Extreme minimalism

[AnythingButMagnolia]

Since not working I have realised that I only need 4 items of clothing (coat / shoes/ underwear excepted).

1 pair mid wash jeans
1 pair black jeans
1 white v neck tee shirt
1 Black v neck tee shirt.

This has led me to ponder selling or donating the entire rest of wardrobe.

Even when working I just switched the jeans with navy / black trousers.

I think I could manage with concentrating more on accessories.

Is anyone else embracing extreme minimalism boredom ?

Possibly asking on the S&B boards, where most posters are really into their clothes, is going to get you simewhat different answers to asking about minimal wardrobes in Chat or AIBU.

I love the idea of these items as the core of a wardrobe, but i would crave other stuff personally. If it works for you, definitely embrace it.

Do you not go out to a party or for dinner to nice places ? Wouldn't you like to dress up ?
Your wardrobe s bit boring to me.
But mine is bursting at the seams.
I love clothes, shoes, bags, scarves etc.

Yes, I think you can happily get by with that combination but you can only do this long term if your passions don’t involve clothes shopping!

I embrace minimalism in my house, we have a minimal home but I cannot apply it to my wardrobe (no matter how hard I try) because I just love clothes shopping too much! Think of all the time you’ll save getting ready in the mornings!

I'm not sure others who are interested in extreme minimalism would be frequently on a Style forum. Maybe post in Chat or a Money thread?

Do you not go out to a party or for dinner to nice places ? Wouldn't you like to dress up ?

No.

Possibly I am asking in the wrong place, although I think extreme minimalism can be both stylish & beautiful.

Remus- I like your list but personally would take out anything grey, and the denim shorts.

Does anyone remember a lady called Jean Muir? I think she only ever wore navy blue.

I can see the logic in asking here

if I was about to trim the wardrobe down that much, I would ask here too I think.

I can't wait for the day that I don't have to go to "naice" places any more!!

It sounds a bit like you would need to do laundry almost every day- unless you hand wash the t-shirts? I like to put on a full load (more environmentally friendly I am told) - how about 5 of each tee so you can do the wash once a week or so?

What about washing? If you only own 2 tee shirts, they will be in the wash every second day. I think the idea is sound but you’d need say 3 black tees, 3 white etc so more items but still simple.

I do washing and drying every day?

I don't launder every day. I shower regularly and don't do heavy work or get sweaty. The white tee shirt gets washed every 2nd wear. The black ones every 3rd wear.

That works out about one load per week. Today I am not going out so am not wearing anything (except "loungewear").

Fascinated by this idea. Don't think there's anything wrong in posting in S&B, people often asking about capsule wardrobes. And OP mentions accessories for the fun bit.

I think the idea is sound but you’d need say 3 black tees, 3 white etc so more items but still simple.

I agree with this.

I'm planning to streamline my wardrobe into this eventually. White and black tops. Especially when I start working.

I didn't say the OP couldn't post here. I said she may have better luck in other sections of Mumsnet meeting other like-minded people.

I think this is a great idea! I spend so long trying to find clothes to wear in the morning! I'm not great at accessorising but I totally get how easily it can be to change an outfit with some cool accessories so kudos on you for being about to do that.

I couldn't live without a warm snuggly jumper long enough to be worn over leggings or tights or skinny jeans.

Not as extreme as you but I think minimalism is absolutely the way of the future.

I think it's doable! there are blogs on this. I did project 333 and it was very generous.
I bagged and stored my other clothes. I did go back for maybe 4 items out of 80. Then the rest ended up donated to charity.

what about shoes? trainers, flipflops, dressy shoes? what if you go hiking or its snowy or rainy?

I would say store your other clothes away unless you are desperate for space or cash...do it for a month and reevaluate..changes in season and weather may affect it too.

Well for me clothes are a form of self expression. They give me an outlet for creativity that I would otherwise lack as I have no artistic talent. So I do bristle slightly when I see them written off as unimportant possessions. But I think I know where you're coming from as I'm like that about food - cooking bores me senseless but I also like to eat well so I stick to a tiny repertoire of simple but reasonably nutritious recipes.

I also think we dressed better when we didn't have as many clothes as we do now, and I'm convinced we were more creative then too. So although I don't think this is your motivation, I think there's a style case to be made for extreme minimalism, even though it's not my thing.

So my main questions are about the practicalities - e.g. the amount of washing and drying involved plus how you accommodate dressing for work, extremes of weather, doing the decorating etc etc. But you know your own lifestyle better than I do. If you do it, I'd be interested in hearing how you get on.

I read somewhere that minimalism is a privilege because one can only afford to let go of most things if they know that they will have the money to buy them in case they need them.

I think extreme minimalism can be both stylish & beautiful.
Sorry, I missed this bit when I posted. Yes I agree with you. I remember Jean Muir too. It's not my thing because I enjoy changing my style too much and I also like colour and the feel of different textures and fabrics. But there's definitely a place for it on here.

Yes re textures.

I'd want at least one of my v few tops to be silk, and one of my pieces of knitwear to be cashmere. Would want some silk scarves too.

And now I want to know which meals you rotate, Flo!

I think texture variation would complicate things for me, Personally I'm not fussed about textures.

Maybe you have to be of a certain mindset for minimalism to work. I'm almost at the 'have given up stage' but not in the sense I've given up wanting to look good; more that I've given up trying to contend with too much choice and unnecessary detail.

I think there is a balance to be struck though and that yours is too mean for comfort.

Wearing a top for three days is something that would make me feel yucky. I think if I had a wardrobe that was pared down to this extent I would want a clean set everyday at the very least.

I understand that there is something cathartic about getting rid of extraneous stuff but as others have suggested -trial it by storing and see how you get on.

I love this in theory, but I like clothes too much! Also, I get very cold in winter, and often travel to hot places, so need clothes for both extremes. And I wash clothes that I wear next to my skin after every wear...

BUT I have noticed that, for example, there is no point in me buying brightly coloured t-shirts, because I tend to always go for black, grey or navy stripe....

Is boring.

Paul Hollywood, I get the yucky thing. In principle I would be ok with multiples of the same t shirt.

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