How To Master Laid-Back Style With 5 Essential Pieces

What comes to mind when you think of laid back style? Jeans and a t-shirt? Sandals and your favorite dress? Flip-flops and a swimsuit? A hooded sweatshirt and yoga pants, perhaps. There are so many ways to define laid back style, but truly, not every outfit that is "laid back" would also fit into the category of "stylish."

Thanks to movements like athleisure and pajama dressing, laid back and casual dressing are more on-trend than ever. Sneakers, flat shoes, sweatshirts... It's never been cooler to wear your most comfortable clothes out of the house. (However, we're standing by this always: NO sweatpants outside the home. Ever.)

As trendy as casual wear is these days, there's a time and place for these trends—especially for those not still in their teens, 20s or early 30s. Heavily trendy clothes don't always work for busy moms and/or working professionals. You need to step out of the front door feeling grown up and at least somewhat put-together... Who knows who you might run into on the street, at the grocery store, at the mall...

As an adult with a job, perhaps a spouse and children, a mortgage and a car... What constitutes laid back dressing for you? If you ask us, it's a mix of comfort, utility, and timeless appeal. You want to look great and feel great at the same time.

In the list ahead, we've laid out five essential pieces that will help any stylish and modern woman create a no-fail wardrobe of laid-back essentials she can reach for again and again, whether it's Casual Friday at the office or just another Saturday afternoon.

For more style advice like this, check out our guide to timeless style and our discussion of the 'capsule wardrobe.'

Getty Images / Vanni Bassetti

1.  A Pair of Straight-Leg Or Skinny Blue Jeans

A pair of skinny or straight-leg blue jeans are perhaps the one, single pair of pants that will never let you down. They are an essential part of any laid back wardrobe, but they can also be dressed up with a beautiful blouse and a pair of heels. These are the kind of jeans you can reach for any day of the week, for any occasion, and they will feel just right. Pair them with flats and a white shirt for a lunch with girlfriends or a sweater and ankle boots for Casual Friday. Wear them with sneakers and a t-shirt for a day of errands in the car!

Finding the right pair of jeans takes time and patience, but our denim expert is a great resource if you're looking to reboot your denim wardrobe. One thing we do know? You can't go wrong with Levi's.

Buy:
Levi's 811 Curvy Skinny Jean
Gap high-rise stretch skinny jeans 

Getty Images / Caroline McCredie

2.  A Slightly Oversized Crewneck Sweater

The image at left is a perfect example of how one piece can so easily be dressed up or down, but the effect is always a bit effortless and yes, laid back. Crewneck sweaters are classic, but super-fitted styles can feel fussy and formal. We prefer a sweater that has a bit of slouch to it—which means you can wear it with everything from mini skirts to yoga pants.

Many women's brands make slightly oversized sweaters, but we also love to shop the men's department for the same fit. For affordable menswearpieces you can wear too, check out Uniqlo's huge selection of basics in plenty of colors and fabrics.