Minimalist fashion, sometimes referred to as classic fashion, was part of an artistic movement that began in the late 1950′s. Sleek, clean, unfussy and understated designs that were reflected in everything from fine art, furniture architecture and of course fashion.
Minimalist style is a very literal interpretation of shunning anything extravagant or frivolous. In the fashion world, this means, no busy prints, no flouncy ruffles, tassels, ribbons or bows… this goes for men too. Peaking in popularity in the 1950s and 1990s, minimalist clothing style is thankfully is here to stay. Although, it did take a very long holiday in the late ’60s through to the late ’80s.
Minimalism is also an attitude. The good men and women of Scandinavia are the most renowned culture in the world to embrace minimalism i.e, the concept of living simply. Their vocabulary includes words such as lagom (just the right amount), hygge (comfortable, cosy and content), and fika (the simple act of taking the time to have a cup of tea with a friend). This minimalist culture is expressed brilliantly in minimalist outfits thanks to designers such as Filippa K, Malene Birger and even fast fashion brand COS.
The Japanese are also prominent minimalists in many aspects of their lives. Brands like Muji thread the concept through basic stationery, homeware and fashion which has proven to be a huge international success.
Minimalist fashion designers concentrate on constructing clean silhouettes simple lines and shapes. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re not considered or easy to tailor. A fashion cop-out they are not. Pioneers of this movement such as Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein, set the tone that has been continued brilliantly by the likes of Issey Miyaki, Khaite, Camila and Marc, Dion Lee and Dom Bagnato for men.
So what is minimalist style today?
Chances are, when you hear the word minimalist fashion, the first colours that come to mind are black, white, navy and beige. While that’s a part of it, modern minimalists incorporate pops of colour that can be mixed and matched to great effect.
Which famous men and women are wearing it best?
For the leader of the pack in the women’s category, who can go past the girl of the moment, Meghan Markle. Along with her sister in law Kate, she is the consummate minimalist. The Duchess of Sussex was snapped on her 2018 Australian royal tour wearing a stunning navy dress by Sydney designer Dion Lee.
Lee created the gown especially for Meghan and the minute she stepped out of Government House wearing it his website crashed. In tribute, his website now looks like this…
A modern male stalwart of the classic minimalist fashion movement is none other than Benedict Cumberbatch. I suppose most men are minimalists to a certain degree. Whilst not known as a fashion plate, Benedict Cumberbatch is a classy dude who always pops up looking chic yet relaxed.
Now let’s take a look at the 10 best minimalist clothing styles sported by celebrities, bloggers, models, fashionistas and influencers.
14 Best Minimalist Styles
1. Black and White Combo
Black and white is simply a classic that will never go out of style. The high contrasting colours are very easy to wear and you never have to worry about what colour accessories to pair with it.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Victoria Beckham
Gwyneth Paltrow
2. Neutrals
Neutrals are far from boring. They are the whole foundation of your wardrobe. With these hues, you’ll find that everything always matches and you can wear them over and over again and people won’t even notice.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Kim Kardashian
3. All Black
You don’t have to be a Melbournian in winter to wear this look. Black is the most slimming colour you can ever wear. It will always be flattering on every body type and wearing black jeans or leggings with heels will always give you the illusion of longer and slimmer legs.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Kendall Jenner
Eva Longoria
4. All White
Not just the domain of the house painter, an all-white ensemble gives you an instant high impact look. While you wouldn’t wear all white to your best friend’s wedding, it’s perfect a for summer, whether it’s nipping down to the shops or partying aboard a yacht. No colour is more fresh and crisp than white. It’s an absolute head turner.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Olivia Palermo
Jennifer Lopez
Kanye West
5. Showing some skin
A very Victoria Beckham thing to do is to show some skin. Baring selected parts of your body is another striking way to rock minimalist dressing. Pushing the boundaries of fashion in a tasteful manner is knowing how to show the flirty feminine parts of your body like your shoulders, your back, your collar bone while keeping it classy.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Jennifer Lawrence
Zendaya
Bella Hadid
6. A pop of colour
If you love wearing monochromatic outfits but simply feel like there’s something missing in your life, why not try to add a pop of colour like red, green or even neon? Or just pair your clean looking basics with a piece worth talking about to get the look!
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Reese Witherspoon
Jessica Alba
7. Texture Contrasts
Mixing patterns and textures is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look more luxurious. While minimalist fashion is described to be extremely plain, structured, mono-tone, and lacking warmth, it has then evolved through the years as brands and designers gave their own take on it. Pairing something soft with a strict fabric immediately adds depth to your outfit and creates variety with your already existing wardrobe.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Kendall Jenner
Angelina Jolie
8. Dresses
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Miranda Kerr
Bella Hadid
9. Jumpsuits and Rompers
As children, we were no strangers to jumpsuits and rompers, and now, we can revisit this trend in the coolest of ways. We don’t just love the look of an all in one, we love the fact that It saves us so much time –just jump in and go. No need to worry about which tops and bottoms work well together. The decision is made for you! Simplicity at its best.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Rihanna
Beyonce
10. Minimalist accessories
The goal to a minimalist fashion style is to keep your look simple, clean, and classy. Keep it discrete and say no to bold necklaces, huge dangling earrings, and bulky rings. Stick with basic shapes, neutrals like black, white, and the classic silver, gold and copper pieces.
Celebrities who wore this trend:
Kim Kardashian
Kelly Rowland
