Buy less, choose well. – Viviene Westwood.
Hey, you! Yes, you! The amazing girl who is so fond of the idea of minimalist fashion.
I LOVED BEING A MAXIMALIST, OR SO I THOUGHT

IT’S THE MINIMALIST AESTHETIC
It took me long to realize that I was barely picturing the aesthetic. Yes, dear. All of those shapeless, exquisite pieces in shades of classic colors are just an aesthetic. These beautiful influencers showing you these looks possibly have a maximalist wardrobe with more than twenty pieces of jeans and whatnot.
Now, let’s pause here.
WAIT, WHAT?
Before you sputter and come to me with a judging look, let me tell you something. Imagine now we are chilling as two girlfriends on the beach in Bali. Wouldn’t it be nice? In fact, I am very keen on the idea that I am gonna throw a picture here. Also, I miss my home.
Now, back to our hot topic.
It’s pretty understandable. You have tons of input regarding minimalism, and everybody has different ideas. They tell you to declutter, move to a smaller place, own fewer pieces, get rid of your stuff. All of those approaches are fine and might work with you, or not.
What I find more critical and what I want you to learn to comprehend is this fact: Minimalist fashion is still a concept like minimalism itself. The end goal is to use it as a tool to meet better life decisions and choices. Eventually, this concept will be your sustainable state of mind. But first, to be able to achieve that, this concept first and foremost must fit us as individuals with different needs and lifestyle.
THE DILEMMA OF MINIMALIST FASHION
Let’s say you open your wardrobe in the morning, and the following happens:
- You no longer mumble to your self the good old “I have nothing to wear” sign of desperation.
- There are only the items you love. Knowing that you will feel confident and beautiful in them, no matter what you are wearing that day.
- No sudden overwhelming feelings because your items have been organized and stored neatly and correctly.
How would that make you feel? Isn’t that the goal you want to achieve?
MY MINIMALIST APPROACH TO FASHION
Identify, love and use the things we most value, get rid of the opposite.
“Meh! I have to go through my stuff and measure each of its value to me?”
Yes.
“How do I determine the value of that much stuff?”
By being honest to yourself.
“If I don’t wear it that much, but I love it, is it valuable? Can I keep it then?”
Your concept, your rule. For me, I would never get rid of my vintage Celine silk scarves.
The bad news is, for us to see if the concept even works for us at all, we need to start somewhere. Good news is, we shouldn’t put any pressure whatsoever and are free to use any approaches to our choice. I did the work for more or less three years. It was after I first got introduced to the concept of owning intentionally (you can read it here). It wasn’t working out immediately. Took me quite some time to sharpen my comprehension about the concept and find the right mindset and approaches that suit me.
FIVE EASY STEPS TO GET THERE
Based on my personal experiences, here are the things you should do first:
KNOW YOUR WHY
This is the utmost importance. Why are you doing this? Is it the trend? Is it for social media? Or are you finally fed up with your messy wardrobe? Are you constantly feeling that you have nothing to wear?
VISUALIZE THE END TO MOTIVATE YOU
MAKE TIME
BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF
Let me tell you a story of Two Winter Boots. Living in Europe, I used to think I need a few winter shoes. In my mind, I would need to have at least four. A simple one for running errands, a chicer choice for going out, one for when it’s really really cold, and one for outdoor sports.
- Winter in the country where I live is not too cold. Appropriately dressed, and most of the problems regarding cold weather are solved, hence the knee-high boots.
- No ski or long walks
- All I need to do was to pick boots that chic enough so I could also wear it for going out, hence the black and dark brown colour with short block heels.
It’s imperative, to be honest with yourself and intentionally acknowledge what you need.
You also need to be honest with yourself regarding other aspects. For example, your financial situation and the size of your living space.
YOUR CONCEPT, YOUR RULE
Each and every one of us has our own lifestyle and what we consider of value and essentials.
Let me give you an example. When my mother passed away, I found the beautiful silk scarf that my mother in law gave her on Christmas some years ago. I fold it nicely inside my divided scarves compartment. I have enough silk scarves, and keeping another one seems wrong. But this scarf has a personal value to me, so it stays.
THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG
My late mother silk scarf is the example of what value is to me. It will be different with you.
The two winter boots are the example of what essentials is to me, and it could be different with you. My point is, you need to find the approaches for this concept that suit you. There is no right or wrong as long as it works.
Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something. – Nicholas Burroughs.
So, hold the thoughts of emptying your wardrobe before you get the self-clarity.
Find out your WHY and decide on your END. Be patient and invest your time wisely for it. Find and plan the approaches that suit you. Be honest to yourself on your term of values and essentials. Be intentional with your needs.
And last but not least: Don’t care about stigmas or stereotypes of minimalists. Create your own that fits your lifestyle and your personality.
And damn it, girl, go wear that bright green with pride!
Psst…
fashion
What do you think?