https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:17:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2250370 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:09:42 +0000 Lynn 2250370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, this is going to be me for the upcoming seasons due to successful weight loss. I am actually excited to explore a more minimal wardrobe , although not this extreme, and see how it works for me. It is something I have always aspired to and this seems a good opportunity.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2250361 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 14:31:29 +0000 Anonymous 2250361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stagiaire - wow, you still have things from the 80s and 90s! The only thing I have from that era is a silk scarf that I bought from The Limited. It is the oldest thing I have in my entire wardrobe/accessory collection. I don't recall but I'm thinking I probably paid $8 or $10 for it and it still looks fabulous. I really really miss the quality of the work and fabrics from back in those days.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2250359 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 14:04:37 +0000 Sisi 2250359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Allora </b>-&nbsp; &nbsp;like you, I prefer a moderate/small wardrobe because it gives me peace of mind and, at the end of it all, makes me happy. Not for everybody of course.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2250352 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 13:41:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2250352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Allora, I agree with you that well-made clothing was easier to find back then! I have numerous items from the 80s and 90s that I continue to pull out when it strikes my fancy </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2250350 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 13:36:40 +0000 Anonymous 2250350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such an interesting discussion and thoughts from everyone! </p> <p>I'm in my early 60s and have never had a huge wardrobe or number of shoes at any point in my life. In my 20s it is because I couldn't really afford to have a lot of clothes (no real fast fashion in the 80s). I had just a few things that I loved and had enough to not wear the same thing to work more than one day every week. But pretty much my work wardrobe was repeated over and over on a weekly basis. Clothes were made better back then and lasted. My wardrobe expanded some as I made more money in my 30s/40s/50s but not really that much. </p> <p>Overall, I don't like having too many choices in my closet as it gets overwhelming. I'm the same way about a lot of things - I detest clutter in my house and this extends to my wardrobe. I work from home (even pre-COVID) and usually wear a very casual outfit 2 days in a row (if I don't go out anywhere) and then the top goes in the wash. But I will wear the same pair of jeans for 3 or 4 days in a row as I'm really not doing anything to get them dirty (but still keeping the hygiene issue in mind...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249853 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 07:42:32 +0000 Zaeobi 2249853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love this concept *only* if I knew for definite that *all* the clothing items were of good quality (&amp; would therefore last) - without that guarantee, I'd be having to buy a new closet every season! </p> <p>In reality though, I like colours too much to just have 4 of each item - I'd be set I could have them duplicated in 9 colours instead (cream/ gold/ orange/ saffron/ moss/ pine/ teal/ plum/ chocolate). Food for thought! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249847 Fri, 28 Jan 2022 06:38:37 +0000 Barbara Diane 2249847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Someone who shall remain nameless was a proud minimalist. Spent the night and had to use our laundry because they didn't bring? have? a change of clothes. Not a good use of water or energy-I was not pleased or impressed.<br />I know that is an extreme example.<br />Recently I was thinking about how I did own a very tight work wardrobe when I was starting out. And how much smaller the wardrobe of the original owner of our house must have been-as was common then. We have added a lot more storage by double-hanging, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249760 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:32:28 +0000 Jenava 2249760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My late grandfather had 3 pants and 3 shirts, all the same fabric and color and that was his entire wardrobe!</p> <p>ETA, I think he had one coat. And he wore suspenders and work boots. I don't know if he had multiples of those. The pants and shirts were beige, in case you're curious. The shirts were woven cotton with two front pockets and the pants were twill, I think.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249753 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:57:17 +0000 Angie 2249753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One last thing on the subject, <b>Sisi</b>!&nbsp;</p> <p>There is no one magical wardrobe size because needs vary from person to person. Your lifestyle, climate, need for outfit variety, need for trendy updates, and your affection for fashion will greatly affect the size of your wardrobe. Other factors are the physical size and convenience of your closet.</p> <p>I suggest to my clients that a wardrobe is the right size when they can successfully MANAGE it. They can remember their favourite items across the seasons, create sufficient outfit variety, and feel at peace when they enter their closet and dressing space. As soon as they’re overwhelmed, they need to cut back and/or edit. As soon as they’re bored, they need to think about how to refresh their style.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249747 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:42:58 +0000 judy 2249747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The repeat outfit discussion here reminded me of this funny old blog post on cup of jo:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://cupofjo.com/2014/08/do-or-dont-sweatshirts/">https://cupofjo.com/2014/08/do.....eatshirts/</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>Anyone aspiring to be more minimal in wardrobe, it's easy to just pack some things away in a suitcase or two under the bed, for weeks or months...or years!