Forget maximalism, fashion is going minimalist this season

It's cool to cut back on clutter

When the pandemic began, I was shopping in a way that so many of us are conditioned to—impulsively and mindlessly filling my cart with fleeting trends. It took two lockdowns and watching countless clothes go out of style for me to realise that the way we dress had been irrevocably altered. Our closets were no longer dictated by trends or occasions but by comfort, versatility and a pressing need to shop in a way that’s kind to the environment.

Wondering if I was holding onto habits that no longer worked, the term ‘fashion-loving minimalist’ entered my lexicon—an individual who deeply appreciates fashion yet consumes it mindfully, eliminating excess. At first, these words seem contradictory. Is it possible to love fashion and not own the season’s It items? Can you really appreciate trends from afar? I reached out to designers and stylists who have made this a way of life and formulated a five-step guide to becoming a fashion-loving minimalist.

Step 1: Define your style

When you think of a capsule closet, you almost instantly imagine a crisp white shirt, a timeless trench and a pair of sturdy blue jeans. A one-size-fits-all approach, however, may not be the best way forward. The core components of every wardrobe vary based on an individual's personal style, and discovering that is the first step towards acquiring pieces that you won't tire of, finds Rina Singh, founder of Eka.

"The women who shop from Eka know what they want. They aren't after the next It bag or catching trends in terms of colours or prints. This helps them relate to the product they purchase today and years later. For them, a piece of clothing is a form of expression and not a way to justify a whim," says Singh, whose label is made of staples that aren't attached to seasons or trends.

Step 2: Kondo your closet

Once you've identified your style, the next and arguably the most challenging step is downsizing. Decluttering expert Marie Kondo's method, centred around the idea of bidding farewell to anything that doesn't spark joy, may have been around for a while but is something that never stops being useful. Stylist Prayag Menon has a similar straightforward philosophy. "If I'm not going to wear it, it has got to go," he says.

An important thing to keep in mind here is that Kondo-ing your closet isn't necessarily a one-time act. "Every six months, I give away clothes that I haven't worn. I give the precious ones to the friends who I'm sure will care for them," says Deepshikha Khanna, creative director of Good Earth's contemporary clothing vertical Flow, when asked about how she parts with pieces close to her.

Step 3: Look for the little things

As you go through this process, you'll frequently be faced with the fear of ending up with an unimaginative and uninspiring closet. According to Delhi-based designer Urvashi Kaur, the trick to avoiding this is recognising that the devil is in the details. "My work has always been devoid of clutter, but depth is a constant. When you look closer, you see intricacies and underlying subtleties through layers and fabric manipulations. There's micro-pleating, myriad tie-dye textures and hundreds and thousands of stitches running through," says Kaur.

Step 4: Remember to reuse

Another rule to remember while you're on this journey is that repeating is not a faux pas; in fact, it's even encouraged—everyone from Kate Middleton to Jennifer Lopez has made a strong case for re-wearing outfits. What makes an item reusable, above all else, is its ability to multitask. "Every now and then, add that one accent piece that can take your dressing in a different direction but always keep in mind that it should be versatile. An example of this could be something in a bold colour that works with the other dominant colours in your wardrobe," says Khanna.

Versatility, Kaur attests, is crucial to doing away with throwaway culture. "I create pieces that can be worn in different ways and through different seasons. This extends the life of the garment as well as leads to greater value for the wearer," she adds.

Step 5: Sign up for sustainability

This then leads to one last question—is the fashion-loving minimalist also a sustainable shopper? "Minimalism creates mindfulness and ensures that the items purchased are longer-lasting, which then ensures there is less waste, less hoarding and conscious manufacturing," says Menon of the inevitable link.

For lawyer-turned-advocate of eco-conscious fashion Sanjana Rishi, this connection is further strengthened by specific storytelling accompanying conscious clothing. "If you're only buying a few pieces in a given period, you end up putting more thought into the selection you make. Each item feels more special, and with ethically-made fashion, you can really stop and appreciate the work that goes into it," she says.

Kaur, who caters to a slew of individuals who have made minimalism a mandate, is already seeing this shift. "Consumers are now beginning to educate themselves. They are increasingly asking about the authenticity and narrative of the brands they buy. We are seeing a renaissance of sorts," she says.

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