Trend Focus: What is Laidback Luxury?
CHO Fashion & Lifestyle
Laidback luxury is this season’s stylish new trend, combining the chic elegance of luxury dressing with simplicity and comfort.
But what exactly is laidback luxury? And how do you master the art of classy and casual outfits?
In this blog, we’re defining the trend to give you our take on it and how you can try the trend this summer. From how to dress in a laidback style whilst still looking put together to a few of our top recommendations to add to your summer wardrobe, prepare to be part of the jet-setting, laidback luxury elite.
Table of contents:
How should a relaxed fit look?
What is laidback luxury?
Effortless, simple and quiet, laidback luxury is a fresh take on minimalism. A fashionable yet casual style, the aim with laidback luxury is to look put together but to do so in an effortless way.
Like the Old Money Aesthetic look, laidback luxury doesn’t scream flashy or over the top but oozes elegance. It is relaxed but should still feel stylish and expensive, chic yet comfortable.
To achieve a laidback fashion style, choose a soft colour palette of calm and tranquil colours, adding earthy tones when colour is needed, such as deep greens, burnt reds and dusty pinks.
Laidback luxury should feel warm and luxurious, so avoid cold colours unless they are used as patterns or embellishments.
How do you dress laidback?
If you’re aiming for a laidback luxury style this summer, look at the core staples you already have in your wardrobe. The concept of laidback luxury is built on the foundations of timeless elegance, so core pieces that transcend trends are a must.
Opt for classic neutral colour staples such as light beige, cream and soft stone whilst incorporating warm, classic shades to break up your otherwise neutral look.
In terms of classic pieces that encompass luxury style, a good, well-fitting pair of jeans, chino shorts or trousers, plain t-shirts in a range of classic colours and loose-fitting linen trousers and shirts are all great starting points to nailing this trend. Then, by adding stylish seasonal pieces, you’ll be well on your way to curating laidback luxury chic.
Laidback luxury for women
To achieve laidback luxury this summer, start by analysing your wardrobe; do you already have some core pieces in calm, tranquil, neutral colours that you could build outfits around?
Then, choose a focal point for your outfit; in this case it’s the gorgeous blue flower featured on a Ted Baker Setsuko Womens Cowl Neck Sleeveless Top. The flower provides a welcoming contrasting colour pop to an otherwise neutral outfit and a colourway to match accessories. Pair with classic off-white trousers or a long shirt for an effortless finish.
Next, add a bag to help to tie your look together. If a shopper is too informal, why not choose a classic Tommy Hilfiger TH Monotype Womens Shoulder Bag for a chic classic that pairs perfectly with the blue flower?
Tommy Hilfiger TH Monotype Womens Shoulder Bag
Finally, stylish, pared-back footwear is the answer to pull your summer look together. Classic Birkenstock sandals are always perfect because they’re stylish and on-trend yet built for a lifetime of wear. If you want to use your footwear as a piece to tie up your look, we’d recommend Birkenstock Papillio Arizona Chunky Women's Suede Sandals or opt for a classic shade to pair with multiple looks.
Top tips for women’s laidback luxury looks
- Choose classic, neutral colours as the base of your outfit; it adds to the effortless feel.
- Build your accessories around an outfit focal point, such as an embellishment, pattern, or colour pop.
- If you prefer a neutral look, pair your accessories with your footwear to add some put-togetherness to an otherwise effortless look.
- Wear garments that are well-fitting but comfortable. Your outfit should allow for movement, whether exploring a new city or strolling along the beach.
Laidback luxury for men
Laidback luxury for men takes on a preppy, collegiate feel, evoking real old-money style. Again, start prepping your outfits by looking at your basics, in this case, a classic pair of chino shorts. If you’re a fan of sunset pink, GANT Men’s Regular Sunfaded Shorts are this summer’s essential pick and fit the laidback luxury colour palette perfectly.
Much like with our women’s laidback luxury recommendations, if choosing a bolder staple, use its colour to accent the rest of your outfit, in this case, pairing it with a stylish matching BOSS Green Cap and tying up the look with subtle detail, such as a matching collar.
Accessories take the look from casual and make it look more put together, so tie up your outfit with a classic belt and some stylish sandals that could pair with multiple looks in your wardrobe (we recommend Oliver Sweeney Blyth Men’s Sandals).
Another way to reach for that laidback, preppy style is to add a colour accent to a neutral look. A patterned shirt layered over stylish neutral basics can help bring an outfit to life. Or layer a neutral over a louder layer to make a toned-down colour statement to achieve a signature summer style.
Top tips for men’s laidback luxury looks
- Keep it neutral, but don’t be afraid to give your outfit a neutral accent colour.
- Preppy looks are key, so look to brands like GANT to choose key pieces for your looks.
- Ignore trends - laidback luxury is about effortless style, so choose pieces you’d be happy to wear for multiple summer seasons.
- Invest more in core pieces, such as your footwear and accessories, as these will be the key to pulling multiple looks together.
How should a relaxed fit look?
Contrary to popular belief, achieving a luxurious aesthetic doesn’t mean your clothing must be fitted. In recent years, relaxed-fit tailoring has crossed over into smarter dressing, a key factor in laidback luxury style for both men and women.
However, perfectly achieving a relaxed, laidback luxury aesthetic simply can’t be done by sizing up. Going for a size above could make the clothes look ill-fitting, going against the guidelines of luxury.
Clothes cut to relaxed-fit proportions allow you to buy your size, but wear it looser, which is perfect for breathable summer outfits. Trousers should offer more room for movement, with extra room at the hips, thighs and a wider leg. In contrast, tops and t-shirts will have a more relaxed shoulder and a broader cut across the chest, so the fabric sits more casually.
Layering is a great place to start if you want to mix up your look by embracing a relaxed fit. Choose a relaxed-fit shirt or shacket and layer it over a fitted outfit to add a casual, laid-back feel to any look. Similarly, figure-hugging bottoms paired with a relaxed-fit top and vice-versa can be great ways to introduce relaxed-fit dressing into your wardrobe.
Find the keys to effortless, laidback luxury at CHO
Now that you know what laidback luxury is and how to build your summer wardrobe with that style in mind, why not shop for all your luxury staples at CHO? Explore the collections today with stylish picks from the brands perfectly suited to this trend, including men's GANT shirts, classic Barbour t-shirts, women's Penelope Chilvers footwear, and Ted Baker tops that look elegant in any wardrobe!
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