Defining your personal style can be difficult with the ever-evolving trends that come rolling in every season. If you’re following any trend blogs right now, they’ll tell you that western boots, snakeskin and borg jackets are all the rage, but how does one navigate all these trends without looking like the poster girl for fast-fashion? The answer: Simplify.
Coco Chanel once said: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off” and we’re about to take that lesson to heart.
How-to master simple dressing:
Rule #1: Don’t over-accessorise
We know ─ it’s so hard to listen to Coco Chanel when OTT earrings and accessories are (literally) trending major right now. The good news is that you don’t need to do away with them altogether, just pick one accessory to sport at a time. That way, it doesn’t overshadow the rest of your outfit.
Top tip: Mini hoops are classic and complement any occasion and outfit.
Rule #2: Invest in quality basics
The problem with fast-fashion is that it’s just that: fast and fleeting. The truth is, fast fashion isn’t made to last more than two seasons or it becomes a forgotten “gem” that’s shoved to the back of our closets most of the time. Try to avoid buying into micro-trends and spend that extra buck on quality classic pieces instead. A quality pair of jeans, a tailored coat, leather shoes and cotton basic tees are good examples of classic pieces.
Rule #3: Monochrome is your best friend
Minimalist and monochromatic looks are basically in the same WhatsApp group. This is no coincidence since black, white and shades of grey are easily complemented by other colours, plus, they never age. This is not to say that you can’t wear other colours, only that you should stock up on these three as much as possible.
Rule #4: A girl can have too many pairs of shoes
There comes a point in every girl’s life where she needs to ask herself: “Do I really need another pair of shoes?”, and, while the common response to this question is usually an enthusiastic “yes!”, we’re here to tell you that you don’t need more shoes ─ you need a decent variety of them. Like rule #2 regarding clothing, you don’t need to buy all the shoe styles that are trending currently; you do need to invest in a quality pair from each shoe ‘family’ (i.e. one good pair of leather sandals, a versatile pair of sneakers, a classic pair of boots, etc.).
Rule #5: Details are everything
We know, we warned you against over-accessorising in rule #1, but the right details can make your outfit so much more interesting. A statement shoulder, a dainty necklace, pinky rings, a plain watch, a structured leather bag or a classic belt are all great ways to add subtle interest and tailoring to your outfits.
Now that you’ve gotten a few pointers on minimalist dressing, you should start building your capsule wardrobe.
