How a minimal wardrobe need not be boring + meet the absolute star of the capsule wardrobe!

Less can definitely be more! If you love the idea of a minimal wardrobe, but are worried you may get bored with your outfit choices, this article is especially for you. You may also like our latest capsule wardrobe for the minimal style personality.

I will show you how you can do more with less and how versatile a minimal wardrobe can be. There are tips on how to ensure your minimal outfits aren’t boring.

11 ways to make sure that your minimal wardrobe is anything but boring

First, let’s take a look at some of the general principles you should bear in mind to keep your minimal wardrobe interesting. After all, there’s a big difference between minimal and boring.

1. Choose a star of your minimal wardrobe

If you want to keep your outfit simple, but you still want to make sure it makes an impact, a good rule of thumb is to pick one item as the star of your outfit. Let it shine and keep the rest of your look relatively pared down.

For example, you could choose a pair of silver shoes or booties.

Paul Green leather peep toe sandal

2. Choose interesting quality fabrics

If you want, or already have, a minimal wardrobe, you will want to ensure that every item you have is high-quality, well-made and fits well. You can invest in each piece of clothing as you will want to wear it for many years to come.

Look out for fabrics such as silk, satin, cashmere, cotton and linen which will look classy and feel great against your skin.

Bev (above) keeps her look minimal in neutral shades but chooses quality fabrics and interesting shapes.

Recreate her outfit with this similar sweater, pants, booties and handbag.

Vince shirred silk satin blouse

Nordstrom Signture cashmere pullover

3. Choose interesting shapes for your minimal wardrobe

You’re likely to be a fan of neutrals if you are putting together a minimal closet. However, you can still make sure that your outfits all have a wow factor by looking for interesting shapes, such as asymmetry when choosing new clothing. You may also like to read our style guide for the architectural style personality.

Club Monaco drape front sleeveless blouse

4. Choose contemporary jewelry

I’m a huge fan of contemporary, geometric jewelry to add modernity to any outfit. You can take even the simplest of outfits to the next level with a statement necklace.

I love my asymmetrical necklace (above) and wear it with both plain and patterned tops and dresses. Below is a similar necklace.

Alexis Bittar link necklace

5. Take a look at how to do more with less

When creating a minimal wardrobe, it’s important to think about how you can wear a few items in many different ways. You’ll find plenty of inspiration and ideas on how to do this in my article on how to do more with less.

6. Add texture to your minimal wardrobe

You can still wear a very minimal style or shape, but add an extra element to your outfit by choosing clothes or shoes featuring texture. For footwear, reptile or crocodile textures are particularly on trend this season.

AGL ballet flat

You’ll find more inspiration in the shoe trends for winter and fall 2020.

7. Choose a favorite brand

Finding a brand you love has two big advantages. You’ll be sure that the items you order are likely to fit because you will get to know the size that fits you best.

Plus, if you love to put together a capsule wardrobe, you can add one or two pieces from your favorite brand each season and they are likely to go with everything else you have in your closet.

Some of my favorite brands for minimalist style are Eileen Fisher and Stella Carakasi. See below for an outfit put together mainly from Eileen Fisher.

Eileen Fisher jacket – Eileen Fisher funnel neck top – Eileen Fisher tapered pants – Eileen Fisher sandal – Kurt Geiger leather tote – Alexis Bittar link necklace

8. Play with proportions

Another good way to ensure your minimal looks are anything but dull is to play around with the proportions of your clothes. You could opt for an oversized top, for example, or leave a shirt untucked to create interest. You can layer one top over another – more on layering in the next tip.

Deborah (above) looks fabulous in her asymmetrical top, plaid pants and platform sneakers.

Get her look with this similar top, pants, sneakers and earrings.

Stella Carakasi cropped sweater

9. Layer, layer layer

Layering can be the key to a fantastic look for so many reasons. If you’re not confident about your tummy area, for example, layering can be the perfect way to hide a belly.

Adding lots of layers can also create new looks from existing items of clothing in your minimal closet.

Oxana (above) opts for a mix of classic and minimal clothing, shoes and accessories – and layers her shirt over her turtleneck

Check out this similar turtleneck top, printed shirt, coat, jeans, flats, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

Leith cozy long cardigan – Halogen scoop neck woven shell – AG cigarette jeans – Linea Paolo skimmer flat – Nordstrom leather wallet on a chain – EF Collection ruby stud earrings

10. Don’t be afraid of prints

While you wouldn’t necessarily think that patterns would be part of a minimalist’s wardrobe, by choosing subtle, or bold graphical prints, you can incorporate these into your outfits.

Elke (above) combines elements of glamour and minimalism and chooses a soft print to go with her leather pants.

Get her look with this similar shirt, pants, sandals, crossbody bag, necklace and sunglasses.

Lafayette 148 New York silk blouse

Equipment slim silk shirt

11. Be inspired by the other style personalities

Most of you won’t just have one style personality. So, while you may be a fan of minimal styling, you’re also likely to be drawn to the classic, architectural and urban style personalities. Combining elements of other style personalities can be key to creating an individual look.

Your minimal capsule wardrobe

An older, but totally timeless minimal capsule wardrobe for winter

The capsule (below) can form the basis of a minimal wardrobe, which now getting more and more popular.

I hope you can see that a minimal wardrobe need not be boring or monochromatic. If you are smart with your choices you can still wear lots of color and wear a variety of different silhouettes.

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

And here is how I wore these outfits with the coat!

I was very sparse with the use of additional accessories here (only one pair of shoes!), but I’m sure you have a variety of accessories already in your wardrobe that you could easily mix and match with the outfits of your capsule.

Also note the absence of blue jeans. Although I gravitate more towards lighter colored jeans, these outfits would all look great with blue jeans too.

You can shop for similar items below:

Did you notice that I wear the same shoes with all these outfits?

It’s fair to say that my silver booties with brownish undertone have been the absolute star of this capsule! I loved wearing them with every outfit and they were also super comfortable. Some of you have asked where to buy them, but unfortunately I cannot find them online.

I do offer a list of other great booties here.

Hopefully this also illustrates to you that flat shoes can be worn with a variety of outfits and you can still look chic and modern with flat shoes.

Of course, I’m not saying that you would need to wear the same shoes with every outfit!

On the contrary. It’s fun to vary your shoes and you can often transform an outfit with a special pair. The skirt and dress outfits for example would probably look even nicer with heels.

What this exercize did illustrate though is that you do not necessarily NEED a lot of shoes. Again, choose wisely so your shoes can last the distance.

For a list of comfortable shoes, be sure to check out my recommendations for the best arch support shoes.

Want to see more capsule wardrobes?

Want to see a more recent capsule wardrobe, check out all capsule wardrobes in this section or check out my capsule wardrobe for the minimal style personality.

In the comments, please let me know which outfit is your absolute favorite from all the above outfits that I put together?

P.S. Did you know? We also created capsule wardrobes for 12 different style personalities! To access the capsule that is right for you, take the style personality quiz here! 

Continue reading:

1. How To Do More With Less – Or Why It’s Ok To Wear The Same Outfit Multiple Times
2. A Capsule Wardrobe For The Minimal Style Personality
3. The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Capsule Wardrobe That Works For You

Feature image by Bev

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