Minimalist Fashion: How to Try the Pared-Down Trend
From side part to no side part, skinny jeans to no more skinny jeans! Fashion can be a
tough industry to keep up with. Knowing what textiles, patterns, colors are trending and
worrying about the use of cheap and toxic dyes, mountains of textile waste, the
ubiquitous use of fossil fuel-based materials such as polyester, (you know, that cheap
top that you only wore once at the club) …and ugh, the pressure on cotton farmers. Out
of this mayhem, a trend is emerging that rejects all that nonsense—minimalism. After
watching several episodes of Marie Condo, I could not help but to ask myself: is a
minimalist wardrobe the key to a happier and more sustainable life?
There’s a global thirst for more stuff at cheaper and cheaper prices. Scrolling through
social media daily and trying to keep up with the latest trends, a market that is fueled by
advertisers pushing consumerism at every opportunity, which research suggests can
increase levels of anxiety and depression i.e. keeping up with the Joneses and living
outside of your means. Pretending to be someone you’re not. The late George Michael
said it best when he sang “sometimes the clothes do not make the man” in his hit song
Freedom. Financial freedom is exactly what you will gain when you fully embrace this
lifestyle change.
Boujee on a Budget
Fret not! You can still look and feel fly! If you’ve heard of Marie Condo you may already
have an idea of what minimalism is. Minimalism is stripping back the unnecessary,
leaving only the things that provide your wellbeing with real value and spark joy.
Minimalism is the antithesis of the modern consumerist narrative—and for good reason.
In a global marketplace that wants you to consume more and more, minimalism says
“let’s rewrite this narrative and intentionally be happier with less”. Less what? Less
stress, less clutter, less debt, less stuff! Can you imagine a closet full of only the clothes
you love? How easy it would be to mix and match and plan out your outfits?
How do I start my minimalist wardrobe?
Clean out your closet! Like Marie Condo says, if it doesn’t spark joy, let it go!
There is no magic number of clothing items (or any specific items) to achieve a
minimalist wardrobe. Intuitively, you know what you have too much of.
Minimalism is about polishing your own personal style to reflect you. The only rule is to
rid yourself of excess.