Can minimalism and Hermes go together?

[inverved]

Interesting.... Actually, I would say that Hermes has made me more of a minimalist, to be honest. For me, more is more and that's always been my motto on most things, but especially fashion. Hermes has more of a "quality over quantity" vibe going on versus other houses IMO, so I tend to buy less "seasonal" or "trendy" items these days versus more expensive staples that I use and wear for years. I still buy and wear other brands, but Hermes feels less... fleeting, if that makes any sense at all.

I think that the idea of buying less but better as @880 said is spot on with my own personal feelings toward Hermes.

ETA: I do think sometimes about the fact that there are only so many B/K/C et al that one can own.. like how many different colourway and hardware options in ONE particular bag style is too much? But you could really apply that logic to any of the other houses; how many Jumbos can one own? How many Lady Dior or Book Totes are too many? I digress.

I have to agree with this post. If anything, Hermes has made me more of a minimalist.

- In terms of the coveted Hermes bag collection, if you get a B30, K28 and/or C18/24 in either black, gold or etoupe, you steer away from any fleeting bag trends based on colour, style and size.
- Buying the scarves in classic prints and colourways (i.e. Brides de Gala, Bolduc, Jungle Love, Eperon D'Or, Vif Argent, etc) also helps.
- The Kelly belt could potentially be the only belt you may need as you can adjust the length to fit your waist or pant belt loops.

They are just a few examples as to how "less is more". However, my dilemma stems from needing both GHW and PHW buckles when it comes to my belts (Kelly 18 and Ancre 13). It's good to have options, but I think four belts are enough.

 

[Capitaliste]

Yes it can & if you shop & only buy in the categories you need, your wardrobe will
become well rounded. Be selective & if it turns out to be one piece in a season it
likely will be the right piece in your wardrobe
I tend to look at H collection for fall usually as for me it is a longer season & I get more use
from my pieces. I can wear my leather pieces right into June & in a cool summer evening as well
I tend to prefer H leather coats & jackets. I have enough H cashmere & many of my pieces
have pilled but I do wear them nonetheless but learned an expensive lesson for myself,
no more cashmeres & my coats take me where I need to go.
I do not buy any H logo pieces. I will purchase a silk piece if it appeals to me.
Several years ago H did an oversize cape/shawl with leather fringe in wonderful colors
I find that piece very functional in my wardrobe. It works over a sweater or jacket &
its great to travel with.
With the prices that H is now charging one may have to make sure that it will be a purchase
that will work in the wardrobe. To stockpile H or any other designer, doesn't work for me
& besides shopping in your own closet can bring pieces front & center that one can wear &
get pleasure from so you can remain a minimalist if you work at it, JMO

I agree with you. Theoretically, I agree that I only need to buy items I need. But, I somehow became obsessed with Hermes, and it is now very hard to do so (because of its aesthetic values, etc.). For example, I am a guy and would only need 1 daily bag for work. Herbag 39 is perfect for me in that case, but I somehow got 2 Kelly bags and hoping to get 1 more Kelly and 1 Birkin bags (and maybe a Kelly Depeches 25 as well). Do I need more bags? The answer is no... I mean, I only need one bag to carry... But I feel that I am collecting some of these items somehow and have an internal conflict of having too many stuff in my place... hah (And of course, I use them all, depending on what I wear, etc. I do never plan to resell or give away. It's mine forever!) And, the same issues go for shoes and scarves in my case.

One thing I love about Hermes is that its RTW is not too much of logo plays in general (especially when compared to Balenciaga or Louis Vuitton). My wardrobe used to be only 70% full before.... and is now nearly 100%... I still need to figure out how to find inner peace! lol

 

[Capitaliste]

I agree---over the years I have accumulated many pieces. So I have started to go shopping in my own closets now. Feels like Xmas every month.

I know, right?? I feel like I am shopping for Christmas every time I shop in my store... haha I am still curious how one can manage so many accumulated pieces.... Because I don't want to be a hoarder... lol

 

[Capitaliste]

So what!

Well, that was rude. But much as I also admire, perhaps rather than aspire to, a minimalist aesthetic, you should not allow it to be a source of undue stress.
There is no absolute definition of the minimalist aesthetic.
You can define it for yourself as rigidly or flexibly as you choose.

I can accept that for you it means no duplication of accessories.
If you are equally disciplined in the styles and colours of the rest of your wardrobe, then go ahead and rightly beat yourself about the head for being so inconsistent.

Do you really need to limit yourself to one this or one that.
If your wardrobe is more varied than strictly minimalist,
then you should be able to justify a wider selection of accessories than you believe your minimalist style allows.

Please don't take that as permission to go out and buy Rodeos and Twilleys in every colourway.

For me minimalist initially means avoidance of unnecessary decoration. I achieve a colour palette based on patternless black, navy, grey and white most of the time, but I don't beat myself up about the occasional breakouts.

