What makes minimal work? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

What makes minimal work?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

In Lisa's thread about pattern-mixing and stripes, gradfashionista wrote:
I feel like stripes and plain denim on their own scream frumpy or boring, and not the French stereotype magazines would have you believe.

It got me thinking... what makes minimalist outfits work? Is it attitude? Fitting into your personal style? Small details? Grooming? High-quality pieces?

How do you fall on the right side of the line between "I just threw this on and look fabulous" and "I just threw this on and everyone knows it." We all know this isn't as easy as it looks, but can it be learned?

Dressing

43 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Anonymous

I'm not French & don't aspire to dress that way, but it may be that minimalism is easier on the eye & therefore more appealing. It's in the eye of the beholder, though. I prefer more accessories, but not a "too busy" look. Some put on more layers & accessories than I do, & that's also fine. I don't think one look is superior of more desirable than another; simply different & dependent on personal preference.

Anonymous

I don't know either and I think I know what you mean. On me, it seems to be about fabric and texture -or it could be about the lack of other adornment. It sure also relies on attitude and how you present yourself. Here we go again with the subjectives But it's not throwing any old thing on - at all. I think any pic we see of a really great minimal look is well thought-out.

Anonymous

I agree with lisap.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, wait what? "Je ne sais quoi" is called that for a reason? Say it ain't so.

Anonymous

I don't really know and I don't think I've ever achieved a great minimal look ---I think that's why I end up wearing scarves all the time.
Sometimes I think the beauty has a lot do with the photography.
As well, I think "plain colours" when I think minimal.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Actually, Jenn, this is a really good question. I suppose it makes sense that it's the French who came up with the expression je ne sais quoi, since it's a very French thing to create a chic look where you can't really pinpoint why it's chic.

I really think the answer to 'what makes minimal work' is abundant, obvious confidence coupled with a good eye for fit and proportion.

Sal

Veteran

I like both layered/complex/accessorised looks as well as minimal looks and I can think of forum members who fall into one camp and do that look brilliantly. And others can do both equally well.

I suspect I am better at the minimal looks than the highly textured/layered looks. For me I need one piece to be the "star" of a minimal look, or at the very least a bold lipstick or great sunglasses. I think this is partly my preferences, partly my body shape, and partly my personality. I quickly get the feeling of ALGO when I wear too many accessories, or pattern or layering....whereas I am happy to wear bold colour, cuts or pattern in a more minimal look.

Have I answered the question?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great question. It's not easy to answer. Sometimes it's really the illusion the photograph is selling, I think -- ease, simplicity, calm.

But the clothes have to fit superbly, must be well cut, and the fabrication has to support the overall vibe...be it tailored and crisp or fluid.

My favourite minimal outfits of my own tend to include a couple of components:

One of my best neutrals (usually denim / navy but could be white or grey).

Usually one colour (or predominantly so).

Great footwear.

A focal item.

Wardrobe essentials and/ or signature pieces.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Mostly monochromatic. Excellent shape and fit for the person wearing it. Very good shoes.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Minimalism is one of those words that is used in different ways and can confuse me. I do think that great minimalism involves great design and fit. That is why COS, which I like a lot, can be hit or miss. Whereas a maximal outfit, consisting on lots of colors, layers, accessories and so on, does not rely on the excellence of each piece so much. One of the confusing things is great minimalist pieces can be quite complex in themselves.

This is a great book on the topic:
http://www.amazon.com/Less-Mor.....ds=minimal

Anonymous

You're not mocking me are you......?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Nyah, mocking myself for wanting answers to unanswerable questions.

Y'all are kind for humoring me.

Deborah

Veteran

I think minimal is in the details. The quality, the cut, the fit, and then the final touches.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great discussion. I prefer minimal dressing for myself even though I love the look of artsy layers. It is like making salad dressing. I only use a few ingredients but they are the very best quality. Extremely good olive oil, excellent red wine vinegar and a few drops of lemon juice. Sometimes that is all. People are always asking me what is in it. It is the ingredients and the proportions. I might add a statement piece of jewellery like a necklace to my outfit and to my salad dressing I might add some herbs or other flavours. But I don't have to.

