The other day I saw some quote about how “no man can resist a woman in a baseball cap” (this same type of effortless ‘oh I just threw this on’ vibe) and in my head was like…Yeah, if she is otherwise beautiful & feminine, and has long thick hair cascading from under the hat. AKA a woman who would be seen as attractive no matter what she was wearing.
But the class implications here are very interesting as well. I love when an outfit breakdown is like “Oh this is just my grandmother’s old Chanel handbag” as though that’s something everyone has floating around in their closet if they were just cool/smart enough to find it.
Exactly. That quote you mentioned also makes me think of Gone Girl’s cool girl explainer (which also folds back into another facet of being “effortless”).
I really enjoyed this. Telling young girls not to care about their appearance lacks so much nuance. God knows a lesson was never instilled in me that way.
The idea of “effortless” is definitely a Eurocentric ideal, because in some cultures, it’s important to look like you’re trying. When I was younger, I bought into a lot of what I saw in mainstream media and magazines, but as I’ve gotten older—and am living in Nigeria again—I’ve developed more appreciation and respect for effortful dressing and style. I’ve tried to do my lipstick like a French girl…you know, dabbed on softly with no discernible lipliner and yeah no I just look unkempt.
I feel the same about Latin America (at least Brasil). I didn’t knew the concept of effortless before pinterest and being flooded by US or European content
Love the way you broke this down, I’d read the Allison Bornstein piece as well about effortless style. It allllll takes effort, who are we kidding? Haha
Yes! Exactly! Thank you. The Allison Bornstein quote is from a WSJ article which is another good read — I’ve linked that article more clearly in my recent newsletter as well as other articles I had read to research this one.
Truly I think the idea that the "effortless" in "effortless style" is really just social, cultural, class, race, body or identity capital is really free-ing.
People can just honor where they are and stop trying to project an aura or background they dont have- a kind of authenticity which can only improve someone's style imo.
100%. That is the hardest but truest thing - to let go what one may want to socially signify on how they dress, and to just wear what they genuinely like.
I was such deep work and reflection , I loved every minute of it and how mush it made me reconsider my style goals. I think the series to look effortless is also link with the rythm of our lives. Perhaps we want to look put together without thinking too much about it because we don't have much time to do so (even if we want to).
Loved this!!! Also another fun fact— that specific cover of Vogue was also groundbreaking/controversial because at the time, the cover model was considered “plus size,” which is insane, but also speaks to how far we come— including the ways in which societal standards for beauty and body evolve over time. Xoxo 🫶🏻
This is so good, Thank you for the thought that went into this!
When the Three Words style phenom took over, I definitely had ‘effortless’ as one of my words. These past few months I have really been re-imagining my personal style and have taken that word off my list! I want people to notice my effort - I think it shows caring and respect for where I am going and who I am seeing.
I've worked in fashion magazines since internship age, and have had the benefit of finding my sense of style through my work. Even still, 'effortless style' is a concept similar to 'finding happiness' for me. It's not a permanent state, and the chase can have the opposite effect if you focus on this too much.
Excellent piece! As much as I love Caroline de Maigret, the whole “French-girl chic” beauty and fashion content farm from the likes of Goop has gotten beyond tired.
More pieces like this please Zara! I loved all the cultural and historical references (I am not an 'art' person so knew naught of the link to the impressionist movement) and feel you articulated your view so articulately and in an accessible way - part of dismantling these discourses and cultural mindsets means writing in a way that everyone can understand. I'm so glad you pointed out the privilege in Zadie Smith's statements about makeup - she is thin, wealthy, educated, with skin considered to be culturally "desirable" (clear, glowy, dewy, youthful). I am reminded of Jessica DeFino's writings on this dichotomy when I read this. Thank you!!
I think effortless is meant to equal authenticity, and if the authentic unvarnished person is beautiful, then they are deserving. So we want to see the 'real' person, on the proviso they are worthy. Authenticity with strings attached.
I also wonder if effortlessness and revealing the 'real you' invites intimacy from strangers. If so, then there must be huge privilege in allowing that perception of intimacy.
I love how detailed this was.
The other day I saw some quote about how “no man can resist a woman in a baseball cap” (this same type of effortless ‘oh I just threw this on’ vibe) and in my head was like…Yeah, if she is otherwise beautiful & feminine, and has long thick hair cascading from under the hat. AKA a woman who would be seen as attractive no matter what she was wearing.
But the class implications here are very interesting as well. I love when an outfit breakdown is like “Oh this is just my grandmother’s old Chanel handbag” as though that’s something everyone has floating around in their closet if they were just cool/smart enough to find it.
Thank you!
