The minimalist's wardrobe

[thefrancofille]

To me, modern examples of minimalist style are Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Laura Bennett (from Project Runway). Both women wore simple shapes, a very limited color palette and were impeccably groomed at all times. Starting this year, I'm going to really try to invest in more expensive pieces that will hold up but also look timelessly chic. In looking at old photos of CBK, I noticed she rotated the same shoes and coats but looked effortlessly fresh.

 

[The_Ida]

I think you have to be exceptionally beautiful or charismatic for minimalism not to get very dull.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

^I have to agree. Or exceptionally graceful. I wanted to share what I see as a glowing example of modern minimalism:

hel-looks.com

Everything about this outfit is minimalist, from the hair and makeup, color palette, clean, subdued lines, to the use of only functional accessories (ie. scarf and mittens for warmth, bag to carry belongings). What prevents the outfit from being dull is the subtle play on detail and proportion, like the short, bell-bottom sleeves and tassels on the scarf. And I also like that the outfit is carefully crafted; it's not minimalism in the sense of, "Oh, I just threw this on." Effortless can be overrated at times...

 

[ElleLesley]

I would like to believe I'm a minimalist at heart - relaxed simplifications (denim pants, cotton tops) seem to so effortless and elegant, not to mention timeless.

Though really, I think in the mist of it all, it's how you craft your outfit to the tiny details, textures and color. It's all the basics, just enhanced with how you put x and y together. GasolineRainbow posted a perfect example of the modern day minimalist - classy but not bleak. It's an outfit you look back by, and say "Thank god I didn't fall for those trends!"

 

[pantaloend]

Yes, the picture posted by GasolineRainbow is really great. I think that often Scandinavian people seem to have a wonderful style with few clothes, but very beautiful ones. Those are clothes that don't need accessories to be fun and chic.

 

[emma peel]

i'd recommend the novel "pattern recognition" by william gibson for a good take on fashion minimalism

 

[BerlinRocks]

^I have to agree. Or exceptionally graceful. I wanted to share what I see as a glowing example of modern minimalism:

www.hel-looks.com

....
modern minimalism ?! where the hell did you get that expression ?! that doesn't make sense at all !!!
pleas please please just use minimalism or postminimalism in the future .... but NO modern minimalism .... that means absolutely nothing ! especially since minimalism is postmodern (to some people at least) ..... !

i swear it hurts my eyes to read this ....

 

[GasolineRainbow]

....
modern minimalism ?! where the hell did you get that expression ?! that doesn't make sense at all !!!
pleas please please just use minimalism or postminimalism in the future .... but NO modern minimalism .... that means absolutely nothing ! especially since minimalism is postmodern (to some people at least) ..... !

i swear it hurts my eyes to read this ....

I will refrain from using the term in the future. No worries, I have an elaborate background in cultural studies myself, so I can see where your irritation comes from. Let me explain what I meant by "that which shall never be uttered again".

People define minimalism in different ways, and I think the various posts on this thread prove that. I wasn't referring to to minimalism in an academic context, as in art history, for example. I was thinking more along the lines of 90's sartorial minimalism, which was very strict and somber. The minimalism that has gained ground in this decade (hence my use of the word 'modern') has more flourishes to it, as in the Finnish girl's outfit. If I had written postminimalism, not everyone would be familiar with what that meant. Hope that makes sense.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Having I suppose a far less elaborate background (a minimalist background if you will), I wasn't offended in the very least

 

[GasolineRainbow]

I'm going to venture further into the path of sacrilege , and proclaim the following outfit as "trendy minimalism".

stylecritics.com Diane Kruger

Ignore the questionable belt for a moment. Everything about the outfit is trendy, from the bag and glasses, grommet ballet flats, to the slouchy vest thingie and the...is that a leggings/jumpsuit hybrid?! Yet the overall effect is somehow clean, simple, streamlined.

When I think of minimalism, it's usually quite classic and 'timeless'. Her outfit might look dated in a couple of seasons, but is no less minimalist for it. I'm particularly drawn to this version of 'leggings as pants', which I usually dislike. It's unique and attractive.

 

[Milada]

^ I don't know about that particular example. I can think of some examples in my head where Diane perfected minimalism with Jil Sander and with either Giambattista Valli or Louis Vuitton (can't remember which).

That particular outfit looks like Marni gone wrong. I hate whatever is going on with the black bodysuit/leggings look with the bag added. It cheapens the bag, I'm afraid.

 

[haute femme]

I think GasolineRainbow's sacrilege term works quite well.. I love Diane, but I would have prefered that outfit with different sunglasses, belt and bag

 

[pantaloend]

I wonder if a minimalist wardrobe is :

a wardrobe with few items, but beautiful ones (whatever those items are)

or a wardrobe with everything in blue, grey, black or white ...