Gaylene

Veteran

Great question, but I'd have had to word it "What makes maximalism work?" Every day, I see stylish women boldly mixing colours, patterns and accessories--and looking fabulous. I, on the other hand, try to imitate them and end up looking like a homeless vagrant.

In contrast, minimalism is ridiculously easy. Throw on a pair of slim pants, add an architectural top and interesting footwear, and I'm out the door. Dramatic looks in black and white are my bread and butter. Accessories can be as simple as a 2" silver cuff and/or huge scarf.

So how does the other half figure out how to put together colors, patterns, layers, and accessories without looking like an unmade bed? Inquiring minds want to know...

Colette

Veteran

I think minimal is in the details for sure. Since there is less to look at, each piece needs to be exceptional and hold its own. I think it can be learned from a technical perspective but those who have 'it' always stand out.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Tough question, but I agree with UmmLila. Monochrome or not too many colours. Good shoes. I also think good grooming: hair, nails, make up etc add a lot.

rachylou

Veteran

When I think minimalism, I think architecture first. Things pared down to their most essential, including that which makes something simply pleasing. Everything built in. The fabrication is incredibly important. You can't stick an ornament on and cover up anything.

This doesn't mean to me, tho, that you have few things.

I feel it's also different from simplicity. It can take a lot of complex engineering techniques to cut things down to the essential...it's not necessarily economical in the making.

Jane

Veteran

I think it's to do with familiar colours, shapes and fabrics, in clothes that fit well.

And, then I'm with Brooklyn on great hair and good make up.

Anonymous

I agree with Aziraphale.

I really think the answer to 'what makes minimal work' is abundant, obvious confidence coupled with a good eye for fit and proportion.

Jaime

I personally feel the minimal look works best on a certain look and body type and thats why it works so well for French women-they are often naturally like this. By this I mean very thin/angular and naturally 'interesting' looking which to me is a certain type of beauty that is very natural- not the "pretty" that you find over here. A perfect example of this to me is Everlane. So many of their clothes look amazing on the type of models that they use but on an average US woman over a certain age they just look frumpy. To me, these minimal styles really don't look as good with a full face of makeup and layered/sprayed haircuts.

All of this being said though I definitely am more minimal than most I know. In suburban Pittsburgh you just don't find many women breaking out of the 'pretty' mold. By this I mean tory burch/kate spade/ silpada. I am sure that many think I dress a bit boring and most would not recognize the brands I wear-even though on the coasts they would immediately.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Cut. Quality of the fabric.
The French have brands such as Saint James (pronounce sahn xhaamz): you can never look frumpy in one of their striped tops but then again the price! Ouch!
Sure, one could go to Walmart and find a striped cotton tee for less than 10$... but then hello frumpiness.

MsMary

Veteran

I just got that from Seoul, South Korea, and the women there blew me away with their fab minimalism. I think the key was strong architectural shapes, fabulous footwear, and perfect grooming. I kept elbowing Lovely Fiance and saying "look at her! Doesn't she look great?!"

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

There seem to be two schools of thought on minimalism. Is it arty structure or jeans and a white tee? Ironically, the latter might be harder to pull off.

Greenjeans

Veteran

A fresh haircut and a great pair of shoes. Minimal makes it all about you, your face, your kinesthetic sense, your essence as a person . . .

Anonymous

I agree about the body type. I have two friends who are French women. They both have that tall and slender body type, and they body dress in the typical French fashion. I'm short and curvy, and can't dress like that. I don't want to dress like that anyway, though.

JAileen

Veteran

I think it's also about the quality of the clothes, shoes, etc. I'm thinking of those articles that show someone wearing an outfit and then how you could make that outfit yourself. Invariably the do it yourself doesn't look as good because it's lower quality in fabric and construction.

kerlyn

Veteran

Great question, Jenn. And I'm agreeing with Jaime on this idea...that some of these minimal looks don't quite work with a full face of makeup and layered, sprayed hairstyles. Why is that?

viva

Veteran

Quality, quality, quality. And not too much of it.

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