Define minimalist please. - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Define minimalist please.

Anonymous

Bewildered again- Can someone please clarify minimalism for me.
I always thought of it as a fashion LIFESTYLE- A palette of 3 colors that mix and match. And a streamlined closet like project 333 or basic capsule wardrobe. (I’m calling this #1)
But more and more I am seeing “minimalism “ as a style DESCRIPTOR- clothes with little to no detail, plain clean lines. I always saw that as “classic”. (I’m calling this #2)
Is this a semantics thing? Because I see some of you post that identify self as minimalist..... are you miminalist #1 or #2..... is there a #3i wonder?
I am totally not minimalist in lifestyle- I like clothes, shoes and scarves too much.) lol but can a classic be minimalist and a minimalist a classic?
Thanks

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from

Toban

Veteran

There are multiple definitions in use and the definitions have varying degrees of overlap. I’ve seen minimalist used to represent both size of wardrobe and also a style esthetic that features simple lines, minimal accessories and ornamentation. Some classic pieces but not all meet the minimalist esthetic. Minimalist size wardrobes may or may not feature classic or minimalist esthetic pieces. Clear as mud ;). On its own it is not clear which definition is being used.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Toban said. You have to go with the context to understand the precise meaning.

"Classic" or "iconic" items are not always (or even typically) minimalist in aesthetic.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Think COS. Many of their pieces are what I consider minimalist, but certainly not classic.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Right. Or early Jil Sander.

Thistle

Veteran

What Toban said!

It really depends on context, which is not at all helpful, I know.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

100% what Toban and Suz said.

I don't think COS is all that Minimalist. It's more Avant-Garde because the designs can be quite complex. I don't think something can be complex and minimal - that's a hyperbole.

Anonymous

TOBAN and SUZ- lol - clear as mud sums it up. I guess you are right that you have to determine what is meant by context. I guess when you just see the word- minimalist- you aren’t really going to be sure if the are talking the Lifestyle of numbers or the style esthetic.
ELIZABETH- SUZ - ANGIE- thanks for weighing in on stores/ designers for clarification.
THISTLE- it always helps to have others check the same boxes. If firms up the concept.
Thanks guys

rachylou

Veteran

The thing about minimalism is that it takes great effort! Lol. I define it as being pared down to the essentials of form and function AND beauty, nothing extraneous flapping about. Streamline. The items when in use are easy to work with. But the thing is, the construction and acquisition of such items can be terribly complex - that’s where the work is. And it’s quite a lot of work. Just all up front.

Toban

Veteran

I think of Everlane and Universal Standard of having a minimalist esthetic for a majority of their pieces. Even Eileen Fisher, except for the most layered looks. COS has many pieces that fit a minimalist esthetic and as many, or more, that don’t.

Sal

Veteran

I think there is the Minimalist aesthetic - simple clothing, clean lines in a chair or piece of furniture.

Then there is the minimalist lifestyle when you simplify your possessions to have less clothing, household items, etc.. I do not always equate this with an environmentally friendly lifestyle - getting rid of stuff to buy more stuff? However it definitely can be.

Carla

Veteran

Interesting! I think I have a minimalist aesthetic - except when it comes to gardening, and maybe cooking! However I do not live alone, so there is compromise.

Anonymous

RACHYLOU- There are days it all seems like hard work to me. It also doesn't help when terminology is varied. Thanks for making me smile!

SAL- I agree with you regarding the minimalist lifestyle that suggests you get rid of everything. There is only so many places for it to go.

RUNCARLA- interesting- never thought of minimalism in terms of picking and choosing where to be one- as in you can be minimal in fashion but not in kitchen gadgets. hmmmm.....

Sal

Veteran

I am not a minimalist in my aesthetic nor in my lifestyle - my BIL
Is as close as I know - he does not own a car, he only buys clothes to replace worn out ones, he makes do with household items, he borrows and lends gear, he grows a lot of vege and is an almost vegetarian, and does not add things to his home. Yet he is a home owner, professional employee and lives a rich life.

binkle

Veteran

I think the definition has evolved with time. Minimalism was a post-war art movement that was - minimal! Blocks of pure hues or black/white, etc. Thus simple clothing shapes in a restricted palette was "minimalism.". You could be a minimalist with 20 identical white tees and 10 black trousers and 15 black turtlenecks.

