This reminds me of how a poetry form can bring out depth of expression. Sometimes the rules actually enable creativity in a way that lack of structure actually impedes.
I like how you acknowledged the difference between aesthetic and lifestyle minimalism. For the past few years I have been slowly purging my home for the goal of lifestyle minimalism. I love the aesthetics too but my day to day comfort zone is colour and pattern.
@@smurfette1681 I looked up the term and then feel into a rabbit hole of design terms. The result being that I believe my style is closer to refined maximalism.
While I don't really care about the aesthetic part of minimalism (for clothing), I do like the reduced amount of clothes. For two years now, I have done the "work uniform" idea where I have the same style of dress with a sweater for five days (but the patterns and colors are different). It has been wonderful to not have to make any decisions about what to wear to work.
This type of video, specifically discussing the philosophy of aesthetic, then self-experimenting with its practical applications, is by far why you are my favorite beauty influencer.
I agree. Because, every typical fashion influencer mostly advise us on what pieces to wear / buy this season - none of those influencers get to the psychology of what minimalism is - how to achieve it successfully / how to use it daily / how it impacts our feelings or lifestyle positively. But this vlog DOES!! One could write a whole paper on aesthetic/ lifestyle minimalism. Love this video and it’s just the tip of the ice berg. ❤
I purged 85% of my wardrobe when my husband and I sold our big house and lived on a boat for 2 years. I have never gone back! I think carefully about every single piece I bring into my life, and generally donate 1 piece I currently own if I bring in 1 new piece. I am a much calmer and happier person having so few choices to make every day.
@@heatherframpton9693 Definitely think about it! I have never regretted it, but we had to come back on land due to family illnesses. You just have to be prepared for the unexpected, which is really an analogy for life. But it's surprising how lovely the boating community is, you will make so many friends and they all help each other.
Daria Andronesku explains this very well! Minimalist doesn't equal to boring, lack of color wardrobe, but to versatile wardrobe tailored to each person. Bright colours, big patterns and statement pieces can look amazing in a minimalist wardrobe, the goal is to use them all and avoid excessive consumption and fast fashion whilst feeling comfortable and stylish!
Check out wonder wardrobe on UA-cam she's all about dialing in your style so you can have a small wardrobe and still feel satisfied with color and style.
This reminds me of a woman who, about 15 or so years ago wrote a blog about her experience. It was called Little Brown Dress. She wore a simple brown dress every single day for 365 days. She would accessorize as needed . Like a sweater and/or leggings during cold weather etc. But always the brown dress.
After watching the video I have come to the conclusion that I am a seasonal minimalist. In fall and winter I am drawn to texture and shape rather than color and print. In the warmer months, when I’m wearing maybe one or two things, it’s nice to have print and/or color options. I love the way your content inspires my introspection.
That was something that popped into my mind. Spring and summer bring on the longing for more color. The clothing that was left after the edit was perfect for fall/ winter, not sure about summer. Thus, experiment must go on for a full year 🤪
I’m kind of the opposite. In summer I’m all about solid colours in linen or cotton. In colder seasons, I’m all about fair isles. I mean I also wear a lot of plainer knits and things too, but I love a classic Danish sweater on a chilly day.
Me too. When the weather here in Louisiana gets hot and humid, it’s all Lilly Pulitzer prints for me. In fall and winter, I love solids, neutrals, and black. Monochromatic outfits of all camel or black become so appealing when the weather cools.
I agree! Prints and color look and feel good in the spring as do texture and shape in the fall and winter. This video has me seriously thinking about curating a minimalist wardrobe by season and rotating and removing items from my main closet to simplify my daily routine based on that!
@@joleengreenaway9012I do this and recommend it!! It keeps things fresh and easy and curated, and aligned with nature, and you get to fully explore different aspects of your style one at a time in a non chaotic way (I love pastels but also all black style- in spring im pastel in winter I’m all black, instead of flip flopping day by day). But with the comfort of knowing you still own those other pieces in storage, it’s not a lifelong commitment to getting rid of them simply cuz they don’t fit the vibe of the moment (Of course I still curate and keep the number of pieces down to only what I love). The biggest downside is it’s extra work to switch over your closet 4 times a year, esp if the weather doesn’t demand it. And you also need to have sufficient storage. It can also be a bit of a crutch for me, like an excuse to not be as ruthless when purging (“oh it’s not my style now but it will be in summer!” Etc can be an excuse to own too much sometimes. Just something to watch out for). As well as “uh oh I don’t have enough Fall pieces, gotta buy more” lol watch out for that one. Overall this approach brings me much joy :)
It’s so refreshing to see empty spaces and clear surfaces in my house, and yet I cannot stop myself from wanting to look for things and buy things and collect things and order things. The acquisition is intoxicating and even more satisfying than actually having these things. So knowing that I should be able to stop my self - but I can’t!
I'd love to see you try a conceptually minimalist stylisticly maximal closet edit. I do seasonal capsule wardrobes and now almost exclusively wear patterns and brights... minimalist headspace with a maximalist vibe ✨️
I edited my wardrobe like this about 10 years ago - neutrals and cool tones only, barely any patterns, etc. No warm tones or browns. It was incredibly freeing for sure. But now I am feeling restless and starting to experiment with pattern and color again. Magenta/hot Barbie pink has been allowed into the color palette and it is A BIG DEAL. New! Exciting! Haha. It looks fantastic with my heavily navy and emerald based wardrobe and I couldn't be happier.
Hot pink (or as I affectionately call it, Putrid Pink) has been one of my favorite colors to look at recently and I'm also considering adding it to my closet! Pink and navy sounds like an incredible combo as well, I've never thought about that one before
Thank you for articulating this so beautifully. Minimalism is not buying 20 new beige dresses a season! If a print resonates deeply, buy the best one you can. I love paisley and have fabulous pieces from 15 or 20 years ago. They still bring me joy to wear - and if I see a new one, I can say to myself, you already have the best paisley scarf or whatever (Etro) and why are you looking at an inferior one. Sometimes I may not wear them for a couple of seasons, but when I bring them out again I might wear in a new way. Must admit I do feel a little smug when I do.
I always feel guilty for buying a limited color palette. This helped me see that I do it for a reason and that's okay because it works for me and keeps my mind less cluttered.
This is my kind of topic. I was born loving fashion (my family background is ANTIQUES) So I have life wisdom and experience. I've been through many changes in my life and my collection of very unique fashion pieces and accessories have come and gone. I have given away, lost, sold, purged.. etc. Life changes so don't be afraid to let go.. There is an endless supply of "things" in the world... Don't be fooled.
This is so very necessary for us as people to be reminded. I think I need to use this as a motto. Having a small child that needs so many tools to help their sensory processing disorder, I have found that I often forget about the tools, and just use verbal cues and physical touch, or more simple things than all of the tools. The tools are necessary for his therapy but it is much harder for me to manage I suppose.
The proces you describe, is the same I have been through. And I like very much where you have come to Quality, color in a specific range that gives me the best results, form and stile, grand and well chosen are the directions for me. I have peace’s of clothes that are almost 30 years, but still going strong. And stille have a place in my wardrobe and never have put them away Bye Mirjam
@@mirjamlimburg9040 Totally! It is interesting knowing I have had an item of clothing for 10+years. Lol. I think clothing used to be made with durable fabrics, made to last longer. Those items are harder to find, but I think they're still out there. ✌️
She also has a great series on how to beat the pressure of the sale. Those have helped me so much! I rewatch them about every Sephora sale& Black Friday. Just if y’all didn’t know she had it.
Wow…you really overthink things! Minimalistic means boring and following the most zombie trend! Are you for the French chic look that is been polluting UA-cam? Please be yourself and screw all this BS!
I think the distinction you make between minimalism as an aesthetic and minimalism as a lifestyle is key. That’s something a lot of people conflate. It was really helpful to hear you explain that you are in your 30s and have carefully collected the items in your wardrobe over time. I’ve been struggling against the urge to buy a lot of things lately. I was in school until recently, on an extremely limited budget, so I don’t have many nice things. Finally having disposable income is so tempting. But it’s comforting to remember that there’s no rush. I have plenty of time to curate what I bring into my life.
Ohhhhh excellent choices for minimalist aesthetic style. Bethany and Emma both have wardrobes I shamelessly place on the throne of “aspirational” in my heart. What I also appreciate is that Emma in particular stresses to us, her loyal audience, that she has built up her wardrobe intentionally and with great consideration over the course of YEARS much like you shared about your own wardrobe. I’m a little later to the game having been wandering lost in the style desert for quite some time, but I’m excited to be on board now with the slow, considered, intentional curation.
