What is a minimalist wardrobe? How to build a stylish one

What is a minimalist wardrobe? A few years ago, I stumbled upon the joys of having a minimalist wardrobe and my life has never been the same since.

Sure, I still love fashion and enjoy shopping but having a closet full of clothes that I actually love to wear and feel good in has made such a difference in my everyday life.

In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know about a minimalist wardrobe, minimalist wardrobe essentials, why you might want to consider one for yourself and how to build one you’ll love.

What is a minimalist wardrobe?

A minimalist wardrobe is simply a collection of clothing that consists of only the essentials – pieces that you actually love to wear and feel good in. No more clothes just for the sake of having clothes.

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No more “I’ll wear this someday” or “This was such a good deal, I couldn’t pass it up.”

Just simple, beautiful pieces that make you look and feel your best.

It’s small enough so that you can see everything at a glance and know exactly what you have.

Why build a minimalist wardrobe?

Many people think that a minimalist wardrobe means having fewer clothes to choose from, but that’s not necessarily true.

In fact, a minimalist wardrobe can actually give you more options than a traditional wardrobe full of clothes that you never wear.

That’s because a minimalist wardrobe consists only of clothes that you love and that fit your lifestyle clothes that you’ll actually want to wear on a regular basis.

Here are a few reasons to love a minimalist wardrobe.

1. You’ll save time and energy in the morning.

We’ve all been there – standing in front of our closet feeling completely uninspired by what we see.

With a minimalist wardrobe, you can say goodbye to those mornings because every piece in your closet will be something that you actually want to wear.

No more clothes just for the sake of having clothes. A minimalist wardrobe means never having to worry about being fashionably late.

When everything in your closet goes together, getting ready for a big event or last-minute party invitation is no sweat!

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2. You’ll save money in the long run.

Investing in high-quality, timeless pieces may cost you more upfront but they will last you much longer than fast fashion items (which is better for your wallet and the environment!).

Plus, since you’ll be wearing these pieces all the time, you’ll get so much more use out of them – making them worth the investment in the long run.

3. You’ll feel your best every day.

When you only have clothing that you truly love in your closet, getting dressed each day becomes less of a chore and more of an opportunity to express your personal style.

You’ll never again have to settle for an outfit just because it’s there, which means you’ll always look and feel your best throughout the day!

4. Your life will be simplified.

One of the benefits of having a minimalist wardrobe is that your life will become much simpler overall.

With fewer choices to make each day, you’ll have more time and energy to focus on other areas of your life like your relationships, hobbies, or career.

Trust me, it’s amazing what a difference simplifying your wardrobe can make in every other area of your life!

5. You’ll become more confident.

When you only have clothing that makes you look and feel great, it’s impossible not to radiate confidence everywhere you go!

From social gatherings to job interviews, feeling good about what you’re wearing will give you the extra boost of confidence needed to help you succeed in any situation.

6. A minimalist wardrobe will force you to get creative with your outfits.

With a limited number of clothing items to choose from, you’ll have to get creative with your outfit combinations.

This is a great way to experiment with different styles and figure out what works best for you.

You may be surprised by how many different looks you can create with just a few key pieces!

7. A minimalist wardrobe will help you develop your personal style.

When you have too many clothes, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and end up wearing the same boring outfits all the time.

By paring down your wardrobe to only your favorite pieces, you’ll be able to develop a signature style that reflects your unique taste and personality.

8. A minimalist wardrobe is an eco-friendly choice.

Sustainable fashion is more important than ever, and one easy way to reduce your environmental impact is by investing in quality pieces that will last for years.

Plus, since you’ll be wearing each item more often, you won’t be likely to tire of it as quickly and be tempted to ditch it for something new

How to build a minimalist wardrobe you’ll love

1. Define your personal style.

The first step to building a minimalist wardrobe is figuring out what your personal style is.

Do you prefer a more casual, relaxed look or are you drawn to more polished, put-together ensembles?

Consider the colors, silhouettes, and fabrics that you’re most drawn to.

When you know what you like, it will be easier to edit your closet and get rid of the pieces that don’t fit your aesthetic.

2. Invest in high-quality basics.

Once you’ve defined your personal style, it’s time to invest in some high-quality basics.

These are the pieces that you’ll wear over and over again and that will form the foundation of your new minimalist wardrobe.

Look for items in colors that complement your skin tone and flatter your body type. And make sure to choose fabrics that are durable and easy to care for.

I recommend Everlane as the best place to get high-quality basics.

3. Edit your existing closet.

Now it’s time for the tough part: paring down your existing closet to only the essentials.

Go through each piece individually and ask yourself if it fits your new aesthetic and if you actually enjoy wearing it. If not, say goodbye!

It can be tough letting go of clothes, but remember that having a smaller, more curated wardrobe will make getting dressed each day much simpler and more enjoyable.

4. Shop smarter going forward.

Now that you have a good idea of the types of clothing that work for you, make an effort to shop smarter going forward.

When considering a new purchase, ask yourself if it fits within your defined aesthetic if it’s something you’ll actually wear, and if it’s something you can see yourself holding onto for years to come.

This will help keep your wardrobe lean and stylish! for years to come.

How to maintain a minimalist wardrobe

You did it! You decluttered your closet and transformed your wardrobe into a minimalistic one.

But now what? How do you keep it that way? Do you have to give up shopping for good?

No way! Maintaining a minimalist wardrobe is easy when you have the right tips. Here are a few.

1. Edit your wardrobe regularly

The key to maintaining a minimalist wardrobe is regular editing. You should go through your clothes every season and get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a while.

This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually quite easy once you get into the habit of doing it. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh.

Read: The best suits for women

2. Shop smarter, not harder

Just because you’re trying to be more minimalist doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping altogether.

