Minimalism and fashion

Emerging as an art movement in the 60s in contrast of the vibrant Pop and Op art movements, minimalism has evolved beyond artistic expression to become a lifestyle choice for many. While some might view it as restrictive, its advocates use it as a way of freeing themselves from the overwhelming state of our modern consumption driven world.  

Indeed, the focus on simplicity and slowness can be linked to mental health and self-improvement, away from materialistic things that can take a toll on us. In recent years, the movement has positioned itself as an alternative to the consumer culture that we are constantly pushed to participate in. Its popularity is growing as we slowly realize that material wealth is not necessarily correlated with long-term satisfaction and wellbeing.  

That idea materializes clearly with fashion. People own twice as much clothing as in the 2000s, while spending less of their income on it (4% compared to 6% before). It could be seen as an achievement if we were only looking at the pure material wealth, disregarding the human and environmental cost that this had and continues to have. But even on that front we don’t seem to be winning. People still feel like they are behind and never have enough. Studies have identified fashion trends and the pressure of maintaining standards in appearance as sources of anxiety, distress and disillusionment. Frustration is good for business, but is it really good for us?  

That is exactly what minimalism is exploring, by stating the opposite: that owning less takes away the stress and frustration around overconsuming. They state that continuously buying new things provides us with a rush when we buy them but no joy when we wear them.

Therefore, minimalism can be seen as a tool to sort of detach yourself from the over in overconsumption. It’s about leaving behind fleeting trends and stripping the unnecessary to rediscover the value of things as well as the joy around them as unique pieces that really bring something to our life.

Minimalist fashion in particular seems to be able to link the artistic roots of the movement with its more recent cultural stance, being both a style and an attitude.

The style: what does it look like?

What does it mean to adopt minimalist fashion?

In our daily lives, minimalist fashion means simplifying the way we dress to make getting ready easier and more enjoyable. It's about having a closet filled with pieces we love and wear often, without being overwhelmed from too many choices. Picture a wardrobe filled with timeless basics like a classic white shirt, well-fitting jeans, and a versatile little black dress—items that effortlessly mix and match to create countless outfits. In essence, minimalist fashion is all about curating a wardrobe that reflects our personal style while making our lives simpler andfree from the endless race of fashion trends.

Minimalism has become a very clear style, embraced by some famous brands as a mantra and an identity to be known for. They will use minimalism to position themselves on the market as brands that strive for simplicity and functionality while being elegant.

This style features clothes that are timeless, basic and versatile.

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Minimalist brands will tend to use innovative fibres and materials as they don’t necessarily stand out by their design. Although this can also have the effect of putting them in a luxurious part of the spectrum, therefore less affordable.

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Is minimalist fashion sustainable ?

In a way, by embracing minimalism, you are embracing a number of sustainability principles:  

• Prefer quality over quantity

• Approach fashion at a slower pace, buying less and when needed.

• Do not care to follow trends and prefer timeless pieces that can work together easily.

Indeed, the two seem quite interconnected: a sustainable brand can seem quite minimalist and vice versa.

Therefore, minimalism is definitely a composite and an entry point to sustainable fashion.

Getting started with minimalist fashion.

If that approach to fashion seems like it could suit you,here are a few steps you can start from:

Decluttering

You can begin by sorting through your clothes and apply the Kon Mari method. This method is basically stating that each item you have should bring you joy and/or serve a purpose.

Going through your wardrobe, you might realize that a lot of the items there don’t fill either criterion. During this exercise, you might also realize some things: maybe you have an awful lot of jeans that look the same, or you tend to have a lot of polyester clothing. You might think about it next time you're shopping and try to get away from these types of items.

Nb: decluttering might be a freeing exercice but in order to make it feel really good, be weary of how you dispose of them. Even if charity shops are a great option for reuse, there is still very little options to recycle and reuse clothing. Therefore, think of gifting, repurposing at home or upcycling first. Don’t just put it in the bin for landfill.

Right, now that we have decluttered our wardrobe, it’s time to keep it that way by applying minimalist principles. Keep in mind that minimalism is not about one magic number of clothing items. Similarly, it doesn’t have to be monotone: keep it colorful and fun if that is your personal style. You can very well still apply the following:

• Essentials: Identify the essentials that you can easily mix and match. These will constitute a solid base that you should feel good in and never get bored of.

• Choose Quality: Look for high-quality pieces that are well-made, durable, and fit you well. Pay attention to the fabric, stitching, and overall craftsmanship.

• Get creative with accessories: Minimalist does not mean modest. Accessories can make a whole look! And that’s what fashion is about: having fun with what you have: transform a headband into a belt, a scarf into a top...  

And finally: Enjoy the empty space in your wardrobe.  

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From there, we should be able to slowly build what’s sometimes called a capsule wardrobe, which is meant to get the most outfits out of the least amount of clothes.  

And you’ll see, applying these principles to your fashion, it might change your perspective on a lot of things, helping you distance yourself from overconsumption and find alternatives way of feeling good about yourself.