"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." – Coco Chanel.
Fashion mongers or not, all of us must have come across the phrase "minimalist fashion" or simpler lines like "less is more". The moment we hear such things, our mind starts thinking of everything less - restricted wardrobe, fewer accessories, limited colours or shapeless-looking pieces in various shades of black, or grey. But being a minimalist fashionista isn't this at all. It isn't getting your apparels or accessories down to a few numbers. And it isn't going all simple without any style or any accessories.
So what's being a minimalist fashion lover and how to become one?
Yes, by word, 'minimal' does mean being little in amount. You won't be called a minimalist if you have closets overflowing with clothes you no longer wear or dresses you can't even remember buying, or maybe even items with the price tags on that have never seen the world out of your wardrobe since you got them home from the shop. But, minimalism in fashion is not just the quantity. It is about consciously owning your style and those pieces that influence it, rather than being bound by things you don't even like despite being simpler or less in measure. A minimal approach to fashion means planning your closet with intentionality, not aiming for the largest (or smallest) number of pieces. Instead, your goal is a wardrobe that fits your lifestyle, and is filled with high-quality pieces you absolutely love and that you can wear for years while slaying your fashion quotient each day.
With the world turning towards sustainable living, you need to buy, use and throw less of everything as far as you can. Here are some tips for a fashion lover to go minimal and still rock it right:
Buy Quality over Quantity
This doesn't mean you stop shopping! All of us will agree that shopping is fun and very addictive (for some). However, shopping without a purpose may end up wasting money on things we don't really need or outfits we won't actually wear more than once. That special gown you bought on your best friend's wedding; tell me that you have worn it more than twice and prove me wrong here!
The trick is to shop with purpose, less often, and purchase better quality items. Decide what you actually want before making a purchase. Avoid buying too many outfits in a go or expensive ones just to wear for a day. Instead, get creative and work it out with your existing wardrobe to come up with something awesome. Maybe an add-on of a new accessory or a different hairstyle won't let people notice that you are wearing that dress for the second time! If shopping still lures you, go window shopping online (but I repeat, do not buy anything)!
Re-organize your Closet
You probably know the fact that you only wear 20% to 30% of your wardrobe regularly. That means the rest of the items spend the majority of their life on a hanger or in the corner of your closet, while you reach for the same outfits to wear each day again and again and again. The trick here is to de-clutter your wardrobe and do a deep clean to organize it the smart way. Get rid of pieces that doesn't fit you anymore, or are worn out, and also the ones you can never see yourself wearing ever. What's left will be the items you love, and that's probably your current rotation. Fill in any gaps with careful considerations and conscious shopping over time.
For the accessories, the process would be similar. Take an honest look at all you have, from jewellery to handbags or scarves, and divide them up into things you love, things you might use someday, and things you know you need to get rid of. Now you know what to do with each segment.
Limit Accessories
Accessories truly can make or break your look. The right accessories paired with your clothes can create the whole vibe for your look. Whereas, too much of it can distract from the outfit as a whole. Why not start wearing minimal jewellery instead of the intricate or heavy ones? You can purchase minimal yet trendy jewellery online in gold, silver or diamonds, which you can wear daily to give your outfits a modern twist.
Also limit your pointless shopping of other accessories like bags, shoes, scarves, etc. It's understood that you might want to match your shoes with every outfit you wear. But stop yourself from buying a pair that would just match with only one outfit of yours. Instead, try to buy a style that will go with multiple outfits, and you have a win there. Also, why purchase handbags, belts and scarves of the same colour that you already possess! Say no to even the identical prints.
Go Classy, Not Trendy
Trends come and go every season while always burning a hole in your pocket. But in the end, you still don't have anything to wear. How about going versatile instead of just blindly following the current fashion trend. The minimalist fashion focuses on things that are classy and eternal. A classy closet will help you get rid of mismatched trendy pieces taking up valuable space in it.
Invest more in neutral basics, like a layering tank or a pair of classic denim jeans. Better quality basics with a perfect fit are more durable, and they go with different outfits while delivering that ideal look and feel – which means money saved in the long run! However, if you really want to try a fashion trend, you can try accessories instead of clothing.
Define Your Style
This one is probably the toughest trick in the book about achieving the minimalist-chic look. Discovering your own style is not easy. If you look at your closet and see a cluster of different styles, colours and patterns, then it's going to be the toughest for you (but of course not impossible). After a deep clean of your wardrobe, you'll be able see what you actually wear, love and incline towards. If you can see a similar pattern or a colour palette on all the pieces, then that's the part of your personal style.
Most importantly, your style should go hand-in-hand with your lifestyle, while being comfortable and flattering. Avoid buying things that don't fall under your style. Avoid buying a lot of artificial jewellery. Stick to a single pendant in a lightweight gold chain of 2grams or less, or some stacked silver charm bracelets for a minimal look. Eliminate too much of accessories in your style; stick to either a scarf or a belt with a handbag. Like I said before, it's more about consciousness and quality than just numbers.
And also remember –
"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory."
– Coco Chanel.