I'm 73 & I've dressed well, but Conservatively pretty much my whole life! I use Navy as my basic color & add white or Ivory, red & some pink & light blue, especially in the spring & summer! I do have black trousers which I pair with Black & White Horizontal Stripes! If I use prints, I usually do so in Various Silk Scarves! So if I wore all black, I would break that up with a Beautiful & Colorful Scarf! It makes a difference which kinds of Garments you choose, especially with a Calm Wardrobe, such as Knit Jackets that can be buttoned up & worn over a skirt like a sweater or open with a blouse underneath like a jacket, over trousers or skirt, with a scarf, giving you a more professional look! Alot of Women I know, select a hand bag that doesn't need changing often, bc they find it easier than constantly changing it! I find that the kind of material your clothes are made of also brings Calm or Chaos! Material that russels when you move =Chaos! Silk brings Calm! Silk pajamas that are plain with a contrast color logo on the pocket & contrast piping will give you the feeling of variety without IMPOSING on your Nighttime Peace!(I can't sleep in Loud Prints) The same for Bedding! I use soft fibers, preferring soft microfiber, which lasts longer than silk! I see that the covering on my pillows & duvet do Not make any noise when we move in bed! (I buy from Amazon or Pottery Barn) Too many ruffles or Layers in dresses or separates is too fussy & not Calming! Faded, heavily worn & clothes needing repairs breaks your Peace! As does ill-fitting clothes! So you get the idea! The Calm that you felt is partly due to you becoming your own woman, being in charge of your own Wardrobe & not trying to Comply with others' rules or expectations, which often causes you to purchase things that are Trendy instead of CLASSIC! Classic will always stand the Test of Time, where Trendy will come & go often by the time you obtain a piece or at the end of a Season! Once you have a Capsule Wardrobe, you will be able to rotate pieces, per season with no problem! It's easier to replace pieces, too! Shoes & Handbags should be Well Made, Well Fitting & Classic! Even the Heel height of your everyday shoes matters & the weight does too! (watch those boots that are too heavy to walk or hike in! Remember: Be PRACTICAL! You're on the right Track, stick with it, you'll do Great! May your rewards be many!😊💐
I tried minimalism for 2 years with maybe 40 pieces moust of the neutrals, but got ansious because I needed it more colors plus prints, now I have yellows, pinks reds and 20 prints, and feel much better😂❤never under estimate the power of colors and prints, they give energy rightaway
I used to be a maximalist too. I loved colorful things and self-expression was very important to me. However, when I switched to a minimalist closet, I discovered many benefits. For one, it is easier to mix and match. I save a lot of energy. In short, I have decided not to go back to my maximalist fashion style. Even my bags and shoes are minimalist now. I think what was life-changing was when I watched a documentary about consumerism. and one striking point there was there will come a time there will be more waste than fish. From then on, I have decided not to buy fast fashion anymore. Printed ones usually go out of style faster.
Those are all good points and I find myself not really enjoying shopping like I used to. I have even more of a conscience about it and I see people mindlessly buying things they will never use or getting things they use a few times and throw away. We live in a throw away society and it's catching up with us. I also find myself thrifting far more than I used to so I feel I'm saving the planet from landfills and plastic and synthetic fiber waste from the production of new mass produced consumer goods going to waste. I love this video showing us how to use what we have in different ways like it's new again and being satisfied with what we already have, and just filling in the gaps as we find necessary. I think it's cool she talks about thrifting. A person can find many designer and mid-range treasures that are made to last that way.
Yes. I buy nothing. My clothes were almost all free, swapped,and rarely thrifted. I do buy new undergarments, shoes, and coats periodically. This does force creativity and also selection bc it gets tempting to just keep whatever comes my way that fits simply bc it's free. So i am constantly cutting things out and passing them on. Essentially i only swap.
Once the pandemic hit us, I actually decluttered my closet multiple times and ended up years later with a much smaller amount of clothing. Some of the best benefits are the reluctance to shop as often, being more picky when buying new clothes, but the best thing was, I kept pieces that were high quality, simple, neutral, and was so easy to mix around... it helped me fall in love with my body again.
I’ve only seen minimalist content showing big houses with no artwork and black and grey clothes. I love color and pattern so much that it made me sad to watch those. But Scandinavians do minimalism with lots of color and pattern. So thank you for explaining the distinction between the lifestyle and the aesthetic of minimalism. I’ve lived mostly as a low income disabled person so every clothing and shoe purchase is a big deal requiring lots of thought. I still manage to look good mostly wearing blues/greys/pink. But being a ‘forced’ minimalist is as tiring as having too much stuff in your closet. Also, having to go to the laundromat instead of having a washer/dryer means you have to have a bigger volume of clothing, as you discovered! I look forward to watching your journey. Cheers!
It’s like Bento boxes- each piece of food shines like a work of art because of the blank space around each section. Capsule wardrobes are like a bento box- the star pieces really shine on the neutral base. And everything even clashing colours look great. I do project 333 - every season for 2 years according to the “rules” which started as a challenge for me. I love it. I pick several neutrals and 3-4 accent colours each season. Pack away the rest. Allow swaps if something isn’t working. Others who do this - some are very neutral, but I’ve seen others with an explosion of colour.
47 yo minimalist here, in both regards. I love your perspective in this video. When I started my journey I loved color. A tip for anyone that does...MONOCHROME is your friend. It's not limited to neutrals, pick one color and run with it! Accessorize in various shades. You still get the mins effect with a pop of your personality. Great vid!
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START: If you use a solid non-pattern palette with no more than 3 colors you are able to see what styles and cuts of clothing flatter your body. Then once you know what flatters your body you can use it to make your unique style. 1 color should be black since it is looks good for business, dates and usual funeral attire color with the only difference between the three are accessories. For business use elegant but not overly flashy. For dates or celebrations use some flashy accessories in your favorite color that us also in your color palette that is flattering to your complexion. For funerals minimum of accessories with only earrings, engagement and/or wedding ring, and a black scarf is ample. You not only have easier time in deciding what to wear you will save more money in the long run.
Thank you for not purchasing a whole new closet of clothes to experience and try this for a month! I feel like a lot of people are trying new styles for a month but not shopping their closet first. Loved that whole beginning closet scene!
I looove the distinct increase in your appreciation not just for singular garments, but for the new outfits/options discovered! It’s really like a NEW wardrobe.
I'm a tried & true maximalist with clothing & cosmetics. However, I definitely feel that my taste is cyclical & ever evolving. I've found myself much more drawn to neutrals (something I swore would NEVER happen) & simpler looks overall. The ebb & flow of creativity is a truly interesting animal!
I have been a minimalist a long time ago (when the concept of minimalism didn’t hit the internet yet), mainly because I moved around a lot, I had only 10 items of clothing for 1.5 years. It felt incredibly limiting but also nice in a way to not have to think about “what to put on” (bc honestly you don’t really have a choice lol). Though this time just taught me I didn’t know what I was doing clothing-wise, and years later I am doing so much better. Not a minimalist anymore, though I also don’t really own a lot of clothes - but I am finally able to express myself through clothes the way I always wanted to. Curious to watch this video because generally speaking all the videos of this kind I have seen featured really boring wardrobes with just a lot of “basics”. Indeed I feel minimalism is perfect for people who tend to buy 10 pairs of black jeans.
I love a minimalist aesthetic. As someone with anxiety, it really helps my brain find order. I also love color and texture so finding balance between the two has been a process. Love that you created this video. I hope you continue to share this journey with us.
Earlier today my dentist said he appreciated that I had matched my glasses to my dress. I said I like burgundy, it looks good on me. I own a lot of it. Black, denim, burgundy and olive with an occasional pop of royal blue. That's me. Very rare prints that include one of these colors. I also completely change over my closet once or twice a year depending on the season. I love it. I usually have only about 50 pieces in my closet at a time including shoes and bags.
I combine my love for minimalist aesthetics with the occasional colour and print by doing this: Display all neutrals in my wardrobe, choose 1-2 complementary accent colours that I want to wear for the next few months, keep the rest in a box. I'm now going thru a green mood, so I kept the pink and blues. My wardrobe looks cohesive, I feel like I have a seasonal wardrobe (despite living in tropical place) and I know I can switch to a new look later on without spending much money. My ta-da moment was learning I don't have to display all the clothes I own.
I love the way you think and speak, the words you use, and that you're unapologetically feminine. I notice that most people dress down, but you give me courage to show up as my best self and not hold back and that it's okay to stand out a bit. I found you through TFD, and I love your channel. Thank you for your time and efforts:)
I'm in my 40's and have been doing this minimalist thing for 5 years to get to a great stage where I'm at now. It changed my life too. I haven't bought a single thing in 2 years.
Love this! As a very busy 46 year old wife, mother of four, and professional, I have long felt the draw towards minimalism. I have seen how the amount of things that a large family inevitably accumulates takes a mental and emotional toll on people, and on me personally for sure. In my desire to reshape this impact and as a lifelong lover of fashion who is keenly aware of how my outward look reflects what I’m seeking internally, I started my minimalist journey by working towards a more minimal wardrobe for the last two years. Ironically, I have recently realized that what I felt was “off” or missing for me in this two years, was that my love of vintage, beautiful prints, and aesthetic Maximalism got lost in the way of me trying to find simplicity for my family. I kept trying to figure out my own “personal style” again, when I had already had my own personal style for two decades, it was just taken away for the sake of a desire for a minimalism. I’m now working to strike a better balance for my outward expressions of myself and for my home.
Thank you for this in-depth dissection of the minimalist wardrobe. Alleviating chaos from ones life is more that having everything in its place. It is looking behind the scene into the closets and drawers, where the clutter and chaos really exists. My take away goal is Self Expression, bringing and seeing oneself beyond the stuff. We are brought up to be consumers, now it's time to break the mold.
I want to suggest getting a color analysis. I recently got one and was very surprised how when you stay in your color palette it keeps your closet small and interactive. Black is not in my color palette and I realized I would buy black but not really look good in it and it was the first thing to go in the donate pile every time. So chocolate brown, raisin purple are my black. But staying in your season will narrow your “not me” items even more. It’s refreshing.
Love, love, LOVE the new edit! You’ll find your perfect groove in time. After many minimalist experiments, I have created my perfect wardrobe: very few clothes, but they are all riotous colors and shapes! So I never get bored and it forces me to be creative with less. But I also don’t get overwhelmed and no item gets overlooked. My litmus test for a wardrobe is: does everything get worn? Do you love every item? If yes to both, then I know that I’ve reached the balance I’m looking for. Tip: to mitigate frequency of laundry, invest in a couple silk/cotton under shirts to wear with blouses so you can wear the blouses a few more times before they get soiled.
