July 11, 2023

5 Reasons to Switch to Minimalist Aesthetic Outfits

Fashion

It may sound counterintuitive, but the fastest way to level up your style is by paring down your wardrobe. This is the philosophy behind minimalist aesthetic outfits.

Minimalist fashion follows the same rules as minimalist home decor — every piece of clothing in your closet, just like every piece of furniture in a minimalist home, is chosen for its simplicity, utility, and versatility.

Picture a Scandinavian dining chair. It features clean lines like a square back and hairpin legs, it sports neutral colors like light wood and a beige linen seat cushion, and it looks just as good around the dining table as it does in an office, conference room, or living area.

Minimalist clothing follows the same principles. Picture a black button-down shirt. It never goes out of style, it matches everything, and it can be dressed up under a jacket or dressed down when worn open over a tank top.

Here are five reasons you should make minimalist aesthetic outfits the foundation of your fashion choices, plus five tips to help you do just that.

5 Reasons to Wear Minimalist Aesthetic Outfits
Minimalist style simplifies your life. Here are five ways this aesthetic can save time, money, and effort. Minimalist style clothing can help you:
1. Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Stylists have touted the benefits of building a capsule wardrobe for decades. And like a capsule wardrobe, a minimalist aesthetic wardrobe is built around staples that never go out of style.

When you focus on building a collection of wardrobe essentials, your closet is more optimized for efficiency. This is both because the pieces are more timeliness and can work for multiple outfits and occasions.

A minimalist capsule wardrobe can include as few as a couple dozen pieces — mainly classics like T-shirts, a hoodie, a turtleneck, button-downs, a blazer, and loafers.

2. Mix and Match Everything in Your Closet
By building your wardrobe around classic pieces with clean lines and simple colors, you create a closet where everything goes together, streamlining your clothing choices so you can practically get dressed with your eyes closed. Grab a top, pair it with a bottom, layer it with a jacket if the weather calls for it, and head out the door.
3. Reduce Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue is brought on by making too many choices. Every decision takes a toll on our mental performance, from what to eat for breakfast to what to wear. 

By simplifying your wardrobe, you reduce the burden of selecting your clothing, which leaves you with more mental capacity to take on the rest of the day. So, you can use your brain power to power your career, not to pick your clothing.

4. Buy Less

When you wear minimalist aesthetic outfits, you can buy fewer pieces and wear them more often. And because the pieces you buy will be versatile, they’ll easily transition between occasions, so you won’t have to purchase different clothes for work and weekends.

Since you'll buy fewer clothes overall, you can also invest in higher-quality pieces. So while the initial cost might be higher, items from better clothing brands will last longer, saving you money over time.

5. Look Sophisticated Everywhere You Go
The wardrobe essentials that make up minimalist aesthetic outfits are designed around clean lines and timeless silhouettes. They create a look that’s understated and always chic, and they look flattering no matter where you go. These pieces easily transition from business casual or comfy workleisure into a sophisticated street style.
5 Tips to Help You Master the Minimalist Aesthetic
Now that you’re ready to embrace a minimalist aesthetic, it’s time to start building your wardrobe. Here are essential tips and minimalist outfit ideas to use as you pair down your current wardrobe and shop for any essential pieces you’re missing.
1. Establish Color Palette

To ensure that all your minimalist essentials match, you should establish a base color palette built around neutrals. This can include white, black, gray, navy, olive green, beige, or brown.

It doesn’t have to include every neutral color, though. Lean into the ones that make you feel comfortable and confident. Invest in a classic white shirt and pair of khaki shorts if you prefer breezy summer outfits, or stick to black and gray if you like a darker palette.

Once you have your base of neutral staples, add a few pops of color. Solid colors never go out of style, so choose whichever shades appeal to you the most.

2. Stock Up on Wardrobe Staples

To create your minimalist wardrobe, look for always-in-style essentials. If you find a piece you love, like a favorite T-shirt or a perfectly tailored pair of pants, buy it in multiple colors.

Here are the pieces that will make up the foundation of your minimalist aesthetic outfits:

3. Invest in Quality
It doesn’t matter that a style can last forever if the article of clothing you buy falls apart on its first wash. Minimalist aesthetic pieces are an investment. If you spend a little more on a better quality item, you won’t have to replace it as often, so your investment will pay off over time. Choose higher quality clothing by avoiding thin, gauzy materials and picking natural or performance fabrics.
4. Streamline Your Accessories
Yes, even minimalists accessorize. A suede tote or a leather belt can elevate any outfit, but stick to the same minimalist standards when you shop. Look for neutral colors that will match the other items you own. Avoid prints, choose items with clean lines, and don’t be afraid to invest in quality.