The minimalist wardrobe : Support/progress thread

[Etriers]

Yes- I so agree this is an opportunity rather than an issue! “Negative space” in interiors/architecture is just as important as the subject (objects) within the composition. Think walking through a museum or gallery- all is barren besides the art in order to showcase its loveliness.

There is power in nothingness that surrounds the object. Your wardrobe will look sharply curated juxtaposed to the nothing around it. (Especially as a minimalist) I always love to play with matter vs void!

I don’t know how old anyone is here, but I wonder why modern/sleek/minimalism tends to make people look younger. I think about this as an over 40 person. Is it the concept that we usually “accumulate” things, (weight!), baggage, etc. as we get older? So when you see an older person looking streamlined, it is kinda refreshing?

 

[Etriers]

We did design and install drawers and cabinets and baskets and such in my closet. The funny thing is that my new closet is big enough that half of the drawers and cabinets sit empty. Lol. I am such a minimalist that I have a whole shelf for shoes but I own maybe 5. My hanging bar is about half full.

I may buy three or four more blazers/cardigans. And then shift to building my coat collection.

That is very cool though, so inspiring that you have reduced your wardrobe so much.

I have a fairly nice-sized closet (and I adore DH) but do sometimes fantasize about how creative I’d be if I didn’t have to share. Maybe put in a little coffee/refreshment bar/wine cooler, a nice chair, make it feel like a boutique shopping experience.

 

[Etriers]

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

I remember reading about her somewhere. Vogue or WSJ Style section maybe.

 

[Etriers]

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

Another example of a cultivated signature is Margaret Russell in her sleeveless shift dresses and chunky bracelet. That’s a tough look to carry into the 60’s and beyond though. Hard to keep the flawless upper arms forever.

So true about jackets. I have been thinking lately (after watching Outlander) about a longer, fitted vest. It would work in different fabrics in all seasons, add structure like a jacket and get rid of the extra sleeve layer on the arms, and so be more practical for me working from home. Could go over a tee or blouse or turtleneck or be worn alone. I can see myself wearing a fitted vest during the day, but not a jacket at home. I’m just not that patrician, although I adore the idea.

 

[doni]

Another example of a cultivated signature is Margaret Russell in her sleeveless shift dresses and chunky bracelet. That’s a tough look to carry into the 60’s and beyond though. Hard to keep the flawless upper arms forever.

So true about jackets. I have been thinking lately (after watching Outlander) about a longer, fitted vest. It would work in different fabrics in all seasons, add structure like a jacket and get rid of the extra sleeve layer on the arms, and so be more practical for me working from home. Could go over a tee or blouse or turtleneck or be worn alone. I can see myself wearing a fitted vest during the day, but not a jacket at home. I’m just not that patrician, although I adore the idea.

What a fabulous idea. Like a sleeveless blazer. I was admiring this beautiful one from Roksanda in NAP only yesterday. To me somehow, a vest feels dressier than a blazer... probably the less familiarity.

 

[RueMonge]

That is very cool though, so inspiring that you have reduced your wardrobe so much.

I have a fairly nice-sized closet (and I adore DH) but do sometimes fantasize about how creative I’d be if I didn’t have to share. Maybe put in a little coffee/refreshment bar/wine cooler, a nice chair, make it feel like a boutique shopping experience.

I am enjoying this idea so much even though I don’t have space for it. Just reclining and having a little wine bar in your closet, so fun!

 

[Etriers]

What a fabulous idea. Like a sleeveless blazer. I was admiring this beautiful one from Roksanda in NAP only yesterday. To me somehow, a vest feels dressier than a blazer... probably the less familiarity.

View attachment 5014304

Oh wow, that’s fabulous.

 

[mellecyn]

Well all these years I’ve been waiting for the late 90s minimalism to be back...haha but it makes me feel so nostalgic so i don’t know anymore!
Right now I’m into neutrals black-white-grey-beige-taupe (and all shades in between). Only colors are accessories, if needed. For the spring, I’ll buy a suit, a jacket, a pair of jeans, T-shirt, cardigan.
But it’s so hard to shop when you are so fixated on items you designed in your head but need to actually find irl

 

[mellecyn]

ONLINE SHOPPING versus reality!!
I have always hated to shop online and I know why....1.I am all about trying on different models and different sizes and compare before deciding. 2. I am all about finding something that looks more expensive than it actually is, hence touching the fabric and looking at shape. 3.the most important in clothes/shoes is in fact just creating your silhouette, and overall style.

Lately, for obvious reasons, all my shopping was done online and it´s disapointment very time. (unless its second hand luxury, then I was happy!). I am avoiding fast fashion, and bad quality but I don´t have the budget of luxury designers either. So somewhere in the middle is where I find the hit and miss....
The cheap looking clothes photograph way too well....cool style and art direction (and if they photograph as well as luxury fashion then how do we shop luxury?).
I want to own less but to adore and look my best in each and every one of the pieces I own, and I have been guilty in the past of keeping the so-so or meh items I have bought online. No more. If I don´t love it, it goes back.
I am looking for a suit. All the cool insta boosted brands....I bought one at 350$ and it just looked bad. So I found some small French brands who make the suits in France with a better quality and the price is only a bit more. Not as "trendy" look (90s boxy jacket and tapered trousers) but a better option, if only I could travel haha.
Also, small rant, if online shopping is all we´re gonna do in the future they need to be better at showing the clothes on different size/shapes models and tell what size they wear. Some are doing it but still not enough.

