A capsule wardrobe for the minimal style personality

Do you love a minimalist style that is simple yet effortlessly chic? Then you will love this capsule wardrobe for the minimal style personality!!

Not sure what style personality you have? Find out in our style personality quiz!

Do you have a minimal style personality?

A minimal style wardrobe can be one of the chicest choices for women over 40. As the saying goes; “less is more”.

A minimal style wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring, on the contrary.

A minimalist style is classic and timeless and truly lets a woman’s own beauty shine through.

What is the meaning of minimal style?

In fashion terms, minimal style is all about clean lines, neutral shades, and paring your wardrobe down so you choose quality over quantity.

What is minimal styling?

Nicola @40notfrumpy above shows off a perfect example of minimal styling by pairing a silky shirt with her jeans. Note she keeps the rest of her accessories simple but adds a pop of red lipstick to give her look impact.

Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt, jeans, flats and handbag (another option here).

What is minimal in fashion?

Minimalist fashion emphasizes simplicity combined with effortless elegance. Below, you’ll find lots of inspiration on minimal styling, how to create your own minimal looks and which designers to look out for if you love a simple style.

How to tell if you have a minimal style personality

You gravitate towards simple style

If you naturally have a minimal style personality, the you will prefer outfits which are simple and uncomplicated.

You like a neutral palette

If I opened your closet right now, I would be unlikely to see lots of color and pattern. You prefer a palette of neutrals and, if you do go for patterns, they are likely to be simple stripes or smaller prints.

Nora @juststylela above (read her style interview here) creates a simple yet stylish look with her neutral sweater and bootcut pants.

Check out this similar sweater, pants, booties, bag, earrings and sunglasses.

You may find yourself drawn to other similar styles

If you have a minimal style personality, you may find that you also like elements of classic style, Eurochic style or architectural style.

You are a minimalist in your home too

If you like a minimal style wardrobe, you probably don’t like to much clutter in your home either. Marie Condo is a woman after your own heart.

Celebrities with a minimal style personality

Angelina Jolie, Annette Bening, and Charlize Theron are just a few of the many beautiful women who opt for a subtle and minimalist style.

I’m sure you would agree that, while their minimal style is pared back, it is far from dull.

Minimal style on the catwalks

Below are examples of minimal style on the runways.

Victoria Beckham – Helmut Lang – Jil Sander

Why a minimalist wardrobe could work for you

Plenty of the big-name designers opt for a minimalist style on the catwalks and in their own way of dressing.

However, you don’t have to be shaped like a model for a minimal wardrobe to work for you. A minimalist capsule works well with many body shapes and since this style doesn’t include lots of trendy details, this wardrobe style can look stylish and fresh longer than a trendier of-the-moment wardrobe can.

A minimal style can also refer not just to a pared back way of dressing but also having fewer items in your wardrobe and doing more with less.

‘Rules’ of minimal style

If you’d like to create your own minimalist capsule wardrobe, keep these “rules” in mind:

• Highlight one stand-out accessory or one unique detail.
• Choose understated, neutral colors like black, navy, white and gray to build a solid minimalist base.
• Select styles of clothing that showcase a clean, long line.
• Choose tops, pants and jackets that follow the lines of the body, but aren’t too clingy or too baggy.
• Steer clear of ruffles, embellishments, or overly trendy details.
• Wear columns of solid colors (or if you do include prints, choose monochrome or subtle tone on tone prints)

Sylvia @sylviacolella above (read her style interview here) adds elements of minimal and classic style for a chic look.

Steal her look with this similar jacket, jeans, pumps (another option here), bag and sunglasses.

Tops for the minimalist closet

Like the rest of your closet, your tops will be classic, timeless and are likely to be in neutral shades.

That’s not to say you can’t add a pop of color if you would like to. However, if you do, you are likely to prefer a block shade rather than, for example, a flamboyant pattern like florals.

Below, we’ve included four tops that you could wear for season upon season, year after year, and they will never date.

Options such as a neutral short-sleeved t-shirt, a classic button-down skirt, a turtleneck, camisoles, natural fabrics and a wrap top will give your closet the clean, classic look you love.

You can add interest with the textures that you choose. For instance, linen and silk will give your outfit extra oomph.

J.Crew Mariner Cloth Boatneck T-shirt – Eileen Fisher Silk Scoopneck Tank – Theory Cap-Sleeve Silk Button-Front Shirt – Eileen Fisher Band Collar Relaxed Shirt

Eileen Fisher Band Collar Relaxed Shirt – Reiss Odette Pinstriped Pants – Stuart Weitzman Aleena Block Slides – Madewell The Toggle Specchio Leather Crossbody Bag – Majorica Selene Pearl Pendant Necklace

Jackets for the minimalist fashion look

For the minimalist style, choose jackets and coats with a body skimming style.

Steer clear of anything too baggy or trendy.

Opt for clean lines and neutral colors. You can opt for black. But, you don’t have to. You can also choose gray, white, tan or navy. Blazers, a trench coat, moto jacket and cropped styles will go well with your aesthetic.

