For a long time, I thought minimalistic fashion was what we do in a pinch. I mean the kind of fashion style that doesn’t need an introduction in dire economic conditions – where we do not buy any clothes unless it is absolutely necessary. Such as now, you may say, looking at the newspapers.
After researching it a little bit more, I realized that it is not just keeping a pared-down version of the wardrobe we usually maintain. It is prioritizing quality over quantity.
A minimalistic wardrobe is choosing clothes that we look good in, which are also timeless, classy, and sophisticated. Mindful consumption is the buzzword here — it’s about making fewer thoughtful purchases and finding joy and satisfaction in these meaningful, pieces.
The cornerstones of minimalistic fashion are simplicity, functionality, and high quality.
And the word “high quality” translates to ‘not-so-inexpensive.’ Even though it is a fashion style devoid of ostentatious display of any type of ornamentation, it is not exactly very cost-effective, at least in the short term. Yes, having to buy fewer clothes is going to do your purse a favor, but the ones you should buy may have to be high quality and expensive. ( though they offer better savings compared to cheaper, lower-quality clothes, in the long-term)
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Features of Minimalistic fashion
Structured, well-tailored clothes with clean design lines
Minimal use of colors ; Understated colors
High quality fabrics with few patterns and prints
Timeless clothes and accessories
Structured, well tailored clothes
This refers to the quality of construction as well as the look of the clothing on you.
Clothes that keep your body in mind are your first priority. Look for well-tailored clothing that is fitted and flatters your body shape without the help of unnecessary decorations.
Examples of well structured clothes are fitting trousers with a crips line down the legs or Suit jackets or Blazers with structured shoulders, a nipped waist and uncluttered lines.
High quality fabrics
This consists of fabrics that are durable, comfortable and look elegant. Quality of the fabric is of great importance. The fabric should be resistant to pilling stretching or fading even after multiple washes.
Linen, Silk and wool are all fabrics in this category. With cotton, you will have to be more picky as there are so many kinds with different looks and durability. Cotton twill is a good quality cotton choice for structured clothes.
These fabrics may be costly when you buy them first but in the long run, because they last long, they are worth the cost. A lot of cheap synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic may look alright when you buy but can pill and look worn after a few washes.
Ensure that the color, texture, and pattern on the fabric are consistent and look nice. Thicker Fabrics are better than thinner fabrics for clothes, as thin fabrics can look sloppy after some time. For, e.g. a thin T-shirt.
Minimalistic Colors palette
The simplicity of color palette is the hallmark of this style. If you can stick to a maximum of Two Colors in your outfit, that will be more than enough. Another choice is to go monochromatic.
Neutral colors, earth tones, black and white, pastel shades – these colors give outfits a harmonious look and goes with the minimalistic aesthetics. To keep the monotony out of these color schemes, textured fabrics and layering methods are used.
Timeless Clothes and accessories needed to be a fashionable minimalist
Instead of buying clothes in the latest fashion trends, you can choose clothes in classic silhouettes and timeless styles that will stay fashionable forever. Look for clothes that can be dressed up or down and that can be changed from day to night and from casual to formal occasions.
Classic T-shirts – You need soft, comfortable, and well-fitted T-shirts in 3 or 4 neutral colors.
A classic button-down shirt
A tailored blazer
Shell tops
A Little Black Dress (LBD)
A pair of well-fitting jeans
A high quality leather jacket
A Trench Coat
A pair of well-tailored dress pants
A cashmere sweater
A pair of Linen straight-leg trousers
Classic accessories: Leather belts, simple stud earrings, a classic watch, and a versatile leather handbag or high-quality backpack in organic canvas material.
Footwear : A pair of white minimalist sneakers, black ankle boots, and a comfortable pair of loafers or ballet flats
A classic minimalistic combination : A pair of straight-leg jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and minimalist sneakers layered with a lightweight jacket in a neutral color. Wear simple accessories like a small gold stud, a delicate necklace or a classic watch.
How to deal with monotony in minimalistic fashion style?
Because of the use of neutral colors and lack of ornamentation, this fashion style may not be for everyone – especially those who think of fashion as an expression of personality. Some may find the clothes a little boring.
If you like the style but are apprehensive about these arguments, you can add interest and texture to your clothes with your choice of fabrics and layering and the choice of simple but interesting accessories. You can also express your creativity in the way you mix and match pieces and create endless outfit combinations.
Some may find the color choices very dull. One way to bring some depth is to choose one color and then select clothes in different shades, tones, and tints of the same color, rather than going for monochrome, which some may think dull and boring.
Sustainability angle of minimalism
The sustainability factor in minimalistic fashion comes from the versatility of the wardrobe pieces in this style – this leads to buying less.
You will have a good collection of basics, and now mixing and matching becomes easy. You can create various outfits with these basic pieces. So you need less clothes. Thus, by choosing a few well-made pieces, you avoid the cycle of fast fashion, where cheap and poorly made clothing ends up in landfills after a few wears. So, in addition to looking classy and sophisticated, you get to benefit the earth too. Win-win.
Want to know more about minimalism in fashion?
Check out the creations of fashion designers whose design philosophy aligns with minimalism.
Coco Chanel is an example of a fashion designer who celebrated the beauty of simplicity, clean lines, and functionality. I think that is commendable, because she lived in an era when ornate and complex design styles where popular. She is supposed to have said “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”
Madame Grès is another legendary fashion designer who made exquisite clothes without unnecessary ornamentation – clothes that used the human silhouette as the base and did not include unnecessary design details to distract from it. Isn’t this the core of minimalistic fashion? Check out some of her works here.
So, are you convinced enough to declutter your closet and embrace simplicity, sophistication and minimalism in your fashion choices? Or are you already on it?
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