WEARING:
Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans
James Perse casual tee
Barney’s co-op cardigan (very old)
Comme des Garcons PLAY X converse shoes
Jerome Dreyfuss Billy Bag
So this is my attempt at the “effortless chic” look that French women have perfected – down to their signature converse sneakers (except the French woman would be wearing a black blazer instead of a cardigan)…I’m not sure I pulled it off, but it’s definitely comfortable 😉
Last week was a crazy blur of shopping, working and visiting my dad in Florida. He’s somewhat of a fashion critic himself, and we had a discussion about style: is it better to LOOK like you put effort into your outfit, or look like you didn’t put any effort into your outfit, yet you still appear fashionable and put together (the “effortless chic” look so many editors talk about)? Sounds weird I know, but we hear so much about achieving the “Parisian/effortless chic” look, which is essentially throwing things on that just “go” together without really thinking much about it – you just know it will look good.
I suppose this is what I always try to achieve, especially lately that I don’t change my outfit once I put it on. I have an arsenal of pieces I can choose from, and I generally know what goes together well, so I don’t have to think very much about what to wear. Which frees my brain up for other VERY important things 😉
But is there really such a thing as effortless chic? Do you see women who have that “look” and think that their style is “effortless”? or that they spent time thinking about what they’re wearing?
I don’t know the answer…I’m asking you!
absolutely effortless chic! love the little sneaks!
I love when style looks effortless, in any occasion: working, going out, in a weeding o during weekends. I think that’s achievable knowing yourself and your needs. In my opinion not many people get it, they try too hard. I believe you are there not changing your outfits once dressed : )
It looks effortless and chic…or “adorablement effort de traduire” as the French would say.(and yes, I had to look that up!) 😉 Did you happen to get your hands on a copy of Ines de la Fressange’s “Parisian Chic”? It’s a great little book with some really cute style ideas.
To say all French women dress effortless chic is right up there with saying all Southern women love banjo music.
In high school, my family hosted foreign exchange students & not a one of them came to us looking effortless or chic let alone both at the same time.
Plus last time I looked Converse sneaks were started by a guy who was born ‘n raised in New Hampshire & opened the Converse rubber company in Mass. So when did Converse kicks become oh so French?
Anyways, when you see someone who looks as if they tried to hard – it’s usually because there are enough visual clues there to confirm that. And if they seemingly & truly didn’t try all that hard – maybe that’s only after 6000 failed attempts to get that “effortless chic” look.
One of my Sister-in-laws can’t say no to any accessory or extra add-on & that’s just her thing, but it’s always so much to take in & she always looks uncomfortable. Then I have another Sister-in-law who never wears any accessory let alone anything beyond All-American white tee & jeans & she’s the one that looks straight out of a classic Ralph Lauren ad. Maybe effortless chic is simply comfort.
Something looks different about you lately….
Whatever it is, you look great Gretchen! 🙂
Rockin the Current/Elliott jeans! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the sneakers, jut bought two new colors of converse but would love to have yours! BTW, I give Parisian Chic to all my friends for their birthdays, discovered this little jewel of a book on a shoot last year, it lives on my coffee table! Great minds thinkg alike!
It is so fun! I can’t wait to visit Paris and check out Ines’ favorite haunts. I agree, Grechen, that this is a totally flattering outfit on you, French effortless chic or non 😉
You look good!!!
As much as i love fashion, i do not like having to think what to wear….so i always follow my uniform ( jeans by C/Elliott, J Brand or Paige/ tees by J.Perse or A.Wang / heels or flats)…i usually prefer an effortless look… I also think that effortlessness is created by the attitude, as well as the clothes…
Have a nice day!
I LOVE this look on you — you look great and indeed, effortlessly chic. If these are the boyfriend jeans you wanted to get rid of, don’t! They’re really flattering.
yes! these were the ones i wanted to get rid of…i still don’t think they’re the MOST flattering jeans on me, but they’re not that bad either 😉
thanks clara – i completely agree with you on not liking to think about what to wear (do we have the same uniform? ;). i seem to feel better and put together better outfits when i don’t think too much.
thanks sabrina. i wonder what it is?? …
thanks!! i love the sneakers too, but have a hard time wearing them. i feel like my feet look very long in them! and they don’t really “go” with as much as I’d hoped…but that’s okay, i’m happy just to have them 😉
i love that book. what are you wearing your converse with? in my head they look a lot better with outfits than they really do LOL
maybe they’re a teeny bit big.
Aren’t you glad now that they didn’t fit me? Your outfit is Tres Chic…Perfection! exactly how I would LOVE for it to look on me and somehow doesn’t! The newest additions to my converse collection are the optic white and the lemon which are bright yellow. Wish I ahd of seen your first, now they are sold out!
oops, have to remember to type WITH my glasses ON!
I read somewhere (maybe it is Parisian Chic, which I also have) that if you have a casual outfit, mix one dressy element in there and vice versa for dressy outfits. There was also discussion around Oscar season one year about Audrey Tatou, Marion Cotillard, and Vanessa Paradis and what they are lauded for vs. American actresses. I think it does go beyond clothes and into style (including personal philosophy and lifestyle). One tv commentator said there is just something about our perception of the French and their perception of themselves that makes daring and unusual dress choices good ones, whereas American actresses look/are perceived better when they play it more straightforward glam.