Thanks for your comment! Yes, so for example, I currently have 3 bags from Hermes and they are all in different sizes, collections (e.g., Kelly, Herbag), colors, and materials (e.g., leather/canvas). But when I was(?) a minimalist, I would tell myself that "you only need one daily bag for your work." The "new me" tells me, "these bags are all for different purposes, depending on what you wear, where you go, etc." So, I was curious how other minimalists have managed this internal conflict. ha

By the way, I also have A LOT of empty orange boxes and they themselves also take a lot of my space. What do we do for this??? lol

 

[Capitaliste]

I love the scarves (handbags too but those don’t tend to accrue as quickly) but keep quite a minimal wardrobe of simple clothes, plus they take up less room than say lots of jackets. I’ve been choosing things like a better white t shirt, simple black pants, etc. I’m trying to pare down shoes to those I use and love and only buy when something can’t be repaired. So I try and find a balance of things I can keep minimal and those things that I can have multiples on. Probably not true minimalism but more about mindful shopping and collecting. My big thing is to buy to use and use it lots so I try to buy quality on items I want have for a long time. I enjoy Colourful Noir on YouTube with her approach to styling if you are so inclined to watch someone talk about minimalism and luxury.

Thank you for your great suggestions. I haven't looked into Colourful Noir yet, but I think I should!

 

[girlfriday17]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, so for example, I currently have 3 bags from Hermes and they are all in different sizes, collections (e.g., Kelly, Herbag), colors, and materials (e.g., leather/canvas). But when I was(?) a minimalist, I would tell myself that "you only need one daily bag for your work." The "new me" tells me, "these bags are all for different purposes, depending on what you wear, where you go, etc." So, I was curious how other minimalists have managed this internal conflict. ha

By the way, I also have A LOT of empty orange boxes and they themselves also take a lot of my space. What do we do for this??? lol

Well I do store my scarves in their boxes and have cleared a shelf in my closet because it does look quite minimal to have a colour block of orange. I also keep my bags (I have 2) in their boxes. However I did store a lot of my bags and boxes inside each other in a spare room closet and may use the one I have from my blanket to store Christmas decorations or something else.

 

[WhiteBus]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, so for example, I currently have 3 bags from Hermes and they are all in different sizes, collections (e.g., Kelly, Herbag), colors, and materials (e.g., leather/canvas). But when I was(?) a minimalist, I would tell myself that "you only need one daily bag for your work." The "new me" tells me, "these bags are all for different purposes, depending on what you wear, where you go, etc." So, I was curious how other minimalists have managed this internal conflict. ha

By the way, I also have A LOT of empty orange boxes and they themselves also take a lot of my space. What do we do for this??? lol

A true minimalist would not tell her or himself anything.
He or she would make the decisions instinctively.
Unless you otherwise live in Pawson simplicity you have nothing to be concerned about. There is no rule that cannot allow your aesthetic to evolve; in fact it would be worrying if it didn't.

 

[Dreaming of H]

You know this is a really interesting question and one I've contemplated myself since seeing your post. I would agree with some of the posters here whereby Hermes has actually helped them become more a minimalist. Apologies for the long ramblings, so just scroll on if not interested!

I think it's important to contemplate what minimalism means to you. I don't think there is just one definition that applies to all.

For example, I have 7 kelly belts. Would that be described as minimalist? Likely not by most. However, these belts go with everything in my wardrobe, can be adjusted to any size, and are (in my opinion) timeless and classic. When I need a belt, I pick one of these and go on with my day. Have I pined for some of the new, trendy, YSL, Khaite, and The Row belts? Absolutely. But, I don't make a purchase because I already have my kelly belts that fit all rises of pants, can be adjusted to any size. So, in my mind, these 7 belts help me not accumulate even more trend belts that will likely not have the same mileage in my wardrobe. And getting dressed in the morning is so much easier and I've had them for years.

I follow this thinking also with suits, pants, tops, etc. Do I have what someone would say as "almost identical" beige cashmere polo knits? Yep. But, they all serve a purpose for me and make dressing every morning a breeze. I try to avoid unitaskers whenever possible and Hermes fits into this mantra for me extremely well.

That said, I think once you have a wardrobe that is working for you and is considered, adding that absolutely special, potentially unitasking piece that makes you happy every time you see or wear it is so much easier because the rest of your closet has become considered.

It's also important to understand when something might tip the scales and the emotional toll of keeping it becomes to great. I recently rehomed a beautiful kelly to a friend of mind. It was the perfect bag for her. It was not the perfect bag for me. Overtime, the toll of that bag, sitting in my closet, without a purpose for me, became so great that it was a wonderful release to be able to move it along to someone who it truly is a fit for. Do I have many more Hermes bags? Absolutely. Would someone who looks in my closet say they are too repetitive and not minimalist? Guaranteed you would. But, do they all hold a distinct purpose for me and generate emotional happiness over an emotional toll? 1000%. To me, this is what is important over the sheer amount of pieces tipping the scales. And if another piece starts feeling like "too much", I will consider those feelings and have no issue moving things along that no longer "work".