Yes!!!!! I arrived at this same wardrobe philosophy a few years ago through a sequence of smaller realizations, and one of my favorite benefits is simply how it allows me to consider any new wardrobe additions against a fairly exacting list of qualities. It must be black, neutral-tan, or off-white; it must have a material property-texture, drape, silhouette-that justifies its presence; I must love how it fits. There are plenty of pieces I see out in the wild that I appreciate but don't feel compelled to purchase because they don't fit that list of qualities. And every outfit I DO build out of my current closet is made of pieces I would almost universally consider to be a "favorite piece." My wardrobe is on display in my bedroom in a way very similar to yours, and I completely agree about the sense of harmony and calm I feel in the space. Not to mention it provides a strong counterpoint to my drag/stage wardrobe, which almost by necessity is extremely bright and loud and colorful (and lives tucked away in a closet, out of sight). Thanks for documenting your experience so thoroughly, this would have been an invaluable resource if I were still at the outset of my journey.
I love how you're able articulate feelings I wouldn't have known how to put into words. I also feel pressure to engage with my clothes in a dynamic way, especially since I'm new to working from home. I put too much pressure on myself to choose an exciting outfit for the few occasions each week when I actually get properly dressed. I might try this experiment myself to see how it works for me.
Oh wow, I love this idea. This summer I spent three weeks in the UK and I had a minimalist capsule wardrobe with me in my 3 aesthetics: toddler, flapper and sailor. I allowed myself some bright scarves and socks and a pair of yellow cordoroy sneakers but otherrwise I was very aesthetically minimal as well and YES, the confidence. I went to a fashion exhibit in a black and white ensemble that had a really cute sillouette and to a play in a vintage silk gown that is 100 years old. But it all was very simple aesthetically. The gown was like a big black rectangle...I felt very dramatic in it, even though it was very simple. Love the idea of extending this for a month. I do need to re-edit my wardrobe!
I really think that you are adding so much value in this platform called ‘You tube’. Everything is so well explained and you put things into prospective. You inspire me to look at things differently in the most enjoyable way! Thanks for your creativity and sharing your lifestyle with us ❤
3 years ago, using Emma Hill and a couple of other influencers as inspiration, I started developing my minimalist wardrobe: fewer items, restricted colour palette, barely a pattern to be found. For the past 2 years I have enjoyed the fruits of my efforts. My wardrobe is cohesive, stylish, fun and most importantly, me. I love getting dressed everyday, always look put together and have saved a small fortune. I can’t imagine changing, as I’ve found my style: I am an aesthetic minimalist which has lead to becoming a lifestyle minimalist. Now my wardrobe matches my home decor
I’m 42 and for most of my adult life I bought clothes that I thought were cute - lots of pattern, colour, sequins etc. Getting dressed was a struggle and I never felt cool or put together. A couple of years ago I massively edited my wardrobe and what I buy and it has changed my life. However I think it is important to take inspiration from influencers. Go with your own personal colour palette and shapes that suit you . I’m definitely more suited to cool tones and don’t always suit really oversized pieces that Emma and Brittany wear.
LOVE the continued experimentation and curiosity with your life and the things in your life. For someone who can struggle with change and stagnation, watching someone intelligent & creative like you gently and enthusiastically try something new, then revel in the experience, sit in any discomfort and evaluate those changes is the best. So thoughtful 💕 Thanks so much!
I put away some items once in awhile and then look at them again, it is easier to see if I really will miss them. I dont like a large wardrobe but being in a Canada, I need 4 seasons choices. And I love warm and safe winter boots, I always have two pairs of those.
I completely identified with this experiment! I've been wearing black w an occasional pop of color for years - it's just so easy, particularly when I went to an office 5 days a week. Pajamas and loungewear were more lively, sometimes. When I started working, we had to have suits & pantyhose & all the other paraphernalia - Jesus, the dry cleaning & shoe maint. bills alone! I think people do go through phases with their clothes & decor as they're financially able & find awesome "basic" pieces that work well for them. As a kid, I saw adults redecorate living rooms regularly, then married into a family who had antiques who wouldn't dream of having trendy decor (but, my ex-MIL was a vintage fashion powerhouse, always colorful busy 1940's to 70's vibe). In my 40's I went to minimalism, now I'm adding bits of color here & there (that quilt! love it), interestingly , aside from art, in the kitchenalia I buy - possibly to balance out the grey state of life in these times. I still wish for a de-cluttered kitchen, but find myself delighted when I pull out a colorful lemon squeezer or bowl. I admire your discipline. Please, keep us posted on this process.
It's so strange how we all grow up. Black and red was an unusual combination for you and for me it's been a staple combo. Like when I was in high school on our days without uniform (I went to an All Girls Catholic school where we wore a pleated navy/black skirt and a white blouse or a navy turtleneck), so on days off, I'd often wear red pants (I had this amazing pair of red jeans my father bought me in Italy) a white blouse and a black velvet vest with a black choker. Man, to this day I feel like that outfit was the chef's kiss. Another outfit I liked when I was in uni was a pair of dark green jeans (also from Italy but ones I bought myself) with a pale coral tank top. Another chef's kiss. You're making me want to go to Europe which won't be happening :-)
69 days traveling 3 bottoms, seven tops, 3 pairs of footwear, 1 dress and 2 cardigans pale blue and pink so everything had to go with either or both cardigans. Best way to teach you to be minimalist.
This is so interesting! I really liked your - "Getting Dressed You're Doing It Wrong" video which talks about choosing an item of clothing for the day based on how you want to feel. It seems like a lot of those "feelings" would be missed without some of the patterned clothing. I will be very interested to hear an update on the next few months.
Your voice and overall tone of speaking and the choices of words you make are so soothing that I watch your videos to calm myself at this point! It has some joyful and satisfying quality to it that helps me resist the urge of impulse shopping 😅
I think minimalism is about being intentional and true to your needs and interests, not to be framed within monotoned, boring aesthetics. At the end, you do what makes you happy, not what a certain label (minimalism), trend, or society tell you to do.
I love your style. I also find it very true that when you try to pare down your style, you end up wearing a lot of black. This is me right now! Someone once asked me if my favourite colour was black because I wore it so much. I said, 'no it's pink'. They said, 'pink!?' It's making me re-evaluate my life.
It amazes me to think of all the clothes and accessories I’ve bought over the years … most of which I can’t remember and no longer own. The energy and money spent on choosing and looking after them, deciding which to wear. Work clothes vs weekend clothes vs travel clothes vs going out clothes etc. I even have a second-time-around wardrobe where I keep my old favourites in our holiday tiny house for a few more years of wear beyond the fashionable. In my 40s now and watching this I realise I’m following the curated minimalist aesthetic and lifestyle. Most of my purchases over the last 2 years were replacement yoga pants, hiking shoes, sandals, swimwear, or underwear. Everything else I just shopped from my stored clothes (the clothes I’ve forgotten I own). This change follows a huge change in lifestyle (greater emphasis on outdoor/leisure following early retirement🎉), but watching this and thinking back and remembering the feeling of buying something new that could change my entire wardrobe (and maybe my life ha ha), I miss the 20-something me and her enthusiasm for the new, but wow, I’ve come a long way. Thanks for this video x
I couldn’t agree more with your opening statement. I am contemplating entering into a more minimal phase in my life. My husband and I are seriously considering a more nomadic life for the next 2-5 years. And I’m like I love the idea of having everything fit into one suitcase and also love the idea of having animal crossing theme custom press on nails. 🙃
I love this experiment! If you’ve never heard of it, you might be interested in looking into the Wonder Wardrobe concept (coined by Daria Andronescu). She has a UA-cam channel about it, but the way you described the process of pulling out a few selected pieces and making changes for the season change reminded me a lot of her capsule system. I can’t wait to hear about any future updates to this experience as it develops!
What a great approach to the closet edit, the esthetic minimalist. Removing the colors and patterns intentionally. I love it and have been so overwhelmed by the quantity of clothes I own that I didnt know where to start. I am starting this today! Thank you
Fascinating experiment ...and I love the outfits you created from your edited closet. Please consider making a video in which you show the process of putting outfits together, including jewelry choices and even makeup. I’d love to see that process in more detail with several outfits. Thank you, Hannah, this was so fun to watch!!
I’ve watched this video three times now, once with a friend, and I can’t get that outfit you did with the burgundy dress and oversized red sweater out of my mind! I just love love love how it looks. Thanks for always being so inspiring 🖤
Very inspiring! I've been enjoying "packing" for each month. From my wardrobe, I choose enough pieces to make it through a month and leave the rest in a dresser and another closet. Sometimes I choose a theme (this month is black, gray, olive green, and grey), other times I build around a few pieces I'm excited about. I think the next month may be minimalist.
@@Michelle-bk5uq : I did pick a number of each item type when I started out, but now I do it more by feel. I am very influenced by capsule wardrobes that other folks have mentioned in the comments, but I keep things loose right now.
I'm catching up on all the videos I've missed the last two weeks and it's a lovely way to spend my friday evening. It feels like catching up with a friend! 😊 I have a love-hate relationship with minimalism. I love (and crave) the calm minimalism brings to my life, but sometimes I get so bored with my own wardrobe. 😅
I absolutely loved this video. Over the years, I’ve realized that the items that I’ve never quite felt comfortable in and ultimately de cluttered have been mostly prints, so I’ve stopped buying them. I like having a curated color palette and how easily everything coordinates. Nicely done!
I love textures, patterns and colours too much to go minimal with my wardrobe. Although I could see why people might find a minimalist wardrobe appealing, if anything to limit any decisions as what to wear and how to coordinate the outfit...LOVED the vid, Hannah. Will you try a maximalist wardrobe for a month? Now minimalist interiors might be a different thing altogether...love looking at them...but, again, I live in a pretty colourful, eclectic home with lots of books, paintings/prints, oriental carpets and plants about.
i am so excited you and others in the comments enjoyed completing similar endeavors. i just want to voice to those of you who see this video and might feel badly about not being aesthetically minimalist, like me: in my experience, i have tried making a capsule closet and while i did enjoy that pursuit, i do hate aesthetic minimalism in my personal clothing style. to each their own, as long as their own is kind.
