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?

A lot of people often described as looking insouciant have what I call a crack addict hippy rocker "I'm so deep but I also don't give a damn" chic.

Surely it's just hardly smiling, looking a bit bored/pissed off. Work on that and you've nailed it.

I think all the famous people you've mentioned spend megabucks attempting to look like they don't try too hard. It's a bit of a thankless task I suspect. May as well wear whatever you like and enjoy life and not worry if it gives you face wrinkles.

I am with you OP, I really like my style in autumn and winter, I feel middle of the road in spring and by summer I am longing for colder weather, biker jackets and boots again.

Definitely Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Jane Birkin, Chrissie Hynde, Lisa Bonet, Zoe Kravitz, Vanessa Paradis, Helena Christensen - a little bit rock chick, a bit French, a little bit boho. Alexa Chung also has it, but I feel hers is more contrived (although I love her style.) Definitely NOT Hayley Bieber or Kylie Jenner. I love all those I’ve mentioned (other than H and K) - they’re the exact opposite of the glossy Kim K, groomed to within an inch of their life, waxy, glossy, would-be fashion icons that appear to be held up as beauty and style ideals these days.

Is it not just any 20 year old girl at a festival?

OP unfortunately I can't advise on insouciance, but Silver Kat on Instagram might be a person to follow for a summer version of your winter look. Might not be for you if you're closer to 20 than 40, that said.

Oooh I think I might have this! People tell me all the time I walk boldly or “I wish I had the confidence you do” and my son told me last week while we were watching Baby Driver “you look like that when you walk around, mum”.

I always think, what you about I’m just wearing crap I haven’t bothered to iron, maybe slept in - so maybe that is the art of not caring. To just not care?

Dunno if it makes a diff but I am a rock chick I suppose, aging goth, don’t always brush my hair.

Anita Pallenberg
She was the Queen of insouciance
Have a Google

As soon as I read the title of your post Jane Birkin sprang to mind.
Nothing too “try hard”. This is why it’s so hard for us ordinary mortals to pull it off. You probably need to be quite model like to look fab without any visible effort!

Tilda Swinton.

'You might think my outfit is ugly, but I don't care what you think', sort of vibe.

I think @SisterAgatha might have it, even the way you described yourself having it had it.

Yes! All through her years.

I don't think it's anything you wear or any particular look as others have said. It's caring enough to put together a look unique to you and then leaving it alone.

For example wearing a whopping pair of 18k Cartier earrings yet going about your evening without being conscious of them or constantly fiddling with your ears. An air of "Oh this old thing"

For insouciance u don't need a sense of fashion. You need social confidence (almost verging on insolence) and body confidence (core of steel, elegance when moving, almost like a cat, very self possessed) definitely do not have to be thin.

I don't have it. I aspire to have it 😅

I think this is possibly the best thing a son has ever said to his mum. Love it.

Ahh thank you, he’s a good kid ❤️

I am not especially thin btw, very large hips but 10/12 on top. Not that pretty either, people tell me I am but i don’t think so, I think I’m quite plain and the rest is something I can’t put my finger on.

when I think of an insouciant look, I think more like PJ Harvey, or the actress from Russian Doll. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, but you’re wearing it. I’m currently looking for a huge gold necklace like she wears actually.

You need to be rake thin with long limbs and shiny hair. Then you can throw on anything and look great and as though you don't care.

Although I do have a friend who is average height and average slim build and looks amazing in everything she chucks on. Even in jeans, trainers and a hoodie she seems to exude French chic. I have no idea how she does it.