How To Master the Art of Minimalist Fashion

It’s often said that minimalist fashion was born in the 1920’s, when Coco Chanel first introduced the world to the little black dress. “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance,” the designer reportedly said. Over a century later, the less-is-more approach is still considered one of the chicest ways to dress. Just consider the enduring covetability of understated labels like The Row, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Phoebe Philo’s Celine. Or, our collective obsession with finding the perfect white T-shirt, crisp blazer, and well-fitting pair of jeans.

For all its visual brevity, minimalist fashion isn’t always totally effortless to pull off. In certain hands, a turtleneck and a pair of pants can be the ultimate in sophistication—or a total snooze. To that end, minimalist fashion requires a certain appreciation for nuance. An understanding of silhouette, texture, and proportion helps, but it’s mostly about having the confidence to let your discernment speak for itself. As famed minimalist artist Donald Judd was known to say, minimalism is the “simple expression of a complex thought” and about “the whole” being more interesting than its individual parts.

In other words, minimalist fashion is as much a philosophy and a practice as it is an aesthetic. “It’s about an ease that you can feel and see,” explains creative director and stylist Ali Pew, whose Substack Uniform explores that point of view. “It’s intentional.” Below, a few tips on how to embrace minimalist fashion and make it your own.

Invest in essentials

When it comes to choosing items for a minimalist capsule wardrobe, fashion designer Jenni Kayne says it’s all about curating “timeless” pieces that will evolve with you. “Lean into pieces that work with anything and everything and will be with you for years to come,” she advises, adding that “you truly can’t go wrong with a crisp white button-down, a simple navy cashmere sweater, classic black trousers, and a vintage pair of jeans.”

Pew says it’s helpful to define your “wardrobe foundations” and to be disciplined when shopping. “Stick to a uniform of the pieces that make you feel the best and invest in what you truly love,” she says. “My personal wardrobe foundations are thin knits, button downs, wide-leg trousers, blazers, tote bags, and strappy sandals—but minimalism really is about leaning into what is essential to you.”

Choose neutrals

“Neutrals are often identified as minimal because they are usually more timeless and classic,” explains Pew, who prefers a palette of black, navy, grey, browns, French blue, and—every once in a while—red. Plus, sticking to a well-defined palette ensures that everything is easy to match. “Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals,” Kayne agrees, noting that her go-to hues are “a lot of ivory, oatmeal, navy, and some stripes.”

This doesn’t mean your entire wardrobe has to be filled with a tonal range of beige and cream, however. “Your version of a neutral can be a totally different color palette than what’s expected,” emphasizes Kayne. “That’s the beauty of minimalism. It’s all about what feels true to you.”

Embrace accessories

It can be tempting to think that accessories must be plain to be minimalist, but Kayne says that “accessorizing is where minimalism really finds its strength.” Think of your wardrobe essentials as the canvas that grounds the look, then “add interest with pieces like a vintage ring or a staple bag,” she recommends.

Accessories can also be a great way to add texture to more streamlined looks. “Jewelry, even when small, can make a large impact on an outfit,” Pew says, noting that you shouldn’t, however, feel pressure to amp up a look with a ton of extras—if any at all. “No jewelry can make a big impact, too,” she says. “I think it’s about putting on what you feel great in and constantly reinventing that wheel with styling and accessories.”

Mix it up

With that in mind, the beauty of a minimalist wardrobe is that it can constantly be re-mixed. “Play with the pieces that are your go-tos,” advises Pew. “Re-style and reinvent them in fresh ways. It’s about finding what works for you, what you feel confident in and good wearing.”

Kayne agrees: “Your take on minimalism can be something more in-trend. The most important part of minimalism is making sure it feels like you.”