HOW TO BE A MINIMALIST

I’ve never been one to own many clothes. Since shopping has always stressed me out, I’ve ended up with a pretty limited closet. I’ve had countless struggles trying to find the perfect fit for a night out when seemingly every good piece of clothing I have rots in my dirty laundry bin.

But that all changed around two years ago when I decided to take a gap year and immediately had tons of time on my hands. I discovered The Minimalists: Less is Now, a Netflix documentary by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. I flicked it on, as I already related to the title, being an unwilling minimalist myself. After watching the 53-minute-long film, my dreary perspective on my closet took a 180 turn. I saw my once dull and sparse closet through a new lens. I realized that the clothes I did own, I had for a reason. I loved them! It inspired me to not only maintain this habit, but become more aware of my clothing consumption overall. Despite the total drama I used to make out of my thin wardrobe, I have since gained a newfound appreciation for creating fun outfits out of what I already own. All of this to say: Here is my quick guide to successfully crafting a minimalist closet you’ll actually love.

Albeit simple, this tip has been a gamechanger for my wardrobe. If you have the basics, I promise they will go a long way. You can rewear the same pieces by rotating different tops with various bottoms to create a new look each time. I promise nobody will notice! And so what if they do? Some of my favorite basics are vintage Levi 501s, neutrally toned tank tops, and– although maybe not a basic– fun sunglasses that add a little something to every look.

I understand the lingering temptation of wanting to buy every piece of clothing you try on. I really do! But I try to stick to a good rule of thumb: put the clothes that you’re unsure of back on the rack. If it fits a little too snug or is a bit out of my style range, I’ve practiced self-control by not bringing it to the checkout counter. “Ehh maybe I’ll wear it” is no longer a good enough reason to swipe my card!

Now, once you have a closet you’re content with, it is important to steer clear of the stockpile. One rule I’ve followed is to donate one piece of clothing for every new item I introduce into my closet. This simple practice not only grants you the opportunity to be mindful of your purchasing patterns, but also passes clothes along to those who may actually wear them! If you’re looking for a local spot to donate your clothes to, I highly recommend checking out our free and affordable clothes guide.

Let’s be honest, when your closet is a mess it can be a challenge to find any outfit–let alone one that you’re proud to wear out! When you keep your closet nice and tidy, however, you can actually see all your lovely clothes! Crazy concept, I know. Taking the time to peruse all of your options allows you to envision each and every fashionable combination. When it’s hidden under a pile or tucked away in a corner, I promise that you’ll forget you even own it. I incorporated this tip into my own life by rolling my clothes instead of folding them on top of each other in my drawers. This way, I can see all of my items at once and maybe even bring out a piece I’ve been neglecting.

One of my favorite things to do with my closet is play around with different colors and patterns. It can be fun to form outfits you haven’t previously worn, or even find new ways to wear old clothes. I’m on a mission to start using this technique more by layering my outfits to elevate them.

Although the thought of embarking on a journey to pare down your wardrobe may seem daunting, it will create a new sense of connection to the clothes that you choose to keep. Minimalist closets offer a new way to get creative with our fashion, and encourage us to be mindful of our clothing consumption.