7 Essential Items For A Minimalist’s Wardrobe

Choosing minimalism as a rule of thumb for your wardrobe means you stick to the basics and the bare essentials. 

Here’s a quick guide for your effortless minimalist wardrobe.

A Pair Of Blue Jeans

Look at pictures of iconic celebrities who have adopted minimalism – Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Robert Pattinson. What do they have in common?

You’re right, a pair of blue jeans! 

Pick a pair of jeans that are functional, sustainable and versatile. Avoid buying jeans with special effects like tie and dye or ripped styles. 

Mid-rise comfort-fit or regular-fit jeans are the most sustainable ones. You can pair these with a checked shirt, a t-shirt, or a sweater.

A Couple Of T-Shirts

Whether you’re a student or a professional, you can’t go wrong with including a few t-shirts in your wardrobe.

Consider the humble T-shirt as a minimalist’s platform for showcasing individuality. 

If you’re a thinker, you can have t-shirts with witty slogans. If you’re a sports fan, go for t-shirts that represent your favorite team. And if you wish to keep it strictly simple, you can always pick solid dark-colored t-shirts.

Bright colors or not, round-neck or collared, choose the style that suits your ideology and personality. 

Smart Office Wear

Smart casuals work well for formal as well as social occasions. They are super comfortable and still make you look professional. That’s why the idea of carrying Friday dressing for the whole week appeals to most minimalists.

Buying smart office wear is far more practical than owning half a dozen shirts and trousers.

Leave the formal business attire aside and choose semi-formal blazers and chino pants instead. You can also nail the look by wearing short-sleeved shirts or polo-neck t-shirts with chinos.

Make sure the clothes are ironed and well-fitting. Loose or crumpled clothes will make you look unprofessional. Always wear a pair of formal shoes and a belt to nail the smart casual look.

Formal Wear

You must also have a formal suit for absolutely formal occasions like weddings or funerals.

A dark-colored suit is ideal, be it navy or black. You also need a couple of dress shirts to complete the formal look. 

Your formal attire should be high-quality and fit perfectly. Get the suit and shirt tailored to your size and body type.

Comfortable Footwear

No matter how frugal your lifestyle may be, you need three types of footwear in your wardrobe – sports shoes, formal shoes and flip flops.

A pair of simple running shoes or trainers are perfect for a moderately active lifestyle. From your morning jog to evening drinks and every occasion in between, running shoes can yield good support to your feet. 

For formal shoes, a pair of oxfords or derby shoes are perfect. You can choose tan or black color shoes depending on the shade of your suit. 

Finally, get a pair of orthotic flip flops with a good arch support, especially if you have foot or knee problems.

Active Wear

Get a pair of comfy breathable track pants or joggers that will serve the dual purpose of gym wear and loungewear. You already have the t-shirts and athletic shoes to complete your workout dressing. Dark-colored pants are the most versatile and also don’t get stained easily.

Minimalist-fashion influencers suggest getting tailored swim shorts instead of tight-fitting swimming trunks. Not only are they made from sustainable natural fabrics, but they also work well as casual shorts for easy-breezy days. 

A lightweight hoodie will get you by on cold mornings and evenings. Gray, Harvard red, or Oxford blue are the best color choices for the classic yet versatile style. 

Accessories

Your wardrobe typically needs only a few accessories – a leather belt, a wallet, a couple of ties, a watch, a cap and sunglasses.

As the minimalism mantra goes, choose practicality over trend. Subtle colors like black, tan, or gray are universal and eternal, so stick to those. 

The Crux

Before building your wardrobe, spend some time assessing your style, fashion philosophy and needs. Anything that doesn’t match your true style or doesn’t serve a purpose should be eliminated.

Remember, minimalism is not just a fashion statement but a way of life.