I dream of dresses with flowers, and colourful clothes, but I don't want to have a lot of things. Because I wear purple or green, should I say "Well, I can't be a minimalist" ? ;-))

I say this because I do think that minimalism, in clothes, in more of a behaviour than in colours or styles of clothes. I think that somebody wearing many colours, but having only 15 clothes that he/she loves and wears - all of them ! - is more minimalist than somebody who wears only black, white, grey and boring colours but have a dressing full of clothes that he/she doesn't wear, for some of them ...

What do you think ?

 

[Milada]

I wonder if a minimalist wardrobe is :

a wardrobe with few items, but beautiful ones (whatever those items are)

or a wardrobe with everything in blue, grey, black or white ...


I dream of dresses with flowers, and colourful clothes, but I don't want to have a lot of things. Because I wear purple or green, should I say "Well, I can't be a minimalist" ? ;-))

I say this because I do think that minimalism, in clothes, in more of a behaviour than in colours or styles of clothes. I think that somebody wearing many colours, but having only 15 clothes that he/she loves and wears - all of them ! - is more minimalist than somebody who wears only black, white, grey and boring colours but have a dressing full of clothes that he/she doesn't wear, for some of them ...

What do you think ?

Someone earlier in this thread differentiated between Minimalist clothing and Minimalist wardrobes. But even defining each of those is a personal matter, in my opinion.

To me, minimalist pieces are classic, typically of high quality. I think of them as blank by themselves, needing an overall concept to bring life to them and a dazzling personality/personal touch. True, they can be boring and two people can wear the same white tee with one being classic and the other being boring. That's why I think it takes a special kind of person to pull off minimalist outfits, someone very aware of themselves and comfortable with their style to add character. Unfortunately, the stunningly pretty or the naturally quirky people have a leg up on this one. I do feel like it's easier to pull off a simple dress when you already look like a model. On the other hand, too many people rely on this.

Minimalist wardrobes, in my opinion, can contain some more outrageous pieces, but I think everything is well-chosen with a lot of thought put into it. Therefore, you are always excited to wear what you have in your wardrobe, and don't feel like you have to settle for a lesser piece just to get your money's worth in wear. In other cases, yes it can be a collection of very simple clothing, ignoring obvious trends with multiples in things that suit the wearer perfectly.

It has only occurred to me fairly recently that very little of what I own fits me well. I have put a halt on purchases and if I have any negative feelings about something, even if I can't pinpoint it, I don't purchase the item.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I think you can definitely do color + minimalism. Some recent Jil Sander collections have been very colorful ...

 

[Milada]

I think you can definitely do color + minimalism. Some recent Jil Sander collections have been very colorful ...

Yes, let me emphasize the aforementioned Diane Kruger outfit for back-up.

Source: instyle.com

I'd like to differentiate between minimalism and boring. Minimalistic, for me is a compliment. A failed attempt or at it or a lack of trying is boring.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I love exotic skins like croc ... they're a great way for minimalist accessories to be interesting.

 

[pantaloend]

For me too, minimalism is good and different from boredom. But often, minimalist things tend to be with "non-colours" : grey, white, black ...
I like your answers ! Thank you.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Because I wear purple or green, should I say "Well, I can't be a minimalist" ? ;-))

This has already been sufficiently answered, but let me have my say. As you mentioned, one concept of minimalism is maintaining a minimal amount of items to choose from, but there is also the separate idea of a minimalist style.

Minimalism requires a deduction of superfluous elements, that is often misinterpreted. In the case of style, it can be misinterpreted as requiring an absence of color and prints. But to fit in with minimalism, the use of color and prints must be functional: either utilitarian (ex. wearing bright colors is advisable when bike-riding) or aesthetic (ex. prints can visually lengthen or balance out your proportions). I would say that color and prints usually serve an aesthetic function, more than anything.

Minimalism does not necessarily lack intricacy or complexity; it is only unnecessary elements that are cast aside. Hemingway wrote some long, complex novels (except The Old Man and the Sea), but he is noted for his minimalism in writing. Frills are not minimalistic, but one has to define what frills are, and that's where your own freedom of expression comes in. This is the best way I can explain what frills (or "superfluous elements") mean to me: think of the way Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera might sing a simple, pretty melody; their voices gush out, swoop up and down, swing left and right. Theirs is a maximalist singing style, all frills.

...but I can be frilly too. I enjoy excess at times.

 

[gius]

i'm gonna start this soon.

i will be throwing out most of my clothes.

i will be just making them now

i've been thinking actually of what you're writing now, gasolinerainbow
i want less lines
just shape