The minimalist wardrobe : Support/progress thread

[doni]

Yes, Vestiaire is French. However, it is not the equivalent of Everlane!

Ups sorry, I read you were asking the French equivalent of Vestiare!

 

[mellecyn]

Videdressing and Vestiaire are more interesting than the high street... Better quality and prices, imho.
Would you mind sharing the French equivalent? So far I only found Maison Standards and Balzac Paris but any help would be appreciated!

Actually I meant Maison Standards...yes the choice is still narrow! better quality than Sezane ou Rouje...

 

[mellecyn]

I think one reason people have such a hard time with a minimal wardrobe is the generally unexamined idea that ones clothes “should” reflect or express one’s personality. What if that were not the case?

What if in building a minimal wardrobe one embraced the idea that one’s personality is what expresses one’s personality and clothes should simply not get in the way of that?

Just that idea alone would eliminate masses of buying, accessorizing, and all of the additional clothing one needs to accumulate in order to satisfactorily ‘express one’s personlaity.’ With that mindset, clothing becomes background. When clothes have the supporting role instead of the star role, all one really needs is a couple pairs of jeans, a few white shirts, a simple uncluttered dress-up dress or pant suit and some basic shoes. Everything could be extremely high quality with beautiful lines, beautiful tailoring and beautiful fabric ensuring that nothing ever got in the way of one’s delightful and engaging personality from coming through unhindered.

Back in the late 90s when I was a student, people would always wonder why architecture And design students would wear black from head to toe?
My answer was always to remain in the background so that your creation/work can get the spotlight.

 

[Etriers]

Back in the late 90s when I was a student, people would always wonder why architecture And design students would wear black from head to toe?
My answer was always to remain in the background so that your creation/work can get the spotlight.

This is a great thread. While I’m sure I couldn’t be called a minimalist under even loose standards, I do believe that less is more, and that saying from the old Chic Simple books, “The More You Know, The Less You Need,” has always bounced around in my head.

I’m usually thinking of buying this or that, but considering today the degree to which my wardrobe may in fact actually get in the way of my self-expression. One way I can see that happening is because clothing has so many possible interpretations. You pretty much have to be operating at the genius level as a stylist 24/7 to send the exact right message to the exact appropriate audience at the exact right time. This is hard and why so many of us have a difficult time building a wardrobe and getting dressed. Adopting a true minimalist approach would ensure (at a minimum ) that at least one’s clothes didn’t conflict with one’s personality, character, essence, desires.

Maybe without so much stuff clamoring for our attention, we wouldn’t have to work so hard to figure out who we are.

 

[MinaAnais]

Ups sorry, I read you were asking the French equivalent of Vestiare!

No probs at all! Sorry for any confusion!

Actually I meant Maison Standards...yes the choice is still narrow! better quality than Sezane ou Rouje...

Definitely! I really like Rouje, but it's not meeting my quality, price and ethics. It's a shame as it could have been such a cool brand!

 

[doni]

No probs at all! Sorry for any confusion!

I didn’t know Everlane, but my French best friend recently discovered this French brand, New Jersey Paris, which is all about essentials, minimal wardrobe, and durable natural fabrics. We both just got a couple of pieces and so far happy with them. Need to see how they respond after a few washings.

Home page

New Jersey, Paris

newjerseyparis.com

 

[mellecyn]

This is a great thread. While I’m sure I couldn’t be called a minimalist under even loose standards, I do believe that less is more, and that saying from the old Chic Simple books, “The More You Know, The Less You Need,” has always bounced around in my head.

I’m usually thinking of buying this or that, but considering today the degree to which my wardrobe may in fact actually get in the way of my self-expression. One way I can see that happening is because clothing has so many possible interpretations. You pretty much have to be operating at the genius level as a stylist 24/7 to send the exact right message to the exact appropriate audience at the exact right time. This is hard and why so many of us have a difficult time building a wardrobe and getting dressed. Adopting a true minimalist approach would ensure (at a minimum ) that at least one’s clothes didn’t conflict with one’s personality, character, essence, desires.

Maybe without so much stuff clamoring for our attention, we wouldn’t have to work so hard to figure out who we are.

I didn´t know that quote, but it makes so much sense! with experience, you become focused as you know what works...is it why brands keep on targeting young people??We always present your wardrobe as a way to express yourself and show your style...so Its interesting with that reflection that it actually may get in the way...yes get the basics in place, so you can´t go completely wrong even on days you´re not inspired. Some us love that work, of building up a wardrobe and curate, and shop....while some others would rather not and have the keys directly to something that works for them...hence my question in another thread as hiring a stylist or not.

