The art of insouciance

[Procrastatron]

I see this term on here occasionally. What does it mean to you (in fashion terms) and how do you achieve it? Or what do you see in others that in your opinion have it?

You've either got it or you don't. It can't be manufactured.

Nooooooo

I like to think I have it in winter but lose it in summer. That’s why I’m asking 😎

I don't think it's seasonal

You have to look like you don't care no matter what the weather!

As in Hayley Bieber and Kendall Jenner? They have no sense of style, wear whatever the hell they want, and people hail them as style icons because they’re thin and confident. You can get away with anything if you’re thin and confident.

No @Mrcpy I think they are thin, wealthy and have exceptional privilege but I wouldn’t think of them when I say it. Maybe Zoe Kravitz but she is also slim and wealthy and probably has a stylist.

@JaneJeffer I guess I don’t have it then, I am very confident in my mild to cold weather style which is based around casual oversized items and get lots of compliments. But I have low body confidence so really struggle in the summer and summer evening wear is my kryptonite. I have a holiday coming up at a nice resort and I’m struggling with ideas for outfits that meet the dress code but say “I look great even though I don’t give a f*ck”. There are only so many times you can wear an oversized maxi dress in the evening.

A tinkly laugh (but, no, don’t do that).

I was thinking more along the lines of Chloe Sevigny

This type of thing

I give no soucis about how I look, OP, but I suspect this is not exactly what is meant ...

On your evening summer style - it sounds like I might wear similar to you in winter and my summer look is often wideleg trousers in light material, oversize t-shirt tucked in/boxy t-shirt. We went to a posh restaurant in the south of France at Easter and I wore essentially that - trousers in light green/khaki, black loose-fitting v-neck t-shirt and wedges. Also loose silk vests with wideleg trousers - nice material makes it look dressy. Probably sounds horrible as I'm describing it. I honestly do get called stylish from time to time!

I think it’s a variation on a certain kind of french/Parisian style, although that said, the Olsen twins are (to my eye at least), great examples of insouciant dressing

I think it's more about confidence in your look no matter what you're wearing. Effortlessly stylish. Looking wealthy (but not try hard - despite my name I most definitely do not advocate this!) helps.

To me insouciance is someone in a scruffy biker jacket, an old dress that belonged to their Nan, hair in a messy bun or not particularly styled, minimal makeup, smoking a fag and a doesn't give one shit in the world.

Jane Birkin and Amy Winehouse were good examples IMO of that kind of insouciant style, as was Kate Moss in her Pete Doherty days. I loved her in her gold dress with no bra and wellies at Glastonbury!

The Art of Insouciance sounds like the title of an article in an Edwardian ladies weekly. I'd agree that it's an American version of the 'French girl style'.

Do you ever look at Karen Brit Chick's youtube channel. She does these really enjoyable 'what everyone is wearing in new york' street style videos. Might give you some ideas.

To me insouciance is someone in a scruffy biker jacket, an old dress that belonged to their Nan, hair in a messy bun or not particularly styled, minimal makeup, smoking a fag and a doesn't give one shit in the world.
Trouble is one could end up looking more Waynetta than Kate

Trouble is one could end up looking more Waynetta than Kate

🤣🤣🤣yes, it's a hard look to pull off I agree..

Unfortunately I think it helps if you're very thin!

Yes thinness and having no hips helps. I watched Sienna Miller talking about her style which is very insouciant. She can throw on a slip dress and look fab because she is straight up and down.

Chloe Sevigny definitely has it.

Hmm, interesting. Not everyone has the same view of what it means. What I had in my head I wouldn’t associate with Parisian style and I’d probably agree with @Tryhard40’s assessment. I don’t really know who Chloe Sevigny is but from pictures yes maybe her too.

@hoorayandupsherises actually my holiday style is not at all like that, I love it in others and I’ve tried it, but it just looks forced on me like I’m trying to be glamorous but I’m not.

I ordered a simple black tube dress from Cos earlier which is the opposite of every other summer dress I own, I want to be able to throw it on with some gold chains and some black Tevas and not worry that I’m a bit wobbly in places.

I want to be able to throw it on with some gold chains and some black Tevas and not worry that I’m a bit wobbly in places

If you do that and add some red lipstick you’ve nailed it.

Yes! 👌

I think it takes a lot of effort to fake, so you kind of need it to be instinctive. You look like you grabbed something last minute from your wardrobe and it looks great, hangs nicely, no pulling or gaping. Things look expensive even when they weren’t. Not matchy matchy. Hair in no discernible style. Fashionable and now without looking like you care about trends. Very hard to pull off if you have short legs or big boobs (I have both).

@Tryhard40 ive never noticed before that Kate Moss looks like she’s wearing a drooping - full, gold nappy in that dress.

To me it means thin and beautiful in a specific way.

like the film Amelie.

Thank you!