5 Tips For Using Minimalist Style To Your Advantage
As with any movement or school of thought that has its own “-ist” (Minimalist, Existentialist, Orthodontist), the key is to break the rules as needed to prevent yourself from being a carbon copy of someone less imaginative and less, well, you.
1. Don’t Wear Four Things When Three Will Do (And So On…)
Going minimalist, however, means carefully considering advice to layer up. When putting together an outfit, ask yourself: can I do this more simply than before? What are the essentials that make this look work?
It means reconsidering a style approach that mirrors our broader cultural obsession with business – how can your personal style be less busy, and more effective at presenting you? Practically speaking, it may mean ditching the button up shirt under your sweater or opting for similarly-shaded solids over plaids.
In the words of the ancient knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, “choose wisely.”
Which brings us to the second tip…
2. Don’t Wear Three Colors When Two Will Do (And So On)
Simple, monochromatic colors. No logos. Avoid patterns. Black, white, grey, navy, olive are enough for most applications.
Playing with color in your look is fun. Minimalist style means limiting yourself to one or two primary colors in an outfit. The effect can be dramatic: button-up and pants can take on a fashion-forward look impossible if you were to jam more colors into your palette.
Take another example: what’s more simple – and iconic – than a white t-shirt and jeans? Especially if the fit is on point, which brings us to…
3. Be Insane About Fit
Whether you’re trimming your closet to 15 essential workhorse pieces, or just endeavoring to dress more simply, minimalist style demands excellent fit.
Rocking a black t-shirt and gray jeans can have you looking emo like you did in high school – unless the cut is spot on. Then it becomes intentional and exciting.
Fit doesn’t mean slim-all-the-way, either. Simply this: proper fit, whatever it is, for your body type.
4. Go Ahead, Use Bright Colors If You Want
Tangerine, plum, saffron, mustard… bringing in bold accent colors for one of your clothing items is totally in bounds. (Especially if the color also happens to be a food.)
On its face, this advice directly contradicts #2 – or does it? Consider this: an accent color top paired with pants, shoes, belt, and watch face that are all the same color is still very minimalist.
Call it ‘loud minimalist.’ Still simple, great fitting – just bolder.
5. Accessories Prevent Drabness
Utilize carefully chosen accessories – watch, sunglasses, bracelet, ring – all of which can be cheaper than buying whole new pieces and add color and texture accents that speak louder and more effectively than when lost in a busy outfit.
Take two guys, both of whom are rocking a simple monochromatic look. If one has chosen his accessories with care his look will stand out as truly his own…even if the major pieces are similar.
