Monday 5 September 2011

Redefining your Style as a Minimalist

For most people, their personal style can be found in the different outfits that they wear.

A Minimalist has a different way of thinking about their own personal style.

Their style revolves around the fact that they wear the same outfit all the time.

Would you feel comfortable wearing the same outfit all the time?

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For my Degree, I studied Fashion Design. Although I graduated over 20 years ago, I can still clearly recall the entire wardrobe of one of my college friends.

She basically wore the same outfit all the time and now looking back, I realise she was a minimalist.

In her first year, all she owned was:

A black cardigan for winter,  a white t-shirt for summer, a pair of jeans, a pair of Doc Martin shoes and a very expensive Winter coat.

Although her wardrobe was sparse, just five items, her clothes were always clean and neatly pressed, (she washed her tops every night by hand, the jeans got washed every few days.) The only jewelry she wore was a simple watch with a black leather strap.

She was also a true eccentric and had the most amazing personal style.

Whilst her wardrobe was minimalist, she spent all her spare money on her hair. Each term she spent a small fortune on hair extensions - the most amazing long, white, corkscrew curls that came down to her waist.

In the day, she wore no make-up, but for a night out, she spent ages on her make-up, the results were simple and stunning - a flawless pale complexion, bright red lipstick and black eyeliner.


My friend was definately someone who was comfortable wearing the same outfit day in, day out.

Would you feel comfortable wearing the same outfit all the time?








                        









Thursday 1 September 2011

Minimalist Wardrobe for Women - a Basic Winter Wardrobe.

Winter 2011 / 2012 is on the way and it's time to review and weed out the wardrobe. I have come up with a list of the basic wardrobe essentials for a winter wardrobe. I hope you will find it useful in putting together your Chic and Minimalist Winter Wardrobe.

  • A warm Winter Coat - plus accessories  (Hat, gloves and scarf).
  • A warm black jumper
  • Three long sleeve jersey tops to wear under the jumper for extra warmth. (These get washed after everywear, unlike the jumper, so you need a few).
  • Black wool trousers
  • A Dark Pair of Jeans
  • A flat pair of black shoes - to wear with the trousers and jeans.
  • Snow Boots if you get heavy snow.
  • A dress for the party season (Christmas) plus shoes.

Colour - I have used the colour black for many of the items, so that it all goes together. If black isn't your colour, choose another neutral colour, such as navy, grey or chocolate brown, for your shoes, jumper and trousers.

Additional items - Whilst this is the bare minimum, you could add the following items to extend your wardrobe:
  •  Another warm jumper
  • A black wool skirt
  • A pair of black knee-high boots to wear with the skirt- plus two to three  pairs of thick winter tights.