The minimalist wardrobe : Support/progress thread

[JenJBS]

It’s by Jason Gay. There’s the black shirt thing a’la Johnny Cash. Or a black shirt, black jacket. I have a friend that, unless he’s working in the yard almost always wears a jacket. I like that. He’s very civilized. I think I’d like to incorporate a jacket into my uniform, but am not sure what to do about summer. I suppose linen, or maybe do a cotton or linen vest. I always feel dressed wearing a blazer even if I’m in jeans and sneakers.

The book I mentioned 'The Anatomy of Style' mentions one lady who always wears a jacket - even in summer. I forget who it is. I'm at my Mom's, but will check when I get home Saturday and have the book. Some ideas in the meantime...

Five Jackets To Keep In Your Closet This Summer

We know, the heat is real this summer, but don't convince yourself that you won't need any jackets for the next three months. Below are five jackets you can throw on during cooler summer days and fresh evenings that will take your outfits to the next level.

visual-therapy.com

 

[RueMonge]

Have we talked about “uniforms?“ If we have just smack me . I bought the book about the best dressed list, and then Googled whether someone has ever been on it that was not rich or famous. Which...led me to a page with a discussion of all of the billionaire men who could wear anything but basically wear a tee shirt and jeans every day of their lives. Most of them say it’s because they make so many decisions every day that they want to simplify dressing so they can concentrate on more important things.

So, have you ever thought about a uniform for your minimalism? Do you think a woman could even pull that off or would people say about a female version of Mark Zuckerberg, “Gee, she never changes her clothes.” Can you think of famous female icons that have worn a uniform?

I like Elizabeth Warren’s look. Slim black pants, black shell and a colorful jacket or sweater. I could do that look and I do often.

 

[mellecyn]

Have we talked about “uniforms?“ If we have just smack me . I bought the book about the best dressed list, and then Googled whether someone has ever been on it that was not rich or famous. Which...led me to a page with a discussion of all of the billionaire men who could wear anything but basically wear a tee shirt and jeans every day of their lives. Most of them say it’s because they make so many decisions every day that they want to simplify dressing so they can concentrate on more important things.

So, have you ever thought about a uniform for your minimalism? Do you think a woman could even pull that off or would people say about a female version of Mark Zuckerberg, “Gee, she never changes her clothes.” Can you think of famous female icons that have worn a uniform?

There was an art director who famously wore the same everyday. Black trousers, white shirt and black ribbon tie.

 

[mellecyn]

I have a kind of uniform...black trousers + shirt/blouse.
I found another uniform can be a dress or jumpsuit. I have one jumpsuit and I love it...it can be dressed up or down.
Some minimalist bloggers dress in black only. And only dresses/skirts. I think it allows you to invest in better quality pieces when you have so much less!

I’ve never managed to have black only in my wardrobe but some days I’d show up at work in black head to toe and told my colleagues it was because of decision fatigue

 

[mellecyn]

^^ should we say uniform or signature look?

 

[doni]

 

[doni]

So, have you ever thought about a uniform for your minimalism? Do you think a woman could even pull that off or would people say about a female version of Mark Zuckerberg, “Gee, she never changes her clothes.” Can you think of famous female icons that have worn a uniform?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (In work clothes)
Angela Merkel practically always wears the same jacket (made to measure for her) in an array of colors.

This is a very interesting conversation.

^^ should we say uniform or signature look?

To me these are different things.
A uniform, aside from the strict meaning, is when you always wear the almost exact iteration of clothes whether it is at work (like Ruth Bader) or always (as in Mark Zuckerberg). Uniforms can have a strong symbolism (like a military uniform or Bader’s collar), and as with the corporate suit+tie and the Silicon Valley millionaires, eliminate a decision and provide a practical solution for an everyday problem.

If you like fashion and take pleasure in clothes, to keep to a uniform it can not only be very difficult but also pretty sad.

With a signature look it is about basing your dressing around only a few defined and recognizable elements, whether they are items of clothing, colors or a certain silhouette in a way that feels distinguishable and but not necessarily repetitive. With this you can reinforce self-identity, ease the decision-making process and still play with clothes and fashion. Anne Wintour or Emanuelle Alt are good examples of this.

I feel at this point and after quite a bit of experimentation, I have a pretty clear signature look (which funnily enough is what I was happiest to wear as a teenager) which is a blazer+slim pants+tee. If you add the combo pants+shirt (which I never wear with a blazer), I’d say that makes 90% of what I wear. Still, there is always the temptation to depart or deviate. The feeling that I should wear more dresses, or get into knits... And feeling like a fish out of water in high Summer temperatures which I hate

 

[mellecyn]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (In work clothes)
Angela Merkel practically always wears the same jacket (made to measure for her) in an array of colors.

This is a very interesting conversation.




