5 Tips for Achieving Minimalist Clothing Style This Fall

There's something incredibly appealing about the minimalist aesthetic. It's simple, timeless, versatile, and can be a great way to pare down your wardrobe. As summer wraps up and the weather begins to cool, a minimalist wardrobe becomes perfect for easy layering and embracing the neutral colors of fall.

So let's talk about the minimalist clothing style! We'll look at what minimalist fashion entails, how to build a capsule wardrobe, and ways you can take a minimalist approach to your personal style without breaking the bank.

Let's go!

Understanding Minimalist Fashion

Minimalism is all about simplicity, functionality and ease. When you think of minimalist outfits, you probably think of clean lines, neutral colors, limited accessories, and simple patterns. Essentially: clothes without a lot of fuss.

Those are all the hallmarks of the minimalist clothing style, but they are by no means arbitrary. The style of minimalism is dictated by its function. You choose neutral colors and simple patterns because they're easy to pair. You limit accessories so they don't get in the way.

The minimalist style is all about choosing a few high-quality wardrobe staples that can be easily mixed and matched to create new looks. The goal is to have a wardrobe full of stylish outfits you don't have to think too hard about.

Building a Capsule Wardrobe

The concept of a capsule wardrobe has been around since the 1970s, and the idea is attributed to Susie Faux, who owned the Wardrobe boutique in London.

Susie saw people trying to keep up with changing fashion trends by buying a lot of low-quality knock-offs that were destined for the garbage. She started championing the idea that instead, people should buy a few high-quality staples that never go out of style, and pair them with one new piece each season.

The concept was picked up by Donna Karen, who released her “Seven Easy Pieces” capsule collection in 1985. Since then, "capsule wardrobe" has become synonymous with "minimalist wardrobe."

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe for Fall

Ideally, your capsule wardrobe should be versatile enough to be worn in any season, but fall is a good time to build one because the weather is halfway between summer and winter, so you’ll need to think about pieces for both seasons.

1. Think about what you need

Identify what staples you need to make up the basis of your wardrobe. Depending on your personal style, you’ll probably want at least one item from each of the following categories:

• Pants
• Jeans
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Shorts
• Tees/tanks
• Tops/blouses
• Sweaters
• Shoes
• Coats

2. Look at what you have

Audit your current wardrobe. Set aside anything you absolutely love or anything you wear regularly, as those will definitely make the cut. Go through the rest with a Mari Kondo eye. Does it spark joy? Does it pair with the stuff you’ve already set aside? If not, donate it. Be ruthless!

3. Try stuff on and create a few looks

Take the stuff you’ve saved and start putting pieces together. This will help you figure out what you’re missing, and what style most appeals to you. Try pairing stuff you’ve never thought to pair before – you might be surprised by what you come up with!

4. Round out the wardrobe with a few more items

Once you’ve figured out what’s missing, purchase a few high-quality items to fill the gaps. Don’t worry too much about the size of your wardrobe right now. Ultimately, the goal is to pare down to as small a capsule as possible, but it might take a few seasons to nail it. If you have 1-2 pieces from each category above, you’re doing great.

Tips to Nail Your Capsule Wardrobe

1. Choose Neutral Colors and Simple Silhouettes

When auditing your current wardrobe or purchasing new pieces, prioritize fall-appropriate colors: shades like black, white (yes, even after Labor Day!), gray, navy-blue, and earth tones. These will look great in fall and winter, but will also make a good backdrop for bright splashes of color during spring and summer.

Opt for clean lines—tailored trousers, simple knits, and structured outerwear. One straight-legged pair of jeans. It’s easier to pair items with simple silhouettes, and if you want to dress things up, you can do that with accessories or seasonal pieces.

2. Prioritize Quality over Quantity

Invest in timeless pieces, like a classic coat or a decent pair of boots, that will last for years. Consider purchasing items from places that offer a lifetime warranty, or repairs. Patagonia, for example – their pieces are expensive, but they will repair your clothes for life.

There are also minimalist clothing brands like Everlane and ABLE that cater specifically to people seeking minimalist pieces of clothing.

Wool, cashmere, and cotton blends enhance comfort and longevity, and are great for layering during fall and winter months. Avoid fast fashion and cheap items – buy one high-quality plain white tee instead of four cheap tees from Target.

A benefit of focusing on quality basic pieces is that it's easier on the environment. By embracing a minimalist wardrobe, you'll be undermining the fast fashion industry and making the world a better place. You can find high-quality pieces at thrift shops, and awesome new clothes made of recycled materials. 

3. Declutter Your Wardrobe

Get rid of unnecessary items and focus on the essentials. When going through your existing clothes, prioritize those that pair well – neutral colors, simple cuts, and quality fabrics. Once you’ve decluttered, consider implementing a new system to keep things organized.

You might create separate capsules for each season, or have a base capsule of key pieces and accessorize with seasonal pieces that you rotate in and out. Maybe you want to store a few spring and summer pieces in vacuum-sealed bags during the winter, and vice versa.

4. Add Personal Touches Without Overcomplicating

Minimalist accessories are a great way to immediately feel timeless and sophisticated. Simple gold or silver bands, a nice watch, subtle stones like turquoise or jade, and muted scarves and handbags work well.

Introduce texture through knits, leather, and suede for variety without straying from minimalism.

Can Minimalist Style Apply to Swimsuits?

Once you’ve nailed your regular wardrobe, you might be wondering if minimalism can be applied to swimwear. After all, a big part of summer style involves beach and pool looks.

The answer to this is: absolutely! The same rules apply. Choose a few high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create new looks. Go for earth tones and classic cuts. You might want a one-piece, a rash-guard, and two bikinis that can be mixed and matched (or even reversed!)

Classic One Piece

Every swim wardrobe needs a one piece, and this classic look is the perfect one piece for minimalist swim style. Thick, high-quality fabric that won’t run, fade, or stretch out. A deep scoop in the back and modest cut in the front. Thick straps, a built-in bra, and classic high-cut legs. This suit is the definition of what people think of when they think swimsuit.

Reversible Bikini

The easiest way to get more out of your bikini pieces is to buy tops and bottoms that are reversible! Pick 1-2 reversible tops and 1-2 reversible bottoms in neutral or earth tones that can be mixed and matched, and you’ll have up to eight different bikini looks to pull out!

This reversible high-waisted navy-blue bottom has a simple pattern on one side and a solid block color on the other. Pair with a reversible top like this one for a clean, modest look. Or check out this cute reversible bottom for a splash of fun summer color.

Conclusion

The minimalist clothing style is an approach to fashion that emphasizes reusability and simplicity. Embracing a minimalist style can help you declutter your wardrobe and ease decision-making when it comes to daily outfit selection. It’s also easier on the environment and is helping people make better clothing choices and move away from the fast fashion industry.

Start building your fall capsule wardrobe now, and you’ll be set all year long!