Can I get by on hardly any clothes?

[Toastedtoacrisp]

For years now I don't like what's on the market, not even much vintage or used. Most styles don't appeal to me and I don't even have a fixed view of what my 'style' even is.

During the pandemic I wore just a few things, shorts and a tee when hot, jeans or cords with a jumper when cold. I don't care for trends but my wardrobe is relatively current. I am slim, average height, so ought to be able to find stuff, but as much as I love clothes, I am also somewhat tired of them.

Is it possible, do you believe, to only own a small scattering of clothes and remain appropriate? I wfh, like to walk outdoors, and do creative stuff, so don't need to dress up much, or only on rare occasions. I am not trying to get minimal, this is just who I am, and would love to go forward not buying much apart from, say, circling 4 outfits through a year.
Anyone else like this?

I love accessories and that's fine, I am passionate about them and try to buy quality over quantity (not hard really, for me, lol) but it seems most people have a good amount of stuff, and I would love to just rely on a few trusted things and get by. Right now, for the coming summer, I have two pairs of shorts, one pair of jeans and one dress. I have a few tees and vests and that's it. I could afford to buy more but nothing interests me. Maybe I just don't like contemporary styles? I am neither in the skinny nor baggy jeans camp, but do prefer pared down outfits. I don't much like skirts or dresses either (too many flounces and tiers).

Does anyone else have a really small bunch of clothes, decent quality, but stupidly minimal? Or does anyone else dislike current styles so feels out of place?

I completely get this
but I remember seeing a similar post and having the same thought - laundry. i'd want a lot more just to make sure I wasn't constantly doing laundry.

in terms of not liking anything, I nearly went down a sort of "uniform" route. I don't go anywhere I need to be glam or smart anymore.

I did need new clothes but ended up going for a range of colours in basic tops and getting 4 pairs of jeans.

Ah, strangely enough I haven't noticed any excess laundry, most go in with regular washes such as towels, bedding etc. It just feels like the typical weekly wash. A few things I wash in a tub in the bath by hand, it's quick as most are not thick or heavy fabrics.

I don't think I want a uniform exactly, just a few things appropriate for any occasion. Most days I am in pyjamas due to work, and don't have to do video calls. If I go out, it is either walking or shopping. I probably need a life, haha!

What kind of work do you do? Just curious.

Do you feel an urge to minimise your life in other ways?

It sounds quite freeing.

Ah, I live alone, so I'd feel like I was having to launder more often.

if you're in PJs most of the day, it's different again, I'm at home a lot for work but always ready in case of zoom calls etc. I'd add another pair of jeans though - not sure how many days there'll be for wearing shorts!

4 outfits is not a lot. The only time I wear a lot less is when I wear gym clothes more! Having said that....it is possible to reduce.

I had my colours done and to be honest there about 8 colours that look best on me...so thought why don't I just buy those colours They are in the same season (bright, warm) so they can be combined, plus I can add one of the neutrals with them.

For example I bought a simple dress in my best shade of green. Sooo many compliments , can be worn with heeled sandals or trainers, and I agree it is ALL about finishing an outfit with different accessories, hair style, even nails and lipstick. I'm going to wear it for sunday lunches, summer parties, it has already done a posh do, etc. and the best bit is that it was only £40.

I also bought a new good quality handbag in the same colour (not intentional) and the style is quite modern, it brings other outfits up to date. I guess what I am saying is I don't think you need to buy a lot to refresh a wardrobe.

I have also gravitated a lot back to tshirts. I kind of hate myself for it, as I wanted to reinvent my style, but the tshirts are now in my colours and a better cut to suit my body shape.

Also started to buy 2 of the same thing. I found the perfect skinny jeans so I bought 2 pairs. Thinking of buying a second of same tshirt I love. For inexpensive basics, why not?

I spend more time on what goes inside the clothes e.g. exercise and healthy eating.

Trying googling Project 333

I don't aspire to this but i do admire it. It's a great, respectable way to live.

You sound a bit like my OH. He gets by fine with sports wear plus a very small number of jeans, t-shirts, jumpers. One or 2 smart shirts. He doesn't work though.
My only concern is putting clothes in with towels and bedding - I wash clothes at 30 and the others at much higher temps.

I hate fashion...yet used to be a retail manager for shops in the 80s and 90s.
I am semi retired so need some smart/ casual outfits, but otherwise live in gym wear, yoga pants, walking trousers or jeans.
I don't possess a dress or skirt, heels and avoid " occasions" which require dressing up.
Conversely, I am fit and healthy...6 feet tall and size 14...get my hair cut and coloured regularly and wear light makeup. I just hate buying clothes!!
Good for you.

Do you wfh?
I think it's great to have a minimal wardrobe, but more tricky if you're in the workplace with a dress code.
There was a woman on here a little while back who went ultra minimal with just a couple of pairs of leggings and jeans and a few tops. Certainly makes dressing easier.

I was somewhat forced into ultra-minimalism at one point as an undergraduate - I was very well dressed from a couple of vintage shops! And really never had to think what to wear as there was almost no choice. But it was a relief when I could return to the fun of choosing new things.

I’m curious to know exactly where you shop for your streamlined wardrobe …

I lived out of a 45-litre backpack for years, with just a few outfits that I could mix and match, and I had a fairly firm 'one in, one out' policy when I found something new I really liked. To be fair, I was also working online and living mostly in hot countries, so I didn't need the variety that most people do to manage changes in weather, but I really loved the few clothes I had.