In fact, shopping can be a great way to add new pieces to your wardrobe without going overboard.

The key is to shop smarter, not harder. That means being more selective about the pieces you buy and only purchasing items that you know you’ll wear often.

3. Invest in quality over quantity

When you’re shopping for new pieces, it’s important to invest in quality over quantity.

That means buying fewer pieces that are made well and will last long instead of buying a bunch of cheap items that will fall apart after a few wears.

Not only will this save you money in the long run, but it will also help you create a timeless capsule wardrobe that you can enjoy for years to come.

Read: The best high-quality fashion brands you need to know

4. Follow the “one in, one out” rule.

This is a rule that all minimalists live by: for every new item that comes into your house, one must go out.

So if you buy a new shirt, get rid of an old one (or donate it to charity). This rule will help you keep your wardrobe from getting out of control again.

5. Be selective about trends.

Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean you need to own it. If an item doesn’t fit into your existing wardrobe or doesn’t suit your personal style, there’s no point in buying it no matter how popular it is at the moment.

Be choosy about the trends you incorporate into your wardrobe, and only buy items that you know you’ll wear over and over again.

6: Accessorize!

Accessories are your best friend when you’re trying to make a small number of clothes work for different occasions.

A statement necklace can dress up a plain tee shirt, while a chic scarf can add some pizazz to an otherwise boring outfit.

Get creative with how you accessorize and have fun with it!

What should be in a minimalist wardrobe – Minimalist wardrobe essentials

If you’re considering streamlining your wardrobe and only keeping the clothes that you truly love and wear on a regular basis, you might be wondering what pieces are essential to have in your closet.

Here is a list of the six clothing essentials that every minimalist wardrobe needs.

Tops: Depending on your lifestyle and climate, you’ll want to have a mix of long sleeve and short-sleeve tops in your wardrobe. A timeless white button-down shirt is always a good choice, as are solid-colored t-shirts. Choose quality over quantity when it comes to tops .Look for items that are well-made and that you know you’ll wear time and time again.

Bottoms: Again, depending on your lifestyle and climate, you’ll want to have a mix of pants, skirts, and shorts in your wardrobe. A pair of dark-wash jeans is always a good choice, as they can be dressed up or down. If you live in a warmer climate, a pair of denim shorts is also a great option. And if you’re looking for something a little more formal, consider a black pencil skirt.

Dresses/Jumpsuits: A dress or jumpsuit is always a good choice for an effortless outfit. Just throw it on and go! Consider choosing a dress or jumpsuit in a neutral color like black, white, or gray.

Outerwear: A coat or jacket is essential for chilly weather. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider investing in a quality wool coat. For milder climates, a leather jacket or denim jacket is always a good choice.

Shoes: You’ll want to have a mix of shoes in your wardrobe to go along with your different outfits. A pair of comfortable flats is always essential, as are sneakers if you lead an active lifestyle. You might also want to invest in a pair of heeled shoes if you like to dress up for special occasions. And don’t forget about boots for those chilly winter days!

Accessories: The final touches to any outfit are always the accessories. A handbag, scarf, pair of sunglasses, and piece of jewelry can really help pull an outfit together. And when it comes to handbags, it’s better to choose quality over quantity – look for a bag that you’ll be able to use for years to come.

Here are 5 timeless wardrobe staples for the modern minimalist

1. A well-fitting pair of jeans.
2. A classic white tee.
3. A go-to black dress.
4. The perfect pair of shoes.
5 . Outerwear that makes a statement.

How many items should there be in a minimalist wardrobe?

A good rule of thumb is to start with a base of around 30 pieces, which includes clothing, shoes, outerwear, and accessories.

From there, you can add or remove items as needed. And remember, quality over quantity!

It’s better to have a few well-made pieces that you love and wear often than a bunch of cheap, trendy items that fall apart after one season.

How to Style a minimalist wardrobe?

A minimalist wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, with a little creativity, you can style a minimalist wardrobe in a way that is chic, stylish, and unique. Here are three ways to style a minimalist wardrobe:

1. Use statement pieces.

One way to style a minimalist wardrobe is to use statement pieces. Statement pieces are items that are eye-catching and make a bold fashion statement.

For example, a piece of jewelry or a brightly-colored scarf can add some pizzazz to an otherwise simple outfit. When using statement pieces, less is more.

You don’t want to overwhelm your outfit with too many colors or too much jewelry. A few well-chosen statement pieces will do the trick!

2. Play with texture and fabric.

Another way to style a minimalist wardrobe is to play with texture and fabric. This means choosing items that are made from interesting fabrics or that have unique textures.

For example, you might choose a blouse made from sheer chiffon or a sweater with an intricate knit pattern.

By playing with texture and fabric, you can add visual interest to your outfit without having to rely on color or pattern.

3. Accessorize

One of the best ways to style a minimalist wardrobe is to accessorize! This means choosing the right accessories to complement your outfit.

A great pair of earrings or a stylish purse can really make an outfit pop. And the best part about accessorizing is that you can change up your look anytime by simply switching out your accessories.

So if you’re ever feeling bored with your wardrobe, don’t worry just grab some new accessories and you’ll be good to go!

What is a minimalist wardrobe? – Conclusion

If a cluttered closet has been weighing on your mind, then it might be time to try out a minimalist wardrobe.

With so many benefits ranging from saving time in the morning to saving money in the long run, there’s really nothing to lose!

A minimalist wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring—in fact, it can be quite stylish!

By investing in high-quality basics and taking the time to edit your closet, you can create a capsule collection of clothing that you actually love to wear.

Give it a try and see how lightening up your wardrobe can lighten up your life as well.

Read this next: Our favorite organic cotton capsule wardrobe brands