A minimalist wardrobe can save you money and time! Check out our tips for simplifying your life with a minimalist wardrobe.
A minimalist wardrobe is not as boring as you think. It is simply a way of making things easier and allowing yourself to be less consumer-driven and be not only OK with the basics but happy about them. Here are some ways a minimalist wardrobe can make your life easier.
How To Simplify Your Life With a Minimalist Wardrobe
First, let’s talk a little bit about what I mean when I say “Minimalist Wardrobe”. In this case, I am speaking of having less to choose from, but making sure the pieces you do have go well with each other and mix and match easily. It is getting rid of the idea that you need a pair of shoes for each outfit, a handbag for each shirt and 10 “little black dresses” for many different occasions.
This may be hard for you to do if you really enjoy shopping for clothes, but I promise you that you will find that getting ready for the day or a special event will almost be a no-brainer and no longer will you sit in front of your closet and wonder what you will wear.
Ways to Create A Minimalist Wardrobe
The first step is to look at what you already have. It may be as simple as removing the items you no longer wear. Or you may find the beginnings of a capsule wardrobe in your closet and then make a plan to build it out.
Go through your closet and take an honest look at it.
Do you have shirts, slacks or skirts that only go with one thing in there? Do you have clothing that doesn’t fit or is in need of repairs you can’t do? These are some of the things you can downsize in your closet. The idea is to have items in your wardrobe that can easily go with many other things. Think of your wardrobe the way you would if this was your toddler. You would buy many separates that were mix and match to simplify dressing them. This is how your own closet should look.
Base it on a few colors that you like to wear.
One friend has a wardrobe based on black, white, and grey. Every piece mixes and matches with each other. She adds a little bit of red to add a pop of color. Another friend looks good in blues, so her wardrobe is based on Navy blue, light blue, and teal. She adds some basic khaki pieces that mix and match well with all the blues.
Don’t think that a minimalist wardrobe can’t contain nice pieces.
In fact, it is better in line with the minimalist lifestyle to have a few great pieces that are of high quality rather than to have lots of lower priced and lower quality pieces. Think Quality over Quantity.
Keep some accessories that match many things you own.
These are a great way to make outfits that are somewhat plain have some fashionable flair. Keeping a couple of scarves around is great for this! Simple cardigans and blazers are also good.
Add some solid colors that will match everything.
For instance, you might get some solid and neutral colored camisoles to layer under other things. Cardigans in solid colors are also great. If you have to dress formally for work, you may want a few solid blazers.
Set a limit and stick to it.
Decide how much you need to keep in your closet and keep it at that level, only purchasing something new as things wear out. If you have enough pieces for a 2 week period of time and that is working for you, then it makes sense to keep your clothing at that level. If you have enough that you can mix it up all week long, and you are content with that, then maintain that level.
Keeping your wardrobe down to just a few basics can make it really easy to create an outfit. You also won’t be cluttering up space with items you will only wear a couple of times. Before you buy anything new, think of what you already have. Will it be versatile enough to go with at least 3 other things in your closet?
Not only is this way of minimalizing this area of your life convenient, it also saves you money because you won’t feel the need to keep up with the newest trends by purchasing entire new outfits. If you buy basics that are timeless, you can jazz them up with a few low-cost accessories to update.
Do you keep a minimalist wardrobe?
More Articles on Minimalist Living
How to Save Money with Minimalism
How to Ease Your Family into a Minimalist Lifestyle
Simple Tips for Minimalist Home Decorating
What is the Difference Between Minimalist Living and Frugal Living
Laurie Cosby says
This was a timely article for me because my closet is completely out of control. It is true that we typically have a handful of favorite things we wear frequently. During the school year I wear lots of black because I am a teaching and directing musician on a college campus. I have discovered inexpensive travel pants at Stein Mart that drape nicely, wash well, never wrinkle and go with lots of things. The set includes jackets. I need to capitalize on these more. During the summer I am engaged in shop projectss. Inbetween it is jeans and cute shoes. I am all over the place. I look forward to applying these things as I clean out this summer.
Mariam says
I have 4 colors in my out-of-the house clothes, black, navy, brown, and grey. As much as is possible, I hang, for example, the navy things on a wooden hanger with “pinchers”: the skirt or jeans/pants on the pincher, the matching shirt over that, and the sweater or jacket over that. I drape the scarves I would wear around the neck of the hanger, and if I usually wear the same jewelry (which I make) with the outfit, I hang that on the hanger neck as well. On top of everything, I have a little bag with stockings or socks in it that would go with the outfit.
This system makes mixing easier too. I know that brown and navy look good together, so I just pull out the brown and navy hangers and go for it. When I mix colors, I go to the jewelry box for jewelry and the drawer for scarves which complete the “mixed” outfit. Occasionally, I get ideas from Pinterest on outfits and will plan an outfit according to that. I don’t have disposable income, so this system works well for me. I just hate having nothing to wear, so this solves that problem. Thanks for listening!
Ryan says
Sound genius! How long did it take you to implement this system?
Anne says
I had my colours done a few years ago to learn what colours look best on me. I only buy things in colours that match the rest of my wardrobe. It’s easy to look into a store and see whether there’s anything that “goes” with my clothing.
Alea Milham says
That’s a good idea.
Ryan says
How do you “have your colors done”? Sound like something I need to do!
cherie says
When I retired I donated all my work suits, dresses,heels and bags I didn’t need anymore. That alone cut my wardrobe down by 3/4. Now I keep very little and dress comfortably. I don’t own a dress or a pair of heels anymore! I figured if I ever need those things again I’ll just sew up a dress and buy a cheap pair of pumps. I have about 3 feet of closet space that all my clothes fit into. It is so much nicer now and everything goes together so whatever I grab I can wear without thinking about it.
Laura @ Little Bits of Granola says
Great tips! I have been working on simplifying my wardrobe. I really like the suggestion to consider getting rid of clothing items that only go with one other thing. I have not heard that advice before and it makes perfect sense!
Karen says
Couldn’t agree more!!! People only wear a fraction of their wardrobe anyway. Being minimalist is simply being honest about that fact. My wardrobe is much smaller. With a toddler and one on the way I wear things till they break and buy new. Much cheaper! Ialsodo the same with makeup. I buy higher quality makeup but am still finding I’m saving money as I have less and am so much less wasteful with what I have.
sarah says
I’m a teacher in a relaxed building… most of the school year, I wear dark jeans with a slightly dressier than t-shirt top, tennis shoes, and rotate cover-ups (sweatshirt suit jackets or fleeces with my school’s symbol etc.). This outfit feels comfortable (while still accentuating the positives of my figure), the right amount of snazzy, and is functional for all of the moving I do in a day. I find that the dressier your outfits get, the more you have to have… the right camisole and bra for a special-strapped shirt… the right slip for that skirt… and hose … and shoes… and don’t get me started about dry clean only or even ironing. I just don’t have the patience to find, the money to buy, or the time to take care of and create perfect outfits. Having this “uniform” where everything coordinates has helped me quite a bit. I do get bored from time to time… but this uniform has allowed me to keep my wardrobe fairly minimal… and functional. 🙂