The brief
The kind of outfit that looks like zero thought went into it, thrown together from whatever was already in the wardrobe, and somehow still works. Impressive precisely because it doesn't look like it's trying to be.
This should feel like you got dressed in five minutes to go meet friends in town, not styled for a shoot. The energy is unbothered, a little too cool to be trying. Let the outfit do the impressing while your face stays completely relaxed about it.
- Mood
- Unbothered, cool, easy
- Silhouette
- Relaxed and natural
- Palette
- Denim, black, neutrals
- Fabric
- Cotton, denim, leather
- Key piece
- One piece with real character
- Suggested season
- All year
- Good for
- denim, jeans, trainers, casual, effortless, everyday
Two ways to wear it
Structured
- A fitted leather jacket or structured coat over a simple knit, sleeves and shoulders doing the shaping
- Tailored or straight trousers, or a knee boot that extends the leg line
- One well-chosen shoe, bag, or jacket that the rest of the outfit gets built around
Relaxed
- A technical or puffer jacket, still considered rather than reached-for, worn oversized and unzipped
- Straight or wide denim, nothing fitted, comfort built into the silhouette
- A trainer with real presence, the kind that does half the styling work on its own
What makes it work
- Real everyday pieces that fit well, straight denim, a good tee, a worn leather jacket
- One piece with character that does the talking
- Trainers or boots that look worn but cared for
- Relaxed layering, an open shirt over a tee, a jacket half on
- Natural movement, walking, leaning, looking away
What breaks it
- Obvious logos and brand names front and centre
- Everything brand new with the creases still in
- Over-accessorising, it breaks the effortless feel
- Sportswear worn without intention, it reads as gym clothes rather than a choice
The outfit
Top
- A good plain tee or a vintage tee that fits properly
- A fitted leather jacket or a structured coat thrown over it
- A technical or puffer jacket worn half zipped
- A well worn knit under a tailored coat, high and low together
- A striped long sleeve under a tee, the simplest layering that still reads considered
- A shirt worn open over a vest, sleeves pushed back
Legs
- Straight or wide leg denim, nothing skin tight
- Tailored or straight trousers
- A knee length skirt with trainers
- Nylon trousers, if the top half is structured enough to balance it
- Sporty pieces work only when they read as styled, never as gym clothes
- A denim skirt with opaque tights and trainers
Footwear
- Trainers that look worn but cared for
- Loafers or simple boots
- Beat-up trainers rather than new ones
- A loafer with a visible sock, which reads deliberate rather than accidental
Hair and makeup
Hair
- Natural and lived in, exactly as it is on a normal day
- Cap or beanie over unstyled hair, which is how most people leave the house
- Pushed back with your hands rather than styled, the way it sits after a walk
- A low ponytail with pieces already falling out of it
Makeup
Tinted Balm
A sheer balm on lips and cheeks, skin that looks like skin
Brows and Nothing Else
Groomed brows, clean skin, no product visible
Concealer and Brows
The two minutes most people spend
A Bitten Lip
A sheer stain rather than a lipstick, so it looks worn in
Finishing touches
Jewellery
- Whatever you'd wear: a watch, a thin chain, a few rings
- A watch you wear, which reads more honest than borrowed jewellery
- Small hoops or studs you forget you have on
- A single chain that sits under the collar rather than over it
Other Accessories
- A cap or beanie worn without fuss
- A crossbody bag or a tote carried like you use it
- A coffee, keys, headphones, the things you'd really have on you
- Headphones around the neck, a real object rather than a prop
- A tote with actual things in it, which changes how you stand and walk
Take it further
For when you want to go all out, pull out every stop and make it yours.
- 01Take a single designer or statement piece and wear it as casually as your oldest jeans
- 02Borrow something from a partner's or friend's wardrobe and wear it like it's yours
- 03Photograph it somewhere you genuinely go, and let the place do half the styling
- 04Build the whole look from what you wore yesterday, with one piece swapped
If you like this, try these
Bring this look to your session, or see all 21 styles