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Fashion wouldn’t be where it is without minimalism. Considered the foundation of all core aesthetics, this dress sense serves as the first base for newbie trendsetters. It’s typically defined by timeless clothing pieces, ranging from jeans to simple bodysuits.
While it’s easy to think of minimalist outfit ideas as boring and plain, you’ve got to admit there’s an element of class associated with this aesthetic.
Whether you’re new to the fashion scene or an avid collector of closet essentials, you’re probably in need of some minimalist outfit ideas. I’ll be sure to supply some inspo in the form of outfits, which may or may not include:
- A minimalist aesthetic outfit
- Minimalist outfit men looks
- Classy minimalist outfit women looks
What Makes Up A Minimalist Outfit?
Minimalism follows one core mantra: ‘keep it simple, stupid.’ As such, this clothing aesthetic sticks to traditional silhouettes and uncomplicated designs.
In terms of color, most trendsetters gravitate towards neutral tones, but you’re ultimately free to experiment with different hues. A true minimalist outfit should be devoid of bells and whistles, as its overall aim is to look timeless and classy.
History Of Minimalism
The origin of minimalism dates back to the 18th century. Philosophers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were the first to popularize the idea of ‘less is more,’ as they believed that enlightenment can be achieved through simplicity.
Minimalism would come to influence design in the roaring twenties, such as its impact on Bauhaus architecture.
The history of minimalist fashion is relatively unknown, but some experts speculate that it arose during the early 20th century. Over the years, it began to gain some traction thanks to designers such as Paul Poiret, Yves Saint Laurent, and Yohji Yamamoto.
What Are Some Popular Minimalist Outfit Ideas?
We learned that minimalism has a rich history in fashion, architecture, and philosophy. Given its heady influence over the years, I think it’s safe to say that this core aesthetic has given birth to thousands (if not millions) of different looks.
If you’re in search of the best, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Below, I’ll share some minimalist outfit ideas that are sure to garner some likes on Instagram.
3 Minimalist Outfit Ideas
It’s no secret that those who love minimalist fashion are often deeply passionate about white button-down shirts.
Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are practically full of them, which is why I thought it best to include an example on this minimalist outfit ideas list.
Complemented with high-waisted trousers, flip-flops, and a handbag, this ensemble provides the illusion of an hourglass figure thanks to the billowy nature of the tee.
Relaxed, breathable, and perfect for summer, this look is reminiscent of a July romance. I mean, can you imagine wearing this OOTD in Italy or France?
Pivotal to the European vacay fantasy, this ‘minimalist outfit ideas’ contender features a green silk slip, a white blouse, sandals, and a cute purse to help top off the entire look.
If you’re looking for something that’s clean, simple, and sophisticated, look no further than these two ensembles on this minimalist outfit ideas list. Both of them excel when it comes to fit, as the billowy shirts paired with the trousers help accentuate the waistline.
On the other hand, the gray zip-up jacket and the green shirt help balance each other out. Expensive in aesthetic, they go to show that you can look like a million bucks without resorting to maximalism.
Fashion Tips To Avoid With Minimalist Outfits
Compared to other core aesthetics, minimalism has more don’ts than do’s for trendsetters to follow.
In some ways, its strictness prevents you from putting together an ensemble that’s outdated and ugly. Care for some tips? If so, I’ll share some OOTDs to avoid when it comes to minimalist outfit ideas.
- Maximalism: Obviously, the polar opposite of minimalism is maximalism. This means staying away from loud prints, embellishments, and over-accessorization.
- Low-quality clothing: The whole point of minimalism is to look expensive and timeless. You can’t achieve the latter if you often support fast fashion brands such as Shein.
- Sticking to beiges, whites, blacks, and browns only: While these four hues are intrinsic to minimalist outfit ideas, that shouldn’t deter you from choosing other shades such as blue or pink.
Best Places To Buy Minimalist Outfits
Before this minimalist outfit ideas guide comes to a close, I’d like to recommend some shops for readers to check out.
- Oak + Fort
- The Frankie Shop
- Nordstrom
- Everlane
Final Thoughts
Despite its simplicity, minimalism is quite a difficult core aesthetic to maintain. We’re constantly exposed to micro-trends every passing week, and it’s pretty challenging to ignore them if you love fashion.
That said, those who struggle to get dressed every day may find solace in minimalism. There’s a level of comfort knowing that each piece in your wardrobe is highly versatile.
The three minimalist outfit ideas I’ve shared have taught us something about the way we dress—to be happy we don’t always need additional things—sometimes we just need the basics.
Looking for more outfit ideas? We’ve got you covered:
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