41 Secrets to Look Effortlessly Chic

This post explains that looking effortlessly stylish takes effort and lists 41 often overlooked ways to get the “effortlessly chic” look.

What’s the difference between effortlessly chic and looking cool?

There is a distinct difference between looking effortlessly  chic and looking cool. The latter is about getting the je ne sais quoi? right, i.e. the one odd, weird out of context, but hard to define touch. Think Jane Birkin, or Kate Moss, for instance.

Effortlessly stylish is a contradiction in terms.

You can’t look stylish without putting in the effort to look chic or stylish. If you don’t put in the effort, you will look like exactly that “effortless”, i.e. plain English like not trying at all. Thus, is looking effortlessly chic or stylish a bad thing? No, not at all! On the contrary, the term “effortlessly chic” or “effortlessly stylish” means that you try hard, but your look doesn’t look like being forced or like you tried too hard.

What are the secrets of style?

There is no need to worry about whether you want to look effortlessly chic/stylish or whether you want to look cool. Why? Because both have many things in common. In the end, it all nails down to dressing your best.

Don’t let the right outfit be a random thing. Wear the right look in every situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now.

Here are 41 of my secrets to dress for the best that I want to share with you.

1. Have an inspiration board. This “board” can be an actual board in your closet or a folder on your digital device. Add things you like and visit the board for inspiration. Analyze what the non-outfit items tell you about your style preferences. When you need help to nail down your primary personal style take this free online style finder.
2. Create a look book to have outfits ready that work when you are in a hurry in the morning. Tip: A dress with pumps and a bag is instant style.
3. Dress for the life you live, not the life you dream of. #dress4success #stylesecrets Click To Tweet
4. Layering is key. Learn to create cold wet weather outfits strategically, e.g., a coat over a scarf, an oversize scarf belted over a coat, T-shirt under deep V-neck sweater, untucked shirt under a cropped jacket, just to give some examples.
5. Add at least one unexpected or surprising accessory, e.g., killer heels, cool watch, bold bag, interesting belt.
6. Buy only clothes that you can't wait to wear. #dress4success #styletip Click To Tweet
7. Never buy an item just because it is a high-end brand and on sale. If it is not your style or doesn’t fit it will just take up real estate in your closet. Moreover, it will not let you look effortlessly chic at all. Learn when to splurge and when to bargain.
8. Always buy for the body you have, not the body you want to have in half a year from now after loosing weight.
9. Before you buy an item, think of at least three outfits that you can create with the potential item with what you have already in your closet.
10. Know what works for you and stick to it. Click To Tweet
11. Know which colors flatter you.
12. Don’t wear a color just because it is the Pantone color of the year. Instead fake wearing outfits in Pantome colors.
13. Focus every outfit around one key item.
14. Don’t wear too many trends at once. Be picky with with picking up trends.
15. Be selective on which trends you adopt in a season. Ask yourself whether the trend will look plain ridiculous in a decade from now. If you would be embarrassed, skip the trend.
16. Aim for a natural look. Learn how to create a barely there natural makeup.
17. Pay attention to grooming: Nails, hair, roots, facial hair, armpits, legs, eyebrows, skin, makeup.
18. Be unpredictable, i.e. never wear the same outfit twice. You can repeat the outfit recipe, but make sure you use different pieces each time.
19. Go for functional cuts and designs that don’t add awkward bumps and bulks.
20. Wear skirts slightly above the knee when you have great legs, around the knees otherwise.

    

21. Know where your hems should end, i.e. no cap sleeves for heavy arms, no midi skirt hem or boots ending at the widest part of your calves, i.e. dress with your body in mind. Don’t know you body type? Take this quiz to find your body type.
22. Invest in cashmere turtlenecks, shirt dresses, trench coats, car or pea coats.
23. Have a crisp tailored white button-down shirt.
24. Finish every outfit with a great pair of shoes. #secretsofstyle Click To Tweet
25. Make sure your shoes are polished and have intact heels.
26. Think of your outerwear as an outfit as well. In other words, style your outerwear. In winter, it may be the first a new person see you in.
27. Go for fit, not for the smaller size tag. Recall: Size is just a number.
28. Have a great tailor on speed dial.
29. Be befriended with a sales person to know when new merchandise comes in that you may like or when things go on sale.
30. Avoid over-bling with jewelry. There is no need to compete with the Christmas tree.
31. Take a look at my style recipe book for inspiration.
32. Mix silver and gold in one outfit. So chic.
33. Mix expensive with cheap items. #stylesecrets Click To Tweet
34. Never wear one designer head-to-toe.
35. Wear black with brown, navy with black, so chic.
36. Add a pop of color to an all neutral outfit with a silk scarf, statement necklace, large watch, belt or the shoes.
37. Stay away from neon colors.
38. Don’t be a copy cat. It is great practice to adopt outfit and styling ideas, but wear it your way, not one to one. Every copy machine can do that better. An outfit that looks great on your friend may be so wrong for you for various reasons: It is not so you, you have a different body shape, skin undertone, lifestyle, character, etc. Only adopt what works for you and add your own twist.
39. Have the right attitude. Be yourself, everyone else is already taken. #attitude #personalstyle Click To Tweet
40. Master the proportions: Try long-over-short, or short-over-long.
41. Take a selfie before you leave the door. When you don’t like what you see, adjust the look.

Which of the above secrets to look effortlessly chic did you already know and do you apply? Which one will you adopt to look your best ever? Let me know, I am curious.

P.S. Like this outfit? If so, please feel free to pin them to your own Pinterest board.

P.P.S. Get the inspiration, support, motivation, and tips to look to your best in life. Subscribe to High Latitude Style. Deep inside you know, when I can do it you can do it too.

Photos: G. Kramm

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