I really feel you. Looove the idea of a super minimal wardrobe, but…also such a little eclectic bohemian at heart and…trying to reconcile those things & merge them into my wardrobe which I like to call “elegant bohemian”. 🤷🏼♀️ so far…too many clothes. But! I’m learning. It doesn’t help to live in a very warm climate so…layering is out for most of the year. 😂
I think solid colors, especially earth tones, bring out a better look in people. It accentuates eye color, hair color, and people's unique features in such a beautiful and simple way.
I like your honesty and effort. Please keep us posted how it goes with this wardrobe minimalisme that pleases you, suit your taste and make you feel happy and zen. Personally, seeing how many Parisian women dress daily in this marvelous city has changed how I dress when I returned to the US. Most of them wear elegant, practical and comfortable clothes such as wide or straight leg white or blue jeans or trousers with t-shirts solid or stripes, a comfortable loose blazers, scarf, nice ans stylish sneakers and sun glasses. They also carry a tote bag or a good size and hand bag. Voila, these Parisian women look chic, comfortable and effortless the way they dress. You need not follow trends. You find your own style and keep them minimal. If you buy a new one, you give an old one away. I try to avoid overconsumption. Thank you for sharing your experience and your inspiration.
This was the most compelling video for a minimalist wardrobe that I have seen. Your insights were as valuable as they were surprising. I would also add this to think about. The older we get in life the more comfort and simplicity we crave. For instance we get up in the morning, have our favorite tea, or coffee, in the morning. We take a sip, it is familiar, warm, and enjoyable. We then go to get dressed, we reach for the soft minimal T-shirt with our favorite warn in jeans. We do more column dressing, all similar tones. It’s easier, familiar and we look polished with our jewelry and maybe a red or bright pink lips. I used to wonder what made some women just radiate confidence while others looked like they we’re trying to hard. One day in my forty’s I realized, looking in the mirror, I was a confident woman wearing clothes that reflected who I was rather than my clothes wearing me. If that makes sense. I am sixty five this year and enjoy my clothes more now then I ever have. Thank you for this insightful video!
oh my Libra heart...this concurrently so good and so scary. i love that you brought the blush pink back in. very seasonal, and very inspiring, thank you !!
Love your minimalist video when everyone else is talking about Sephora. I cleaned out my closet completely a few weeks ago and it's such a pleasure to gaze at and approach! I've tended to wear solids in fall/winter for a long time. Prints are botanicals in lighter weight fabrics for me, so when I put them away I automatically have a more elegant closet. I have an animal print blouse and am looking at another, and shoes, and that's it for prints Texture becomes more important. I have a sole bright piece; a 20 year old favorite that I love and receive compliments on every time I wear it. I think editing is a natural process as we hone in on our style, but leave room for surprises! It's also a platform from which to jump into new things. I feel I've made a few fortuitous wardrobe discoveries this year, while being a very conservative purchaser. Love your hair in this video! Love your videos.
You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself, delivering your thought well. Your speech is very precise and deliberate. Measured. Almost formal. Not just your word selection, but also your actual enunciation. You are refreshing to listen to, and that's becoming very rare these days for me. Many times it is difficult to differentiate one influencer's voice from another on social media. It sounds as if they are all somehow imitating one another.
“carefully curating clothes over time” ❤ this concept. For years now I have been avoiding maximalism since the day I realized “I felt” I was avoiding wearing “brights” and “loud prints”. I now choose clothes that Help me feel calm and confident. Clothing pieces in solid deeper hue colors bring me calm. That said, there is too much black in my wardrobe! Black, white and gray is great! I love ❤️ the fact you mixed in red and rust! I have started sewing my own garments because flattering, calm textiles are easier to find in fabric stores. Most of what I wear I can find EASY sewing patterns for, which is fortunate. Anyway, love ❤️ your video, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing your new found fashion wisdom.
I watched this video a couple months ago, and promtly designed my own personal minimalist wardrobe experiment. And holy cow.... life changing! I think the biggest take-aways that made this version of a minimalist wardrobe accessbile for me was the fixed timeline (1 month) and not getting rid of anything, just boxing it away for a little while. I've played with trying to downsize before but always end up not making as big of an impact as I had expected it to because I am not necessaily ready to get rid of stuff. Having the time to "test run" a life without some of the underutilized items staring at me everyday made all the difference for me. I ended up doing a second re-organization of my wardrobe a month in, creating my core winter wardrobe, and boxing away things that either aren't in season or I'm not interested in right now. I have a total of about 40 items in my closet, it's color coordinated, and following the minimalist aesthetic. Getting dressed is a much less mentally taxing task now, and I feel so much more comfortable in the outfits I've been creating. Thanks Hannah, you're putting amazing, positive impact content out into the world!
Excellent video! "Succeeded at the brief" - really stuck with me. I realised the importance of commitment to one aesthetic - and I think what lifestyle maximalism might be (in some cases), is a refusal to commit. You can commit to all floral multicolour clothes, too. That is an aesthetic, too. The 'commitment' thing really outshone the lesser argument of minimalist/maximalist. I've been waffling, zigzagging, unsure of what to commit to, and my wardrobe reflects this. Right - now I've seen the light.
I have been doing this for 9 years now. My closet isn't as capsule as when I started. I wear all black a lot. But it makes life so much easier. I slowly started adding pieces here and there, mostly secondhand and/or high quality. Some more shoes. Minimalist aesthetic and lifestyle made my chaotic life so much easier.
Maybe what you want is seasonal capsules that have themes. Fall is such a great time for minimalism with textures, but in summer your mood might be wild prints.
I've had *almost* the exact same phenomena happening to me! Only instead of an intentional challenge, it happened over the last ~ 4 years. I now have passed on most of my clothes and apart from half a dozen things with a stronger pop of colour and pattern, I just have good quality pieces fabric-wise, with a feel and fit that make me feel great and feel that it brings interest enough. Having pieces with an interesting structure even made me declutter like 80% of my accessories because many times I tried to add them and found that they were adding 'noise' instead of value to the outfit and actually make it look less unique. Ofc, it's a matter of personality, but with my little frantic brain I really feel better when wearing calmer, more peaceful if I can say it, outfits 😊
I've spent the last several years downsizing and embracing the mental peace that comes with minimalism. When I first started and pared down my wardrobe to a 30 piece capsule, I was shocked to find out how much I would use clothes to distract from me - like I wanted people to be struck by the color or the pattern and not notice the deeply unhappy person wearing it. I have to say my mind is much quieter and I am generally much happier in myself with a very edited wardrobe, though it has grown again (around 60 pieces including shoes, belts, and jackets), to accommodate for the fact I live in a 4 season climate, and I've been able to explore what my favorite/ best colors are and edit my closet around that to get away from the strict black & white vibe of aesthetic minimalism.
This is a really interesting video. I've realized I prefer neutrals. I've been finding it hard to decide what I liked versus what old me from the past liked. Until you said about rust, blush pink and olive being neutrals I hadn't thought of them that way, but it makes perfect sense and gives me a definite colour palette to limit myself to, without making me feel limited. Thank you! 💕
My closet is minimalist. I have a colour range that makes me feel 'me' and I don't stress about colours outside that. It has definitely helped me get dressed in the morning and feel smart and strong, which is what I"m looking for. It also lets me play with shape through that, in a weird way, it's given me a happier relationship with my body in clothes. I used to be a lifestyle minimalist for financial reasons and now I'm experimenting with having 'more' stuff (ie: i can allow myself to have more than one pair of black trousers) but still keeping to the aesthetic that I love.
Thank you for your cerebral insight into aesthetic minimalism. You've given me quite a bit to mull over. I'm ashamed to admit this, but at 67 yrs old i actually have clothes in my closet dating back to my 30s. I think it's because i'm sentimental and so every item has a memory. Occasionally, i even find the gall to yank something off a hanger and, dare i say, wear it OUTSIDE. Last week, it was my vintage black leather bomber jacket's turn; it was 20 degrees outside.
Decision fatigue is a topic to do a deep dive on for sure. It applies to all facets of life.
This reminds me of how a poetry form can bring out depth of expression. Sometimes the rules actually enable creativity in a way that lack of structure actually impedes.
yesssssss
I like how you acknowledged the difference between aesthetic and lifestyle minimalism. For the past few years I have been slowly purging my home for the goal of lifestyle minimalism. I love the aesthetics too but my day to day comfort zone is colour and pattern.
There's an approach called Cozy Minimalism. Which is the best of both worlds 🥰
@@smurfette1681 I looked up the term and then feel into a rabbit hole of design terms. The result being that I believe my style is closer to refined maximalism.
@@kathrynbythelake9638 very chic!
@@smurfette1681 like that theme to hold in my head. Along with FITS/JOY, COZY COMFORT, NEONS, that will be my initial culled themes.
I was going to say the same on those distinctions. That added a whole other layer of education to the video. This is really great content fr💯
While I don't really care about the aesthetic part of minimalism (for clothing), I do like the reduced amount of clothes. For two years now, I have done the "work uniform" idea where I have the same style of dress with a sweater for five days (but the patterns and colors are different). It has been wonderful to not have to make any decisions about what to wear to work.
This type of video, specifically discussing the philosophy of aesthetic, then self-experimenting with its practical applications, is by far why you are my favorite beauty influencer.
I agree. Because, every typical fashion influencer mostly advise us on what pieces to wear / buy this season - none of those influencers get to the psychology of what minimalism is - how to achieve it successfully / how to use it daily / how it impacts our feelings or lifestyle positively. But this vlog DOES!!
One could write a whole paper on aesthetic/ lifestyle minimalism. Love this video and it’s just the tip of the ice berg. ❤
I purged 85% of my wardrobe when my husband and I sold our big house and lived on a boat for 2 years. I have never gone back! I think carefully about every single piece I bring into my life, and generally donate 1 piece I currently own if I bring in 1 new piece. I am a much calmer and happier person having so few choices to make every day.
a boat! Cool!
