How to get an effortless sense of style

q Dear Sharon:  I really want to know how to have an effortless sense of style.

What are the tips to achieve a look that is elegant, sophisticated, but understated and doesn’t look like I tried too hard, in other words, effortless style.

I’m always afraid of looking high-maintenance and a little too preoccupied with my appearance rather than looking at ease in my appearance.

I guess what I want is the opposite of the overstyled looked you see on reality TV.

I’m in my mid 40’s and would have thought that I could have nailed down my look by now but that’s far from the case.  (G.Svia Fashion Advice)

 

>>RELATED READING: Abundant Style Mantras- 10 Ways to Make the MOST of What You’ve Got

 

A:

Looking effortless and chic; Emma Watson in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci
Looking effortless and chic: Emma Watson in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

I hear you… I certainly don’t want to look overstyled and would much rather savor the sweet attention of being understated and overly chic, and the certain sense of self-power that emanates from that.

But the  ironic thing is that it is sometimes easier to look high maintenance and overstyled rather than effortless and chic.

Age doesn’t always make it easier.

When we’re younger, we are usually more easily willing to take chances and care less about looking effortless and more about looking trendy. We’re still stuck in that”gotta have it” mode.

Trendy can lead to overstyled in a hot second as you just glob on to what’s “in” at the moment rather than sitting back and taking pause as to what is right for you. So when you mature, it compounds itself and you struggle with what is really right for you.

What you need to learn is how to self-edit to achieve effortless style.

Wear what’s worthy of you and not advertising a brand or a trend.

I thought of you when I saw this photo, right, of Emma Watson in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci at the Vogue Paris Foundation the other night. Look how simple & stunning she looks.

Everything works in unison and doesn’t overpower the most important aspect, the wearer!

This is what I enlighten my C’est Chic ladies and my V.IP.’s with as it’s not the amount of pieces or the hours you spend creating “outfits,” but the self-confidence in knowing that you can pull it together when you need to… and, that’s just GOLDEN.

If you seeking the ease of looking effortless, you might want to step back just a little bit.

Revel in a certain sense of undoneness.

Knowing what’s right is the opposite of trying too hard.

Feel the self-confidence that comes so naturally to French Chic women… it’s not about quantity but the quality of what you wear that’s right for you.

Take the time to assess what  makes you feel great about yourself and hone into that- it’s key to what makes style effortless.

Beauty is how you see yourself. Style is what ties the pretty bow on your personal package.


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JUST ASK: Do you need some quick stylist help to amp up your style?  Email us for Fashion Advice.

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Photo: Image.net/Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Moscow Autumn/Winter 2014-2015 and Emma Watson in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci; photo: Givenchy

Original Publish Date:  Jul 17, 2014

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