To me these are different things.
A uniform, aside from the strict meaning, is when you always wear the almost exact iteration of clothes whether it is at work (like Ruth Bader) or always (as in Mark Zuckerberg). Uniforms can have a strong symbolism (like a military uniform or Bader’s collar), and as with the corporate suit+tie and the Silicon Valley millionaires, eliminate a decision and provide a practical solution for an everyday problem.

If you like fashion and take pleasure in clothes, to keep to a uniform it can not only be very difficult but also pretty sad.

With a signature look it is about basing your dressing around only a few defined and recognizable elements, whether they are items of clothing, colors or a certain silhouette in a way that feels distinguishable and but not necessarily repetitive. With this you can reinforce self-identity, ease the decision-making process and still play with clothes and fashion. Anne Wintour or Emanuelle Alt are good examples of this.

I feel at this point and after quite a bit of experimentation, I have a pretty clear signature look (which funnily enough is what I was happiest to wear as a teenager) which is a blazer+slim pants+tee. If you add the combo pants+shirt (which I never wear with a blazer), I’d say that makes 90% of what I wear. Still, there is always the temptation to depart or deviate. The feeling that I should wear more dresses, or get into knits... And feeling like a fish out of water in high Summer temperatures which I hate

Very interesting points, I agree with the definitions and I also tend to go towards a signature look as I like fashion too much.
And when I kept my quarantine uniform for 6 months, I then went shopping with a vengeance. So not good.
Funny you mention your teenage style, I think our identity is soemwhat formed then because I also navigate towards the same things as then! Age 18-20. Quirky structured feminine with a masculine side.
-suits, trousers, very few accessories and collecting derby’s shoes...- it’s probably my job field.
I feel better in temperate climates like a French spring but I finally managed to apparently nail the Nordic “winter chic/cool”....So tough as I absolutely hate technical clothes gear, which I know is best for cold wet climates. If I’m in an urban environment I don’t want to look like I’m hiking the next mountain...
But luckily the latest trends in cool everyday sportswear have helped incorporating tech materials with style.

 

[mellecyn]

New Year New Goals??

 

[mellecyn]

Mine are...
-stick to a color palette, with a few “fun” items.
-no boring style! Minimalist doesn’t equal boring! But stylish yes
-Try first to buy second hand.
-Continue to stick to a list of needed key items.
-I would like to invest in a small classic Chanel (still hesitating between vintage flap and new Very small styles)
-Dont even enter Zara or H&M
-Sell/Donate the unused (without the evil cycle of donating just so you can buy more)

 

[doni]

Mine are...
-stick to a color palette, with a few “fun” items.
-no boring style! Minimalist doesn’t equal boring! But stylish yes
-Try first to buy second hand.
-Continue to stick to a list of needed key items.
-I would like to invest in a small classic Chanel (still hesitating between vintage flap and new Very small styles)
-Dont even enter Zara or H&M
-Sell/Donate the unused (without the evil cycle of donating just so you can buy more)

Very good goals! I suscribe a few, and have to still mull over it.

on the subject of uniforms, all 16 Angela Merkel New Year speeches to the nation:

 

[mellecyn]

Very good goals! I suscribe a few, and have to still mull over it.

on the subject of uniforms, all 16 Angela Merkel New Year speeches to the nation:

View attachment 4944277

Love her, we want an Angela Merkel in France...

 

[Sterntalerli]

Very good goals! I suscribe a few, and have to still mull over it.

on the subject of uniforms, all 16 Angela Merkel New Year speeches to the nation:

View attachment 4944277

Love the silver one!

 

[Mairaculi]

Mine are...
-stick to a color palette, with a few “fun” items.
-no boring style! Minimalist doesn’t equal boring! But stylish yes
-Try first to buy second hand.
-Continue to stick to a list of needed key items.
-I would like to invest in a small classic Chanel (still hesitating between vintage flap and new Very small styles)
-Dont even enter Zara or H&M
-Sell/Donate the unused (without the evil cycle of donating just so you can buy more)

Good idea! Supporting second-hand fashion and not even entering fast-fashion stores are such good goals for 2021! (And I've also been looking at preowned Chanel handbags for the past few months, too, I have my eye on a few listings, but they are not classic styles)

I thought a bit about my goals for this year, here they are:
- Stick to the 5-Piece-French-Wardrobe concept (max. 5 purchases per season S/S & F/W) + replacements of basics
- Majority of purchases should be sustainable (=preowned or by ethical/sustainable brand), at least 2/3, but I'll try to push it to 80%.
- Sell/donate: I decluttered a bit through last year and 2019, but many items are still in my basement, now I have to responsibly move them along.
- Make alterations: I have quite a few items that I enjoy wearing, but there are small things that annoy me - I want to find time to make these alterations.

 

[RueMonge]

Very good goals! I suscribe a few, and have to still mull over it.

on the subject of uniforms, all 16 Angela Merkel New Year speeches to the nation:

View attachment 4944277

She has a good signature hair style that suits her. I’m still trying to get my hair right.