&nbsp; And then things seem like new again whenever we need more novelty.&nbsp; Makes the closet prettier and sometimes constraint can spark creativity.</p> <p>On the other hand, more is fun too!&nbsp; Despite what friends or people on the internet are doing, it comes down to what is the balance that inspires US?&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249720 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:31:35 +0000 Sisi 2249720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you <b>all</b> for taking the time to comment this thread. It has been a pleasure to read your stories, experiences and different approaches to&nbsp; wardrobe management.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249608 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 20:17:52 +0000 Bonnie 2249608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I worked in an office, the summer between high school and college, &nbsp;with a lady who rotated the same three dresses for three months. It was hard not to notice and wonder why. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249593 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:51:38 +0000 Sloper 2249593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Minimal wardrobe aside - how nice to make contact and make friends again!&nbsp; It's nice you have someone to talk to during your commute.</p> <p>I know I have more clothes than I need.&nbsp; Even when I worked a regular office job, I noticed my truly worn clothes (the ones on repeat week to week) were not extensive.&nbsp; And weekends are only 2 days - so I would often (and still do) re-wear jeans, cargoes, sweaters and sweats.</p> <p>One of my colleagues back in the day had a very limited wardrobe - and it was smart and suitable.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Different strokes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249592 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:49:59 +0000 Sal 2249592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I repeat pieces during the week I usually don’t on the next day - but after a couple of days. Birkenstock’s in summer, outerwear and jeans would be the exceptions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249577 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:57:01 +0000 Anonymous 2249577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am an aspiring minimalist, but not to that level! I don't care about people seeing the same outfits, but I gotta wash at least tops between each wearing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249576 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:54:25 +0000 RobinF 2249576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey it works for her! For me - I don't think so. I would get bored. I do wish I was a bit more minimalist sometimes. Right now I am going through a major let's-throw-everything-out-and-start-over mood. Perhaps luckily I haven't had time to actually do any purging and by the time I do I'll probably be over it. :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249557 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:01:21 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2249557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear the same thing over &amp; over if the same people aren’t going to see me. Recall that in high school I’d wear the same dress to social dancing Sat, church Sun, and school on Mon—but not repeat an outfit at school all week.<br /> ETA (because posting a third time in the thread is embarrassing). I would tell anyone worrying about repeating that no one thinks about you anyway, they’re all thinking about themselves and what you think of them. But several in this thread have proved me wrong. I don’t know how I’d ever find the bandwidth to keep track of what someone else is wearing, as I sometimes can barely get my own straight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249554 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:51:32 +0000 Bijou 2249554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know that I could never be such a minimalist. I always miss my larger wardrobe when travelling where I am limited to a small selection of clothing for a couple of weeks, so I could not imagine doing this permanently by choice.&nbsp;</p> <p>Regarding her footwear,&nbsp;I wonder if she keeps some dress shoes in the office, so the shoes she wears whilst commuting are just that, her to and from work shoes?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist/page/2#post-2249553 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:49:27 +0000 Helena 2249553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I am an outlier for sure - I wear the same jeans over and over, the same shoes over and over, the same jacket over and over ... honestly the only thing I change daily by habit (other than underpinnings) is my shirt, and I'm saying that wearing the same shirt today that I had on yesterday :D</p> <p>I do think for me personally the school uniform thing has stuck ... in fact if they announced a uniform for work from home moms that wasn't hideous, I would sign up voluntarily and be done with it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249552 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:51:32 +0000 Janet 2249552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The only way I wear the same outfit two days in a row is if I’m at home sick or I’m camping! LOL I will repeat outfits but not back-to-back — for one thing, even if I don’t dirty my clothes when wearing, I like to let them air out before wearing again. </p> <p>It’s also good for your shoes to give them a rest. Everyday wear breaks them down faster. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249545 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:25:34 +0000 Jenni NZ 2249545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I don’t think I have ever done it! Even as a child, although Mum budgeted carefully, I remember having quite a few clothes. We did have a reasonable sized extended family and so clothes were passed around. I had 2 female cousins a bit older than me who had no younger sisters and I got their cast-offs. I didn’t mind- new to me, or actually new, it was fine. These past few years of downsizing and buying less I have struck a feeling of boredom occasionally. Recently that happened so I hit the thrift stores and came away with a pretty new top for $4! That helped. