Stop me if this sounds familiar: One of your favorite influencers posted a simple yet fiercely chic look on Instagram, featuring high-low outfits similar to what’s in your own closet (eg vintage-looking jeans, simple flats, and a t-shirt). But when you try to repeat the same combination? It comes out heavy at best, juvenile at worst. In fact, the minimalist fashion trend has a little Jackson Pollock influence – it feel like Easy to replicate, but getting the subtitles right requires a skillful level of finesse.
Still, the stunning minimalist style is not impossible to pull off with little or no experience. In general, it’s about “classics paired with less conservative pieces” and “contrasts in looks — a mix of feminine and masculine, tailored and loose, sporty and dressy,” says Fran Miller, founder of the F. Miller skincare brand. .
All the low-key designers, stylists, and social media deniers I spoke to for this piece come back to the same over-the-top advice: focus on quality and ultimately buy the right pieces that you’ll wear for multiple seasons. That said, finding beautifully crafted and timeless images – and putting them together in, you know, cool and fun ways – is an absolute skill. Here, I break down the experts’ best tried and true tips on how to fix it.
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Let it be right one Be a precious piece
You’ve probably heard a version of this idea before: it’s better to splurge on a bag, jewelry, or shoe—for example, you can mix and match with different types of looks. “It’s smart to invest in a piece like this,” says influencer and product manager Claire Most. clothes with expensive Nikes).
Shaina Mote, founder of the popular clothing brand, argues that a single pair of quality pants is worth it. “These pairs are perfect for all seasons with different looks and you’ll be surprised how the shape goes from cold to warm weather,” she says. “Also, I think nubby, textured knits give an outfit more interest and depth.”
It goes without saying, but collecting investment pieces takes money and time. To help speed up the process, many small professionals like to stock up on expensive basics (secondary = low cost) like worn-in jeans, tees, and shirts. However, Miller says, “You have to be committed to hunting.” The number one tip of the crowd? Don’t rush the process. “I know someone who got an Issey Miyake shirt 3 euros In a wine store,” she says. “So, honestly, take your time and be sure!”
But the big takeaway here is that a single outfit only needs one focal point. This means you can display your spy stuff and make everything simple and affordable. Plus, true minimalism often finds a uniform that works and keeps it in regular rotation—great for mornings when you can’t be bothered to bring something new. “I wear it on rotation for a few days, especially if I feel good in my outfit,” Miller says. So don’t worry that recreating the same basic look is bad—even influencers do it all the time.
Go to high-low in the right way
The devil is in the details when it comes to finding more affordable pieces to complement your focal point. According to fashion stylist Emily DeSimone, keep the colors neutral: white, black, gray, beige – or even olive. “A good neutral color can elevate any brand,” she insists.
“Keep the overlay pieces at the lower end of your budget and then go one or two better. [i.e., more expensive] Accessories,” she adds, like a bag, sunglasses or sneakers. “Also layer black pieces under your light layers: a black tank and bike shorts with a white button down.” In the look above, Desimone’s shoes are from Vagabond and her shorts are from Zara, while her top and sunglasses are from Frankie Shop.
Some great places to start your shopping: Aritzia, Rumours, Lion, The Line by K and Djerf Avenue offer good, less expensive neutrals, as most say. DeSimone added Amazon, Abercrombie and Girlfriend Collective to this list. “Don’t worry if your Lowe’s sunglasses are on a tank top from Amazon,” says Desimone.
Play with shape and texture
If you’re finding that your efforts are still more hectic than the effortless fun of Saturday-morning chores, it’s probably because you need a little more drama. Consider an item with an unusual, slightly contrasting shape instead of leaning towards colors and patterns that look to me. For Motte, that means reaching for the perfect sneaky pair of pants.
“For our best-selling trouser, The Boy Trouser, I hoped to capture the essence of Giorgio Armani’s ’90s ‘dad’ trouser in a fresh, simple and attractive form,” explains the designer. “My team and I did this by adding a new size and fit that’s more relaxed than your average pair of pants, and flatters the body as well as being a very casual get-up for casual and dating.”
According to Kasia Davis, founder of KADA, another important aspect of minimalist style is “non-basics,” which are staple pieces that feel elevated thanks to less-observed design details. In other words, don’t just fill your closet with the same plain tee in 10 different colors. Opt for well-fitting, stand-out essentials instead. “[Go for something] That’s enough to be unique enough to play the star role in your outfit and also be a supporting part in your look,” says Shilpa Shah, Kuyana, who has created her label with these simple and elevated, wear-forever fashions. An oversized denim jacket, black dress and mules are all silly choices here – and again, they don’t have to be classy, as long as the shape and fit is good.
Get a steamer and air dry your clothes
This may seem like a no-brainer, but Desimone explains that crisp clothes always look more expensive, even if they are worth it. In the larger sense, you want to take care of your clothes (including your less expensive staples) so that you can use your whole outfit for a long time.
She washes most of her (non-dry) clothes on delicates and lets them air dry. She also uses a steamer because it’s less likely to damage her clothes: “I burned myself once with an iron on top because I didn’t read the setting, so now I’m really hurt,” she tells TZR. And many other experts similarly recommend steamers for portability and convenience—it’s packable, and you can quickly plug it in if your clothes need a touch up.
If you’re headed somewhere and want to take pictures while there, especially if it’s hot, get the footage out of the way before you have coffee/wine/dinner, so the outfit looks just as clean and sweat-free. It is possible.
Don’t forget
Once you figure out what looks good and feels good, just repeat the lather as you complete your minimal uniform. She plans most of what she wears, and it takes all of two minutes to get dressed if she’s organized properly. But if she doesn’t like what she has in mind, it can take much longer (don’t worry if two minutes feels like an impossible window to get one dress on).
Miller prioritizes comfort above all else: “You won’t see me in super high heels or flashy accessories,” she explains, echoed by many experts in the room. In fact, most would agree that “being uncomfortable in my clothes affects my self-confidence.”
Mote added, “I need clothing that can be used in a very rugged rural setting (think horses, gardening, etc.) but still transitions into an urban environment. Because of this, I’m closer to working clothes. So if your outfit looks stylish but feels uncomfortable, chances are you need something functional and stylish.
Ultimately, the key is to create a closet that you love to look at every morning and to “shop” frequently — that is, go on the hunt to refresh your style without having to buy new combinations of your existing clothes. Tons of new items. Ideally, your basic basics won’t change much, but there will be a few pieces that go beyond your limits in creative ways. Minimalism can still be fun, Shah explains. You can still be small and celebrate color, fine details and fashion trends.
