Often, we think that finding a chic, minimalist wardrobe is about eliminating everything. However, it’s actually about quality over quantity.
As our lives grow increasingly busy, we’re forced to prioritize what’s most important and toss out the last-minute decisions or impulse buys. In other words: we have to get rid of what doesn’t spark joy.
To help you cultivate your minimalist wardrobe, we’ve rounded up our most essential tips for creating a chic, minimalist wardrobe.
#1. Find Your Style and Stick to It
While learning the basics of fashion design and building your wardrobe, it is important to consider your personal style. Decide what you like and stick with it. Once you have a clear vision of your style, you can build your wardrobe with those items in mind. This will save you money by limiting the number of items you will purchase in the long run.
Take this into consideration as you learn how to create outfits from your purchases most effectively. If everything in your closet matches everything else, you will worry less about what to wear each day. Instead, you can devote that time to whatever else comes up throughout the day.
#2. Keep it simple.
Like with our personal lives, too much choice can be paralyzing. Minimalism is the answer to creating an easy-to-wear wardrobe. Draw your wardrobe down to your favorite 10 pieces – tops and bottoms – then build outfits around them. Now you’re dressing with intention. You can easily mix and match your fewer clothes in new ways. Plus, with fewer clothes, you get to spend more time focusing on the details of each piece. Say goodbye to wondering what to wear – hello, simple style!
Your minimalist wardrobe is a flexible one, too. It’s easy to swap in new trends as they come along. When you know you already have the basics in your closet in many styles, you’ll find yourself excited to try new looks every week.
#3. Be selective with your prints and patterns.
Prints are often considered a fun, flirty way to add interest to an outfit. However, they can quickly become overwhelming when overdone and taken away from an ensemble. If you’re unsure how best to incorporate patterns into your wardrobe, start by choosing one major piece (like a blouse or skirt), and then play around with different textures and colors.
This way, you still get the pattern you want (the skirt), but neutral colors like black or white balance it. For example, the Kaftko collection showcases how to create a chic, minimalist wardrobe with a mix of classic and fashion-forward pieces. The collection, which was chosen as one of Polyvore’s Looks to Inspire for fall, is made up of essentials that you can wear on repeat.
#4. Invest in quality pieces.
When you’re trying to create a minimalist wardrobe, it’s important to invest in quality pieces that will last you for years to come. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune, but it does mean being mindful of the pieces you choose and making sure they’re well-made and timeless.
#5. Accessorize wisely.
Many minimalist fashion enthusiasts include a few pieces of jewelry in their outfits, but a lot of us also have lots of jewelry that we only wear occasionally—a necklace or earrings that we like but that don’t go with every outfit. If you’re interested in playing up a few key pieces, add a couple of the following fashion accessories to your wardrobe:
- A snood (warm weather) or shawl (cold weather). These are perfect for throwing on when you need extra warmth or comfort.
An infinity scarf is another favorite accessory. It can double as a top or dress, and many celebrities wear them out at night.
A superb leather bag is always easy to carry and looks great with almost any outfit.
A great watch is always in style, and you can get some for as low as $10 these days!
These accessories are your best bet for being effortlessly chic and minimalist.
#6. Edit your closet regularly.
Did you ever notice how your mood can change depending on what you put on? When you’re feeling down, getting dressed for the day can be a huge challenge. Decluttering your closet regularly can help you feel inspired and ready to face the day.
The true secret to creating a chic, minimalist wardrobe lies in knowing how to edit your closet. Knowing what to get rid of and what to hold onto are the critical factors in creating an effortless look.
If you edit your closet just once, it will undoubtedly improve the overall look of your home and help keep it tidy. Even if you don’t wear an item very much anymore, it can still be valuable in other ways. You can give it away or sell it on consignment. You don’t have to make a big deal out of getting rid of items that no longer fit into your lifestyle. It’s better to get them out of sight than to let them sit in your closet and make you feel guilty about not wearing them.
#7. Don’t get sucked into trends.
There are always plenty of ways to stay up-to-date with trends without buying every item of clothing that comes out in the season’s latest print. A simple way to do this is by using social media, blogs, and magazines as sources of inspiration and ideas for items in line with your personal style and taste that can be worn year after year rather than season after season.
#8. Find your fashion inspiration elsewhere.
But don’t just focus on clothes! Feel free to take some inspiration from other aspects of your life and use that as the basis for your new look.
For example, if you’re obsessed with your favorite spring hat, there are a few ways to incorporate that into your wardrobe. A patterned hat could be the starting point for a whole new look—just take that pattern and make your accessories, such as a scarf or socks. Or if you’re a fan of a specific pair of jeans, make sure to have them in multiple colors or washes for maximum versatility.
I love this approach because it is rooted in personal style—it’s not about buying expensive outfits but finding new ways to make things work for you.
#9. Ditch the logo tees.
We all had a few in our closets, but now that you’re no longer 20 years old, it’s time to let go. Replace them with soft and straightforward basic tees in solids or light prints.
