Everything that happened last year – the global pandemic and losing my dad to cancer, made me realize what’s really important in life. Slowing down, living more consciously, spending time with the people I love, and letting go of what’s no longer serving me. I started implementing some big changes into my daily routines. I’ve switched to a whole-food vegan diet. Started working out in addition to my yoga practices. And I’ve learned the importance of detaching from my possessions. That’s how my entry into minimalist fashion began.
What Is Minimalist Fashion And How To Curate A Minimalist Wardrobe:
What is minimalist fashion?
Let’s break it down. Firstly, what is to be a minimalist? Minimalism is taking away the excess things that are not needed, leaving just the essentials. What is essential is up to you. They are the things that bring you joy, that serve a purpose in your life. So in regards to your wardrobe, minimalist fashion is having only the items you actually use consistently, the ones that you truly enjoy, and do away with the rest.
This can be a challenge as the modern world has been designed around consumerism. No longer are resources scarce. No longer do we have to patch the holes in our garments, so they last years and years. We don’t have to just wear whatever we have because we can have it all, and if we want, we can just get more. More, more, more. That’s the sign of our times. But this opportunity for abundance leads to things like greed, entitlement, and unfulfilling experiences. The possessions no longer bring us joy. We forget what is important. What is essential?
So what can we do?
Don’t worry though. There is another way. We say minimalist fashion meaning we can have more with less. The excess has become clutter, and the mess spread into our minds as much as the bedroom floor. So why don’t we make a conscious decision to do away with it, and in doing so make more room for other things. Space for better things, space to think. Less mess, less stress, less problems. Makes a change from focusing on more more more, right? Well, it all starts here, in your wardrobe.
“All of that sounds good”, you may say, “but Savina I don’t want to dress boring”. “What’s the benefit of having a minimalist wardrobe”?
Let me put it this way. Imagine getting up in the morning, after snoozing your alarm for the fifth time (yep, I do this too), being in a rush, and then opening a wardrobe with so many different clothes that just send your head spinning. It’s good you have options but what use are options when you can’t decide? Instead, you’re just left standing in front of a packed out non-minimalist closet thinking “Holy sh*t, what should I wear?!”.
Now, imagine the same scenario, but instead opening a nice, simple, clean minimalist wardrobe that only has the items you LOVE and make you feel joy when you’re wearing them.
Isn’t that liberating? All that stuff that was there before has gone, and you don’t even miss it. You can finally let go. And guess what! That applies to everything else in your life. Once you see that your worth is not defined by your belongings or anything else outside you, detaching from stuff, people, places, and all the burdens that you had become effortless.
Having less stuff in your closet will not only save you time and money but it will also encourage you to become more creative with your outfit styling, resulting in you finding your own personal style!
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And if that still doesn’t sound convincing enough for you, I get it. We’re living in a culture that wants us to consume more and more. Everything we see on the tv, social media, Google, and anywhere we look has the same goal – to make you believe that if we don’t have this or that, you’re behind and missing out. But you don’t have to follow this narrative if you don’t want to.
Living more simply and intentionally is a choice. And it doesn’t cost you anything. It’s just about making better decisions. Deciding what to have, what to get rid of, what to wear, and how to live. Your apparel choices may not seem like a big deal, but it is just the beginning. It is also one of the easiest areas to make a change and we’re wearing clothes every day (at least most of us are).
Little decisions made every day make the biggest impact. This is not some minimalist fashion trend set by minimalist fashion bloggers. There is a history to the minimalistic approach to life. We’re just bringing it from the time of ancient Japan to your current wardrobe.
How to downsize my wardrobe? How many items of clothing should a minimalist have?
Simplifying your closet is easy! Spend some time looking through your wardrobe. Take each and every item out, try it on, and see how you feel about it. Does it bring you happiness when you’re wearing it? Does it still fit you? Would you buy it right now if you didn’t already own it? Are you planning to wear it in the next 3 months? Or is it something you completely forgot about and haven’t worn twice since the first time you purchased it? If that’s the case, you probably don’t even need it. Put it aside with the rest of the clothes you no longer love or wear, and keep going until you’ve checked all the pieces in your closet.
