Everyone wants to look stylish and put-together, but there’s no denying that it takes a fair bit of work. And let’s face it—sometimes you can’t, or just don’t want to bother. Never fear, though! These fashion hacks can make you look as though you’ve put in some effort:
Building a Fuss-Free Wardrobe
Know your measurements. In a world where vanity sizing has become such a prevalent practice, knowing your measurements is indispensable. Primarily, it’ll enable you to shop for clothes online from the comfort of your own home instead of wasting precious time and energy hunting around in a mall. Most retail sites have a “size guide” that lists a product’s specific measurements, eliminating the possibility of receiving something that doesn’t fit.
Stick to neutral colors. A neutral palette takes the work out of color-matching your clothes forever. With it, you won’t have to learn about color theory or worry about pieces clashing. When everything you own goes together so effortlessly, getting dressed in the morning is an absolute breeze—you could do it half-asleep and still be able to assemble a great outfit. Keep your style from getting stale by breaking up the monotony with pieces in bold, solid colors every now and then. Jewel tones like red, blue, green and violet are guaranteed to liven up your look.
Organize your closet. Sifting through a messy closet every day takes so much time and effort. By comparison, organizing your closet once will shave minutes off your morning routine. Start by purging the clothes that you’ve either never worn or have stopped wearing. Dispose of any torn, tattered, threadbare and discolored garments while you’re at it: anything that isn’t intentionally distressed has no place in any woman’s wardrobe. You can even go a step further and eliminate any clothes that are uncomfortable, as well as the ones that are too hard to put on or take off. After identifying the pieces that you want to keep, organize them by color from lightest to darkest. A functional system like this will enable you to dress yourself even with your eyes closed.
Pulling Off the “Comfy, Not Sloppy” Look
Fit is key. The line between “relaxed” and “disheveled” is very thin. Even if looking like you’ve just rolled out of bed is generally more acceptable now, it pays to appear as though you meant to. Ill-fitting clothes only make you look unkempt, and not in a good way. Stick to pieces that are cozy but fit well, or bring your favorite garments to a tailor for alterations. You’d be surprised at how much better you’ll look in clothes customized to your measurements.
Balance your silhouette. Wearing oversized everything from head to toe makes you look like a child that got lost in her parents’ closet. Keep things balanced by making smart use of contrast: for example, you can pair your loose tops with comfortable women’s tights and instantly look more put-together. Try wearing a close-fitting tank with high-waisted mom jeans or throwing a structured blazer on top of a flowy dress or blouse. The idea is to not to be “too much” of one style or the other.
Get on the matchy-matchy trend. Who wants to learn how to mix and match prints and solids? Not lazy girls, that’s for sure. Fortunately, coordinated separates are having a big fashion moment right now. Lean into the trend with two-piece outfit sets that take the guesswork out of getting dressed. You’ll never have to stress over what matches what again, now that it’s chic to wear the same print or color from head to toe.
Keep everything tidy. Being a lazy dresser doesn’t mean being a messy one. Never step out in clothes that have visible stains or holes. The same goes for garments covered in lint or animal fur. Useful skills to learn include knowing how to de-pill your clothes, how to press them with an iron, and how to mend minor tears. In a lot of ways, being well-dressed only comes down to neatness. You can get away with a lot just by wearing clothes and shoes that are clean and presentable, which you should have already been doing in the first place.
Keeping It Low-Maintenance
Plan your outfits in advance. We’ve discussed a few ways to help you get ready faster in this article. Pre-planning your outfit the night before is our ultimate hack for ladies who want to spend their mornings snoozing instead of thinking. You’ll be able to assemble your ensemble with a clear and objective eye and spend a few more minutes sleeping in.
Simplify your laundry. Doing the laundry is a necessary chore, but it doesn’t have to be a pain. If you’re the kind of woman who can’t be bothered to separate fabrics or send things out for dry-cleaning, then just don’t buy fussy pieces. Invest in machine-washable clothes made with sturdy materials that don’t require much effort to maintain. They’ll last longer and keep from shrinking if you wash them in cold water and dry them on low.
There’s no such thing as a lazy person—they’re just efficient! Energy-efficient, that is. Even if you don’t subscribe to the label, these hacks still apply. They’ll simplify your life and style, and who wouldn’t benefit from that?