My husband's retirement desire is to live on a boat! ❤😊
@@heatherframpton9693 Definitely think about it! I have never regretted it, but we had to come back on land due to family illnesses. You just have to be prepared for the unexpected, which is really an analogy for life. But it's surprising how lovely the boating community is, you will make so many friends and they all help each other.
Daria Andronesku explains this very well! Minimalist doesn't equal to boring, lack of color wardrobe, but to versatile wardrobe tailored to each person. Bright colours, big patterns and statement pieces can look amazing in a minimalist wardrobe, the goal is to use them all and avoid excessive consumption and fast fashion whilst feeling comfortable and stylish!
I also watch her videos! she is great~
I‘m exactly the same. Maximalism is everything I love but Minimalism is the calm that my mind craves.
Check out wonder wardrobe on UA-cam she's all about dialing in your style so you can have a small wardrobe and still feel satisfied with color and style.
This reminds me of a woman who, about 15 or so years ago wrote a blog about her experience. It was called Little Brown Dress. She wore a simple brown dress every single day for 365 days. She would accessorize as needed . Like a sweater and/or leggings during cold weather etc. But always the brown dress.
I just read the articles! that was very interesting
I'm doing the 100 day challenge from wool& right now, it's completely changed my perspective on what clothing I actually need.
I LOVE that idea! 👗 I’ve already cut down to just 5 dresses and a few sweaters. Would like even less!
I hope she washed it.
@@CronesBonesOut of curiosity, why would you like it to be less?
I love that you mentioned that you've been acquiring things for YEARS. I feel like that is sooo overlooked.
After watching the video I have come to the conclusion that I am a seasonal minimalist. In fall and winter I am drawn to texture and shape rather than color and print. In the warmer months, when I’m wearing maybe one or two things, it’s nice to have print and/or color options. I love the way your content inspires my introspection.
That was something that popped into my mind. Spring and summer bring on the longing for more color. The clothing that was left after the edit was perfect for fall/ winter, not sure about summer. Thus, experiment must go on for a full year 🤪
I’m kind of the opposite. In summer I’m all about solid colours in linen or cotton. In colder seasons, I’m all about fair isles. I mean I also wear a lot of plainer knits and things too, but I love a classic Danish sweater on a chilly day.
Me too. When the weather here in Louisiana gets hot and humid, it’s all Lilly Pulitzer prints for me. In fall and winter, I love solids, neutrals, and black. Monochromatic outfits of all camel or black become so appealing when the weather cools.
I agree! Prints and color look and feel good in the spring as do texture and shape in the fall and winter. This video has me seriously thinking about curating a minimalist wardrobe by season and rotating and removing items from my main closet to simplify my daily routine based on that!
@@joleengreenaway9012I do this and recommend it!! It keeps things fresh and easy and curated, and aligned with nature, and you get to fully explore different aspects of your style one at a time in a non chaotic way (I love pastels but also all black style- in spring im pastel in winter I’m all black, instead of flip flopping day by day). But with the comfort of knowing you still own those other pieces in storage, it’s not a lifelong commitment to getting rid of them simply cuz they don’t fit the vibe of the moment (Of course I still curate and keep the number of pieces down to only what I love). The biggest downside is it’s extra work to switch over your closet 4 times a year, esp if the weather doesn’t demand it. And you also need to have sufficient storage. It can also be a bit of a crutch for me, like an excuse to not be as ruthless when purging (“oh it’s not my style now but it will be in summer!” Etc can be an excuse to own too much sometimes. Just something to watch out for). As well as “uh oh I don’t have enough Fall pieces, gotta buy more” lol watch out for that one. Overall this approach brings me much joy :)
It’s so refreshing to see empty spaces and clear surfaces in my house, and yet I cannot stop myself from wanting to look for things and buy things and collect things and order things. The acquisition is intoxicating and even more satisfying than actually having these things. So knowing that I should be able to stop my self - but I can’t!
I'd love to see you try a conceptually minimalist stylisticly maximal closet edit. I do seasonal capsule wardrobes and now almost exclusively wear patterns and brights... minimalist headspace with a maximalist vibe ✨️
You're an oxymoron and thriving 💖✨️
Same! Neutrals are too boring for me.
I edited my wardrobe like this about 10 years ago - neutrals and cool tones only, barely any patterns, etc. No warm tones or browns. It was incredibly freeing for sure. But now I am feeling restless and starting to experiment with pattern and color again. Magenta/hot Barbie pink has been allowed into the color palette and it is A BIG DEAL. New! Exciting! Haha. It looks fantastic with my heavily navy and emerald based wardrobe and I couldn't be happier.
Hot pink (or as I affectionately call it, Putrid Pink) has been one of my favorite colors to look at recently and I'm also considering adding it to my closet! Pink and navy sounds like an incredible combo as well, I've never thought about that one before
Very jewel toned wardrobe. Sounds fabulous!
Thank you for articulating this so beautifully. Minimalism is not buying 20 new beige dresses a season! If a print resonates deeply, buy the best one you can. I love paisley and have fabulous pieces from 15 or 20 years ago. They still bring me joy to wear - and if I see a new one, I can say to myself, you already have the best paisley scarf or whatever (Etro) and why are you looking at an inferior one. Sometimes I may not wear them for a couple of seasons, but when I bring them out again I might wear in a new way. Must admit I do feel a little smug when I do.
I always feel guilty for buying a limited color palette. This helped me see that I do it for a reason and that's okay because it works for me and keeps my mind less cluttered.
This is my kind of topic.
I was born loving fashion (my family background is ANTIQUES) So I have life wisdom and experience.
I've been through many changes in my life and my collection of very unique fashion pieces and accessories have come and gone.
I have given away, lost, sold, purged.. etc.
Life changes so don't be afraid to let go.. There is an endless supply of "things" in the world... Don't be fooled.
"There is an endless supply of "things" in the world... Don't be fooled"
I love this piece of advice! Thank you~
hell yeah
This is so very necessary for us as people to be reminded. I think I need to use this as a motto. Having a small child that needs so many tools to help their sensory processing disorder, I have found that I often forget about the tools, and just use verbal cues and physical touch, or more simple things than all of the tools. The tools are necessary for his therapy but it is much harder for me to manage I suppose.
The proces you describe, is the same I have been through.
And I like very much where you have come to
Quality, color in a specific range that gives me the best results,
form and stile, grand and well chosen are the directions for me.
I have peace’s of clothes that are almost 30 years, but still going strong. And stille have a place in my wardrobe and never have put them away
Bye Mirjam
@@mirjamlimburg9040 Totally! It is interesting knowing I have had an item of clothing for 10+years. Lol. I think clothing used to be made with durable fabrics, made to last longer.
Those items are harder to find, but I think they're still out there. ✌️
Thank you for not putting up a Sephora video today! You don't know how much I appreciate it! 💜
Gosh yes!
Omg for real. They are excessive this year.
She also has a great series on how to beat the pressure of the sale. Those have helped me so much! I rewatch them about every Sephora sale& Black Friday. Just if y’all didn’t know she had it.
@@shearsparkle haha, yeah, I've had to watch them a couple times in the past. 😆
Wow…you really overthink things! Minimalistic means boring and following the most zombie trend!
Are you for the French chic look that is been polluting UA-cam? Please be yourself and screw all this BS!
Black and red are so classic and chic. You look so great in it!😊
I think the distinction you make between minimalism as an aesthetic and minimalism as a lifestyle is key. That’s something a lot of people conflate.
It was really helpful to hear you explain that you are in your 30s and have carefully collected the items in your wardrobe over time. I’ve been struggling against the urge to buy a lot of things lately. I was in school until recently, on an extremely limited budget, so I don’t have many nice things. Finally having disposable income is so tempting. But it’s comforting to remember that there’s no rush. I have plenty of time to curate what I bring into my life.
SAME!
Ohhhhh excellent choices for minimalist aesthetic style. Bethany and Emma both have wardrobes I shamelessly place on the throne of “aspirational” in my heart. What I also appreciate is that Emma in particular stresses to us, her loyal audience, that she has built up her wardrobe intentionally and with great consideration over the course of YEARS much like you shared about your own wardrobe. I’m a little later to the game having been wandering lost in the style desert for quite some time, but I’m excited to be on board now with the slow, considered, intentional curation.
I'm 73 & I've dressed well, but Conservatively pretty much my whole life! I use Navy as my basic color & add white or Ivory, red & some pink & light blue, especially in the spring & summer! I do have black trousers which I pair with Black & White Horizontal Stripes! If I use prints, I usually do so in Various Silk Scarves! So if I wore all black, I would break that up with a Beautiful & Colorful Scarf! It makes a difference which kinds of Garments you choose, especially with a Calm Wardrobe, such as Knit Jackets that can be buttoned up & worn over a skirt like a sweater or open with a blouse underneath like a jacket, over trousers or skirt, with a scarf, giving you a more professional look! Alot of Women I know, select a hand bag that doesn't need changing often, bc they find it easier than constantly changing it! I find that the kind of material your clothes are made of also brings Calm or Chaos! Material that russels when you move =Chaos! Silk brings Calm! Silk pajamas that are plain with a contrast color logo on the pocket & contrast piping will give you the feeling of variety without IMPOSING on your Nighttime Peace!(I can't sleep in Loud Prints) The same for Bedding! I use soft fibers, preferring soft microfiber, which lasts longer than silk! I see that the covering on my pillows & duvet do Not make any noise when we move in bed! (I buy from Amazon or Pottery Barn) Too many ruffles or Layers in dresses or separates is too fussy & not Calming! Faded, heavily worn & clothes needing repairs breaks your Peace! As does ill-fitting clothes! So you get the idea! The Calm that you felt is partly due to you becoming your own woman, being in charge of your own Wardrobe & not trying to Comply with others' rules or expectations, which often causes you to purchase things that are Trendy instead of CLASSIC! Classic will always stand the Test of Time, where Trendy will come & go often by the time you obtain a piece or at the end of a Season! Once you have a Capsule Wardrobe, you will be able to rotate pieces, per season with no problem! It's easier to replace pieces, too! Shoes & Handbags should be Well Made, Well Fitting & Classic! Even the Heel height of your everyday shoes matters & the weight does too! (watch those boots that are too heavy to walk or hike in!