No probs at all! Sorry for any confusion!



Definitely! I really like Rouje, but it's not meeting my quality, price and ethics. It's a shame as it could have been such a cool brand!

I completely agree with you, and they are doing very very very well banking on selling the "Parisienne" image abroad. That French classic countryside 50s style "la bicyclette bleue" we (french women) grew up with and took for granted. or "l´été meurtrier or La piscine"....or "dieu créa la femme" all french movies about french countryside during the summer time...with 200% sensuality.

I have a Rouje Gabin dress. (in red).
I paid 200€ for it and it´s 100% viscose, made in China, I can´t wear it more than 10 minutes without it being all wrinkly....but I get soooooo many compliments on it because it is THE summer dress. I won´t buy more.

Many brands, including the scandinavian ones, play everything on the look and the design....Ganni is one I can think of, they launched the trend of big collars, big flowy doll dresses and their #gannigirls. The quality was poor, and it was already expensive.
I purchased a pair of overalls for 270 € and the zip broke after one wear. So, lately they took a position in the sustainable fashion agenda, which I love of course BUT they raised the prices even more!!

I didn’t know Everlane, but my French best friend recently discovered this French brand, New Jersey Paris, which is all about essentials, minimal wardrobe, and durable natural fabrics. We both just got a couple of pieces and so far happy with them. Need to see how they respond after a few washings.

Home page

New Jersey, Paris

newjerseyparis.com

Thank you, I will check it out!!

 

[FizzyWater]

I think one reason people have such a hard time with a minimal wardrobe is the generally unexamined idea that ones clothes “should” reflect or express one’s personality. What if that were not the case?

What if in building a minimal wardrobe one embraced the idea that one’s personality is what expresses one’s personality and clothes should simply not get in the way of that?

Just that idea alone would eliminate masses of buying, accessorizing, and all of the additional clothing one needs to accumulate in order to satisfactorily ‘express one’s personlaity.’ With that mindset, clothing becomes background. When clothes have the supporting role instead of the star role, all one really needs is a couple pairs of jeans, a few white shirts, a simple uncluttered dress-up dress or pant suit and some basic shoes. Everything could be extremely high quality with beautiful lines, beautiful tailoring and beautiful fabric ensuring that nothing ever got in the way of one’s delightful and engaging personality from coming through unhindered.

"all one really needs is a couple pairs of jeans, a few white BLACK shirts, a simple uncluttered dress-up dress or pant suit and some basic shoes."

This... sort of sounds like my wardrobe (ok, plus too many scarves and the whole wardrobe of pretty, frivolous clothes that I'm currently too fat for). But there's no way I'm expressing my personality in a white blouse - I'd be worrying about what I'm about to spill on myself, or how many layers I have to wear to not display my underwear...

 

[Etriers]

"all one really needs is a couple pairs of jeans, a few white BLACK shirts, a simple uncluttered dress-up dress or pant suit and some basic shoes."

This... sort of sounds like my wardrobe (ok, plus too many scarves and the whole wardrobe of pretty, frivolous clothes that I'm currently too fat for). But there's no way I'm expressing my personality in a white blouse - I'd be worrying about what I'm about to spill on myself, or how many layers I have to wear to not display my underwear...

Lol! I hear you. I love how white brings light to my face and I always get so many compliments when I wear a white shirt, but I always have to take a spare if I wear one out (folded from the cleaners) for that reason. Lol! I don’t normally take extra clothes for a day trip but white shirts do tend to be magnets for everything. And I’m with you, I’m far from a minimal wardrobe, but I’m always thinking about it if that counts for anything.

 

[JenJBS]

My last clothing purchase was May 14th. I've gone over 3 months/90 days without adding to my wardrobe! I consider shoes and accessories separately, and I've bought one pair of shoes and one pair of boots, and a scarf. During this time I've donated/tossed over a dozen clothing items and 5 pairs of shoes. Also got rid of another 6 clothing items that I'd been keeping 'for when I lose the weight', and 3 old tee shirts that I cut into rags. So feels like I'm making good progress. I'm telling myself the boots were my one Fall season purchase, and I don't need any more clothing items for fall or winter unless something unexpectedly gets damaged and has to be replaced. Avoiding the Nordstrom anniversary sale to avoid temptation...

 

[Relodie]

Man, the "then rounds of giving away to charity. but it never seems enough" is the toughest for me. The amount of clothes I donated has been beyond acceptable and I still have a lot. Don't get me wrong, I support charity but sometimes I think how easier for them would be receive the money that I saved by not buying the clothes.

