My Love-Hate Relationship with Minimalism
Okay, let me start by saying I’m not one of those people who can pull off the whole ‘I only own 30 items and live in a white box’ thing. I’ve tried. It’s not me. And honestly? I think minimalism in fashion is overrated. Here’s why.
Back in 2015, I had a friend—let’s call her Marcus—who was all about the minimalist life. We went shopping together, and he’d spend 36 hours deliberating over a single gray t-shirt. I mean, come on. Who has that kinda time?
I remember asking him, ‘Marcus, don’t you ever wanna just… wear something fun?’ And he looked at me like I’d suggested setting his wardrobe on fire. ‘Fun isn’t functional,’ he said. Which… yeah. Fair enough. But is fashion only about function?
When Less Isn’t More
Look, I get it. Minimalism can be beautiful. There’s something kinda peaceful about a closet full of neutrals and clean lines. But here’s the thing: it’s not for everyone. And that’s okay. I tried it. I really did. For about three months, I committed to a minimalist yaşam başlangıç rehberi approach. And you know what? It made me miserable.
I live in New York. New York! The city that never sleeps, where fashion is a contact sport. Trying to dress minimalist here is like trying to drink coffee with a sieve. It’s just not gonna happen.
I had this black dress. Simple, elegant, versatile. Sounded great in theory. But in practice? Boring. So boring. I’d wear it to brunch, to meetings, to gallery openings. And every time, I’d look in the mirror and think, ‘Ugh. Black dress again.’
The Joy of More (Yes, I Said It)
Here’s what I’ve learned: fashion should be fun. It should be expressive. It should be a way to say, ‘This is who I am today,’ without having to say anything at all.
Take my friend Dave, for example. Dave is a walking rainbow. He’s a graphic designer, and his wardrobe is a direct reflection of his creativity. One day, he’s rocking a neon pink blazer. The next, it’s a shirt with giant peace signs. And you know what? It works for him. He’s happy. His clients love him. Life is good.
I asked him about minimalism once. ‘Dave,’ I said, ‘have you ever tried the whole less-is-more thing?’ He laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair. ‘Lisa,’ he said, ‘I tried it for a week. I felt like a ghost. A very bored ghost.’
But Lisa, What About Sustainability?
Ah, the elephant in the room. Yes, fast fashion is a problem. Yes, we should all be more conscious about what we buy and how we consume. But here’s the thing: sustainability doesn’t have to mean minimalism.
There are alot of brands out there doing great things with bold, vibrant designs. You can be eco-friendly and still love color. You can support ethical fashion and still own more than 30 items. It’s not an all-or-nothing game.
I’m not saying you should go out and buy a whole new wardrobe tomorrow. But I am saying: don’t be afraid of color. Don’t be scared of patterns. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t feel guilty for wanting to express yourself through your clothes.
A Tangent: The Great Sock Dilemma
Speaking of expression, let’s talk about socks. I have a thing for socks. Fun socks, silly socks, socks that make people smile. I have socks with cats on them. Socks with pizza. Socks that say ‘I’m with Stupid’ (usually when I’m with my brother).
And you know what? They make me happy. They’re a small, simple way to add a little joy to my day. And if that’s not a valid reason to own more than three pairs of socks, I don’t know what is.
So What’s the Verdict?
Minimalism isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay. Fashion should be about what makes you feel good. It should be about expression, about joy, about saying ‘screw it’ to the rules and wearing what makes you happy.
So go ahead. Be bold. Be colorful. Be you. And if anyone gives you a hard time? Well, just smile and say, ‘I’m sorry they can’t handle your fabulousness.’
About the Author: Lisa Chen has been a senior editor at various fashion and lifestyle publications for over 20 years. She lives in New York with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and an alarming number of socks. She firmly believes that fashion should be fun, and she’s not afraid to say what she thinks. Follow her on Instagram @lisachenfashion for more of her unfiltered opinions.
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