Remember: Be PRACTICAL!
You're on the right Track, stick with it, you'll do Great! May your rewards be many!😊💐
I tried minimalism for 2 years with maybe 40 pieces moust of the neutrals, but got ansious because I needed it more colors plus prints, now I have yellows, pinks reds and 20 prints, and feel much better😂❤never under estimate the power of colors and prints, they give energy rightaway
I used to be a maximalist too. I loved colorful things and self-expression was very important to me. However, when I switched to a minimalist closet, I discovered many benefits. For one, it is easier to mix and match. I save a lot of energy. In short, I have decided not to go back to my maximalist fashion style. Even my bags and shoes are minimalist now. I think what was life-changing was when I watched a documentary about consumerism. and one striking point there was there will come a time there will be more waste than fish. From then on, I have decided not to buy fast fashion anymore. Printed ones usually go out of style faster.
Those are all good points and I find myself not really enjoying shopping like I used to. I have even more of a conscience about it and I see people mindlessly buying things they will never use or getting things they use a few times and throw away. We live in a throw away society and it's catching up with us. I also find myself thrifting far more than I used to so I feel I'm saving the planet from landfills and plastic and synthetic fiber waste from the production of new mass produced consumer goods going to waste. I love this video showing us how to use what we have in different ways like it's new again and being satisfied with what we already have, and just filling in the gaps as we find necessary. I think it's cool she talks about thrifting. A person can find many designer and mid-range treasures that are made to last that way.
Yes. I buy nothing. My clothes were almost all free, swapped,and rarely thrifted. I do buy new undergarments, shoes, and coats periodically. This does force creativity and also selection bc it gets tempting to just keep whatever comes my way that fits simply bc it's free. So i am constantly cutting things out and passing them on. Essentially i only swap.
Once the pandemic hit us, I actually decluttered my closet multiple times and ended up years later with a much smaller amount of clothing. Some of the best benefits are the reluctance to shop as often, being more picky when buying new clothes, but the best thing was, I kept pieces that were high quality, simple, neutral, and was so easy to mix around... it helped me fall in love with my body again.
I’ve only seen minimalist content showing big houses with no artwork and black and grey clothes. I love color and pattern so much that it made me sad to watch those. But Scandinavians do minimalism with lots of color and pattern. So thank you for explaining the distinction between the lifestyle and the aesthetic of minimalism. I’ve lived mostly as a low income disabled person so every clothing and shoe purchase is a big deal requiring lots of thought. I still manage to look good mostly wearing blues/greys/pink. But being a ‘forced’ minimalist is as tiring as having too much stuff in your closet. Also, having to go to the laundromat instead of having a washer/dryer means you have to have a bigger volume of clothing, as you discovered! I look forward to watching your journey. Cheers!
It’s like Bento boxes- each piece of food shines like a work of art because of the blank space around each section. Capsule wardrobes are like a bento box- the star pieces really shine on the neutral base. And everything even clashing colours look great.
I do project 333 - every season for 2 years according to the “rules” which started as a challenge for me. I love it. I pick several neutrals and 3-4 accent colours each season. Pack away the rest. Allow swaps if something isn’t working. Others who do this - some are very neutral, but I’ve seen others with an explosion of colour.
47 yo minimalist here, in both regards. I love your perspective in this video. When I started my journey I loved color. A tip for anyone that does...MONOCHROME is your friend. It's not limited to neutrals, pick one color and run with it! Accessorize in various shades. You still get the mins effect with a pop of your personality. Great vid!
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START: If you use a solid non-pattern palette with no more than 3 colors you are able to see what styles and cuts of clothing flatter your body. Then once you know what flatters your body you can use it to make your unique style. 1 color should be black since it is looks good for business, dates and usual funeral attire color with the only difference between the three are accessories. For business use elegant but not overly flashy. For dates or celebrations use some flashy accessories in your favorite color that us also in your color palette that is flattering to your complexion. For funerals minimum of accessories with only earrings, engagement and/or wedding ring, and a black scarf is ample. You not only have easier time in deciding what to wear you will save more money in the long run.
Thank you for not purchasing a whole new closet of clothes to experience and try this for a month! I feel like a lot of people are trying new styles for a month but not shopping their closet first. Loved that whole beginning closet scene!
I looove the distinct increase in your appreciation not just for singular garments, but for the new outfits/options discovered! It’s really like a NEW wardrobe.
I’ve never seen any of your videos before and I can say I’m immediately drawn in. Your presentation is flawless and the way you speak is mesmerizing.
I'm a tried & true maximalist with clothing & cosmetics. However, I definitely feel that my taste is cyclical & ever evolving. I've found myself much more drawn to neutrals (something I swore would NEVER happen) & simpler looks overall. The ebb & flow of creativity is a truly interesting animal!
I love seeing that so many of us are going through this simultaneously. ❤️
Never underestimate the power of influence!
I'm trying to move away from black entirely. I want more neutral tones and bright solid colors. I think a TV show I watch has inspired this.
This. I went shopping for neutrals recently
I have been a minimalist a long time ago (when the concept of minimalism didn’t hit the internet yet), mainly because I moved around a lot, I had only 10 items of clothing for 1.5 years. It felt incredibly limiting but also nice in a way to not have to think about “what to put on” (bc honestly you don’t really have a choice lol). Though this time just taught me I didn’t know what I was doing clothing-wise, and years later I am doing so much better. Not a minimalist anymore, though I also don’t really own a lot of clothes - but I am finally able to express myself through clothes the way I always wanted to. Curious to watch this video because generally speaking all the videos of this kind I have seen featured really boring wardrobes with just a lot of “basics”. Indeed I feel minimalism is perfect for people who tend to buy 10 pairs of black jeans.
I love a minimalist aesthetic. As someone with anxiety, it really helps my brain find order. I also love color and texture so finding balance between the two has been a process. Love that you created this video. I hope you continue to share this journey with us.
Earlier today my dentist said he appreciated that I had matched my glasses to my dress. I said I like burgundy, it looks good on me. I own a lot of it. Black, denim, burgundy and olive with an occasional pop of royal blue. That's me. Very rare prints that include one of these colors. I also completely change over my closet once or twice a year depending on the season. I love it. I usually have only about 50 pieces in my closet at a time including shoes and bags.
I combine my love for minimalist aesthetics with the occasional colour and print by doing this:
Display all neutrals in my wardrobe, choose 1-2 complementary accent colours that I want to wear for the next few months, keep the rest in a box. I'm now going thru a green mood, so I kept the pink and blues. My wardrobe looks cohesive, I feel like I have a seasonal wardrobe (despite living in tropical place) and I know I can switch to a new look later on without spending much money. My ta-da moment was learning I don't have to display all the clothes I own.
I love the way you think and speak, the words you use, and that you're unapologetically feminine. I notice that most people dress down, but you give me courage to show up as my best self and not hold back and that it's okay to stand out a bit. I found you through TFD, and I love your channel. Thank you for your time and efforts:)
I love the idea of doing seasonal wardrobes in the way you do singles palettes to play creatively with a limited palette from your full wardrobe!
I'm in my 40's and have been doing this minimalist thing for 5 years to get to a great stage where I'm at now.
It changed my life too. I haven't bought a single thing in 2 years.
Love this! As a very busy 46 year old wife, mother of four, and professional, I have long felt the draw towards minimalism. I have seen how the amount of things that a large family inevitably accumulates takes a mental and emotional toll on people, and on me personally for sure. In my desire to reshape this impact and as a lifelong lover of fashion who is keenly aware of how my outward look reflects what I’m seeking internally, I started my minimalist journey by working towards a more minimal wardrobe for the last two years. Ironically, I have recently realized that what I felt was “off” or missing for me in this two years, was that my love of vintage, beautiful prints, and aesthetic Maximalism got lost in the way of me trying to find simplicity for my family. I kept trying to figure out my own “personal style” again, when I had already had my own personal style for two decades, it was just taken away for the sake of a desire for a minimalism. I’m now working to strike a better balance for my outward expressions of myself and for my home.
Yes, these are all the reasons I love my minimalist wardrobe. This feels validating.
Thank you for this in-depth dissection of the minimalist wardrobe. Alleviating chaos from ones life is more that having everything in its place. It is looking behind the scene into the closets and drawers, where the clutter and chaos really exists. My take away goal is Self Expression, bringing and seeing oneself beyond the stuff. We are brought up to be consumers, now it's time to break the mold.
I want to suggest getting a color analysis. I recently got one and was very surprised how when you stay in your color palette it keeps your closet small and interactive. Black is not in my color palette and I realized I would buy black but not really look good in it and it was the first thing to go in the donate pile every time. So chocolate brown, raisin purple are my black. But staying in your season will narrow your “not me” items even more. It’s refreshing.
This makeup, hair, outfit, and jewelry…is perfect.
i don’t know why, but this is my “peace video” ☺️ i keep coming back and back to it when i want to calm and center myself. thank you hannah 💕
This has been (after years watching minimalist content) the most useful and insightful take on minimal wardrobes 🙌 bravissima
Love, love, LOVE the new edit! You’ll find your perfect groove in time. After many minimalist experiments, I have created my perfect wardrobe: very few clothes, but they are all riotous colors and shapes! So I never get bored and it forces me to be creative with less. But I also don’t get overwhelmed and no item gets overlooked. My litmus test for a wardrobe is: does everything get worn? Do you love every item? If yes to both, then I know that I’ve reached the balance I’m looking for.