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249529 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 03:40:28 +0000 rachylou 2249529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel as a small child I didn’t have that many clothes, but I also don’t think I wore the same thing two days in a row. I remember two pairs of pants and knee socks which means at least one skirt. How strange. I’ll have to ask my mother.</p> <p>Now, I could wear the same outfit for two weeks straight if left to my own devices… ok maybe not that long, but with just a couple outfits worth of items… but I agree with Janet about weather. About every two weeks, there is a distinct progress in seasons and I need different clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249523 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 02:27:46 +0000 Jaime 2249523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally get this and it is totally not for me, although I have no problem repeating outfits. Before I became a crazy shoe lady I really rotated between 2 or 3 pairs and never had a problem. But I definitely repeat jeans two days in a row sometimes and do tend to play with a subset of my closet at a time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249517 Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:24:43 +0000 Carla 2249517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WHAT! &nbsp;You can’t wear the same outfit two days in a row! &nbsp;:-D &nbsp;I <i>never&nbsp;</i>heard of that ‘rule’. &nbsp;My wardrobe isn’t as small as that of the minimalist, but I definitely do repeats! &nbsp; </p> <p>I think Clearly Claire did a tiny seasonal wardrobe capsule of 12-20 items that she would rotate for 3 months, and then completely change out for the next 4 months. &nbsp;She had some gorgeous clothes too! &nbsp;I still remember a cream Celine jacket she thrifted…</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249513 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 23:26:55 +0000 Sal 2249513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting and fun discussion.&nbsp; Pleased you made a new friend Sisi.</p> <p>I had a wardrobe this size when working in the UK, and in a couple of jobs in my 20s.&nbsp; It was more eclectic, but I had almost a week of outfits only and had to repeat one outfit a week.&nbsp; There was no overlap with weekend and weekday outfits, and I just kept on wearing them as my money went on travelling or going out.</p> <p>My husband and 19 year old son have this type of approach - especially the 19 year old who is a true minimalist by nature.&nbsp; It works for them, and I could do it, but choose not to any longer as I like more variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249512 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 23:05:57 +0000 Angie 2249512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sisi, </b>thank you!<b></b></p> <p><b>Joy </b>and<b> Slim Cat,</b> I wore a strict and formal school uniform for 12 years, and have a moderately sized wardrobe now. It is a joy and luxury in my life. Very grateful ;)</p> <p>That said, I had a VERY, VERY SMALL wardrobe from ages 5 to 17 (Greg and I were just talking about that and reminiscing!) I wore a school uniform all day, and was in horse riding clothes most of the weekend. I had Summer vacation clothes, some trendy going out outfits, and some casual stuff. That's it! My closet was a section in the linen closet of our home. No need for more space!&nbsp;</p> <p>Sooo, like <i><b></b></i><b>Slim Cat</b><i><b></b></i>, I got to varsity at age 18 and had very few clothes to wear! I remember shopping a lot more as a poor student than I ever had before....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249506 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:39:46 +0000 slim cat 2249506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Joy - you may be onto something here. I was in school uniform all the 10 years and had somewhat hard time in university ( small wardrobe in general ). I do admire bigger collections and more choices - more fun to play . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249503 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:27:56 +0000 Anonymous 2249503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if extreme minimalism and rewearing outfits comes more easily to those who grew up wearing school uniforms? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249502 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:25:17 +0000 Janet 2249502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think lifestyle and climate play a huge role in this. We have a huge spectrum of weather here, and my summer and winter wardrobes have zero overlap. And being self employed and in a creative field with stylish clients (when I can see them) and giving presentations, I like to present a bit of creativity in my appearance. I totally get that a lot of people don’t need this or desire it — I appreciate that we all have different thresholds and approaches! I hated having to I wear a uniform for a few months for a job I had when I was about 19-20. I was happy when I was quickly promoted and could wear suiting separates instead! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-extreme-minimalist#post-2249499 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 21:41:46 +0000 Chiara 2249499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do have work and home capsules. So summer work is 3 trousers, 5 tops, all the tops go with all the trousers, so that’s 15 outfits. But 4 pair shoes, my feet prefer variety, and that way it’s no problem if I get shoes re-heeled, or retire a pair.<br /> Summer Home is 4 pants, 5 tops, 4 sandals, 2 dresses. In summer, I need more because there are more holidays, and I need to launder... I try to make sure that anything I buy will make 3-4 new outfits, and quite enjoy the challenge of finding, for instance, a new top that goes with my pants, but looks different from what I have.<br /> This all works well when weather is stable- and works fine for being in an air conditioned office. I need a bigger range of items with spring, autumn and winter, to cope with bigger temperature ranges. </p>