The minimalist wardrobe : Support/progress thread

[lill_canele]

So I had a huge declutter of my closet starting in December of 2019. I probably donated over a dozen trash bags of fast fashion or high street clothes (some shoes). It was very stress-relieving!
At the end of 2018, I started to get into ready-to-wear and have learned to love to "invest" in clothes for the long term. There's something about wearing beautiful and comfortable clothes tailored to fit just you, that makes you not only feel amazing, but want to take care and continue to wear in the long run.

One of the things that especially helped me declutter the closet was that I really wanted that clean, minimalistic looking closet. You know, the kind you see on closet tours where the walk-in closet, is also like a dressing room, with storage for not just shoes and clothes, but also accessories, like sunglasses, jewelry, etc.
I did not like how my walk-in closet looked at the time. It looked like I was trying to overstuff a poor handbag.

In 2020, I did not buy any clothes, nada! (I also work in a hospital, so...scrubs life lol, that definitely helped) And in 2021 I started to envision a look for closet. Granted I don't have a large walk-in closet and also, my husband's clothes are there too, lol. While he personally does not care where his clothes are or how much I overtake the closet, I wanted to give him at least half of the space because I didn't think it was fair for my stuff to take up so much space.

I ended up freeing up about 2/3 of one of the walls of the closet. So now I have space on the shelf for my accessories and jewelry. Made it look cute with some fashion house books and candles. I was able to put in a small shelf for my everyday shoes.
The I put in a small rug (for trying on the shoes, because they're not the cleanest) and tall mirror, so now I can try on outfits like a fitting room without ever having to step out into the bathroom or into our other tall mirror in the bedroom. And I love it!
It's still a work in process and I would still like to minimize the amount of clothes a little more. But I am very happy with the progress so far.

 

[misstrine85]

I’m also interested in where you found the slip dresses pls!
also, I find wolford items (underpinnings, stockings and stretchy loose tanks) are comfortable, wear like iron, and can be machine washed

@mellecyn, I like valentino flat mules and all birds but I realized the first may be too staid for you and the second isn’t really dressy, but here’s a list of options (IMO, if your foot is broad, the Rothy point is very cute but go up a half to a full size). The best trousers IMO are brunello cuchinelli, but they are super expensive. However, I live in charcoal grey twill trousers in the winter and if you only have one pair, these are it. I prefer the cuts that are more straight legged than pegged as I have larger calves. Gunex (much less expensive) used to be owned or affiliated with Brunello, and I love my gunex pants too! I’m also fond of a loafer as an alternative to flats (I buy one on sale from brands like Tods or Ferragamo

We Spent Months Testing Comfy Flats From Brands Like Rothy's, Birdies, and More—Here Are Our 10 Favorites

We researched and tested dozens of pairs of flats from brands like Vionic, Rothy’s, and Birdies in search of the most comfortable options for being on your feet for long periods of time.

www.travelandleisure.com

They are from Lady Avenue. I think it is a danish brand

 

[JenJBS]

Okay, so here’s something I occasionally think about when I’m somewhere waiting for something and am bored out of my mind: In my minimalist wardrobe fantasy, there is a single outfit that does it all and is ready for anything. The ultimate “traveling light” of outfits. It is comfortable on a plane, could go to formal dinner, a business meeting, to the opera, to a wedding or funeral, a walk in the park, lunch at a beach bar, be reasonably comfortable to hang out in, and works four seasons. When I’m really bored and feel like challenging myself I’ll include funny things like it also has to look good riding a horse or camping. Then I challenge myself to come up with the ultimate clothes-on-your-back outfit. I think I have decided on the outfit but have not managed to imagine it four seasons without at least one change of shoes.

What would your one outfit be, if the only “suite” of clothes you could own was what you had on?

For me it would be a simple, sleeveless black dress (for cool weather I could add a oversized button down shirt or cardigan or wrap). I have this one by Eileen Fisher. I'm so short that on me it's a bit lower on my calves - pretty much maxi length rather than midi length.

 

[Etriers]

For me it would be a simple, sleeveless black dress (for cool weather I could add a oversized button down shirt or cardigan or wrap). I have this one by Eileen Fisher. I'm so short that on me it's a bit lower on my calves - pretty much maxi length rather than midi length.

View attachment 5144304

Great dress. You could totally chase villains in that.

 

[JenJBS]

Great dress. You could totally chase villains in that.

Thank you!

 

[RueMonge]

For me it would be a simple, sleeveless black dress (for cool weather I could add a oversized button down shirt or cardigan or wrap). I have this one by Eileen Fisher. I'm so short that on me it's a bit lower on my calves - pretty much maxi length rather than midi length.

View attachment 5144304

I considered that dress too but it’s also long on me.

 

[misstrine85]

I considered that dress too but it’s also long on me.

If it’s perfect otherweise, you could consider having it shortened by a tailor.

 

[misstrine85]

For me it would be a simple, sleeveless black dress (for cool weather I could add a oversized button down shirt or cardigan or wrap). I have this one by Eileen Fisher. I'm so short that on me it's a bit lower on my calves - pretty much maxi length rather than midi length.

View attachment 5144304

This is the perfect dress in my opinion. And I only wear black dresses.
I ordered then one from Organic Basics but unfortunately it was too tight. I suggested them to start making their clothes in larger sizes as well, I don’t think I am the only one who would like that.

 

[RueMonge]

If it’s perfect otherweise, you could consider having it shortened by a tailor.

I did think about that but I needed it for a funeral that week. I did find a very similar dress with a small sleeve which was shorter and fit me well.

 

[misstrine85]

I did think about that but I needed it for a funeral that week. I did find a very similar dress with a small sleeve which was shorter and fit me well.

