(Photo: I’ve noticed something funny. I can wear an ensemble that someone has seen me in multiple times; yet if I pair it with a scarf, unique necklace, or interesting pair of earrings, they’ll invariably comment on my “new outfit.”
Such is the power of accessories. They freshen up an “old” look in no time flat, and better yet, demand very little storage space. (I’m focusing mainly on scarves and jewelry here, as handbags take up *too much* storage space and merit a post unto themselves.) Guys, I imagine this is how ties function for you, as I’d have a hard time telling if you wore the same suit five days in a row; the tie, however, I would notice.
I hate having an overstuffed closet, and over the years have pared my wardrobe down to the essentials. The pieces are rather classic, and consist mainly of bottoms (pants and skirts) in black and gray, a handful of dresses, and tops in subtle colors (burgundy, slate blue, eggplant, etc.).
However, I’m kind of “girly” and crave a bit of novelty every now and then. Instead of filling my closet with trendy pieces, I’ve been able to satisfy that craving with the occasional accessory purchase. My indulgences are usually handmade jewelry and silk scarves from Etsy. Both take up precious little space, but add an interesting touch to my wardrobe basics.
It’s also a great strategy for packing light. When I travel, I tend to wear the same outfit two or three times. I’ll bring a scarf or two, however, to alter the “look.” They weigh next to nothing, instantly dress up whatever I’m wearing, and are infinitely easier to transport than another change of clothes.
Does anyone else use a similar strategy to stretch a minimal wardrobe?
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I live (almost) every day in a white tee shirt. I’m also a big fan of scarves for this reason, they make my plain ol’ tee look new. I find long necklaces to be equally useful. They’re lightweight, don’t take up much room, and “fancify” me instantly.
One other wardrobe piece that helps me stay minimal: The Jacket. I always have 2 or 3 dressier jackets – in various seasonal weights – that pull me together. I make sure they have pockets, too, for stashing money/keys.
I think people sometimes equate minimalism with being unfashionable, but I’ve never been as chic as I am today. Less really can be more.
Sunny, thanks so much for sharing your wardrobe strategies. I agree that simple can be very chic.
I have a very simple wardrobe as well. I love to use jewelry, scarves and a great coat and shoes to update an outfit.
Hi FormFire Glassworks! Amazing how those little touches can “make” an outfit, isn’t it?
My uniform for around the house or out to the grocery store is a white t-shirt and black yoga pants. I can change around my look with my shoes and accessories. Sometimes it’s a string of pearls and ballet type flat shoes or a pink scarf and my funky winter boots. I think accessories let me express my own take on something so simple.
Absolutely, Heather, I think such accessories help us put a personal stamp on our wardrobes – without needing a closet full of different outfits!
I also get comments about my new outfits and have a reputation as a fashionista, although I doubtless have fewer clothes, and shop far less, than most people making the comments! My wardrobe is pretty basic and inexpensive, but I am picky about style and fit, so I tend not to wear things that are sloppy looking, shapeless or look “thrown on” – my basic style is consistent, classic and suited to my body shape which helps a few clothes go a long way.
My accessory of choice is vintage jewelry, especially large rings. I recently decided that since I don’t collect things and keep my home pretty minimal, it was OK for me to add to my collection a little bit at a time and still be a minimalist! How boring would life be without a few accessories?
Thanks for your comment, Queen Lucia. Like you, I prefer more tailored, fitted clothes – and I’m also a fan of vintage jewelry!
My “uniform” is usually Converse Sneakers, a Longchamp bag and a stripy top eg Petit Bateau. I do have a “thing” for handbags and am taking a break from looking at them, buying them and generally drooling over them. I wear the same jewellry, silver baubble earrings and drop pearls. I think I spice things up by changing my makeup colours and rotating my bags and shoes. I am probably not very minimal….. well not YET!
Hi Sara! Taking a break from buying handbags is certainly a step in the minimalist direction.
Rotating makeup, bags, and shoes is a great way to spice things up without buying more clothes!
Hmmm . . .in my case, I manage to combine simplicity with unfashionable–but even if I tried to complicate things, I’d probably remain unfashionable anyway. I think keeping it simple is probably better for the fashion challenged. Luckily, I don’t, and never have had to, dress professionally. I basically have pants in neutral tones (denim, green, gray, brown, black) I make sure that any time I get a new shirt or sweater it will match at least 2-3 pairs of my pants–the more the better. I do have three scarves. . .mostly to keep my neck warm. Having three means I can wear a scarf that will ‘go’ with whatever else I happen to be wearing. And all my clothes ‘go’ with the same few ultra-comfortable pairs of shoes. I actually wear the exact same outfit several days in a row–in France, you can get away with this more easily than in the States.
Simple in France, I love how French women can wear the same clothes several times a week, and still be considered so chic!
Wow, I really need to take this post to heart! I think I broke the runner (if that’s what they’re called?) on one of the drawers in my wardrobe over the weekend, trying to cram more stuff in (and I can’t reach the stuff at the back, so who knows what’s in there!?). Argh.
Michelle, what a great excuse for a wardrobe purge! (I can’t help but get excited about a good decluttering session!)
I completely agree with this article. As a student, I can’t afford to go buying new things all the time but feel bad going into class all the time in the same old outfits. I have several scarves, bags and cardigans I use to shake up some outfits that I have been wearing for several years and people still seem to be commenting on my ‘new clothes’.
Francesca, that’s a wonderful way to stretch your wardrobe — and save money!
For the office at least 3 or 4 days a week I wear my favourite black pants and depending on the season a black cap sleeve T, 3/4 sleeve T or turtle neck. If it’s cold or for a change I sometimes add a cardigan, jacket of wrap. I have about 8 wraps in everything from sensible grey to shocking fusia apple green. Add some bold silver earings, a funky watch and I’m good to go. Even my hair is minimalist. I wear it short and spiky. If I have to get out a blowdryer I know it’s time for a haircut. I usually let it dry while I dress then add the gel to spike and I’m done.
Outside the office my uniform is a white button down collar shirt, jeans, black belt and boots.
Because everything goes together I take very little when I travel and haven’t checked a bag in 15yrs. We took the kids to Europe (Italy, Greece Germany) for a month last summer and we each took one carry on bag. We did laundry at the end of each week and I think we still took too much. We even hauled dress clothes along as 12 of the 30 days were on a cruise and there were 2 formal nights. DH also had to work for 4 days in Munich so he managed to pack a jacket, 2 ties, 2 shirts and dress pants plus his regular vacation clothes.
Hi JMK! Ooh, love the wrap idea…
Great to hear from a fellow light packer; I’m with you, carry-on is the best way to travel!
[...] Minimalist Wardrobe: The Power of Accessories [...]
I don’t own many scarves, and only wear a few pieces of jewelery that are gifts from my family, so I have a different way of spicing things up:
I own a small stack of black tees and longsleeves (my base colour), some jeans (black and blue) and and a small stack of very carefully picked tanks and camis in different colours or bold patterns (eight in number, I just counted). If I want to look memorable I usually wear one of these, either alone, over or under a wide cut tshirt or long sleeve. Also I have shoes in similar colours to match the tops.
My “colours” are green, blue and old-pink. Limiting stuff to these three colours helps against accumulating more and more stuff to have color matching outfits. I also do the one-in one-out philosophy.