Despite an inundation of fast fashion retailers touting a “more is more” philosophy, minimalism is slowly catching on. It is being supported by some fashion personalities like Vivienne Westwood, who has been advising people to “buy less-choose well.” She believes in the minimalist wardrobe.
4 Steps to Creating a Minimalist Wardrobe This Spring
Here are four steps to help you get on the minimalism train in spring 2018. These steps will help you downsize to create a minimalist wardrobe any fashionista can be proud of:
Step 1: Take Stock of Your Wardrobe Inventory
Before making any decisions, it is vital to note what you already have and what you really need. Write down what you like about your wardrobe and what you do not like it.
Then write your goals for your wardrobe down. This will give you a clear idea of the directions you want to take to ensure you don’t buy things you already have and really don’t need. You are on your way to creating the wardrobe of a minimalist’s dreams.
Step 2: Define Your Fashion Style
Having a minimalist wardrobe does not necessarily mean changing into a grey, black and white color scheme every day. There is a distinction between minimalist aesthetic and minimalist lifestyle. It is important to know your own fashion style.
If your style is unsure to you, take a look in your closet. Look at what colors you often buy, and what silhouettes make you feel best. Ask yourself why you keep saying you have no clothes.
Using Pinterest to Define Your Style
Pinterest is also a great place to define your style:
- Create a Pinterest style board
- Search Pinterest and the rest of the Web
- Pin any fashion that you like to it
NOTE: Do not think too much about it. Just pin what you like and go back to the common threads.
Once you have clearly defined your fashion style, stick by it. Anything you buy or possess should fall under this umbrella, so you’re not stuck with a bunch of “stuff” you don’t need, like or wear. That is against the minimalist’s way of life.
Step 3: Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Decluttering is a challenging process, especially for hoarders… the opposite of minimalists. In this phase, you want to remove everything from your closet and make three piles:
1. Yes
2. No
3. Needs repairs
Get rid of items that:
- Do not fit
- Do not flatter or make you feel good
- Do not fit your style schema
- Are in bad condition
- You know you will never wear again
Put all the items you are unsure about in a box for a month or two and see if you change your mind about them. If you don’t go ahead and donate them, give them away, sell them in a yard sale or whatever. Remember. A Minimalist wardrobe is the opposite of that of a hoarder.
Step 4: Build Out Your Capsule Collection
Creating a minimalist wardrobe does not entail getting a whole new wardrobe. Rather it is about conscious consumption. At this stage, take a look at your closet to determine what you still need.
Make a list of what you are still missing based on your lifestyle and what you wrote down in step one. Start with a classic capsule:
- 4 pairs of shoes
- 2 bags
- 2 pairs of jeans
- 2 pairs of trousers
- 2 blazers
- 3 dresses
- 2 skirts
- 2 T-shirts
- 3 blouses
- 1 button-down
- 2 coats
- 3 sweaters
Then you can go ahead and build, rearrange or substitute your wardrobe pieces as needed.
One Rule: You should abide by one rule to create the most efficient wardrobe for your minimalist lifestyle: Almost everything should coordinate, so you can get the most wear out of your wardrobe.
Prioritize and budget first before going out to buy what is on your list. Invest in wardrobe pieces that are well-made, tailored and stylish. As a minimalist, don’t risk buying what is fashionable, as it will be out of season in a few months, taking up valuable wardrobe space.
Remember. True style lasts forever. You want your minimalist wardrobe to last you a long time. And, you don’t have to be dull to pull it off either. Give your looks some flare, pizzazz and shine with some stylish jewelry pieces and other accessories.
Guest post by Tina Karen
Tina has been a lifestyle blogger for some years now. She enjoys writing about things that truly matter, while homing in on what her audience needs. Ms. Karen also enjoys creating voice overs and reporting news. Tina is a Content Marketing Geek who blogs about fashion, style and trends for the Pearls of Wisdom blog by The Pearl Source.
