The main reason why traditional steps towards minimalism didn’t work for me is obvious; I’m a maximalist. I love colour, florals and frills, so it was no wonder that the staple-wardrobe-aka-a-black-top-and-jeans guide to minimalism didn’t suit me. For so long I thought I was incapable of creating somewhat of a capsule wardrobe, simply because I didn’t want to confine myself to denim and a collection of neutral coloured crop tops and jumpers. I am in no way trying to throw any negativity on people who dress this way, in fact I actually think it’s great as it’s so versatile and, as it says on the tin, very minimal; but it’s just not me.
Most traditional guides to creating a capsule wardrobe will make room for a couple of dresses and skirts, and instead focus on core items such as denim. This is where I first made some changes; I love dresses and skirts, in fact, they make up 90% of my wardrobe, so when creating the basis of a staple wardrobe for myself I put them at the heart of it over jeans and trousers.
It took me quite a while to redefine minimalism in my head as something that wasn’t marked out by a clean, Scandinavian style and a small collection of curated neutrals, but is in fact a way of dressing and living life. Minimalism is such a personal concept that needs to be reviewed on a case to case basis, and is in no way a one size fits all regime. If your style features lots of pastel tones and fun patterns, trying to pigeonhole yourself into a box of clean pieces and cool tones, will only make yourself feel awkward, and ultimately pushed out of minimalism entirely.
So, what did I do to change?
Firstly, I prioritised what type of pieces spoke to me each season. For this current time of year it’s dresses, tights, cardigans, chunky knitted jumpers, plaid skirts and midi skirts. With a set of core items set out I turned to colour palette; although, as we’re all well aware, I’m a lover of soft pastels, I also love to bring in warm toned burgundys and browns for the autumn/winter season, and I was aiming for an even mix of both colour stories. For the spring and summer I will ask myself the same questions; what do I feel most comfortable in at this time of year? What colours do I crave wearing? What sort of image do I want to create?
As these questions are so personal to my own wardrobe and sense of style, it’s unlikely that they will drastically change over the coming years, meaning that I will be reaching for these pieces year after year. As my purchasing decisions are led by my own individual aesthetic over trends the pieces will not fall out of fashion in any sudden way, and will instead retain a timeless sense of style.
Next, was the challenge of carefully balancing the mix of overtly fun patterned pieces, and classic block colour styles. I’m often drawn to heavily detailed knitwear and dresses, then struggle to create lots of outfits with them, as they clash with the other very over-the-top pieces in my wardrobe. Finding the balance and mindfully adding a selection of plain coloured pieces into the mix really elevated my wardrobe more than anything else; it meant that I could wear my over-the-top pieces way more than I was reaching for them before. Thus bringing down the cost-per-wear and making them more ethical purchases. My favourite staple classic piece that I’ve added has to be my Polo Ralph Lauren cream knitted jumper; a timeless classic from a well-known, long lasting brand which will stay in my wardrobe for years.
In conclusion, the key point that made minimalism accessible for me, was accepting and elevating my maximalist style and true feminine, colourful aesthetic. Embracing my fashion sense, whilst focusing on creating a curated wardrobe of pieces that can be easily paired with one another, was the key to unlocking a more sustainable wardrobe. When purchasing pieces I now try to envision it interacting with the other pieces in my wardrobe, and create at least five different outfits and situations I would wear the piece in. Viewing my wardrobe as a collective, and not just a collection of individual pieces, really changed my viewpoint and allowed me to create a much more refined array of clothing.
Love Chloe x