Tip: to mitigate frequency of laundry, invest in a couple silk/cotton under shirts to wear with blouses so you can wear the blouses a few more times before they get soiled.
Yes!!!!! I arrived at this same wardrobe philosophy a few years ago through a sequence of smaller realizations, and one of my favorite benefits is simply how it allows me to consider any new wardrobe additions against a fairly exacting list of qualities. It must be black, neutral-tan, or off-white; it must have a material property-texture, drape, silhouette-that justifies its presence; I must love how it fits. There are plenty of pieces I see out in the wild that I appreciate but don't feel compelled to purchase because they don't fit that list of qualities. And every outfit I DO build out of my current closet is made of pieces I would almost universally consider to be a "favorite piece."
My wardrobe is on display in my bedroom in a way very similar to yours, and I completely agree about the sense of harmony and calm I feel in the space. Not to mention it provides a strong counterpoint to my drag/stage wardrobe, which almost by necessity is extremely bright and loud and colorful (and lives tucked away in a closet, out of sight).
Thanks for documenting your experience so thoroughly, this would have been an invaluable resource if I were still at the outset of my journey.
I think I can safely say, we will all be following your wardrobe experiment’s future career with great interest!!!
I love how you're able articulate feelings I wouldn't have known how to put into words. I also feel pressure to engage with my clothes in a dynamic way, especially since I'm new to working from home. I put too much pressure on myself to choose an exciting outfit for the few occasions each week when I actually get properly dressed. I might try this experiment myself to see how it works for me.
Oh wow, I love this idea. This summer I spent three weeks in the UK and I had a minimalist capsule wardrobe with me in my 3 aesthetics: toddler, flapper and sailor. I allowed myself some bright scarves and socks and a pair of yellow cordoroy sneakers but otherrwise I was very aesthetically minimal as well and YES, the confidence. I went to a fashion exhibit in a black and white ensemble that had a really cute sillouette and to a play in a vintage silk gown that is 100 years old. But it all was very simple aesthetically. The gown was like a big black rectangle...I felt very dramatic in it, even though it was very simple. Love the idea of extending this for a month. I do need to re-edit my wardrobe!
I really think that you are adding so much value in this platform called ‘You tube’. Everything is so well explained and you put things into prospective. You inspire me to look at things differently in the most enjoyable way! Thanks for your creativity and sharing your lifestyle with us ❤
thank you!
3 years ago, using Emma Hill and a couple of other influencers as inspiration, I started developing my minimalist wardrobe: fewer items, restricted colour palette, barely a pattern to be found. For the past 2 years I have enjoyed the fruits of my efforts. My wardrobe is cohesive, stylish, fun and most importantly, me. I love getting dressed everyday, always look put together and have saved a small fortune. I can’t imagine changing, as I’ve found my style: I am an aesthetic minimalist which has lead to becoming a lifestyle minimalist. Now my wardrobe matches my home decor
I’m 42 and for most of my adult life I bought clothes that I thought were cute - lots of pattern, colour, sequins etc. Getting dressed was a struggle and I never felt cool or put together. A couple of years ago I massively edited my wardrobe and what I buy and it has changed my life. However I think it is important to take inspiration from influencers. Go with your own personal colour palette and shapes that suit you . I’m definitely more suited to cool tones and don’t always suit really oversized pieces that Emma and Brittany wear.
LOVE the continued experimentation and curiosity with your life and the things in your life.
For someone who can struggle with change and stagnation, watching someone intelligent & creative like you gently and enthusiastically try something new, then revel in the experience, sit in any discomfort and evaluate those changes is the best.
So thoughtful 💕 Thanks so much!
I agree!
I put away some items once in awhile and then look at them again, it is easier to see if I really will miss them. I dont like a large wardrobe but being in a Canada, I need 4 seasons choices. And I love warm and safe winter boots, I always have two pairs of those.
I completely identified with this experiment! I've been wearing black w an occasional pop of color for years - it's just so easy, particularly when I went to an office 5 days a week. Pajamas and loungewear were more lively, sometimes. When I started working, we had to have suits & pantyhose & all the other paraphernalia - Jesus, the dry cleaning & shoe maint. bills alone! I think people do go through phases with their clothes & decor as they're financially able & find awesome "basic" pieces that work well for them. As a kid, I saw adults redecorate living rooms regularly, then married into a family who had antiques who wouldn't dream of having trendy decor (but, my ex-MIL was a vintage fashion powerhouse, always colorful busy 1940's to 70's vibe). In my 40's I went to minimalism, now I'm adding bits of color here & there (that quilt! love it), interestingly , aside from art, in the kitchenalia I buy - possibly to balance out the grey state of life in these times. I still wish for a de-cluttered kitchen, but find myself delighted when I pull out a colorful lemon squeezer or bowl. I admire your discipline. Please, keep us posted on this process.
It's so strange how we all grow up. Black and red was an unusual combination for you and for me it's been a staple combo. Like when I was in high school on our days without uniform (I went to an All Girls Catholic school where we wore a pleated navy/black skirt and a white blouse or a navy turtleneck), so on days off, I'd often wear red pants (I had this amazing pair of red jeans my father bought me in Italy) a white blouse and a black velvet vest with a black choker. Man, to this day I feel like that outfit was the chef's kiss. Another outfit I liked when I was in uni was a pair of dark green jeans (also from Italy but ones I bought myself) with a pale coral tank top. Another chef's kiss. You're making me want to go to Europe which won't be happening :-)
69 days traveling 3 bottoms, seven tops, 3 pairs of footwear, 1 dress and 2 cardigans pale blue and pink so everything had to go with either or both cardigans. Best way to teach you to be minimalist.
This is so interesting! I really liked your - "Getting Dressed You're Doing It Wrong" video which talks about choosing an item of clothing for the day based on how you want to feel. It seems like a lot of those "feelings" would be missed without some of the patterned clothing. I will be very interested to hear an update on the next few months.
Your closet is simple a dream! Not just the LYXBAGS bags but the ready to wear that you have is absolutely stunning.
Your voice and overall tone of speaking and the choices of words you make are so soothing that I watch your videos to calm myself at this point! It has some joyful and satisfying quality to it that helps me resist the urge of impulse shopping 😅
I think minimalism is about being intentional and true to your needs and interests, not to be framed within monotoned, boring aesthetics. At the end, you do what makes you happy, not what a certain label (minimalism), trend, or society tell you to do.
I love your style. I also find it very true that when you try to pare down your style, you end up wearing a lot of black. This is me right now! Someone once asked me if my favourite colour was black because I wore it so much. I said, 'no it's pink'. They said, 'pink!?' It's making me re-evaluate my life.
Definitely doing it now, I have been thinking of it. This is it.
It amazes me to think of all the clothes and accessories I’ve bought over the years … most of which I can’t remember and no longer own. The energy and money spent on choosing and looking after them, deciding which to wear. Work clothes vs weekend clothes vs travel clothes vs going out clothes etc. I even have a second-time-around wardrobe where I keep my old favourites in our holiday tiny house for a few more years of wear beyond the fashionable.
In my 40s now and watching this I realise I’m following the curated minimalist aesthetic and lifestyle. Most of my purchases over the last 2 years were replacement yoga pants, hiking shoes, sandals, swimwear, or underwear. Everything else I just shopped from my stored clothes (the clothes I’ve forgotten I own).
This change follows a huge change in lifestyle (greater emphasis on outdoor/leisure following early retirement🎉), but watching this and thinking back and remembering the feeling of buying something new that could change my entire wardrobe (and maybe my life ha ha), I miss the 20-something me and her enthusiasm for the new, but wow, I’ve come a long way.
Thanks for this video x
Great realistic advice! Kind & Inspirational! Found many similarities to my own situation. Thank you!
Very impressed by the quality of this video, congratulations!
I couldn’t agree more with your opening statement. I am contemplating entering into a more minimal phase in my life. My husband and I are seriously considering a more nomadic life for the next 2-5 years. And I’m like I love the idea of having everything fit into one suitcase and also love the idea of having animal crossing theme custom press on nails. 🙃
I love this experiment! If you’ve never heard of it, you might be interested in looking into the Wonder Wardrobe concept (coined by Daria Andronescu). She has a UA-cam channel about it, but the way you described the process of pulling out a few selected pieces and making changes for the season change reminded me a lot of her capsule system. I can’t wait to hear about any future updates to this experience as it develops!
+! for Daria and Wonder Wardrobe. I've taken her course, and it's really helped me pare down to more easily interchangeable items.
Love Daria! Her art inspired capsules are some of my favorite destressing content.
What a great approach to the closet edit, the esthetic minimalist. Removing the colors and patterns intentionally. I love it and have been so overwhelmed by the quantity of clothes I own that I didnt know where to start. I am starting this today! Thank you
Fascinating experiment ...and I love the outfits you created from your edited closet.
Please consider making a video in which you show the process of putting outfits together, including jewelry choices and even makeup. I’d love to see that process in more detail with several outfits.
Thank you, Hannah, this was so fun to watch!!
I’ve watched this video three times now, once with a friend, and I can’t get that outfit you did with the burgundy dress and oversized red sweater out of my mind! I just love love love how it looks. Thanks for always being so inspiring 🖤
Very inspiring! I've been enjoying "packing" for each month. From my wardrobe, I choose enough pieces to make it through a month and leave the rest in a dresser and another closet. Sometimes I choose a theme (this month is black, gray, olive green, and grey), other times I build around a few pieces I'm excited about. I think the next month may be minimalist.
This is a cool concept. Do you limit the number of pieces that you pick for the month?