There is no fixed number of pieces that you should keep, but if you’re inspired to get into minimalist fashion – the less, the better. I have a post about 19 must-have wardrobe basics you should have in your closet, that you will find very helpful as a starting point.
What should I do with the clothes I no longer want or need?
You can donate, gift, sell, swap, or give them away – just don’t throw them in the bin to go into a landfill! Even the most damaged clothing can be given to a textile & fabric recycling factory (search for clothing banks in your area), animal shelter, or repurposed into new items such as cleaning clothes.
How to keep my wardrobe small?
My rule is – if one new thing comes, something else needs to go out. This way you won’t end up with the same amount of clutter a few months down the line.
How to dress as a minimalist?
I like to use the acronym K.I.S.S, meaning Keep It Simple Savi (but you can replace ‘Savi’ with Silly or Style). You can do a lot with the right staple items. More items doesn’t mean more stylish. Quite the opposite when it comes to minimalism. A well-curated wardrobe contains items that can be paired, mixed, and matched in many ways but the overall structure is the same. Top, bottoms, footwear, layer (or layers depending on the temperature). The focus is on the beauty of basic ensembles rather than on big brands and prints showing off. This appreciates the outfit as a whole, over the individual pieces.
What are the best minimalist fashion brands, and where can I buy minimalist clothes online?
I knew you’d ask, so I got you covered, girl! There are some great minimalist fashion designers out there. Check out these two posts and you will get your answer:
- The Only Minimalist Clothing Brands You Will Ever Need
- 11 Sustainable Fashion Brands That Won’t Break Your Bank
Welcome to the club, fellow minimizer.
If you’re already into minimalist fashion or considering trying it, drop me a message on Instagram to say hi. I love to connect with like-minded people!
This post was all about what is minimalist fashion and how to curate a minimalist wardrobe.
Other Posts You May Like:
- THE ONLY MINIMALIST CLOTHING BRANDS YOU’LL EVER NEED
- THE ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR CAPSULE SUMMER WARDROBE
- 19 BASIC PIECES YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET
Minimalist Fashion Q&A:
How can I be stylish minimalist?
Let’s break it down. Firstly, what is to be a minimalist? Minimalism is taking away the excess things that are not needed, leaving just the essentials. What is essential is up to you. They are the things that bring you joy, that serve a purpose in your life. So in regards to your wardrobe, minimalist fashion is having only the items you actually use consistently, the ones that you truly enjoy, and do away with the rest.
What should be in a minimalist wardrobe?
Simplifying your closet is easy! Spend some time to look through your wardrobe. Take each and every item out, try it on and see how you feel about it. Does it bring you happiness when you’re wearing it? Does it still fit you? Would you buy it right now if you didn’t already own it? Are you planning to wear it in the next 3 months? Or is it something you completely forgot about and haven’t worn twice since the first time you purchased it. If that’s the case, you probably don’t even need it. Put it aside with the rest of the clothes you no longer love or wear, and keep going until you’ve checked all the pieces in your closet.
What should I do with the clothes I no longer want or need?
You can donate, gift, sell, swap, or give them away - just don’t throw them in the bin to go into the landfill! Even the most damaged clothing can be given to a textile & fabric recycling factory (search for clothing banks in your area), animal shelter, or repurposed into new items such as cleaning cloths.
How to keep my wardrobe small?
My rule is - if one new thing comes, something else needs to go out. This way you won’t end up with the same amount of clutter a few months down the line.
How to dress as a minimalist?
You can do a lot with the right staple items. More items doesn’t mean more stylish. Quite the opposite when it comes to minimalism. A well-curated wardrobe contains items that can be paired, mixed, and matched in many ways but the overall structure is the same. Top, bottoms, footwear, layer (or layers depending on the temperature). The focusing is on the beauty of basic ensembles rather than big brands and prints showing off. This appreciates the outfit as a whole, over the individual pieces.
What are the best minimalist fashion brands, and where can I buy minimalist clothes online?
I knew you’d ask, so I got you covered! There are some great minimalist fashion brands out there such as COS, ADAY, AYR, VETTA, EVERLANE, UNIVERSAL STANDARD, ORGANIC BASICS, & OTHER STORIES.