There are many Hermes pieces that I've stopped buying over the years. Cashmere shawls? Completely pared down to only the essentials. Clic Hs and CDCs? All gone and they no longer meet my aesthetic. Evolution over the years is natural and I fully embrace these changes.

I also find it extremely helpful to write down all of my purchases year over year. What worked? What didn't? How can I, in future, be a smarter shopper in order to maintain a closet that is purposeful to me and gives me joy!

In the end, there will always be more to see, to love, to buy, and I wish all of the fellow tPFers happy shopping in whatever mode works best for you!

(And all this to say that yes, I've made mistakes along the way, Hermes, and otherwise. And I don't beat myself up over it. In the end, it's only fashion and to me, should be enjoyed!)

 

[Letter]

You know this is a really interesting question and one I've contemplated myself since seeing your post. I would agree with some of the posters here whereby Hermes has actually helped them become more a minimalist. Apologies for the long ramblings, so just scroll on if not interested!

I think it's important to contemplate what minimalism means to you. I don't think there is just one definition that applies to all.

For example, I have 7 kelly belts. Would that be described as minimalist? Likely not by most. However, these belts go with everything in my wardrobe, can be adjusted to any size, and are (in my opinion) timeless and classic. When I need a belt, I pick one of these and go on with my day. Have I pined for some of the new, trendy, YSL, Khaite, and The Row belts? Absolutely. But, I don't make a purchase because I already have my kelly belts that fit all rises of pants, can be adjusted to any size. So, in my mind, these 7 belts help me not accumulate even more trend belts that will likely not have the same mileage in my wardrobe. And getting dressed in the morning is so much easier and I've had them for years.

I follow this thinking also with suits, pants, tops, etc. Do I have what someone would say as "almost identical" beige cashmere polo knits? Yep. But, they all serve a purpose for me and make dressing every morning a breeze. I try to avoid unitaskers whenever possible and Hermes fits into this mantra for me extremely well.

That said, I think once you have a wardrobe that is working for you and is considered, adding that absolutely special, potentially unitasking piece that makes you happy every time you see or wear it is so much easier because the rest of your closet has become considered.

It's also important to understand when something might tip the scales and the emotional toll of keeping it becomes to great. I recently rehomed a beautiful kelly to a friend of mind. It was the perfect bag for her. It was not the perfect bag for me. Overtime, the toll of that bag, sitting in my closet, without a purpose for me, became so great that it was a wonderful release to be able to move it along to someone who it truly is a fit for. Do I have many more Hermes bags? Absolutely. Would someone who looks in my closet say they are too repetitive and not minimalist? Guaranteed you would. But, do they all hold a distinct purpose for me and generate emotional happiness over an emotional toll? 1000%. To me, this is what is important over the sheer amount of pieces tipping the scales. And if another piece starts feeling like "too much", I will consider those feelings and have no issue moving things along that no longer "work".

There are many Hermes pieces that I've stopped buying over the years. Cashmere shawls? Completely pared down to only the essentials. Clic Hs and CDCs? All gone and they no longer meet my aesthetic. Evolution over the years is natural and I fully embrace these changes.

I also find it extremely helpful to write down all of my purchases year over year. What worked? What didn't? How can I, in future, be a smarter shopper in order to maintain a closet that is purposeful to me and gives me joy!

In the end, there will always be more to see, to love, to buy, and I wish all of the fellow tPFers happy shopping in whatever mode works best for you!

(And all this to say that yes, I've made mistakes along the way, Hermes, and otherwise. And I don't beat myself up over it. In the end, it's only fashion and to me, should be enjoyed!)

Love this outlook and totally agree.

I’m trying to figure out how to explain my outlook - I live a VERY casual day to day life. But I have the occasion to fairly frequently need, not formal special occasion but stylish special occasion, outfits. A while ago I realized that I didn’t want to panic every time I needed to look “nicer.” I try to buy only quality at this point so Hermes fits that well but I also want to go to my closet and have something appropriate to wear for almost any occasion.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I mean, there are different concepts of minimalism:

1) Buying fewer things of greater quality and more versatility, but not actually restricting the amount of stuff you own. Hermès is great for this. Many items are forever classics. (Buying everything in sight because you think you need to "prespend" will obviously get in the way here, but no one is being forced to do this ) (ETA: I don't consider this minimalism, but I think it is what OP is asking about.)

2) Actually managing a minimalist closet, meaning keeping the things you own to a minimum. Same here, H is great for this. You could own one Kelly in a neutral color with your preferred hardware and carry it almost everywhere and it will always be a wonderful bag that is in style. It could be argued that if you own one bag, it should be H; if you own one scarf, it should be H; etc.

