Comments on: Minimalist Wardrobe: The Power of Accessories

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:20:20 +0000

I read through everyone’s comments like wild fire! Such great ideas.
My favorite accessory that’s newer to me is knee high / thigh high socks.
They are warmer (I’m in Seattle) and add a bit of something.
My favorite colors are cream with a tan cuff or slouchy gray ones. They do with everything!

By: jackie s

jackie s — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:19:42 +0000

im new to your blog, and was wondering where you buy your tops? im looking for high quality essential tops, that will last, but still look chic and simple.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:15:02 +0000

I just did laundry and realized my closet could stand another round of purging! Loading up on accessories rather than clothes would be a much better idea. I think wearing the same outfits over and over really requires excellent fit and quality though. No point in being frumpy, minimalist or not

By: Kathryn Fenner

Kathryn Fenner — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:05:23 +0000

@ tammy–

You can find suits made of microfiber or other travel-friendly fabrics–Lands End has some in their Commuter line, Jones New York usually has a few–you may need to go on their website, Talbot’s, sometimes J Crew, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic. Frankly, one dark suit with several different scarves, and camis/tanks/t-shirts/blouses underneath can look like a different outfit easily enough–refresh it with a spritz of cheap vodka if need be. If you want more variety, choose two suits in coordinating fabrics, and you get four completely different looks. Add third jacket or bottom–maybe a texture or menswear pattern, and you have six! –If I did the math right

Most men who dress for conservative jobs I know travel with just clean shirts and a few ties–they wear their dark suit on the trip–their wool suits are just hung on hangers in the bathroom while they shower and look great!

By: tammy

tammy — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:48:45 +0000

I LOVE YOUR TIPS on DRESSING FOR WHAT YOU LOVE. You dont need tons of shoes, jeans, pants, etc,. You need basics. I Want those things ONLY In my life. I am moving toward the Mad Men Look, which I have longed for SIMPLE and Classic, this plays right with that time of 50-60′s Branches over into living a minimalist life as well for only keeping things you love. That has been the hardest right now.I ASK, BUT WHAT IF I GIVE THIS AWAY AND I NEED IT FOR A GIFT, WHAT IF I NEED THIS LATER and HAVE TO BUY ONE.

I really could use your tips as I travel with my Career and I need clothes that are CLASSY and I can mix and match and not alot of ironing. I always OVERPACK. I have that fear again. WHAT IF I NEED THIS OR THAT THING? Any help?

By: Secret Squirrel

Secret Squirrel — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:37:33 +0000

I’m the same as Simple In France, I have several base colours – I couldn’t just have one base colour- I like variety.

Most of my clothes, shoes and bags ‘go’ with each other, but sometimes I deliberately like parts of my outfit to clash. You can still have lots of colour in a very minimal wardrobe! I have less clothes than my husband. My big thing is scarves- tying them different ways, and also layering clothes for different looks.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:47:45 +0000

Hi, I was wondering how you would store and organize your jewelry? Thank you!

By: twila

twila — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:45:33 +0000

I enjoy your articles .I am a minimalist by nature but did not discover that until my finances changed after a divorce and retirement.My Mother would make me upset when she gave away clothes that we were not wearing .But now I do the same thing .I have had many compliments on the way that I dress I own 6 pr of black pants ,6 long sleeved sweaters 3 vests ,the vests are a real change to an outfit, 2 short sleeved sweaters that are great for more dress up and 4 skirts. This is my winter wardrobe along with 4 scarves and 3 bags .I also have 1 long coat 1 short and 1 rain/windbreaker .I wear all my clothes fitted .It helps that I am a seamstress,I add pretty vintage buttons,if it fits the sweater.

By: ElizMc

ElizMc — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:08:17 +0000

I have long and short sleeved t-shirts in neutral colors, along with sweater sets. I can always mix and match those. I try to stay in similar color families so there are no odd balls out there. I keep my jewelry rather simple and most of it is in silver or white gold. I’ve taken to doing with my accessories what I do in my closet. If I have a difficult time parting with something, I hang the item backwards in the closet. If the hanger is still backwards in six months, out it goes. With accessories, I put them in a small box and if I haven’t returned them to their natural home in six month, out they go. The exception are family heirloom items.

By: Pearl

Pearl — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:19:54 +0000

Since October I’ve been doing a version of the 6-piece wardrobe, trying to focus on a few pieces in constant rotation. I actually started with 15, and what I found was that I was neither bored, nor did anyone comment on my wearing the same things all the time, and I could do a lot with accessories. I have been an accessory hound all my life: scarves, wraps, shoes, and jewelry. Using black and navy as basics, all the colors I use mix and match well with both. Since October I have given away 1/3 of my wardrobe, since I now know which pieces I don’t wear or need. The experiment enabled me to lighten my closet as well as my dressing routine.