Minimalist Fashion Tips for the Working Woman
How many of you have read the minimalism articles floating around the internet and thought, “a 30 item wardrobe simply will not do”? And while the ultra streamlined wardrobe is aspirational, it might not be attainable for those who adore fashion and expressing themselves through their clothes. In this article, I’m presenting an alternative to the stringent minimalist guidelines for the fashion-loving person who is also interested in owning and consuming less.
1. Curate! There are several famous studies on choice that report people suffering from a form of paralysis from having too many choices. Many studies focus on the issue with too many choices as it relates to consumers in stores. We can extrapolate those findings from stores to our closets and into our daily lives. Have you ever wondered why we often prefer shopping in stores with fewer items on display? Stores with lots on the shelves create anxiety and a feeling of frustration that we won’t be able to make a satisfactory choice because there is too much to consider.
Treat your closet like the well curated boutiques on hidden streets in Paris, New York or Tokyo. Our minds are better able to decipher information and make choices that require less time and effort. And so it goes; fewer items in your closet means fewer choices. But, it also means more time in the morning for big meeting prep, long commutes and that ever elusive free time.
2. Shop second hand. Shopping second hand will not only shift your wardrobe into a more unique sense of style it’ll also directly benefit the planet. The fashion industry contributes to a major portion of pollutants. Here are some statistics shared by ThreadUp via Green Story Inc (an independent research firm).
Giving a dress a second life reduces its CO2e impact by 79%
We would save 125 billion gallons of water (1.25 billion showers) if everyone bought one used item instead of new this year.
50 percent of people throw their unwanted clothes straight into the garbage resulting in 64% of the 32 billion garments that end up in landfills annually.
3. Be intentional. Coming up with a list of values and criteria for you and your well-earned cash not only makes the threshold for a purchase higher, it can also keep you on track with your ethics. Has the brand implemented any sustainable practices? Are they women or black owned? Do they manufacture responsibly? Is it a small business? Find out what matters to you in a company and let that guide your future purchases.
4. Own your style. We all fall prey to trends because, come on they’re fun! However, we usually end up pushing them to the back of our closets, passing them on to others, or gasp- throwing them right out. Stick to your guns. If you’re more tailored than boho chic don’t get sucked into the latest seashell craze. If you’re on the far side of the feminine spectrum, maybe you don’t need a white tee with shoulder pads. Own your style and spend your money where you’ll wear it.
5. Actually buy less. Minimalism is definitely centered on owning less but also on consuming less, wasting less and putting your energy into the parts of your life that really count. If you love fashion but would give the shirt off your back for your family then that’s where your real effort should reside- not scouring every new season that hits the runway or scrolling the Nordstrom annual sales. Buying less, shopping less means more money in your pocket and more time on your hands.
6. Don’t beat yourself up. The saying “if we all do a little, no one has to do a lot” is cliche, but it’s true. If we all devote a little of our attention to being more sustainable there will be big results. Your wardrobe doesn’t need to be all one color or small enough to fit inside a few drawers but it should be carefully considered with minimal duplicates and one-off inspirations.
Most fashionistas can’t subscribe to the uniform, or only having 4 pairs of shoes (one for each use; sandals, flats, boots, sneakers- swap one for heels if you have to). President Obama has been quoted saying, “You need to focus your decision-making energy. You need to routinize yourself. You can’t be going through the day distracted by trivia.” And while we agree with our respected 44th president, for some fashion isn’t trivia; it’s self expression, it’s storytelling, it’s art and creativity. For some, it isn’t enough to wear an uninspiring uniform and simply admire beautiful garments from afar. There is joy in being able to wear something thoughtfully and allow it to add to your confidence. People who love fashion can and should feel empowered to discover their own harmony when it comes to minimalism. Sustainability is about creating a healthier, happier world and that includes all of us finding our joy in the most responsible and sustainable way possible.
So let’s dedicate ourselves to being intentional with our fashion budget. Just because it’s on trend or you can afford it aren’t great reasons to keep consuming but it also doesn’t mean you must subscribe to the usual way of dressing or being a minimalist. If we have learned anything over the last few years as a society, it is that we all work best when we’re making our own rules, living as authentically as possible, and solving problems creatively.