3) Aesthetic minimalism, meaning you are actually going for a minimalist look - simple and pared-down, limited palette. Here I think it's a little harder as Hermes RTW and scarves may not really work, and shoes for instance tend to be a little involved. But the simpler bags, like a Massai or Gao or Arcon, fit the bill for sure.

 

[880]

Evolution over the years is natural

I've made mistakes along the way, Hermes, and otherwise. And I don't beat myself up over it.

100%

ETA: I’ve stopped buying certain categories. Like CSGM. I have enough And, in the last year, I’ve only worn one of them. But, I don’t rehomed too quickly bc I tend to fall back in love with something after resting it lol

 

[papertiger]

Agreeing with @nakedmosher2of3 and @QuelleFromage there are different definitions of minimalism. I'm going go in a different order.

Normally, I'd use my experience, but since anyone who knows me will laugh at me being a minimalist, let's go for theory.

The main three in usage today, namely 1. minimalist style, 2. a possible capsule wardrobe of multipurpose things, and 3. minimal new buy, Hermes does very well.

1. Whatever classic or avant-garde style, H has something that elevates the look and stops it turning into '90s corporate lawyer or a Rick Owens cyborg. Whichever monochrome look, shaded natural tones or all-black, Hermes pulls together, keeps from concrete camouflage or creates visual weight (fashion focal point). Could be a bag, could be a belt, a cuff or shoes. Maybe a B/K/C are not minimalist, but a Bolide, a Plume will look immaculate, or for a more relaxed, casual min-wardrobe style, a DS or GP.

2. Capsule wardrobes don't have to be minimalist in nature, it's about personal style. Watch/look at some Gabrielle Arruda, who is anti-commercial https://www.pinterest.co.uk/gabriellearrudadesign/ and helps people find their own style personas. If you know which colours suit you, which silhouettes, shapes and fit best, what your lifestyle is and functions your accessories, RTW, jewellery, shoes, even homeware has to perform, you'll evolve a timeless wardrobe.

3. Since we pay 'top-dollar' for H, we all have added incentive to make every item work for us, sometimes in a multitude and a myriad of ways. Just think of what one can do with one scarf. If you have a few Hermes bags which suit you well, love, wear, maintain and be content.

 

[GabrielleS]

100%

ETA: I’ve stopped buying certain categories. Like CSGM. I have enough And, in the last year, I’ve only worn one of them. But, I don’t rehomed too quickly bc I tend to fall back in love with something after resting it lol

Definitely don’t rehome them. By the time you want to wear them they could cost double at the rate price increases are going. I literally have cashmere and wool RTW that I purchased years ago for less than the current price of a CGSM!

 

[Capitaliste]

I mean, there are different concepts of minimalism:

1) Buying fewer things of greater quality and more versatility, but not actually restricting the amount of stuff you own. Hermès is great for this. Many items are forever classics. (Buying everything in sight because you think you need to "prespend" will obviously get in the way here, but no one is being forced to do this ) (ETA: I don't consider this minimalism, but I think it is what OP is asking about.)

2) Actually managing a minimalist closet, meaning keeping the things you own to a minimum. Same here, H is great for this. You could own one Kelly in a neutral color with your preferred hardware and carry it almost everywhere and it will always be a wonderful bag that is in style. It could be argued that if you own one bag, it should be H; if you own one scarf, it should be H; etc.

3) Aesthetic minimalism, meaning you are actually going for a minimalist look - simple and pared-down, limited palette. Here I think it's a little harder as Hermes RTW and scarves may not really work, and shoes for instance tend to be a little involved. But the simpler bags, like a Massai or Gao or Arcon, fit the bill for sure.

I love how you define the concepts of minimalism. When I mentioned that I am a minimalist, I was referring to #2. But, as time passes by, I am more of #1 + 2 combined....

 

[Capitaliste]

I declutter my house from time to time but can never declutter any H items. I try to use them all but it is difficult.

@luckygirl31 - I second this! I like your approach!

I also find it extremely helpful to write down all of my purchases year over year. What worked? What didn't? How can I, in future, be a smarter shopper in order to maintain a closet that is purposeful to me and gives me joy!

@nakedmosher2of3 - I love this approach. I should follow what you do and see if it works for me.

I’m trying to figure out how to explain my outlook - I live a VERY casual day to day life. But I have the occasion to fairly frequently need, not formal special occasion but stylish special occasion, outfits. A while ago I realized that I didn’t want to panic every time I needed to look “nicer.” I try to buy only quality at this point so Hermes fits that well but I also want to go to my closet and have something appropriate to wear for almost any occasion.

@kmat - This is great suggestions! Thanks for sharing your insight and I appreciate it!