On My Mind: The Appeal of Ease
What if ease isn't just about how something feels, but part of what makes it beautiful?
Why Ease?
I showed a friend a pair of kitten heels recently that I thought were really cute. She liked them too, but mentioned someone she follows online who hates kitten heels. My immediate response was “Why would anyone hate kitten heels?” Apparently, she’s either a flats or full-heels kind of person.
But sometimes I want a little height without feeling, or looking like I’m struggling in my shoes. There’s something very attractive to me about being able to move with ease. And it got me thinking about comfort a little differently. We usually talk about comfort in terms of how something feels, but I think we can see it too.
The Psychology Behind It
We can often tell when someone looks uncomfortable. Maybe they’re walking carefully because their shoes hurt, tugging at something that keeps shifting, or moving differently because what they’re wearing doesn’t quite allow them to move naturally.
In psychology, we know that the way people move and carry themselves can influence the impressions we form of them. Those cues can influence how comfortable or confident we perceive them to be.
And there’s something about seeing someone move freely in their clothes that can communicate confidence and ease. That doesn’t mean everything we wear has to be comfortable. Visual pleasure matters too. I know I’ve worn plenty of things because I loved how they looked, even when they weren’t particularly comfortable.
That said, I’m becoming more interested in the idea of having both visual pleasure and comfort. In other words, not having to choose. A kitten heel can give you some proportion and lift of a higher heel without requiring quite as much from your body. In the same way, a skirt can be beautiful partly because of the way it moves, or a pant can be attractive without feeling restrictive.
The same thing can happen at home. A chair can be beautiful because of its shape, but there’s something enticing about one that feels good to sit down and lounge in. Comfort isn’t always something we get at the expense of style, sometimes it’s part of what makes something look good.
The Collection
For this edit, I wanted to look for pieces where ease is part of the appeal. Not just things that are comfortable, but things that look good partly because they allow us to move and feel ease in them, or make everyday life a little easier.
Image via Retiredfashioneditor
Image via Nikki Chasin
A Little Lift
Sometimes a flat isn’t what I want, but neither is a full heel. I like that a kitten heel gives me just enough height to change the proportions of an outfit without making me feel like I’m working hard to walk in it. I think that ease is part of what makes it attractive.
These Jil Sander shoes have such a beautiful, elongated shape, and that little heel gives you some lift without the visual drama of a much higher one. And visually, there’s something attractive about a shoe that doesn’t make walking look like hard work. Of course, not every kitten heel is comfortable. But when you find the right one, there’s something really nice about getting a little lift without all the effort.
Made to Move
The swish of the fringe is part of what makes the piece beautiful. It moves when we move, creating little shifts in shape and texture that you wouldn’t necessarily get from a more structured skirt.
And I like that the skirt doesn’t have to remain perfectly still to look the way it’s supposed to. The movement is what makes it. It’s a nice reminder that clothing doesn’t only have to look good when we’re standing in front of a mirror. It can become even more interesting when we’re actually living in it.
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Image via Wolf & Badger
Image via Melt Mod
A Little Slouch
The metallic finish gives you something visually interesting, but the easy-breezy shape makes it feel very much like an every day bag. Not prim and proper at all, the bag looks better when it folds and slouches, and that softness becomes part of the look.
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Beautifully Useful
We tend to choose lamps that are functional and nice to look at. But what I especially like about this one is that you can rearrange its components to change the shape. You're not committed to one look, and can play around with it, try something different, or change it again when you feel like it.
There's something appealing about having beautiful things in your home that can accommodate your changing preferences. You don't have to replace the lamp just because you're in the mood for something different. I think that's another way to look at ease. Sometimes it's about having the freedom to change your mind without having to shop for something else.
Image via Isabel Marant
Image via MidAgeVintageDE
Image via MagdaMadeCo
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The Appeal of Utility
Isabel Marant Green Utilitarian Pants
I like the relaxed shape and utilitarian details of these Isabel Marant pants. They’re practical-looking, but there’s still something interesting about the silhouette and the crinkled texture. They don’t look particularly precious or like something you’d have to be overly careful wearing. The pants that look like they’re made for doing things.
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Have a Seat
I really enjoy a chair with history, beautiful proportions, and a look that isn't too formal. Midcentury furniture can sometimes feel quite stiff to me, but there's something more relaxed about this leather lounge chair. It still has structure, but it also looks like somewhere you'd actually want to settle in.
The Beautifully Functional Object
Hand-Blown Recycled Glass Carafe and Tumbler Set
I like the slightly irregular quality of this hand-blown glass. It's the kind of thing I'd deliberately leave out on a bedside table. I especially like that the little drinking glass also serves as the lid. It's such a simple idea, but a thoughtful one. You have a glass right where you need it, and the two pieces work together beautifully. I like everyday objects that are lovely to look at and have little details that make life easier without being fussy.
A Closer Look
We often think of comfort as something we feel, but I think it's something we can see, too. There's a certain appeal to watching someone move naturally in what they're wearing, without constantly adjusting or looking uncomfortable.
That doesn't mean we have to give up the things we love simply because they aren't practical. Sometimes the visual pleasure is worth a little discomfort. But I’m drawn to the pieces that offer both, where the shape, movement, or thoughtful design makes something beautiful and easier to live with. Ease doesn’t have to be the enemy of style, it can be part of the appeal.
Try This…
The next time you're getting dressed, notice how you move in what you're wearing. Are you constantly adjusting something, or can you move naturally?
Try pairing something visually interesting with something that allows you to move more freely.
Look around your home. Is there something beautiful you rarely use because it feels too precious or impractical?
Pay attention to the everyday objects you use. Could something functional also bring you a little more visual pleasure?
