Are you minimalist or maximalist?

RoseandJoan

Do you seek clean lines and order or are your drawn to the more is more look.

I can be drawn to both looks but feel my best when layering necklaces, belts, scarves and the works. My house is never streamlined (really we have outgrown the space) so I'm on team maximalist. How about you?

BTW - I often do the Coco Chanel trick of taking one accessory off before leaving the house (usually my bracelet).

15 years ago

General

34 replies

Latest reply was from Sally

(website)

Veteran

I tend toward minimal, I'm sure. Rarely wear belts, almost never wear scarves and I'm most comfortable with 2 to 3 colors max together. I also like body skimming silhouettes for the most part. But I love me some hardware or small embellishments here and there

15 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

This isn't a team thing right? Can I sit on the fence?

I don't have a preference for either, but I prefer them done with softness or contrast of texture - so I like ruffles as opposed to studs and zips, leather mixed with lace, Liberty prints and ditsy florals.

In interior design, I like minimalist lines as long as they are not harsh ones for example.

Does any of this actually make sense?

15 years ago

yardshark

Active Member

I'm pretty much exactly like Mo, always have been. (The hardware I like is edgy but not particularly "biker," in silver or dark metals.)

I tend toward minimalism for structural reasons too, due to my combination of petite height and pinup proportions. On me, less is more.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am on Team Minimalist - but I like strong and bold statements which maximize the look (like PILING on pearls). Does that make any sense, or do I sound batty?

15 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'm with londonkiwi - I like contrast in an outfit, so I'm not sure that I'd say either; I use components that could be pulled from either.

15 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Minimal! I feel the most fab in my simpley, yet fab cut DVF black double V dress, nude pumps, and one, maybe two accessories.

15 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I don't think you sound batty Angie, I think I'm in a similar boat as you (though significantly less bold ), and I'm sure others here are too. I'm mostly minimalist though not averse to layering, but I too like having a bold/statement item/accessory that turns the look away from pure minimalism.

15 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Prior to YLF, I rarely layered anything, owned one scarf, two belts and rotated between three small pairs or earrings. I've added some, but I'm a minimalist at heart.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Am I the first maximalist to respond? I always wear layers, from 2 in the summer to 4 or even 5 in the winter months (I'm always cold). And scarves, I can't get enough of them. I also wear a lot of jewelry daily too: always a watch and earrings, often a necklace (if no scarf) and bracelets come out to play from time to time too.

15 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I think I'm a maximalist at heart.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Definitely team minimalist. I don't like pattern mixing, extraneous details, nor visual clutter.

15 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am both- sorry.
Love to layer bit also love to wear a plain black sheath with an arm cuff and clutch.
I would say I am a minimalist for dress and much more layered in casual ware.
I do like bold and dramatic minimalism- not much for dainty fine jewelry.

Hope that makes sense. I really have to be on the fence or I could not function.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You can be on the fence, Jean and Fi!

Aida, thanks for the validation. I guess these outfits illustrate what I mean best:

Black retro frock ensemble - no specs or earrings, a bit of make-up, bold accessories and a very weighty pile of pearls. Simple but strong - my favourite type of look:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....g-outfits/

Here is a similar formula - no specs or necklace, but earrings and a flashy bangle, minimal make-up - and the same dress!!
http://youlookfab.com/2010/12/.....mod-frock/

15 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I think I have grown into more of a "maximalist" as I started to have more fun with fashion.

15 years ago

Aida

Veteran

In general I've found that the dressier my outfit, the more minimalist I get. For casual outfits I like more layers and accessories. I guess I'm both?

15 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Can I be in between? I don<code>t like too cluttered outfits but I need to have something special in it, something which</code>makes the outfit. I also like to play with strong color combinations one time and then go neutral the next day. I also like to use bold accessories but in limited quantity: often I would not wear a belt if I am wearing a bold scarf or necklace.

15 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I would say Team Minimalist ( as Angie defines it).