That sounds nice. I read a tip somewhere that you can do a quick one-use hem with using double-adhesive tape. I never tried it though

 

[Bagatha Christie]

Okay, so here’s something I occasionally think about when I’m somewhere waiting for something and am bored out of my mind: In my minimalist wardrobe fantasy, there is a single outfit that does it all and is ready for anything. The ultimate “traveling light” of outfits. It is comfortable on a plane, could go to formal dinner, a business meeting, to the opera, to a wedding or funeral, a walk in the park, lunch at a beach bar, be reasonably comfortable to hang out in, and works four seasons. When I’m really bored and feel like challenging myself I’ll include funny things like it also has to look good riding a horse or camping. Then I challenge myself to come up with the ultimate clothes-on-your-back outfit. I think I have decided on the outfit but have not managed to imagine it four seasons without at least one change of shoes.

What would your one outfit be, if the only “suite” of clothes you could own was what you had on?

I think that my ultimate outfit would be a bottle-green strappy slightly cropped jumpsuit with a black t shirt as I love wearing this. Otherwise it would be a short sleeve long dress in monochrome stripes or very possibly a grey/black Dior style tie dye.

Shoes would probably be beige supergas.

My jewellery would definitely be YG rings and a pale green Jade bangle. I better have my orla Kiely watch.

I’ll also need a pair of beige or black wayfarers.
I would love to get a black wide brim hat that fits me but so far I’ve got a couple of compromise hats - nothing perfect.

Now as to bag…. This is where the trouble really begins.

 

[Etriers]

I think that my ultimate outfit would be a bottle-green strappy slightly cropped jumpsuit with a black t shirt as I love wearing this. Otherwise it would be a short sleeve long dress in monochrome stripes or very possibly a grey/black Dior style tie dye.

Shoes would probably be beige supergas.

My jewellery would definitely be YG rings and a pale green Jade bangle. I better have my orla Kiely watch.

I’ll also need a pair of beige or black wayfarers.
I would love to get a black wide brim hat that fits me but so far I’ve got a couple of compromise hats - nothing perfect.

Now as to bag…. This is where the trouble really begins.

Those sound like great ideas. Love the hat, sounds like you need to find one you love. It’s interesting how hats are so personal, almost defining in a way. I’m thinking of Indiana Jones and his ubiquitous hat, and cowboys and famous detectives. I wonder if there are women who have had defining hats? Maybe Chanel and her straw boater. I can see where a great hat is perfect in a minimalist wardrobe. It serves so mamy style and practical purposes.

Where is @Aerdem? I bet she has a great perspective on this.

 

[Bagatha Christie]

Those sound like great ideas. Love the hat, sounds like you need to find one you love. It’s interesting how hats are so personal, almost defining in a way. I’m thinking of Indiana Jones and his ubiquitous hat, and cowboys and famous detectives. I wonder if there are women who have had defining hats? Maybe Chanel and her straw boater. I can see where a great hat is perfect in a minimalist wardrobe. It serves so mamy style and practical purposes.

Where is @Aerdem? I bet she has a great perspective on this.

Thank you!
Yes I love hats and I think they are one of the hardest items to fit right because everyone has got a different shape of head and hair makes such a massive difference. I’ve got a pretty big head already and then if I’ve got my extensions in that makes my head that much wider

Hats are so good for weather protection and they elevate an outfit so much so gotta keep looking.

I should also be careful about using this minimalist thread to encourage people to buy stuff though- I am a bit of an enabler at times

 

[Bagatha Christie]

Minimalism wisezzzI’m quite interested in it and I feel a bit of peer pressure from my OH who is very minimalist & has no interest in luxury goods (opposites attract )

I read project 33 & just couldn’t deal with how same-same my outfits got. I read a couple of capsule wardrobe books & blogs and I think I am a bit more mindful about my purchases fitting my existing wardrobe & colours now.
I do find I am a bit of a spendthrift though

 

[Antonia]

So I had a huge declutter of my closet starting in December of 2019. I probably donated over a dozen trash bags of fast fashion or high street clothes (some shoes). It was very stress-relieving!
At the end of 2018, I started to get into ready-to-wear and have learned to love to "invest" in clothes for the long term. There's something about wearing beautiful and comfortable clothes tailored to fit just you, that makes you not only feel amazing, but want to take care and continue to wear in the long run.

One of the things that especially helped me declutter the closet was that I really wanted that clean, minimalistic looking closet. You know, the kind you see on closet tours where the walk-in closet, is also like a dressing room, with storage for not just shoes and clothes, but also accessories, like sunglasses, jewelry, etc.
I did not like how my walk-in closet looked at the time. It looked like I was trying to overstuff a poor handbag.

In 2020, I did not buy any clothes, nada! (I also work in a hospital, so...scrubs life lol, that definitely helped) And in 2021 I started to envision a look for closet. Granted I don't have a large walk-in closet and also, my husband's clothes are there too, lol. While he personally does not care where his clothes are or how much I overtake the closet, I wanted to give him at least half of the space because I didn't think it was fair for my stuff to take up so much space.

I ended up freeing up about 2/3 of one of the walls of the closet. So now I have space on the shelf for my accessories and jewelry. Made it look cute with some fashion house books and candles. I was able to put in a small shelf for my everyday shoes.
The I put in a small rug (for trying on the shoes, because they're not the cleanest) and tall mirror, so now I can try on outfits like a fitting room without ever having to step out into the bathroom or into our other tall mirror in the bedroom. And I love it!
It's still a work in process and I would still like to minimize the amount of clothes a little more. But I am very happy with the progress so far.

Your closet sounds so beautiful!! Would love to have seen before/after pics but I'm envisioning it! Congrats....so inspiring!!