Less Is More
[ 26 September 2007 ]
Today, tomorrow, or next week — sometime — try experimenting with the concept of “less is more”. In any aesthetic medium, even if your style is more-more-more!, it’s worth trying a new approach every now & then, to see how it works for you.
Coco Chanel’s advice on accessories was to always take one thing off before leaving the house. I think the woman had a point. When I think of a chic woman, that woman is not covered in glittering baubles with a crazy printed dress & strappy shoes. She is a woman who adheres to the “less is more” mantra.
So many of us wear litres of foundation, a ton of jewellery, a gallon of hair product, twenty different colours. Or a patterned scarf & a t-shirt with a design on the front, along with checked trousers & embossed leather shoes. Try simplifying what you do, & see how things change. Usually when I make an effort to wear less makeup, I feel much better about how I look. I also think there’s value in only wearing the jewellery you love — & not necessarily all at once. A few well-chosen pieces always trump the walking-junk-shop look.
You can also try simplifying in unexpected ways — wear a plain dress with lots of bangles, or no jewellery at all with a busy printed coat. Play with contrast & see what happens. Don’t just throw on your usual mish-mash of accessories because you’re used to it. Surprise yourself!
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala 
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I love “less is more”. My ideal look is curled eyelashes, lipbalm, bra, knickers, dress – go! (One of the many reasons that I love this site is because it helps nudge me away from my beloved ‘less is more’ philosophy with the awesome creativity of your daily outfits.)
Mindy — Um, not really! Models being “old enough” or “too skinny” is something I don’t think about. I really can’t come to a conclusion about any of it, so I just leave it alone! & that website is definitely fake.
Nadine — Thanks, cutie! The reason I wrote this piece in the first place is because I was thinking about how women wearing too much foundation is really ageing, & then I kind of just expanded it out…
I’ve heard about that rule of Coco Chanel’s, and try to follow it, but I also try to follow another of my own rules:
Never wear more than two main pieces.
Like, if I’m wearing rings and some earrings, I’ll think twice before putting on a necklace or bracelets. Or, if I’m wearing a brooch, I’ll pretty much leave off everything except maybe a ring or two.
But yeah, it’s pretty much the same principle. :D
Sad though…I love jewelry so much! hehehe.
I have recently started wearing less makeup, and using mineral makeup instead of regular foundation, and I feel WAY better. My skin is happier too!
:)
See, this is one of those times I really feel like the odd woman out. Because I have to say — I don’t own any jewelry. I haven’t work makeup of my own accord since, ummmm, ok, actually I wore mascara to a benefit back in May. But still!
One of the reasons I’ve really been digging your site these last few weeks is because you so encourage my latent desires to actually try to look pretty!
That said, I agree with everything you said in your post, and everything the commenters here have said, too. You rock!
I regularly wear dangly earrings with a pendant necklace. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t care! :)
I… went to school…
without a stitch of makeup today.
I know.
I know.
xoxo.
Less is more :D So much fun. I love to go with a plain black top and a great pair of jeans. A headband (or hat- I love fedoras) and necklace do it for accessories (makes a nice frame around the face), and maybe a snazzy pair of shoes that match the both of them (or really great neutral pair). A little mascara and lip gloss (and maybe eyeliner in the evening), and I’m set to go in under five minutes! It’s basically my “I have nothing to wear/no time to think about it and I need to look good” uniform.
I think part of what makes or breaks the “less is more” look is that each piece has to be fit and drape really nicely, since you don’t have any distractions from what doesn’t hang right. That’s the difference between looking classy and looking boring.
After reading Nadine, Megan and Brittany’s comments, I’m curious what everyone’s hard-and-fast rules are for fashion- no matter how dressed up or dressed down or accessorized or whatever you are, what do you always or never-ever do?
I know i dont really need foundation… but it becomes a habit and i just feel horrible without it!! Even though no one else notices if i am or not… Im weening myself off it, it tends to melt this time of year anyway.