Anine Bing Quinn Blazer – J.Crew Collection Jodie Leather Lady Jacket – Anine Bing Anitta V-Neck Jacket – J.Crew New Icon Trench Coat

Karen @styledbykaren above chooses a neutral palette and classic shapes.

Steal her look with this similar top (another option here), blazer, pants, sandals and sunglasses.

Pants and jeans for your minimal fashion look

Choose pants that flatter your shape. Good choices are a slim cropped pants in black, gray, or navy.

Another flattering option is a full-legged trouser cut pant, or a boot cut trouser in a dark color which will lengthen your legs and create a long visual line.

You can also add a casual cropped pair of  pants for a more casual style. If you want to add a print, make it a simple one like stripes.

AG Jeans Stella Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans – Joe’s Jeans The Avery Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans – J.Crew Wide-Leg Essential Pants – Reiss Odette Pinstriped Pants

Anine Bing Anitta V-Neck Jacket – J.Crew Mariner Cloth Boatneck T-shirt – Joe’s Jeans The Avery Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans – Seychelles Brooklyn Pumps – Tory Burch Small Ella Bio Tote – Shashi Shashi Lynx Hoop Earrings

Dresses and skirts for your minimalist closet

One of the most important elements in a minimalist wardrobe is a simple, clean lined statement dress, a simple dress with one stand out detail that can be dressed up or down.

Select a fabric that works winter or summer like a lightweight, seasonless wool or silk.  Select a simple wrap, sheath or subtle A-line.

Below are a few dress options to build out your minimalist wardrobe. You could also think about a jumpsuit in a neutral shade.

LESET Margo Maxi T-Shirt Dress – Boden Carla Linen Midi Dress – Weekend Max Mara Yemen Denim Midi Dress – Line & Dot Poolside Cotton-Blend Midi-Skirt

Deborah @deborahgates_ above (read her style interview here) chooses an all-black look. You could always add a pop of color with your accessories.

Recreate her outfit with this similar dress, sandals and earrings.

Shoes to go with your minimalist outfits

Classic, flattering, and feminine shapes like pumps, boots with a pointed toe, ballet flats, mules and slingbacks complement a minimalist style.

Anine Bing Nina Metal Toe Cap Flats – Naturalizer Cody Ballet Flats – Stuart Weitzman Aleena Block Slides – Seychelles Brooklyn Pumps

LESET Margo Maxi T-Shirt Dress – Naturalizer Cody Ballet Flats – GiGi New York Reagan Leather Hobo Bag – Adriana Orsini Naomi Stud Earrings – Shashi Shashi Lynx Hoop Earrings – Majorica Selene Pearl Pendant Necklace – Marc Jacobs 53MM Square Logo Sunglasses

Accessories and Jewelry to go with your minimalist clothing

Less is more when it comes to jewelry for the minimalist style.

Choose one exceptionally stylish piece of jewelry rather than layer lots of pieces.  

If you want to add a statement piece, choose something oversized rather than delicate.

Silver, gold or other metallics are a great option. For bags, look at totes, bucket styles and clutch bags.

GiGi New York Reagan Leather Hobo Bag – Tory Burch Small Ella Bio Tote – Madewell The Toggle Specchio Leather Crossbody Bag – Shashi Lady Layered Necklace – Majorica Selene Pearl Pendant Necklace – Adriana Orsini Naomi Stud Earrings – Shashi Shashi Lynx Hoop Earrings – Marc Jacobs 53MM Square Logo Sunglasses

Adaline @sdmomstyles above creates a casual and chic outfit with her white t-shirt and gray pants. She keeps her style casual by adding sneakers.

Get her look with this similar sleeveless tee, pants, sneakers, handbag and necklace.

Minimalist clothing brands we love

• Massimo Dutti
• Eileen Fisher
• COS
• ANINE BING
• H&M
• BOSS
• AllSaints

A capsule wardrobe of 9 minimalist outfits using the pieces above

Below are 9 looks we created for the minimalist style capsule wardrobe. But there are lots more combinations you could create from these pieces.

For example, you could wear the black shirt with black trousers and then add the cream blazer over the top, or you could pair the moto jacket with the striped pants.

shop the best pieces for the minimal style personality below:

shop the items above here:

For more inspiration, you can take a look at an earlier capsule we created below (below). These items are no longer available in stores, but still give you lots of outfit ideas!

Remember, most of us don’t just have one style personality. We are a usually a mixture and can also like elements of other style personalities. However, usually one is dominant.

You may like to check out our capsules for the preppy style, classic style, Eurochic style, natural style or architectural style.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

Let me know what style personality you are! Does the minimal style personality speak to you?

Continue reading:

1. A Capsule Wardrobe For The Classic Style Personality
2. How To Do More With Less – Or Why It’s Ok To Wear The Same Outfit Multiple Times
3. How A Minimal Wardrobe Need Not Be Boring + Meet The Absolute Star Of The Capsule Wardrobe!

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Feature image by Deborah @deborahgates_

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