Minimalism: the Fastest Growing Fashion Trend of 2017

At o+m we embrace the Minimalist culture. It factors into all of our business decisions from the fabrics we choose to the products we design. Every decision is considered for its usefulness, necessity, and functionality, and, of course, its impact on the environment.

Whether you consider yourself a Minimalist or are looking into simplifying your life, focusing on function over fashion can help you edit more than just your wardrobe.

Better for the Environment: The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year and guess where it goes? It either gets buried in a landfill which takes up space and contaminates the soil, or it gets incinerated which releases toxic greenhouse gases. Neither is a great option.

Buy the Best, Buy Less: Some believe that they cannot afford high-quality items, so they spend the same amount on multiple, cheap substitutes that get quickly replaced.  If you are intentional about the pieces you buy, more is not better, better is better.

Follow your favorite fashion creatives: Have you ever noticed how the biggest fashion luminaries have a signature, consistent style?  Designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Thom Browne, Alexander Wang, and Carolina Herrera stick to a basic uniform that suites them.  When making significant creative decisions all day long, a signature ‘go-to’ look saves bandwidth and is one less thing to think about.

Declutter and Destress: We love the concept of not just decluttering, but de-owning. Owning less stuff means having more time for the most important aspects of our lives, and even feeling more comfortable in our own home. This freedom also allows you to really think about what you’re purchasing and why you’re purchasing it. 

Save Time for More Meaningful Pursuits:  Do your mornings entail frantically pulling clothes out of the closet and trying on numerous outfits before settling on the right one?  Is packing for a weekend trip a week long ordeal? Minimalism will save you significant time and energy.  Need an extra push? We love Project333, the minimalist fashion challenge that inspires you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months. Check them out here. 

Create a Signature Style A signature style is a way of creating a powerful statement of who you are and what matters to you. This signature style will make you memorable and firmly establishes you as someone who is confident in who they are. Remember to dress for the life you want, not the one you have. 

So how exactly do you create this Minimalist wardrobe?  

1. Find a Style Icon: Get on Pinterest and Instagram and start searching for the look and vibe that speaks to you. Is it ethereal with a hint of hippy? Conservative and preppy? Grunge rocker with mad sex appeal? Try this Instyle Quiz to find your street style icon, or this Who What Wear’s quiz as a starter.
2. Purge: When viewing your closet ask yourself the following. Is it in good condition? Have I worn it in the last year? Does it fit well? Last, (and probably most important) do I love it?  Any no’s get donated.   Continue to do this until you have a manageable wardrobe that you feel comfortable with. This could mean 20 pieces or 60, the goal is to simplify wherever possible.
3. Invest: Once you’ve gone through a few cycles of purging, think twice about expanding your wardrobe.  Invest in quality pieces that will last. Choose items that are versatile so that they will work with a few different pieces you already have in your wardrobe.