BEFORE YOU LAND
LA's effortless look actually has a formula
The LA 'just threw this on' look is anything but casual: 40 minutes of effort to look like 4. This breaks the formula into six elements, with three sample outfits and the most common fails.
Translated from Jasmine’s original Chinese. The illustrated slides are on the interactive reader.
Key points
- The formula at a glance: Miss one, and it's just actually sloppy.
- The right proportions: The clothes can be casual; the proportions can't.
- A clean pair of shoes: Old shoes are fine; dirty shoes aren't.
- One accessory: More than two and it's not effortless anymore.
- Common fails: Effortless vs. sloppy comes down to a clean pair of shoes.
Full text
The formula at a glance
Effortless = basics in a good fabric + the right proportions + a clean pair of shoes + one accessory + a face that looks well rested + a drink in your hand. Miss one, and it's just actually sloppy.
① Basics in a good fabric
A heavyweight white or gray tee (not see-through, not wrinkly, collar not stretched out), one good hoodie or knit, straight-leg jeans or wide-leg pants. One good white tee beats five cheap ones.
② The right proportions
Loose on top, fitted on the bottom (oversized hoodie + leggings), or fitted on top, loose on the bottom (cropped tank + wide-leg pants); if it's loose head to toe, show a little wrist, ankle or collarbone. The clothes can be casual; the proportions can't.
③ A clean pair of shoes
White or black-and-white sneakers, flats or loafers all work. Old shoes are fine; dirty shoes aren't.
④ One accessory
A baseball cap, sunglasses, a good bag, or small gold earrings: one is enough. More than two and it's not effortless anymore.
⑤ A face that looks well rested
Half of LA's effortless is your face: glowy skin (LA is so dry, hydration matters most), very light makeup or just lip balm, hair tied up any which way. The best outfit is a good night's sleep.
⑥ A drink in hand
An iced matcha, iced oat latte or a smoothie. This one's half a joke, but in LA, holding a drink really does make you look more relaxed >_<
Look ① | The weekend farmers market
Heavyweight white tee + straight-leg jeans + Birkenstocks + a straw bag + sunglasses.
Look ② | Brunch after class
Matching yoga set + an oversized hoodie + a baseball cap + clean sneakers + an iced matcha.
Look ③ | Dinner out
Black tank + a blazer + wide-leg pants + flats + gold earrings.
Common fails
Clothes too wrinkled or worn out, every piece is a statement, logos head to toe, dirty shoes. Effortless vs. sloppy comes down to a clean pair of shoes.
Two-city mirror
In Taipei, 'dressing up properly' is a form of politeness; in LA, 'looking like you didn't dress up' is the politeness. Effortless doesn't mean no effort; it means hiding the effort.
In this series
- The LA Weather Dress Code
- Dress Like the Neighborhood
- One suitcase, one week of LA outfits
- Will clothes bought in LA look odd in Taipei?
An original JSLALALAND field guide by Jasmine Chang (@jslalaland).