So today I got obsessed with Emily Ratajkowski’s Met Gala after-party look. Saw pics everywhere, right? That vibe was just… 🔥. Felt like trying to capture something similar myself, just for fun, see how close I could get with my own closet and phone camera.
The Starting Point: Seeing the Look
First thing, I dove deep online. Found all the angles of her outfit – that kinda see-through lace top, the low-slung baggy pants, heels, messy hair, bold red lip. No jewelry, just attitude. Figured the key was looking effortless but definitely not boring.
Rummaging Through My Stuff
Okay, time to raid the wardrobe. Pulled out like every black top I own. Settled on this lacy bralette thing I usually layer but thought “heck it, channeling Emily today“. Pairing it with super old, super baggy cargo pants I almost threw out last week. Thank god I didn’t! Dug out my only strappy black heels gathering dust. Perfect base layer.
The Lighting Battle (& Camera Woes)
Wanted that dim, kinda moody after-party feel. My kitchen? Harsh overhead light, total vibe killer. Dragged my tallest lamp into the living room, draped a sheer scarf over it to soften the light. Tried propping my phone up near a bookshelf.
- Problem 1: Phone kept tipping over. Nearly faceplanted catching it.
- Problem 2: Remote trigger app decided today was the day to freeze.
- Problem 3: Phone timer pics made me look like I was sprinting back and forth.
Seriously frustrating. Took maybe 30 blurry or badly lit shots before figuring out the self-timer + precariously balanced phone combo.
Trying to Get “The Shot”
This is where it got silly. Posed leaning against the wall, trying for that “just chillin’” Emily look. Felt super awkward. Sat on the edge of the armchair, legs kicked out. Also awkward. Did that hand-in-the-hair, head-slightly-tilted thing she does. Looked like I had an itch. Kept thinking “relax, but also look hot? How?!“. Got a few usable shots eventually. Mostly looked like me trying too hard. Laughed at myself a lot.
The Final Touch: Hair & Makeup Test
Her hair was perfectly messy. Mine? Flat from being tied up all day. Rough-dried it upside down, sprayed some texturizer and kinda scrunched it with my fingers. Goal: “Just left a wild party” not “Forgot to brush hair“. Makeup was simple: black liner, mascara, went full-on bold red lip which felt weirdly powerful even just in my living room. Zero other makeup. Liberating actually!
What Actually Worked (Surprise!)
Looking back at the pics later, the ones that looked okay weren’t the ones where I copied her pose exactly. It was the ones where I stopped trying so hard. The accidental shot leaning down to grab my phone? Actually kinda cool. The one where I was laughing at myself? Real smile wins. Learned the hard way you can’t force “effortless.” Also learned my phone sucks at low-light portraits! But hey, it was a fun experiment. Maybe the confidence is the real outfit.
