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a question about minimalist style (inspired by Sarah)

Kate

Veteran

Sarah's blog post at The Daily Sophisticate (http://thedailysophisticate.bl.....1done.html) really got me thinking.

Since I was young, I sought a minimalist style, but not a minimalist collection. I hated ruffles, bows, and pretty much any unnecessary details. Jewelry was kept to a minimum. This continued through college, and only over the past year and a half have I begun to wear some ruffles, embrace some details, and wear a more jewelry.

Even though I've let some "clutter" into my wardrobe and my outfits, I never want to look fussy. I sometimes will leave a necklace out of an outfit that I know would look better with it, just because wearing it seems like adding one detail too many for my comfort. Last year I tried to become more ok with wearing details and clutter, but now I'm thinking that I just need to embrace the minimalist part of my style.

So here's the question: How do you maintain a minimalist aesthetic without looking boring?

I've noticed that Sarah often accomplishes a very stylish and polished minimalist look by having one "complicated" piece in an otherwise simple outfit, such as the cowl in her post from today. Other examples: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....ec+003.jpg (patterned top) and http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....0/red3.jpg (jacket). In this outfit, just the asymmetrical hem and awesome colors are enough: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....esday1.jpg

I'm a firm believer that rules are meant to be broken, but right now I'm searching for a rule to help me gain some clarity. Maybe for each outfit I need one (or two) bold, unnecessary detail(s) (be it a ruffle, a pattern, or a pop of color). More than two, and I think I've lost the minimalist aesthetic.

Using a couple of examples from my 30 for 30:
1. This outfit has a green top, tan cardi, denim skirt and teal tights. I don't think I overdid it here, but I was walking the line, and thus I left a necklace out of the equation. Adding that would have felt like too much for me.
2. Whenever I wear this sweater, I make it the focal point, and (again) go necklace-less. It's enough of a statement for me.

I would love any comments and insights that anyone has to offer!

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sally

Lisa

Veteran

Funny, I've been following Sarah's blog too. I have also been analyzing her outfits for inspiration as to why they "work." I was thinking perhaps the amount of colors/pattern helps attribute to minimal style. I noticed most of the outfits have 2 to 3 colors tops! I've also been looking at celebrities like Jennifer Aniston whose outfits also seem to follow a 3 or less color variation rule. With that in mind, I would actually remove the teal tights in #1 and add a necklace that was silver (if in an accessory mood that day) to minimalize the outfit even more. For #2, I would swap out the maroon top for a brown that matches the boots or a blue (if those jeans are blue I am not sure they are blue or black here) to streamline the look more. Or just ignore my ramblings. I think part of minimalist dressing, is looking "sharp" which I attribute to good fit and low # of total color schemes in an outfit.

AJ

Veteran

I think Jennifer Aniston is a great example of minimalist style. I do think fit and minimum color variations are the key. Whenever she wears accessories, it's subtle and low contrast to what she's wearing, but the excellent fit and quality of her clothing keep it from looking drab.

mamaKate

Veteran

Kate, my short answer to your question, "How do you maintain a minimalist aesthetic without looking boring?" I'm a firm believer in scarves.

Personally I don't think the number of colors is the primary contributor to an outfit's elegance vs. "fussiness." It is more about how many different shapes, textures, etc. might catch (distract) the eye. Moving parts (e.g. loose jewelry) are especially distracting.

Asymmetry also distracts. For example, I find belt buckles where the belt goes back through the buckle after being inserted into the prong (as per the first link) to be more minimalist than "conventional" one-sided belt buckles (as per the second link).

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....tback=1067
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....tback=1295

As someone who tends toward "minimialism" but who also loves color, I find myself using multiple complementary colors in a single outfit and deriving the "pizazz" from either a scarf or necklace. Today's outfit shown below as an example (I am 8 mos pregnant), which includes a rainbow of colors - coral, rust, brown, black, orange, yellow - and yet I don't feel at all "cluttered." Leggings continue down to black flats. (sorry for the poor quality, photo taken with my blackberry in the bathroom at my office.)

Enjoy!
PS To your sweater outfit, I think you could add an understated scarf or necklace without overdoing it!

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Dana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Kate,
I think it's great that you're embracing your minimalist style. I love the outfits you posted and agree with you that in #1, anything more would have been too much. The top has a lot of detail. (Do you wear earrings?)

I love outfit #2 also-you look fantastic! I almost think a simple necklace would add a lot and not distract from the sweater or minimalism. Just a thought.

If you do wear earrings and you don't have them, I think hoops, kind of medium sized, are great. Have a fantastic day!

Maya

Veteran

I am not minimalist by any stretch and can't offer any advice on that front.

