In the past few years, there has been a surge of minimalist aesthetics among the fashion blogging community, which is probably no mere coincidence ever since Phoebe Philo took over the fashion industry by storm, followed by Raf Simons’s appointment to Dior a few years back that heralded a new Age for the decades-old atelier. It is also rather plausible that the global economic recession may have something to do with this burgeoning movement, considering that visible ostentatious display of wealth is of poor taste when many people are having a hard time putting food on their table. Believe it or not – the world economy does have a deep impact on high fashion!
Minimalism is a philosophy of dressing that has endured for decades, and is probably best recognized today by the general public through the fashion houses of Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and Calvin Klein.
Jil Sander, Balenciaga and Calvin Klein
The thought of having to put aside our arsenal of prints is enough to bring tears to our eyes. But, we can’t ignore the recent surge in pared-down attire. The minimalism trend that dominated this summer isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And, with a new season looming, it may just be time to put aside the pineapple prints in favor of more back-to-basics dressing.
Whether your aesthetic leans towards master of the mix or classic with a twist, the elements of singular personal style have three things in common:
Confidence. Getting dressed without regard for what others might think takes a certain inner strength and self-awareness. In matters of personal style, what really counts is owning and loving your look.
An aversion to authority. Fashion empires are built around telling women what items they must have in their wardrobes, what’s in or out and exactly what trends to follow. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, the fearless among us usually don’t like to be told what to do. We’ll wear what we want, when we want and how we want….thank you very much. Rule breaking is the name of the game.
Playfulness. Experimentation and embracing a sense of humor are surefire catalysts to sartorial innovation. Nothing’s more boring than an overall look that’s too precious or over-thought. Relax, its just fashion. Already have a signature look established? Tweaking a favorite ensemble every so often keep things fresh. A new accessory here, a different shoe there…No major surgery required.
Here’s a few ways you can incorporate minimalist dressing in your wardrobe!
Stick with a neutral palette and be more playful with certain aspects. Our personal favorite way to achieve this look is to pair ladylike textures and silhouettes with a leather jacket. It keeps the minimalistic look edgy ! The black-and-white combo really helps with the contrast, too.
Embrace all black outfits. You don’t have to worry about matching colors when you wear all black. It makes it easier to experiment with different silhouettes and textures.
Adding a statement piece to an outfit, whether it’s a pattern, a piece of jewelry, a pop of color, or texture, is a great way to accentuate clean lines while adding a bit of your own personality.
Buying the trend that is merely a stand alone piece is pointless. Most fleetingly come and go trends do not mix and match well with everything. Investing in five staple pieces (like LBDs and tailored blazers) can carry your entire wardrobe and perfect your minimalist wardrobe for style longevity. Disposable fashion drains the bank while keeping you insatiably shopping with nothing to wear. A quality neutral dress is a chameleon piece to mix and match with everything else in a minimalist wardrobe.
Some staple pieces that will take you a long way as far as versatility and minimalism is concerned.
Little Black Dress – There is not one occasion where this staple item would not be perfect for. The LBD is the biggest chameleon in your wardrobe for all occasions.
A tailored blazer or leather jacket – A great fitting jacket finishes the look of every outfit.
Slacks or Cigarette Pants – Although jeans are comfortable and easy to style and wear, having a great pair of all season slacks or skinny cigarette pants provide versatility to when you don’t want to wear a dress or skirt. Jeans can sometimes be too casual, and a great pair of slacks with heels bring elegance even to that staple t-shirt.
Separate the trendy clothing items from the basics to see how your wardrobe balances out. If you have only trendy pieces, decide what beautiful basics would help to tie your wardrobe together. If you only have basics, what colors are dominant and do you need a few more neutrals? Your neutral basics need not be boring. Find pieces that have a sleek silhouette and materials that drape the body comfortably and elegantly.
Remember, simplicity is key in pulling off the minimalistic look!
