cream, Gray's, tan, and those muted or mid-tones. There is a psychological effect of neutral colors or harmonious color palette. It's very easy on the eyes and it's easy to take in. It's not loud. It's not in your face. It's very calming. You would get the maximum effect if you went for an all-neutral monochromatic look. However, adding soft pastels, accent color, or bright pops of color can elevate the look to being more effortlessly chic.
The next point is matching colors. An outfit looks chic If, it seems curated and the best way of achieving that is through color. For instance, if the pants and the shoes match; the lipstick matches the accent color of the bracelet; the accent color of the purse matches the dominant color of the shoes it can be done in a subtle way barely visible but the brain picks it up. And that is what makes the overall impression of being chic. Sometimes you'll see fashion week photos or street style pictures where people make a point of mixing and clashing both colors and patterns. It is a strategy as well, no doubt but it often looks very modern very trendy but not always chic. Now the more advanced version instead of color matching the pants and the shoes let's say you take two colors from the same family. There are different ways of doing that for instance, if the shoes are red the pants could be red where some black was added it will still look like it belongs together even though the two colors are different techniques or if the shoes are red the pants could be purple. Why purple? Well, because that's the color next to red on the color wheel that will always look a lot more fashionable, modern, and contemporary than if you do it with neutrals. But it is very hard once you have the right shoes to find the pants of the right color. That's why being a fashion stylist is a real job.
My next tip is to keep a limit of three colors in an outfit now not only does this give you room to make getting dressed a seamless process but it keeps a general outfit looking more simple and effortless
I'd like to move on to something which is often ignored in styling advice and that's the texture of what we wear. The chic in casual chic isn't just the way you look it's also the way you feel in what you're wearing. That's why looking into materials and textures is essential. Let's say you're wearing black from head to toe, very simple. Well, if the pins are in a nicely woven wool material and the sweater is cashmere is worn directly on the skin you feel great you just need one piece of jewelry and you're good to go. Less is more.
Minimalism is often chic than maximalism though I realize that's an extremely French perspective. What do you think in terms of textures? Now think beyond the basic cotton Jersey which is very flat on the surface of it especially in the valued category. If you look at sweaters and outerwear you can have ribbon with stripes. In 3d you can have diamonds, checkerboard cable knitting, and etc. There are a million possibilities your wardrobe will always look more sophisticated. If you plan it...if you curate it taking into account that you want to have several materials and several textures in it.
A myth around dressing chic or elegant is that it's overly girlish and conservative in nature. Pieces do not need to be traditionally feminine. Actually mixing more traditional masculine elements can work in your favor as they emphasize and highlight the differences in each other. Structured or oversized pieces on a daintier figure create more visual depth and highlight features.
The last point I want to make here is attitude. It's actually a very relaxed approach to fashion that is catered to your personality. The pieces themselves can be chic in essence but it's really how you feel and carry yourself. It's about how you style the clothing, the way you move in them, and how you present yourself.
You get the point now of how to curate and accessorize an outfit to get a certain effect which in this case is casual chic. But the question before all that is actually what is your personal style. This is an extremely difficult question knowing your own style is the basis for any decision you want to make when you put together an outfit.
Image Ksenia Chernaya
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