Lässig

Lässig is a German adjective meaning casual, laid-back, or relaxed. In everyday language it can describe clothing, behavior, or attitude. In fashion, lässig refers to a style that is comfortable and unpretentious yet intentional, often combining pieces such as jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, or simple jackets. In social behavior, it denotes a nonchalant, easygoing manner: “Er wirkt lässig trotz des Stresses.” The term can carry a positive nuance of effortless cool, but the connotation depends on context and tone; it can also imply sloppiness or carelessness if applied unfavorably.

Grammatically, lässig is an ordinary adjective and declines like other descriptive adjectives: ein lässiges Hemd, eine lässige Jacke, das lässige Outfit; plural: lässige Schuhe. It can be used predicatively: “Das Hemd ist lässig” or adverbially: “Er kleidet sich lässig” or “Er geht lässig durchs Leben.”

Historically, lässig had senses related to negligence or laxness; in modern standard German the positive sense of casualness predominates, though the older nuance remains in some contexts. Related terms include leger, locker, ungezwungen. The noun Lässigkeit denotes the quality of being casual or nonchalant, or, in a more neutral sense, ease or informality. Regional variation exists within German-speaking areas, with the word also appearing in advertising and fashion discourse to describe approachable, informal style.