Accessories helped a lot. If you've got a few basic outfits that combine in different ways, you can make them look very different with different shoes, jewellery, scarves, hats etc.

And if your focus is on versatility, that means when you go shopping you can look for really nice basics (no frills or tiers, as you've said) that will last, and ignore all the rest. Almost like you're shopping for the blank canvas, not the finished picture. I found it really freeing.

The clothes you have for this summer, is that stuff you had already? From last summer? If not, what happened to your existing clothes? Have you got rid of all your previous clothes? My wardrobe includes clothes of various ages. Or do people buy completely new stuff each summer?

I wear leggings/trackies, t-shirts and sweatshirts/fleeces/hoodies, and jeans for going out. I have one pair of smart trousers and a couple of tops for work.
Thinking about it, I wear clothes for my own comfort, rather than to signal anything about ‘style’. Maybe it’s an age thing? I am past caring about other people’s opinions. Or, I am just not interested in fashion in the same way I am not interested in football, or pop music or reality tv shows.

I am rather intrigued. I wish could do this! I am a pack rat! I guess if you are not going anywhere in particular then it is fine. You can always add another pair of trousers/t shirt if the rest are looking tired.

Decades ago our Nans had clothes for best and I am guessing not a huge amount of clothing either.

It wouldn’t suit me personally but of course you ‘can’ do it. If you feel a lot of stress/realise you have no suitable clothes for x activity that you do regularly/decide you want more options then you can buy more things.

But then I will say I probably wouldn’t wear pyjamas while working all day. Just a personal thing but I think it can make you feel a bit depressed to be in nightclothes all the time. Although that might be because when I am depressed I want to stay in pyjamas. Plus for me getting up, washed, and in proper clothes signals that now it’s time to be working and living my daily life. At night, a hot shower or bath and pjs makes me feel it’s time to relax and get ready to sleep.

It also kind of seems like you’re making a lot of generalisations. You don’t like skirts and dresses because there’s ‘too many flounces and tiers’ but there are plenty without flounces or tiers. I would just think it over and ensure that you’re not feeling a bit worn out or can’t be bothered rather than truly wanting to be minimalist.

I’m less ‘intrigued’ and more challenged by the OP not feeling in sync with what’s in the shops right now.

If I were anticipating going back to an even more slimmed down wardrobe than I already have, and if it took the same form as the OP’s - shorts, t shirts, cords, jumpers - I’d probably pick

Good Plain Things from:

Old Town

Margaret Howell

Community Clothing

And then throw in the odd Colourful Luxury Item from

Massimo Alba

La Fetiche

I’d feel confident that everything I had would last for aaaaaaaages. (And, given how much time I’ve spent on clothing websites and MN this weekend, I’m already envying that other self all the un-wasted time spent on more profitable things.)

I think you have good points there, @Kanaloa . I think putting on structured clothes does have a psychological impact. I don't wear anything frilly or flouncy either. Smart trousers or skirt and jacket for work, formal shoes. I change when I get home, but only wear nightwear in bed!

I would just think it over and ensure that you’re not feeling a bit worn out or can’t be bothered rather than truly wanting to be minimalist.

Absolutely. (Was hesitating to say the same.)

I have 3 pairs of black trousers. That's it for bottoms apart from stuff like exercise leggings/shorts. Wash and tumble well. I have more tops, but not many

Are they clean, not worn out? No see through? Look good or even OK on you? If so, in a way you are to be commended for not wasting money on being a fashion victim and never having single use clothes.

You must have a limited experience of life, @LlynTegid, if you truly believe there’s no middle ground between owning only 4 or five garments and wasting money on being a fashion victim [in] single use clothes?

As already said, this is the Style & Beauty board - a venue for people who take an interest in clothes and enjoy talking about them; just as other people enjoy cookery, or tennis, or travel or building a library. Are we all stupid wastrels??

Yes, me!

After having children I realised I was only using 10% of my wardrobe so I donated everything to charity, keeping only a few pairs of jeans, trousers, t shirts, vests, shirts and jumpers. All the dresses and skirts went as they were underused.

10 years on and I still only wear jeans/trousers, t shirts, shirts and jumpers. They can all be dressed up or down as they are all simple cuts and very plain but coordinate well (shirts are silk or cotton, trousers include leather, jeans in different cuts and colours S well as formal trousers and jumpers are cashmere and wool. All my clothing work well with trainers, sandals, boots or smart shoes, heels.

As a back up, I have 4 classic cut blazers, 4 smartish skirts and 5 dresses should the need arise. Also a small selection of coats to cover every eventuality. I can honestly say that in the last 10 years I have looked more 'put together' than I've ever looked before and it feels effortless. I tend to buy Joseph as I find the styles are easy to coordinate. The look isn't everyone's cup of tea but I like the simplicity and it stays 'current' for longer. I'm in my 40s and love fashion but now have a better idea of what I wear and what will sit in the wardrobe unworn. I rarely shop for clothes now because I can put together an outfit to suit any occasion from what I already have.

For holidays I also have a set number of linen dresses, shorts, vests and t shirts. Again, in a limited colour palette which is easy to coordinate.

You mention your summer wardrobe consists of two pairs of shorts, a dress, a pair of jeans and a few T-shirts. That is a very small amount of clothes, given that there are relatively few days when it’s warm enough to wear shorts and actually sounds joyless knowing that your choice every morning is that pair of jeans again or that dress.

Though if you live a secluded life, then you probably don’t need much. If you feel you’ve enough clothes to suit the life you lead, then it’s enough.

I’m not sure what to make of your post really.