Not "classic" which is timeless styles like trench coats and chanel jackets and riding boots, hermes scarves, etc. You could have a small wardrobe of these classic pieces, but you weren't a minimalist.

The minimal-size-of-wardrobe thing seems very recent and internet/blog driven, with "challenges" etc.

Anonymous

SAL- wow your BIL sounds like he has it all together. Better person than me.
BINKLE- thank you for the education- are you an art expert? Because it sounds like you know your stuff. I have a hard enough time wrapping my head around definition let alone the concept of 20 Tees, 10 trousers and 15 Tns being minimalist- lol.

binkle

Veteran

Lol! Just took some art history in college haha!
I had to go back and double check "minimalism" on wikipedia before I pontificated!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I come at it as a former architect— minimalism gives an effect of simplicity that demands a really high level of craftsmanship. A Tadao Ando building has no ornament- its finishes ARE the ornament- so the surfacing and edging of the concrete has to be absolutely perfect. (And Japanese workers can achieve this in a way that US construction workers sadly don’t).

In clothing, perhaps a black skirt might look simple but the finish on the silk will be wonderful, or the seams will be detailed in some special way. It won’t be a black sack of a thing from Target. Minimalism is often very expensive!

rachylou

Veteran

I did a search. Apparently there are 6 types of minimalists, lol: https://www.google.com/amp/s/a.....you-250532

I agree with what Jessikams said, maybe due to a plethora of architects in the family. For something to be striking and functional while simple, takes a high degree level of craftsmanship (or effort in my words). You can build a table with 5 pieces of wood and 4 nails, but that’s not quite minimalist... that’s an eyesore of a table that’s gonna collapse under your Diet Coke very soon. Lol.

The minimalist principle, anyways, as the 6 types suggest, can produce different results and looks. You can have a minimalism of formS - a closet of nothing but tees and jeans, but then have a huge number. You can have a minimalism of number IN THE closet, but you will probably be buying a lot and often (as I tried once in my own way, things wear out fast that way). You can have a minimalism of form, meaning no extraneous flourishes - but then you really need good craftsmanship, cut and material and finish. Two dish towels and two seams do not a skirt make.

Classic clothing, I think btw, does have extraneous detail. What do pintucks and fold-down collars do?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

That's awesome Rachy! I love the signature moves with the hangers!
I think when we move into the new house I may do move 1.

Mainelady

Veteran

This thread is so informative! I have to work hard at minimalism. I feel unsettled if things are too crazy, hectic, crowded or cluttered, but I thrive upon quality details, a bit of embellishment.

Sisi

Veteran

Well, I often refer to myself as minimalist, but I use this term to cut it short, meaning that I am happier with a moderate number of things - from clothes and shoes to kitchenware and linen sets .... Wardrobe-wise I use P333 as inspiration. So I think I am type 1 minimalist. Provided that minimalist is the right word. Maybe I could call myself just frugal.

Bijou

Veteran

Clean lines with minimal embellishment.

I like to think that minimalism is the opposite of Anna Della Russo!

Becky

Veteran

This has been a helpful discussion, efbgen. I couldn't help but chuckle at the "signature move" described for each type of minimalist in the article rachy linked to. We are doing a huge house declutter right now (including closets). From the four people living at our home, we collected a total of 13 garbage bags full of clothing and shoes to donate. I might add that we still have many more clothes than we actually need, so I guess we aren't that type of minimalist!

Anonymous

BINKLE and JESSI- your backgrounds really help in this area -as I imagine the color arena too. I fail at the "hangman" game as I can't even draw a stick person (flower and clouds I seem ok with-lol) . It always amazes me how often I think an art and architecture background can be useful in so many areas. I guess that is why they are always part and parcel of making a renaissance (wo)man.

RACHYLOU- I was having confusion with 2 definitions...6!!!!!! Thanks for clearing that up for me- it actually makes sense.

MAINELADY- I agree with you and the others that think it can be hard work to look effortless- go figure!

SISI- I read about 333 but I don't think I could do it- so more power to you.....and there is nothing wrong with frugal (I am a cautious shopper and rarely pay full price for anything!)

BIJOU- embarrassed to say I had to look up ADR

BECKY and JENNI- I would both dread and welcome a move as a means of forced purge or closet detox.

It always amazes me what I learn from all of your posts- thanks