Ive always been minimalist but occasionally i’ll go all out!!
I find big bangles, earings and such a hastle i like to be comfy in what im wearing.
I became fascinated with the Less Is More notion after discovering America’s Next Top Model this year (I know, but sometimes it’s sooooo good, in a bad way!) I noticed that as the models became more “modellish” they started just wearing simple tshirts and jeans and heels and simple, sophisticated make-up and it looked HOTT. I do try and think about that look but sometimes I am just overcome with accessory-goodness that I can’t help myself! Haha.
Kx
I have to agree that everything you wear, less/more/otherwise, has to be working in your favour to make you look like a million dollars. The fewer components you have, the harder they all have to work.
I am most definitely one of life’s maximalists, in my home, career, dress sense etc. The less is more philosophy works for me when I apply it sparingly! One of the most glamorous women I know once told me, “If in doubt, overdress”, and she didn’t mean how many accessories worn, she meant on a scale from casual to formal. So, what I try to do is overdress for the occasion, whilst wearing minimal foundation, accessories etc. I haven’t found a balance for anything else, though! I’m a regular reader of Zen Habits, but I haven’t managed to adopt any of these habits for myself!
“Less is more” seems to be the style that suits me best. I just look weird in floral prints and frills and lots of accessories. Then I look like I’m in a costume. But the problem of this look is, as Kelly pointed out above, how to stop it from being boring.
I’m still trying to figure that out for myself. For instance I can wear bold graphic prints quite well, and because of my colouring (I’m a winter type), I can stand punchy colours (also in my make-up, when applied correctly). So I try to incorporate some nice patterns and/or colours in my look. I usually wear only one standout piece and also wear a lot of black, since it’s the perfect backdrop for lots of styles. Also with make-up I stick to the rule of either making up the eyes OR the lips. Recently I’ve started to experiment more with layering and I’ve grown quite fond of it. Two simple T-shirts worn at the same time, for example, have a really nice effect. And like this you can get more mileage out of a very basic and simple wardrobe, too.
I think less is more doesn’t neccessarily have to be understated. You can wear a hot pink or red lipstick or bright eyeliner or a clean cut graphic tunic with simple black trousers or jeans. It’s less, but it’s bold. Having said that, I also really admire people who can nail that really simple all-in-black sophisticated look. It’s so hard to pull that off in true style.
I am typically understated in my dress (aka less is more) hopefully not to the point of being boring.
I’ve been putting up my outfits too and sometimes get the reaction that I need more!
I do have a “focal point” each day – typically my shoes! Surprising, I know!
Make-up isn’t too crazy either. It just doesn’t sit too well if I do too much – or maybe that’s my comfort zone talking.
Luv
Poochie
shoedaydreams.blogspot.com
Yes!! I always follow that Coco Chanel rule “always take one thing off before leaving the house” I stand in front of the mirror and I say “okay something has to go” and most of the time is a piece of jewerly I don’t feel so comfortable with in my outfit.
“Less is more”? Perhaps. Usually I agree.
Yet anyone can pull unabashedly pull off a “heavier,” richer look with great success, as long as there is balance. It doesn’t have to be a “walking junk shop look” [which was a brilliant way to put it, btw!], and there really is a thing such as overdone elegance.
I love the general overdone feel of Japanese street style, for example… and yet, rarely is it catastrophic..because there is always balance. If you’re gonna go all out & be loud, just keep it harmonious.
I agree with Eva, “I think less is more doesn’t neccessarily have to be understated.”
xoxo
this is some stupid thinking but…
..dont you think britney spears used the coco channel rule and took of her panties before living home because she didnt want to take anything else off.
Yes I know…but i warn u :)
makeup makes me break out – i love to wear it but would rather wear none and have pretty good skin rather than covering it all up!
i also never get the time or money to dress up fabulously for everyday, only for occasions. and i’m still looking for wedge heel sandals like the Melissa’s somewhere in melbourne!