Sexy Lessons from Clairo
A how-to for charmed dressing
I’ve recently found myself enamored — and perhaps even obsessed — with Clairo. Forgive me for saying so; I’m unconvinced by her music, and find little interest in it, save for Juna and Sofia. Rather, I am intrigued by the aesthetic that follows the young singer around in a dreamy, Aēsop-scented cloud. Unlike the many victims of modern-day trends and fads that are out of style the minute Zara sells out in size small, Clairo possesses the rarity that is a clear sense of self. Her offbeatly sensual outfits, whimsy-pilled Instagram, and indeed, her whisper-sung songs are all indicative of a streamlined appearance.
Clairo’s most recent album is aptly named, there is something special about her Charm.
There are countless online jokes about the bisexual men of Brooklyn who wield their love for Clairo as a seduction tactic for their septum pierced lovers. Understandably so, Clairo is low-hanging fruit for cis male sensitive types.
Mocking aside, I find reassurance in mainstream media’s appreciation for Clairo. She’s classically pretty, and has what I’ve always wanted but never had — a head full of gorgeous brunette curls. But it’s not just that people find her beautiful, it’s that men find her sexy. And this sexualization is where I find hope for the male species. Thinking Clairo is hot takes intelligence and taste. I say this with no desire to shame the various aesthetics of other pop stars and female celebrities, but Clairo is not overly sexed and plumped. She barely wears makeup, eschews a spray tan, and shows skin with nuance. Clairo is doing sexy in a way I identify with.
Sexy to somebody, it would help me out / Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house / And it's just a little thing I can't live without
A bare-faced selfie of Clairo went viral in December, with fan pages and lustful admirers drooling over her doe blue eyes and quirky hat. Admittedly, I’m not the world’s foremost scholar on the male gaze, but after what feels like decades of BBLs and explicit sexuality, Clairo feels like a breath of subtly sensual fresh air.
As a publicly bisexual woman, Clairo toes the line between the masculine and feminine while dressing. A deep dive into her style shows that she pulls off an oversized crewneck just as well as she does a funky, drapey dress. Lace underwear or a sheer bralette seem to be a treat for herself, rather than a performance for others. Skin is revealed in part to show off her alt-girl tattoos.
(You make me wanna) try on feminine / (You make me wanna) go buy a new dress / (You make me wanna) slip off a new dress
Clairo works with the stylist Nancy Kote, who’s the brains behind every shift dress and puffed sleeve that Clairo wears on tour. Pirate stripes, checkered pants, and coquette-core corsets are all fair game onstage. If it weren’t for her nose ring and the tattoos decorating her arms and sternum, you might mistake her for a ‘60s pop singer while she performs in a bikini top, capris, and oval shades.
Clairo coolness transcends time. Fads, beware.
Clairo might croon about the desire to be sexy to someone, but she’s undeniably sexy to many. While we may be able to stalk her every fashion move and snag her exact clothing pieces, there’s only so much we can do in terms of replicating her sensuality. Clairo’s sexiness lies in her authenticity — she knows what she wants in life just as instinctively as she knows what she wants in an outfit. And perhaps that’s the real allure: sexy that feels as effortless as it is intentional.
I want to be sexy to someone (is it too much to ask?)
*Lyrics from “Sexy to Someone”
i'm so cliché
immunity was my most listened to album last year 💔