So few points from me:
- main takeaway for me : BUY LESS
- first said goodbye to the dream of being a fashionista. As funny as it sounds, the desire to look cool/trendy/interesting drove me to some sort of weird shopping obsession, constant shopping, buying anything just to feel I have a lot of clothes to choose from
- stopped buying at fast fashion brands. Not only for eco and usual quality reasons but also that at 6ft tall and 12/14 UK size I couldn't find properly tailored clothes and looked oversized and cheap (eg. shirt size L is large but in arms and chest lol, not length making me look like I'm wearing a cheap tent)
- developed an idea of basic look: rather black colour, quality materials, tailored accordingly
- on top the above I'm keen to add some funky items from high-end designers to complement the basic look. Due to the obvious cost of it I shop rarely, rather during sales but snapped a few really nice items (Chloe skirt, Saint Laurent bomber jacket, vintage Burberry's, Stella Mc Cartney blazer etc.). I like "designers" as experience is also great, these shops (apart from likes of Harrods etc.) are typically not crowded, SAs are more friendly and focussed and you can make it more special and relaxed experience
- I also buy preowned but more into designers (eg. new Balenciaga shirt for 1/3 price)
- found some local brands, eg. Scottish cashmere manufacturer or Polish coat designer who lists all the costs they incur but I try not to look for things as I'm weak willed lol
- moved a lot of spend to high-end accessories (mostly Hermes). For example: I saw how blue croc Collier de Chien bracelet complemented plain black dress of the SA and decided to play that game

I’m so intrigued on the polish coat designer if you could share!?

I’m in love with a YouTuber based in Oz who is super minimal but very much has her own sense of style.

This is something I’m working on as well, owing less but better and key classic pieces that I love and have always been drawn to.

I stumbled here to this thread randomly but I’m happy I did!

I find hard with work (law) is blending in too much and not being myself, while still being professional..

 

[Relodie]

I'm just starting my journey to minimalism. Probably half my wardrobe is black. I do have some grey, for summer. No brown or tan. My color clothes are mostly solids, with a few prints/patterns. I generally prefer simple and clean designs anyway.

My next planned step is a purge of clothes that no longer fit my desired style. Not yet at the point of being ready to eliminate color, so the purge will be the few items that I now feel are too 'fussy'/overdone, and any prints/patterns I have that are not black/white/grey.

Any suggestions or advice for someone just starting this journey?

A small wardrobe on YouTube helped me loads. She’s a bit sarcastic about it all which helps

 

[EmilyM111]

I’m so intrigued on the polish coat designer if you could share!?

I’m in love with a YouTuber based in Oz who is super minimal but very much has her own sense of style.

This is something I’m working on as well, owing less but better and key classic pieces that I love and have always been drawn to.

I stumbled here to this thread randomly but I’m happy I did!

I find hard with work (law) is blending in too much and not being myself, while still being professional..

Here you go: https://elementywear.com/en/

not sure though why they have only one coat on their website - either winter season not yet there or something happened due to covid. I’d check in a few months

 

[mellecyn]

Lol! I hear you. I love how white brings light to my face and I always get so many compliments when I wear a white shirt, but I always have to take a spare if I wear one out (folded from the cleaners) for that reason. Lol! I don’t normally take extra clothes for a day trip but white shirts do tend to be magnets for everything. And I’m with you, I’m far from a minimal wardrobe, but I’m always thinking about it if that counts for anything.

Same here...it’s really high maintenance! I’m super nervous when eating or drinking (coffee spills anyone) and I have to wash w special detergent and then have to iron it which I absolutely hate (dry cleaner here costs 10-12€ for 1 shirt)

 

[mellecyn]

My last clothing purchase was May 14th. I've gone over 3 months/90 days without adding to my wardrobe! I consider shoes and accessories separately, and I've bought one pair of shoes and one pair of boots, and a scarf. During this time I've donated/tossed over a dozen clothing items and 5 pairs of shoes. Also got rid of another 6 clothing items that I'd been keeping 'for when I lose the weight', and 3 old tee shirts that I cut into rags. So feels like I'm making good progress. I'm telling myself the boots were my one Fall season purchase, and I don't need any more clothing items for fall or winter unless something unexpectedly gets damaged and has to be replaced. Avoiding the Nordstrom anniversary sale to avoid temptation...

Yeah!! Proud feeling.
Between illness and lockdown I hadn’t bought anything in 8 months. But then went shopping for a new look right when shops reopened!