But I do think part of the reason Sarah pulls it off so well is because her hair and makeup are always movie star impeccable.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I'm working on accepting prints, Kate. I actually love pinstripes, tight florals, and gingham right now. I think you have great basics and a good idea of what you like/don't like.
Maybe you could try a printed top with the first outfit? And maybe a gingham button down with the second? Play with a belt in outfit 2 and see how it works.
Belts are hit or miss for me, fyi.
I love Jennifer Aniston's style, too. She's a bit more casual than I am, so her style works perfectly for my younger sister who's a little more casual chic.
When I wear something more bold (like the red jacket) I prefer a low contrast/muted background to display it on. Otherwise it's too fussy for me.
I also try to contrast styles as much as possible. If I wear sequins, I want to pair it with jeans. If I wear something more androgynous I wear my hair wavy. I'm a sucker for contrast.
And finally, I'm always wearing a muted neutral. Black, gray, taupe, navy... Those are my anchors and I can't do without them. I love high contrast looks, but they just don't look that great on ME for some reason (like they do on Angie).
Wait ONE more thing. I browse blogs and catalogs and pick out the things I like and try to figure out what exactly I find appealing.

LeahJanes

Colour! Big swathes of block colours in unexpected and fresh combinations make a minimal outfit striking.

Simple shapes need not be boring, you can find interesting silhouettes and amazing cuts. Think Marni or Bottega Veneta. They are usually minimal but are never boring.

I also love minimal jewellery. If I had unlimited money I would buy big sculptural pieces in silver and wear black all the time for the contrast.

tarzy

Veteran

Maybe we should start a "Minimalist Club," with Sarah as our leader!

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, too. I tend to eschew too many distractions - ruffles, too much color, lots of shapes, patterns. For me,my curly hair feels like enough of a "detail."

I am discovering that if a garment is beautiful - great fabric, rich color, well made - I don't need a lot of other stuff going on. I really notice this with Angie's outfits - she'll have a killer pair of boots, or an impeccable jacket, and that's all she needs.

My plan for this year is to buy less, but better quality - neutrals, classics, & structure, but keeping it modern. It's not as easy as it sounds.

(I think your outfits look great, by the way!)

Astrid

Veteran

Tarzy, you're saying what I was thinking right this moment: my curls often give enough interest already!

Kate, I get your desire for minimalism. When I really think about it it's something I want to reach, too. But I'm not thinking minimalist in the categories most people think about when they hear the term. Minimalism often implies a modern edge with the reduction, which ist not my thing at all. When I think about my minimalism, I think about clean, sleek lines. No clutter, like you said. But I think about skirts and dresses and romantic cuts, too. Just in a sleek version, with little pattern, but colorful. Pair it with simple jewelry and you get the look I want to reach. So in my opinion you could work with color to keep it interesting.

Sorry that I haven't really answered your question! I'm curious about the responses myself.

DanaLynn

You look too cute in both outfits! I adore your smile

in regards to your question, I have an art background, so I have a difficult time separating minimalism in fashion from it's meaning in art. The first outfit to me, doesn't come across as minimalistic...I find it rather flirty. I think it is the combination of lace on the top and the draping and delicate ruching on the cardigan.

Again- minimalism in fashion might be different so I might be way off base.

The second outfit is definitely closer to my eyes, I guess when I think of minimalism I think of simplicity and repetition. I love minimalist composers like Reich so the repetition part is really important to me. The second outfit satisfies that with the basics- I think the heavy cardigan is a great textural contrast but keeping it in the same color family would lend it more of a minimalist vibe. Maybe grey, cranberry, something along those lines. If you are team high contrast and really dig the color combo- maybe try it with something that isn't quite as texturally different?

I also don't think minimalism would cut out accessories all together. I think it would be more about texture and color. I think number two could benefit from a necklace.

I like both outfits a lot on you! Minimalist or not.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

hehe Sarah you are a firm favourite with me too - I just love your style, so I'm all for a minimalist club with Sarah as leader

Kate I have often wondered the same thing so thank you for asking!

I can't help though because this is the path I am only just starting down!!

Anonymous

So interesting Kate. Great subject, and Sarah is a fine role model isn't she.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You're right! Sarah has this style down to a T. I think it's all in the perfect polish. Style like this is most effect with perfect polish - which Sarah achieves

Aida

Veteran

I echo Angie's advice: polish. To pull a minimalist look off properly, you need to have hair, makeup, all the little things done perfectly. Minimalist looks fit my style as well (though I likes me some hardware), but I have yet to master the polish aspect. That's my current task

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I also love a minimalist style if you can believe it, but usually reserve it for dressier occasions. I love minimalist color.
It is easier to be maintenance minimal with a more tousled style for my casual lifestyle.
Sarah is a great inspiration as is Taylor, April and Angie.

