Designers and agents explain how to master the off-duty model look during fashion month

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Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

Fashion month is in full swing and with it the street style of many off-duty models.

Somehow, artists like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner manage to convey a carefree, cool vibe with their minimalist looks, but often, when we try to replicate them, they come off as downright uncomfortable.

We hear from modeling agencies and Fashion Week designers on the industry secrets for mastering the off-duty look.

Feel comfortable in your own skin

The casual look comes down to a combination of elegance and ease. “Most models wear minimal makeup and their hair looks disheveled, but fresh and chic,” say John Bruce and Paulo Ribeiro, founders of the PRM modeling agency. “Their bold yet relaxed fashion means you can spot a model from miles away.”

Keeping your style simple but authentic is the trick to dressing off-duty (Alamy/PA)

British fashion designer and podcast host Amanda Wakeley OBE says the secret to achieving basic looks is confidence.

“Being totally comfortable in your skin means you’ll feel great in whatever you decide to wear,” says the Fashion Week designer. “If we feel good, we look good, job done.”

Clean lines and vintage finds.

To look good in a casual outfit, simplicity is key. “It’s about achieving that perfect balance between comfort and style, where each piece feels intuitively chosen but impeccably made without being too perfect,” Wakeley says.

“Think relaxed silhouettes, neutral palettes and a certain casual elegance.”

Mixing simple vintage-style pieces with new pieces is the key (Alamy/PA)

Clean lines don’t mean you have to buy brand new white T-shirts. “Most of our models avoid fast fashion and love vintage clothing,” say Bruce and Ribeiro. “Buying secondhand clothes from thrift stores or customizing your own looks is key to showing off an individual style rather than copying a specific outfit.”

Incorporate your own style, not trends

The reason models manage to look so cool is that they have access to trends before the rest of us. “Models have access to photographing the latest styles of clothing before the public even sees them,” say Bruce and Ribeiro, “so they know in advance what will be cool and what won’t. They almost set new trends before they hit the streets.”

If you're not sure which trends to choose, wearing a fad that doesn't suit your style will make you stand out like a sore thumb. Instead, opt for a trendy piece and keep the rest simple.

Accentuating a simple outfit with a statement piece, such as shoes, is a great way to add a contemporary edge to your look (Alamy/PA)

“Typically, models will wear at least one on-trend piece that will transform their look into a ‘fashion insider’ look – the key is in the subtle details,” says Wakeley.

“A pop of colour through an accessory or layers of textures such as an oversized scarf or a chunky knit around the neck – the idea is to keep the base simple and effortless, allowing you to play with trends or personal touches.”

The essentials for your free time

The foundation of a casual wardrobe that models like Gigi and Bella Hadid master time and time again is based on timeless and versatile pieces.

“Essentials include a pair of jeans that are perfect for your figure, whether wide-leg, straight or skinny, a tank top or perhaps a fitted T-shirt, and a tailored blazer or leather jacket,” says Wakeley.

Gigi Hadid often sports a completely monochrome outfit when off-duty (Alamy/PA)

Bruce and Ribeiro argue that the key is in the fit, rather than the garment. “Over time, models will work alongside top stylists and designers and that’s when they start to see how the clothes fit on the body and know what looks good on them. Finding the perfect pair of straight-leg jeans, accompanied by a vest and a pair of loafers or brogues is always a safe bet.”

Alternatively, a pair of low-rise vintage baggy jeans, a vest and a vintage blazer or a distressed leather jacket can be a chic look with little effort and without much thought.

Get the casual look: