I wanted to put up a post about style for the everyday citizen, but first minimalism must be understood. Minimalism relating to our “wardrobe” as of today’s post. Have you ever stood in front of a wardrobe full of clothes and tried to figure out what you would wear? I’m sure you have, especially the females out there. Usually, all that is hanging is tops and maybe some bottoms. Not to mention the obscene amounts of footwear, jewelry, accessories, and makeup for the females. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can’t get time back in life! Too many possessions, equates to a time suck, and disorganization.
When it comes to the workplace you are either in a uniform, or your own choice of attire. I mention this because most folks are performing some type of work in the public. That’s at least 10 hours of your day or more right there! Please, read my “fraud of the 40-hour work week” post! So, unless your home for the night, why even change clothes at that point. You see what I’m getting at. If this is a uniform, you need very little “street/formal” clothing at all. You really wouldn’t have the spare time to wear it. Now, if you choose your own clothing for work, you can still deceive the eye of others. This is done through various accessories that will change an outfit that is otherwise the same as a previous day! Allowing you to still keep a minimal amount of clothing.
What is a good number? Only you’ll know that in due time. Let logic and common sense be your guide. Do you really need 30 different outfits for a month? Perhaps a rotation of 7 solid outfits that are interchangeable if you pick your own clothes for your profession. As little as a rotation of 3 solid outfits that are interchangeable for another who wears a uniform to work. Next, I would like to focus on footwear.
Everyone should have some kind of active fitness routine. This would require at least one pair of “gym” shoes. There can be a big difference when it comes to a “running” shoe and a “training” shoe so be careful in your choices. If you jog or run, you may need 2 pair of “athletic” shoes. So, there is that before anything else. As a male, I also try to keep a brown and black pair of boots that can be dressed up or down in the fall and winter. For the spring and summer season I am usually wearing the classic all white flat sole canvas or leather sneaker. Don’t get me started on sandals, the most in-efficient choice of footwear in all of history. In the home, fine but out and about, stop it. Not very efficient and functional for the outdoor world. Especially if you have to walk a long distance, run for some reason, or end up dropping something on your foot. Ouch! That about sums it up for footwear at least in my case. Females out there could have a similar set up with maybe a high heel for formal occasions I suppose. It really comes down to protecting your feet with base colors of white, brown, and black. Those will go with everything.
Outerwear at least in the fall and winter is where you can really get away with the same clothes underneath more often. This makes sense, right? I personally have 3 pairs of jeans I wear with around 4 tops for most of the fall and winter! This is simply based on the fact that your outerwear is covering most of your base clothing. If you spend decent money on anything, make sure it is your footwear first, and your fall/winter outerwear next! For example, I have the old-school white fur trucker jacket and a wool camel overcoat that I wear 99% of the time. The trucker jacket is more “street,” and I can dress up or down my wool camel overcoat. Once again, I can see a female set up for outwear in much the same way. A dressier wool overcoat, and a more casual jacket of some type. Having more actual coats/jackets is just paralysis by analysis.
Accessories can be horribly overdone as well. Guilty as charged, being the guy who had 20 “ball” caps! That is ridiculous. Again, choose colors of accessories that will be interchangeable. Winter, summer caps, scarfs, and your everyday bag would be included in this group. For the females mostly this would also include jewelry. Men maybe a necklace or watch. You don’t need 40 necklaces and sets of earrings! Paralysis by analysis remember. We will get into an “everyday” bag discussion when I create a post for personal protection in the near future.
Tops as well as bottoms are totally preference. I personally like jeans for all seasons because of their durability and comfort. I know others who enjoy chino type of pants and shorts for summer. I keep one pair of “formal” dress pants and that is it. I’ve seen my fair share of “yoga” pants, especially in the fitness field. Which brings up another point. Having a consistent routine will mean having a decent number of breathable, sweat wicking, tops and bottoms. You will be washing these a lot! If at all possible, you want to spend decent money on this gear. Merino wool underwear and workout gear will not absorb stink to the degree of cotton, polyester, and lycra. Trust me! Your everyday tops can be anything from a clean t-shirt to a hoodie in the fall and winter. I would say that a nice wool sweater, or hoody are a great choice in the fall and winter months. It will be covered up by your jacket or coat mostly while wearing it unless at work or home. Spring and summer will always boil down to a thin material long-sleeve or short sleeve. I do also keep one “formal” button down long-sleeve for dressier occasions. That is all I will say about tops, bottoms, and underwear.
The key to the big picture is having that “capsule” wardrobe which is an interchangeable “system” consisting of colors and cloth that blend together no matter how you mix and match them. This is what allows you to have less, with many options! This was an important article before a style post because I want everyone to cut down on decision time while saving much more money than you ever have before. Perhaps you are ahead of the game and are already practicing minimalism with your clothing. That is excellent. Appearance is important, and has personally gotten me places I had no business being. You want to present yourself well to others as it is the first thing they see. I hope this has shed light on starting minimalism with regard to your “wardrobe.” Saving money and time is priceless. See you all next time.