The minimalist moment

These days, we’re overwhelmed by whatever the world throws at us, whether it’s the political division of our country or the pressures of growing up in a world where social media makes us think we have to constantly live a perfect life, and it’s no surprise that we see this effect our fashion trends. In our busy lives, we want something simple, and minimalism is exactly that: simple. Minimalism has created a world of ease and clothes can be put together in a snap.

We have seen minimalism in many designer collections. For Fall 2019 ready-to-wear, Brunello Cucinelli’s line ranged from knit turtlenecks to wool and leather trench coats. The looks were monochromatic and he only used colors such as white, black and nudes. “We all need harmony as human beings, and that harmony, I think, is also reflected in clothes,” Cucinelli told Vogue. Consumers are looking for this harmony in their clothes to escape their busy life.

At Bevza Fall 2019 RTW, we saw simple yet elegant silk jumpsuits and dresses in black and white. Bevza’s collections are inspired by the minimalism of the 90s, but with a modern twist. The collection was also inspired by where Pam Nsar, Bevza’s stylist and director, grew up. “The minimalist collection was partly inspired by her hometown of kyiv, as seen in a floral print from a photo the designer took in her National Botanical Garden,” Vogue’s Brooke Bobb said.

Minimalism isn’t going away either, it’s made its way into dozens of Spring 2020 collections and has evolved in interesting ways from previous seasons. “Designers incorporated intricacies of fit or detail – bodice, asymmetry, contrasting trim – to keep garments as interesting as they were simply chic,” according to WWD.

Hyke Spring 2020, included trench coats in neutral tones, a mushroom top with balloon sleeve detailing and long shirt dresses. “… the pair is [Hyke’s designers] Spring collection focused on functionality. Floor-skimming pleated dresses, elongated blazers and chambray shirts were appropriate for the office and beyond,” said Janelle Okwodu of Vogue. This show had uniform and military references like the shirt dresses, which resembled German navy smocks.

Mary-Kate and Ashley’s brand, The Row, has always kept its collections minimalist. For Spring 2020, they included blazers, relaxed fit pants and crisp button down shirts. “…minimalist black jackets and skinny pants galore, perfection in a tailored shape and now finished with an athletic new twist of zippers, pannier pockets and substantial strappy leather Tevas – with some of their most fanciful aspirations,” Vogue’s Mark Holgate said. The Row collection is ideal for everyday use due to its minimalist approach.

Roksanda is another Spring 2020 collection that incorporated a minimalist style. “The collection started in slate tones with loose dungarees cut from superfine cotton and suits with removable inner jackets and belt detailing,” said Vogue’s Luke Leitch. Although the color palette varied, the silhouette of the clothes remained minimalist. Dozens of collections included minimalism as a mainstream trend and there are several reasons why designers are so drawn to minimalism.

It keeps their collections timeless, which means it’s a good investment for consumers. People buy these items because they are easy to wear. Imagine what a Parisian woman’s closet looks like, it’s most likely filled with basic items; items that can be worn over and over again. French women have been idolized in fashion for always looking effortlessly chic and with minimalism, that’s exactly what you would do. Additionally, an important factor as to why brands are creating more minimalist clothing is that it is more durable. It’s durable because most minimalist clothing won’t go out of style; therefore, it will not be cast after a few seasons. Designers have noticed that our society has become more environmentally friendly over the past two years and are therefore creating more sustainable collections.

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Stupid and dumber 🖤

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Minimalism is highly valued, especially by influencers. Marie von Behrens, or mvb on Instagram, is one of the most influential influencers of the moment with 918,000 followers and she is a lover of minimalism. Von Behrens will wear mostly black and occasionally white or denim pieces. Her clothes are simple and timeless, but she still manages to look sophisticated. Another influencer who has built her following on the minimalist style is Chritie Tyler. She is known as nycbambi on Instagram and she loves a neutral color palette. She wears a lot of blazers, beautiful ruched cream tops and simple straight cut pants. Their high fashion look can be easily achievable as low cost brands also include minimalist clothing.

Influencers aren’t the only ones turning to minimalist fashion. Most people who work in fashion dress this way. Grace Coodington, known as the creative director of Vogue, usually wears black, even though most of her work is lively and maximalist. If those most into fashion choose this minimalistic approach, there must be a reason why it’s so coveted.

Minimalism is valued for many reasons. This can be good for your wallet because investing in good quality pieces saves you more money than the person who buys trendy pieces every two weeks. It’s good for the environment because you buy less and generally buy from stores with better ethics. And most importantly, minimalism gives you the luxury of being able to put on anything and still manage to look well-dressed.

Some will say minimalism might be a little too boring for them, but even with the most maximalist pieces, you’ll still need something simple to balance it out. Moreover, accessorizing with a colorful bag or with trendy jewelry can enhance your look. Besides strong minimalist pieces, there are certain elements that can make your clothes stand out, such as intricate details like contrast stitching and cutouts, as mentioned by WWD. You can even vary the fabrics you wear for contrast, like wearing a mohair sweater with a leather skirt. If you want to be stylish, minimalism is the easiest way to be.