Minimalist aesthetics: Fashion (and 10 minimalist style bloggers to follow)

While its mostly centered around simple and basic, there is nothing basic about minimalist fashion. The minimalist style explores the visual appeal of forms, lines, shapes, textures, and volumes. There is an underlying, subtle complexity to it, built on playing with different shades of the same color, different textures, contrasts of symmetry and asymmetry, soft and structural, the modern and the classic.

Minimalist fashion is not necessarily about playing it safe. Just the opposite. Sometimes, it’s much easier to make a statement with bold colors and prints. Going for the subtler changes, tweaking everything just enough, limiting some choices (colors), while fully utilizing others (lines, volumes, textures), transforming simple into unique is actually a creative challenge in itself.

Neutral color palette

Mostly black, white, gray, and nude with the occasional accent of navy, pink, burgundy, and camel. Easy to coordinate, contrast, mix and match – the color palette is one of the major secrets of a versatile, but practical, sleek style.

Back to basics

Minimalist style goes back to praising the often-underestimated simplicity of seemingly basic pieces. The simple white T-shirt, black cigarette pants, loafers, a loose shirt. But on second glance, there’s nothing basic about them. The fit, the quality, a subtle detail and the harmony of the individual pieces can be just as striking as a quirky, or colorful outfit.

The occasional statement piece

Not all minimal pieces must be basic; otherwise it would be just utterly boring. Besides adding twists to basic items, throw in the occasional statement pieces as well – let it be a statement bag, a floor-length coat, or sculpture-like high heels.

Architectural and structural silhouettes

Clean, sharper lines, and some stiffer detailing that bring the modern into the classical.

Good quality fabrics

Cashmere, wool, leather, silk are staples of minimalist style and provide a sense of effortless luxury to the outfits.

Minimal accessories

Minimalist style is not a big fan of over-accessorizing. Simple, delicate jewelry (or layers of them), a chunky knit scarf, a hat, a great belt, or a leather bag is all that’s necessary to add some spunk into a minimal outfit.

A complete harmony of masculine and feminine elements

One of the most inspiring tendencies in minimalist trends is the juxtaposition and mixing and matching of traditionally feminine and masculine (as well as sometimes unisex) elements, details, shapes and forms into a striking and strong, but at the same time harmonious whole.

Subtle texture contrasts

worry about it later

One of the many tricks of minimal style, adding contrast and depth by combining different fabrics and textures. Try silk and leather, knits and leather, chiffon and wool, sheer and matte, throw in some tweed, lace, or denim. Works especially well with monochrome pieces.

Play with proportions

One of the easiest ways to add structure and some extravaganza to your style is by playing with the proportions of the individual pieces. Skinny jeans with loose-fitting tops, a slip with an oversized coat, slim-fitting shoes with chunky knits, loose top with wide-leg trousers go for interesting contrasts and different layers.

Add some flair

This is what elevates minimalist fashion from boring to attention grabbing sleek. Think interesting cutouts, asymmetry, or layers.

For more stunning inspiration, follow my Minimalist Extravaganza Pinterest board.

For summer minimalist style inspiration, check out this post.

Who are your favorite minimalist fashion inspirations?

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