@@Michelle-bk5uq : I did pick a number of each item type when I started out, but now I do it more by feel. I am very influenced by capsule wardrobes that other folks have mentioned in the comments, but I keep things loose right now.
I'm catching up on all the videos I've missed the last two weeks and it's a lovely way to spend my friday evening. It feels like catching up with a friend! 😊
I have a love-hate relationship with minimalism. I love (and crave) the calm minimalism brings to my life, but sometimes I get so bored with my own wardrobe. 😅
I absolutely loved this video. Over the years, I’ve realized that the items that I’ve never quite felt comfortable in and ultimately de cluttered have been mostly prints, so I’ve stopped buying them. I like having a curated color palette and how easily everything coordinates. Nicely done!
I love textures, patterns and colours too much to go minimal with my wardrobe. Although I could see why people might find a minimalist wardrobe appealing, if anything to limit any decisions as what to wear and how to coordinate the outfit...LOVED the vid, Hannah. Will you try a maximalist wardrobe for a month?
Now minimalist interiors might be a different thing altogether...love looking at them...but, again, I live in a pretty colourful, eclectic home with lots of books, paintings/prints, oriental carpets and plants about.
i am so excited you and others in the comments enjoyed completing similar endeavors. i just want to voice to those of you who see this video and might feel badly about not being aesthetically minimalist, like me: in my experience, i have tried making a capsule closet and while i did enjoy that pursuit, i do hate aesthetic minimalism in my personal clothing style. to each their own, as long as their own is kind.
I really feel you. Looove the idea of a super minimal wardrobe, but…also such a little eclectic bohemian at heart and…trying to reconcile those things & merge them into my wardrobe which I like to call “elegant bohemian”. 🤷🏼♀️ so far…too many clothes. But! I’m learning. It doesn’t help to live in a very warm climate so…layering is out for most of the year. 😂
PS- I adore the wardrobe that came out of this experiment! You have such a cool, artistic, unique style.
I think solid colors, especially earth tones, bring out a better look in people. It accentuates eye color, hair color, and people's unique features in such a beautiful and simple way.
I love your intellectual and curious approach to your life. Your introspection is inspiring.
I like your honesty and effort. Please keep us posted how it goes with this wardrobe minimalisme that pleases you, suit your taste and make you feel happy and zen. Personally, seeing how many Parisian women dress daily in this marvelous city has changed how I dress when I returned to the US. Most of them wear elegant, practical and comfortable clothes such as wide or straight leg white or blue jeans or trousers with t-shirts solid or stripes, a comfortable loose blazers, scarf, nice ans stylish sneakers and sun glasses. They also carry a tote bag or a good size and hand bag. Voila, these Parisian women look chic, comfortable and effortless the way they dress. You need not follow trends. You find your own style and keep them minimal. If you buy a new one, you give an old one away. I try to avoid overconsumption. Thank you for sharing your experience and your inspiration.
This was the most compelling video for a minimalist wardrobe that I have seen. Your insights were as valuable as they were surprising. I would also add this to think about. The older we get in life the more comfort and simplicity we crave. For instance we get up in the morning, have our favorite tea, or coffee, in the morning. We take a sip, it is familiar, warm, and enjoyable. We then go to get dressed, we reach for the soft minimal T-shirt with our favorite warn in jeans. We do more column dressing, all similar tones. It’s easier, familiar and we look polished with our jewelry and maybe a red or bright pink lips. I used to wonder what made some women just radiate confidence while others looked like they we’re trying to hard. One day in my forty’s I realized, looking in the mirror, I was a confident woman wearing clothes that reflected who I was rather than my clothes wearing me. If that makes sense. I am sixty five this year and enjoy my clothes more now then I ever have. Thank you for this insightful video!
oh my Libra heart...this concurrently so good and so scary. i love that you brought the blush pink back in. very seasonal, and very inspiring, thank you !!
Love your minimalist video when everyone else is talking about Sephora. I cleaned out my closet completely a few weeks ago and it's such a pleasure to gaze at and approach! I've tended to wear solids in fall/winter for a long time. Prints are botanicals in lighter weight fabrics for me, so when I put them away I automatically have a more elegant closet. I have an animal print blouse and am looking at another, and shoes, and that's it for prints Texture becomes more important. I have a sole bright piece; a 20 year old favorite that I love and receive compliments on every time I wear it. I think editing is a natural process as we hone in on our style, but leave room for surprises! It's also a platform from which to jump into new things. I feel I've made a few fortuitous wardrobe discoveries this year, while being a very conservative purchaser. Love your hair in this video! Love your videos.
You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself, delivering your thought well. Your speech is very precise and deliberate. Measured. Almost formal. Not just your word selection, but also your actual enunciation. You are refreshing to listen to, and that's becoming very rare these days for me. Many times it is difficult to differentiate one influencer's voice from another on social media. It sounds as if they are all somehow imitating one another.
So true about the tension & pull between minimalism and maximalism.
“carefully curating clothes over time” ❤ this concept. For years now I have been avoiding maximalism since the day I realized “I felt” I was avoiding wearing “brights” and “loud prints”. I now choose clothes that Help me feel calm and confident. Clothing pieces in solid deeper hue colors bring me calm. That said, there is too much black in my wardrobe! Black, white and gray is great! I love ❤️ the fact you mixed in red and rust!
I have started sewing my own garments because flattering, calm textiles are easier to find in fabric stores. Most of what I wear I can find EASY sewing patterns for, which is fortunate. Anyway, love ❤️ your video, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing your new found fashion wisdom.
I can’t believe how much I love you and your work. Sending a thousand kisses. 😘😘
I watched this video a couple months ago, and promtly designed my own personal minimalist wardrobe experiment. And holy cow.... life changing! I think the biggest take-aways that made this version of a minimalist wardrobe accessbile for me was the fixed timeline (1 month) and not getting rid of anything, just boxing it away for a little while. I've played with trying to downsize before but always end up not making as big of an impact as I had expected it to because I am not necessaily ready to get rid of stuff. Having the time to "test run" a life without some of the underutilized items staring at me everyday made all the difference for me. I ended up doing a second re-organization of my wardrobe a month in, creating my core winter wardrobe, and boxing away things that either aren't in season or I'm not interested in right now. I have a total of about 40 items in my closet, it's color coordinated, and following the minimalist aesthetic. Getting dressed is a much less mentally taxing task now, and I feel so much more comfortable in the outfits I've been creating. Thanks Hannah, you're putting amazing, positive impact content out into the world!
Excellent video!
"Succeeded at the brief" - really stuck with me.
I realised the importance of commitment to one aesthetic - and I think what lifestyle maximalism might be (in some cases), is a refusal to commit.
You can commit to all floral multicolour clothes, too. That is an aesthetic, too.
The 'commitment' thing really outshone the lesser argument of minimalist/maximalist.
I've been waffling, zigzagging, unsure of what to commit to, and my wardrobe reflects this.
Right - now I've seen the light.
I love how you opted for Emma Hill as an inspiration. I adore her!!❤❤❤
I have been doing this for 9 years now. My closet isn't as capsule as when I started. I wear all black a lot. But it makes life so much easier. I slowly started adding pieces here and there, mostly secondhand and/or high quality. Some more shoes. Minimalist aesthetic and lifestyle made my chaotic life so much easier.
Maybe what you want is seasonal capsules that have themes. Fall is such a great time for minimalism with textures, but in summer your mood might be wild prints.
I've had *almost* the exact same phenomena happening to me! Only instead of an intentional challenge, it happened over the last ~ 4 years. I now have passed on most of my clothes and apart from half a dozen things with a stronger pop of colour and pattern, I just have good quality pieces fabric-wise, with a feel and fit that make me feel great and feel that it brings interest enough. Having pieces with an interesting structure even made me declutter like 80% of my accessories because many times I tried to add them and found that they were adding 'noise' instead of value to the outfit and actually make it look less unique. Ofc, it's a matter of personality, but with my little frantic brain I really feel better when wearing calmer, more peaceful if I can say it, outfits 😊
I've spent the last several years downsizing and embracing the mental peace that comes with minimalism. When I first started and pared down my wardrobe to a 30 piece capsule, I was shocked to find out how much I would use clothes to distract from me - like I wanted people to be struck by the color or the pattern and not notice the deeply unhappy person wearing it. I have to say my mind is much quieter and I am generally much happier in myself with a very edited wardrobe, though it has grown again (around 60 pieces including shoes, belts, and jackets), to accommodate for the fact I live in a 4 season climate, and I've been able to explore what my favorite/ best colors are and edit my closet around that to get away from the strict black & white vibe of aesthetic minimalism.
This is a really interesting video. I've realized I prefer neutrals. I've been finding it hard to decide what I liked versus what old me from the past liked. Until you said about rust, blush pink and olive being neutrals I hadn't thought of them that way, but it makes perfect sense and gives me a definite colour palette to limit myself to, without making me feel limited. Thank you! 💕
My closet is minimalist. I have a colour range that makes me feel 'me' and I don't stress about colours outside that. It has definitely helped me get dressed in the morning and feel smart and strong, which is what I"m looking for. It also lets me play with shape through that, in a weird way, it's given me a happier relationship with my body in clothes.
I used to be a lifestyle minimalist for financial reasons and now I'm experimenting with having 'more' stuff (ie: i can allow myself to have more than one pair of black trousers) but still keeping to the aesthetic that I love.
Thank you for your cerebral insight into aesthetic minimalism. You've given me quite a bit to mull over. I'm ashamed to admit this, but at 67 yrs old i actually have clothes in my closet dating back to my 30s. I think it's because i'm sentimental and so every item has a memory. Occasionally, i even find the gall to yank something off a hanger and, dare i say, wear it OUTSIDE. Last week, it was my vintage black leather bomber jacket's turn; it was 20 degrees outside.