Exactly. That quote you mentioned also makes me think of Gone Girl’s cool girl explainer (which also folds back into another facet of being “effortless”).
lol love this. Sooooooo damn true
Thank you for reading Josie!
I really enjoyed this. Telling young girls not to care about their appearance lacks so much nuance. God knows a lesson was never instilled in me that way.
The idea of “effortless” is definitely a Eurocentric ideal, because in some cultures, it’s important to look like you’re trying. When I was younger, I bought into a lot of what I saw in mainstream media and magazines, but as I’ve gotten older—and am living in Nigeria again—I’ve developed more appreciation and respect for effortful dressing and style. I’ve tried to do my lipstick like a French girl…you know, dabbed on softly with no discernible lipliner and yeah no I just look unkempt.
I feel the same about Latin America (at least Brasil). I didn’t knew the concept of effortless before pinterest and being flooded by US or European content
Love the way you broke this down, I’d read the Allison Bornstein piece as well about effortless style. It allllll takes effort, who are we kidding? Haha
Yes! Exactly! Thank you. The Allison Bornstein quote is from a WSJ article which is another good read — I’ve linked that article more clearly in my recent newsletter as well as other articles I had read to research this one.
This may just be my fave one yet - well done. So much to unpack here!
Thank you so much Zama!!
Loved this, "effortless style" is such a vague phrase but with a distinct meaning I could never put finger on and this really breaks it down.
Yes! I felt that way too, yet it still is something that many people are striving for, even if you don’t know what it is.
Truly I think the idea that the "effortless" in "effortless style" is really just social, cultural, class, race, body or identity capital is really free-ing.
People can just honor where they are and stop trying to project an aura or background they dont have- a kind of authenticity which can only improve someone's style imo.
100%. That is the hardest but truest thing - to let go what one may want to socially signify on how they dress, and to just wear what they genuinely like.
I was such deep work and reflection , I loved every minute of it and how mush it made me reconsider my style goals. I think the series to look effortless is also link with the rythm of our lives. Perhaps we want to look put together without thinking too much about it because we don't have much time to do so (even if we want to).
Loved this!!! Also another fun fact— that specific cover of Vogue was also groundbreaking/controversial because at the time, the cover model was considered “plus size,” which is insane, but also speaks to how far we come— including the ways in which societal standards for beauty and body evolve over time. Xoxo 🫶🏻
sprezzaturra is a fab word ZW
Def not used enough!
This is so good, Thank you for the thought that went into this!
When the Three Words style phenom took over, I definitely had ‘effortless’ as one of my words. These past few months I have really been re-imagining my personal style and have taken that word off my list! I want people to notice my effort - I think it shows caring and respect for where I am going and who I am seeing.
Wow, love love love this article! Super interesting and enlightening, top favourite read!
Thank you Edda!
I love your writing around personal style.
I've worked in fashion magazines since internship age, and have had the benefit of finding my sense of style through my work. Even still, 'effortless style' is a concept similar to 'finding happiness' for me. It's not a permanent state, and the chase can have the opposite effect if you focus on this too much.
This is so lovely, thank you.
The pursuit of anything is like chasing one’s tail — and changing goal posts, too. Thank you for reading ♥️
Excellent piece! As much as I love Caroline de Maigret, the whole “French-girl chic” beauty and fashion content farm from the likes of Goop has gotten beyond tired.
Yet… it still works for them *cue stock image of girl sipping a hot beverage at a Parisian-looking cafe*
More pieces like this please Zara! I loved all the cultural and historical references (I am not an 'art' person so knew naught of the link to the impressionist movement) and feel you articulated your view so articulately and in an accessible way - part of dismantling these discourses and cultural mindsets means writing in a way that everyone can understand. I'm so glad you pointed out the privilege in Zadie Smith's statements about makeup - she is thin, wealthy, educated, with skin considered to be culturally "desirable" (clear, glowy, dewy, youthful). I am reminded of Jessica DeFino's writings on this dichotomy when I read this. Thank you!!
Thank you Jane! I think about Zadie Smith's mirror comment every time I look in a mirror.
This is excellent.
Thank you Holly!
I LOVE your writing. Thank you for digging into this topic in such a rich and nuanced way.
Thank you so much Xue! It’s been on my mind for a while so I’m relieved to be able to articulate it! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I think effortless is meant to equal authenticity, and if the authentic unvarnished person is beautiful, then they are deserving. So we want to see the 'real' person, on the proviso they are worthy. Authenticity with strings attached.
I also wonder if effortlessness and revealing the 'real you' invites intimacy from strangers. If so, then there must be huge privilege in allowing that perception of intimacy.