15 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Angie,
That is exactly what I mean by bold minimalism!! I think you are spot on and utterly breathtaking in those outfits. I would dress in a similar way but with more muted tones. Black with bronze pearls and turquoise bag. The bold, opposing shapes make the outfits dramatic which is why minimalism can be very artistic.
Arty minimalism here. My home is very minimal, no clutter but varied textures and bold dramatic shapes. What fun!!

I also like the other extreme to a point- ordered chaos. One statement is usually enough in an outfit.

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

GG and Angie and Tanya...I totally agree.. minimalist but wear/add something..be it an accessory shoe, handbag ,or jewelry for MAXimum impact:)

Piles of pearls...lots of bangles...several gold bracelets etc. adding these to clean simple lines add impact.

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I am a minimalist in how I actually dress, but a maximalist in terms of how many choices I want to have in my closet at any given time. I am trying really hard to hone, but my personalities are all clamoring to keep everything!

15 years ago

Debora

Veteran

I'm a minimalist, but find Angie's philosophy intriguing. I like the concept of a strong or bold statement to maximize the look. Hmmm, I'm going to have to ponder this a bit. I would love to incorporate more of this into my style.

15 years ago

KTStarr

Active Member

I think I am more of a minimalist as the discussion has defined it. I love colour, but tend to stick to one of two per outfit, and pattern mixing (though I've seem others rock it) is not so much my thing. When it comes down to it, I have no patience for outfit elements that need adjusting or thinking about all day long, so complicate layered looks, while awesome looking, usually end up annoying me when I have to adjust my cardigan or belt or whatever for the 92nd time, so I tend to keep it simple.

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I'm not really either. I never really embraced the idea of statement pieces. I don't like any one thing to dominate my outfit too much, and I don't want to be "known" for wearing piles of pearls or wacky scarves or anything else.

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Maya, when I think of your style I think of Mod, bold graphic prints.Tunic length or waistless dresses. I know you don't do alot of accessories, but your outfits often speak a certain style to me.

15 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, at first I thought I was a maximalist for sure because I like layering, belts and scarves, mixing colors, and lots of interesting textures/lines/etc. I definitely also have a maximalist closet (and home) with lots of choices and chaos. However, after reading some of the other replies in this post, I realized that I am really minimalist about other, non-clothing style choices, since I never do anything with my hair other than keep it clean, I almost never wear makeup, and rarely wear jewelry except for a watch and ring.

So now I am confused! I guess I am on the fence for this one...

15 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

I admire the aesthetic of minimalism, but it's just not me - I love to adorn and embelish things and I feel bare if my outfit is too 'clean'....likewise with home. But the line between adorning and cluttering is a fine one

15 years ago

Kira

Active Member

To the max! Although I don't like busy prints. Or any prints if I can help it, unless it's a graphic tee. A top or skirt etc. works better for me if it's one color, because then I can dollop a load of layers and accessories on top of it.

I don't put on all the pieces (like rings or fluttery wraps) on until I'm leaving the house though. I don't want them in my way.

15 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I'm not sure - I think I might be a high-maintenance minimalist - at least that is probably what my husband would say! I always wear makeup and nail-polish and "do" my hair, but I'm not crazy about any more than one accessory item at a time - but, I love mixing patterns - but, I love the simplicity of a chic black sheath - so . . . I don't really know!

15 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

oooh Fun!!

Definitely a minimalist but as Angie describes it (well, that's what I'm working towards LOL). Stripes are the only print I can really embrace, although I'm ok with my new floral skirt because its not a defined print if that makes any sense.

My home was chaos, and I HATED it, so have been slowly culling over the past few months. Just a few more biggish pieces of things to go, and then all the little bits and pieces and my home will be much more minimalist. I've designed my dream home (when I win lotto!!), and its basically a big open expanse - very simple, very minimalist.

I want my whole life to be minimalist actually!!!

15 years ago

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