Thread for those who like classic, minimalist clothing.

[IwankaTramp]

Don’t know if there are others who like this sort of thing on here but thought I would start a thread for those who favour quality, pared down looks.

What are your best finds of late? What accessories are you looking at to update your basics?

I am currently loving stuff from The Row but it is beyond my budget.
I tend to shop at The White Company and Pure Collection and pick up shoes etc at Jigsaw.

And there is as I just thinking the same about your post Paul

AND....

In my head I think would Claire Underwood chose?

So it’s the cut, the palette, maybe a single detail like a zip or belt.

The Fold, Uniqlo, Massimo Dutti, Kin, Whistles, All Saints and some French Connection.

Gruach, making a sad face as I admit to being old enough to remember Jil Sander originals. I'm still regretting the skinny stretchy black trousers I didn't buy on the day I bought my wedding outfit 26 years ago the most flattering trousers a woman ever left in a shop. And the wedding outfit still fits (well, with the correct underwear it does, just not as smoothly as it did.) I also had some of the stuff from her single Uniqlo colab, which was wonderful.

Other German/Austrian labels: Ischiko was a favourite and I have several bits, but it's all mostly black, plus I think it's gone off the boil. Schneider for coats. Luisa Cerrano, despite the name, is German. Robell (mainly trousers). My posh frock shop had some really good German T-shirts this summer, but most of the stock and sizes were sold before I went bargain hunting. I didn't like the last ones they had left enough to buy.

That is why I didn’t claim to be either of those things fleuriepeninsula!

Babytalking the advice I like best for starting a completely new wardrobe (no idea if I could follow it) is to find one completely perfect accessory. (Maybe not a minimalist thing!) A piece of jewellery, an amazing pair of boots or whatever. Then choose some plain, simple pieces to complement it. And, each season (though there are none now) buy one extravagant, unnecessary thing that makes everything else look fresh and exciting.

So something that will look edgy in a classic context but traditional in a minimalistic context. Something which is a fusion of both, yet neither and which will interplay with personality and setting.

Issey Miyake ...

You could argue that the classic evolves to incorporate the modern as periods of modernity alter.

Surely the classic is parasitical on the modern? It doesn’t have any existence without it?

Whereas minimalism is always striving to divest itself of everything that has gone before.

(But I’ve completely forgotten what I was going to say ...)

The other German labels suggestions were for Clio. And Basler, but that's a bit more classic/older. (My mum used to like it, but she's now 80.) Sometimes spot odd bits in TKMaxx but it's another spendy name.

Denmark is having quite a moment right now. I recently came across a new brand, and the name completely escapes me, that I liked the look of but I had no time to try on, not dissimilar to older Masai stuff, although plainer.

Judging by PaulHollywoodsleftbollockhairs illustrations I’m definitely insufficiently minimalist in style. I’m sure all the pieces are perfectly nice separately - but worn all together I would feel ... glum.

Really can’t do black trousers - too much of a uniform, safe, visual cliché thing. Nor skinny jeans. And all the clothes look too comfortable! Some of us like an element of constraint or difficulty. (My new dress has boning along the sides. I am completely in love with it.)

I think Issey Miyake’s a bit Paco Rabanne now Gruach.

Yes. Denmark definitely. But the best stuff is absolutely unminimalist. Imvho. Think Cecile Bahnsen is Danish? That looks fun to wear!

Hmm ... I get what you’re saying Bert - but I invariably want to be the women I see wearing it.

I think you’re right when you say you’re not minimalist then. Structuralist perhaps.

I love everything on this thread! My friend (who is all about bright colours, bold prints and frills & tassels on everything) accuses me of "premature beige-ing". But I love plain, well-made, simple styles and neutral colours. It makes me feel calm.

Babytalking, like you I’ve lost a lot of weight after dc3 and am now a size 12. Start with basics - navy and black jeans or jeggings (Boden Trafalgar jeans are so flattering and £40 with a discount code), some new flat boots, long sleeved tops in plain colours (Far Face is excellent cotton, Boden and John Lewis are good for this too), I also find simple tops I like at Warehouse and Oasis... then add a simple coat like a trench coat and you’re done. Choose simple knitwear too in plain colours.. aim for natural fibres like wool or cotton

I bought this a while back, and wear with black crop flares. I love it. I know some don't rate Zara but occasionally you find some gems.

m.zara.com/uk/en/asymmetric-poplin-tunic-p02526872.html?v1=6451572&v2=1217&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_TbBRDsARIsAALJSOamMMgbrzsWJnalvQyrut43iNsQCMIZcMGmp6Y_q_fHuGUD6UQuZRAaAvUTEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIGN6bu2gN0CFU1xGwode34MXg

I never go in to Zara, but maybe it's worth a look. I bought a couple of plain cotton cardis from H&M which have been a pleasant surprise in terms of utility.

I’m intrigued by this thread as this is the way I dress in Winter. I used to dress in Maxmara, Marella and Jaeger and yes, some basler and Armani. But now I find myself often shopping in Tk maxx & H&M for cashmere/linen basics. I do still buy expensive coats and boots. I don’t think it’s necessary to buy solely upmarket expensive brands for this look. The most important thing is that the garments fit well and that they are made from natural fabrics.
But what I really wanted to know is how does a classic minimalist dress in summer? Because this is where my style differs markedly.

Cos
White Company
The Edit Carolyn Donnelly - Google it.

Sadly The White Company changed from cotton jersey a few years ago and I don't like their viscose stuff .

So happy to have found this thread, I definitely dress this way, most of the time anyway! I just bought a grey coatigan (not keen on that word tbh) from next and it’s very like coat on paulhollywoods third photo from this morning. Looking forward to wearing it!

Like oly5 and babytalking I’ve lost weight so have enjoyed buying new clothes.

Would love to see what others are looking at re autumn updates etc

I haven't bought anything from IDL for Uniqlo for a while - but when I did (probably 2 years ago) the quality was excellent, especially for the price. Has anyone bought recently? Is it still as good?

Also the sizes tended to be v small - is that the same? I like the look of the tweed/chequered jackets. Looking forward to Autumn.

Simple, elegant, classy minimalist court heels. With a little bit of 50's retro style - www.xylondon.com/ivory-satin-bridal-buckle-stiletto-heels - Good for work, casual or evenings.

Well ... I’m still hankering after this from last year. Would be gorgeous with some huge, battered, clunky boots and a mackintosh.

I'm not sure about the hair !

Great I have found my style people this is exactly how I want to look.
Anyone know any style blogs that give more examples of this type of dressing to give me more help?