 

[Antonia]

ONLINE SHOPPING versus reality!!
I have always hated to shop online and I know why....1.I am all about trying on different models and different sizes and compare before deciding. 2. I am all about finding something that looks more expensive than it actually is, hence touching the fabric and looking at shape. 3.the most important in clothes/shoes is in fact just creating your silhouette, and overall style.

Lately, for obvious reasons, all my shopping was done online and it´s disapointment very time. (unless its second hand luxury, then I was happy!). I am avoiding fast fashion, and bad quality but I don´t have the budget of luxury designers either. So somewhere in the middle is where I find the hit and miss....
The cheap looking clothes photograph way too well....cool style and art direction (and if they photograph as well as luxury fashion then how do we shop luxury?).
I want to own less but to adore and look my best in each and every one of the pieces I own, and I have been guilty in the past of keeping the so-so or meh items I have bought online. No more. If I don´t love it, it goes back.
I am looking for a suit. All the cool insta boosted brands....I bought one at 350$ and it just looked bad. So I found some small French brands who make the suits in France with a better quality and the price is only a bit more. Not as "trendy" look (90s boxy jacket and tapered trousers) but a better option, if only I could travel haha.
Also, small rant, if online shopping is all we´re gonna do in the future they need to be better at showing the clothes on different size/shapes models and tell what size they wear. Some are doing it but still not enough.

Well said!! I shop mostly Zara (who I have mostly good luck with although a lot of things run small so you have to go up a size) and The Real Real (for luxury 2nd hand clothes/shoes/bags)...I've gotten some really amazing deals-I just bought a pair of Marsell sandals that were marked down to $39...when the package arrived, it came in the original box which had the dust bag plus 2 separate pouches to put each shoe in for safekeeping...the shoes came from Barney's and the original price of these shoes was on the box....retailed for just under $1,000! I buy a lot of my designer jeans from them as well but those can be hit or miss...they don't always have the correct measurements and that can be frustrating!! It's a bummer because you have to pay for return shipping. I think the shipping cost when you order something should be free and only charge to return...but they do both, which stinks. I need to do some spring cleaning (decluttering) with clothes and bags....gotta get it done before the end of this month as I like to put away (in another closet) my heavy winter stuff that I won't need anymore for more lightweight clothing.

 

[Mairaculi]

ONLINE SHOPPING versus reality!!
I have always hated to shop online and I know why....1.I am all about trying on different models and different sizes and compare before deciding. 2. I am all about finding something that looks more expensive than it actually is, hence touching the fabric and looking at shape. 3.the most important in clothes/shoes is in fact just creating your silhouette, and overall style.

Lately, for obvious reasons, all my shopping was done online and it´s disapointment very time. (unless its second hand luxury, then I was happy!). I am avoiding fast fashion, and bad quality but I don´t have the budget of luxury designers either. So somewhere in the middle is where I find the hit and miss....
The cheap looking clothes photograph way too well....cool style and art direction (and if they photograph as well as luxury fashion then how do we shop luxury?).
I want to own less but to adore and look my best in each and every one of the pieces I own, and I have been guilty in the past of keeping the so-so or meh items I have bought online. No more. If I don´t love it, it goes back.
I am looking for a suit. All the cool insta boosted brands....I bought one at 350$ and it just looked bad. So I found some small French brands who make the suits in France with a better quality and the price is only a bit more. Not as "trendy" look (90s boxy jacket and tapered trousers) but a better option, if only I could travel haha.
Also, small rant, if online shopping is all we´re gonna do in the future they need to be better at showing the clothes on different size/shapes models and tell what size they wear. Some are doing it but still not enough.

Definitely agree on the “cool insta boosted brands“. I bought a thing or two from a brand I learned about through instagram. Never again. They were never worth the money. Today I also prefer better quality & second hand. But it can be very addicting.

 

[mellecyn]

Definitely agree on the “cool insta boosted brands“. I bought a thing or two from a brand I learned about through instagram. Never again. They were never worth the money. Today I also prefer better quality & second hand. But it can be very addicting.

Second hand works for “love at first sight” type of items. But you re looking for something specific on your list, which is the case with the 5 items wardrobe it is a very lengthy and frustrating process...checking constantly if they have that something

 

[jade]

Second hand works for “love at first sight” type of items. But you re looking for something specific on your list, which is the case with the 5 items wardrobe it is a very lengthy and frustrating process...checking constantly if they have that something

Especially when you factor in fit. If you are looking for an item and have no idea brand/size/fit it is a risky and frustrating endeavor.

 

[mellecyn]

Especially when you factor in fit. If you are looking for an item and have no idea brand/size/fit it is a risky and frustrating endeavor.

Oh yes absolutely! So I sometimes try on clothes from the designers I’m interested in to at least know their sizing. And hope for the best.

 

[Etriers]

Especially when you factor in fit. If you are looking for an item and have no idea brand/size/fit it is a risky and frustrating endeavor.

I think to look really fabulous, one pretty much has to plan on having everything tailored. Even jeans and “minor” purchases. I have a friend that does this and she said once she finally made up her mind that tailoring would be part of her clothing budget, she felt very empowered. This is my resolution for this year.