I love both outfits but the second speaks to me as more minimal. It would be more so with all black and that sweater. Great look!

Patience

Veteran

I really have to echo what Maya and Angie said-- Sarah's polish is impeccable-- through my own experience. There was one day a couple of weeks ago where I got dressed in something simple (I can't remember what it was). It was fine but I thought-- a bit blah. Then I flat ironed my hair and polished my head up it and just elevated the whole ensemble so that I felt fab when I hadn't before.

Kyle

Veteran

I think it's great that you recognize this aspect of your style because it works for you and looks natural. My suggestion is to embrace it, and pay attention to the details mentioned here, such as quality, fit and polish. I'm not sure you need rules, as I think your instincts are serving you well. I would note that Sarah's clothing choices generally have a timeless feel to them...they could be worn by someone in their 20s or in their 50s. Your outfits have a more youthful vibe. Perhaps some food for thought.

Lynne

Veteran

As Angie and others have commented, the thing that stands out to me about Sarah (and Jennifer Anistion) is their grooming - they're impecable and yes, they make it look effortless! Sigh...can you wave some magic dust in my direction, Sarah:) ?

crwilson

Veteran

I think that the issue of polish is so important, as others have pointed out. I've always admired a minimalist look and have been baffled about why I can't pull it off very well - now I know - it's the polish, or lack thereof in my case. I'm not a particularly detail-oriented person, and so the little touches that make a minimalist look work, I don't even notice. I love seeing it on others, though.

tarzy

Veteran

Uh-oh. Does this mean I have to learn to flat iron my hair?

April

Veteran

Kate, thanks for calling my attention to Sarah's (new?) blog -- gorgeous! And Sarah, of course -- gorgeous!

I truly need to get past the idea that simple and uncomplicated = "too easy", or uninteresting. As I see from these examples, that is not the case at all. (And how thrilling to hear that our fabulous Jean has sometimes found inspiration in an outfit of mine. <blush>)

I also, perhaps, need to pay more attention to celebrity style role models. People seem to draw such inspiration from them, and I frequently don't even know who these women are. I'm not so out of it that I don't know Jennifer Aniston, but if you go much beyond her, I'm lost.

Maya

Veteran

I actually am pretty clueless about celebrity style, including Jennifer Aniston and other A-listers. I actually had to look up Jen's style to see what everyone here is always raving about. I gotta say, I find her style pretty boring and frequently not so flattering. I'm surprised she is such an icon. I think Sarah is light years ahead of her.

Isabel

Veteran

This is a very interesting thread and timely. It seems that minimalism is all over the news and big topic for spring. As I look at you (and Sarah) I am reminded of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. She was the uber-minimalist. I think what keeps it interesting, and this is true in your pictures, is that the cuts and textures are very interesting. Your color combos are also wonderful. I also think that wearing a little make up helps. Carolyn was considered highly "stylized" and there was always one definitive characteristic.

I think that Jennifer Aniston has found something that suits her and that is her formula. I think that she looks good. Personally, I am a total accessory chick !

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I'm blushing over here, ladies. Your compliments are so nice. I just want everyone to realize (if you don't remember) that when I first joined YLF I was a fashion mess and had such a time accepting my body and learning what my style was. Give yourself time, and don't forget to have fun. I think I was trying SO HARD to be "right" that I forgot to have fun.
And Maya, you're silly. Jennifer Aniston is way more casual than I am, but so gorgeous at the same time. Effortless.
Tarzy, you do not have to flat iron your hair at all. You can have polished curls, trust me.
And Kyle is right on. Most of my items are business casual to business professional, so on weekends I try to dress them down with skinny jeans or a denim jacket. But really, I don't have a lot of "younger" (more casual, maybe?) clothing just because it doesn't suit my lifestyle right now.

Kate

Veteran

Isabel, good to know! I'll be on the lookout for some good posts about fashion minimalism! I've become increasingly interested in minimalism, and getting rid of clutter and things I don't use. However, I'm much more interested in having a minimalist style than a minimalist wardrobe, so a lot of the minimalist blog advice out there doesn't quite work for me.

Sarah (and Kyle), I've been accumulating more business-y items as I move closer towards teaching, but I've also been trying to take advantage of being 23 and allowed to dress casually while I still can (and yet even my casual looks are more dressed up than most of my peers' outfits). I think it's still possible to look polished while wearing jeans, at least when they're tucked into boots, which is how I wear them. However, I am well aware that I need to move away from the t-shirts and focus on getting more professional tops.

Sally

Veteran

I like Sofia Coppola's minimalist style