Last updated: December 2021
I’ve had a sustainable minimal wardrobe for several years now. I said goodbye to fast fashion in 2015, thrift for what I need whenever possible, and support independent designers as much as I can. Tracking my wardrobe has helped in various ways.
· it’s shown me exactly what I own and how much
· it's helped identify things I should get rid of
· it’s made it easier to see gaps in my wardrobe
· it’s identified the favourites I always wear
· it’s put a stop to frivolous spending
I recommend you audit your wardrobe in this way. Although having a list of everything you own might seem excessive, it shows you just how much you have. We have a tendency to severely underestimated the amount of belongings we own and this is a foolproof way of taking responsibility for our possessions.
This is the entire contents of my wardrobe. Less than 40 items including clothes, shoes, and bags. Not including lingerie, base layers, and accessories. For some people my wardrobe will appear shockingly sparse. Others will wonder why I call myself a minimalist at all with such a vast amount of clothing. It is what it is. Simple living looks different to everyone. I’m not an extreme minimalist and a single pair of shoes, one coat, and a handful of t-shirts and jeans just won’t cut it for my lifestyle.
What I have serves me very well for where I live and the lifestyle I have. I find many minimalists don’t tend to prioritise having a social life or self-expression through style, but I do. Spending time with my friends and my partner is important to me, and I like to dress up for these occasions. I'm a self-employed jeweller so I don't have a work uniform, which provides me with freedom in my day-to-day wardrobe.
I've worked at curating an all-seasons wardrobe over the last few years that can be worn throughout the seasons. I don't believe in off-season storage so everything I own is always accessible in my wardrobe. It's finally at a place that I'm very comfortable with.
If I were to be starting from scratch, I wouldn't go out and buy every single piece I own now but I'm glad I have them. This is what my beginner capsule wardrobe would look like with all my favourite, most worn pieces.
A Minimalist Wardrobe Tour
I’ve linked to the actual item I own whenever possible, an alternative if the original isn’t available or an ethical option if it’s an old fast fashion purchase. 'Added' means a new purchase made by me, 'gifted' means an item gifted to me by a brand, and 'thrifted' means a second-hand purchase.
Outerwear
Stutterheim Mosebacke Raincoat (gifted in 2019)
Vintage Richards Double Breasted Coat (thrifted in 2021)
Everlane Draped Trench (gifted in 2021)
Zara Oversized Coat (thrifted in 2021)
Great Plains Double Breasted Coat (gifted in 2016)
Knitwear
Vintage Cable-Knit Jumper (thrifted in 2018)
Everlane Chunky Cardigan (added in 2019)
Boden Crop Cardigan (thrifted in 2017)
Everlane Crewneck Jumper (gifted in 2020)
Vintage Turtleneck Jumper (thrifted in 2021)
Vintage Cream Jumper (thrifted in 2019
Ralph Lauren Sleeveless Turtleneck (thrifted in 2021)
Saint + Sofia Knot Vests (added in 2021)
Tops
COS Swing Turtleneck Top (thrifted in 2021)
COS Funnelneck Top (thrifted in 2020)
MUJI Boxy Top (added in 2019)
Everlane Prep Shirt (gifted in 2021)
Vintage Button Back Shirt (thrifted in 2016)
Bottoms
Tricotage Paper Bag Midi Skirt (added in 2016)
MUJI Maxi Skirt (added in 2020)
Everlane Easy Chinos (added in 2020)
Jumpsuits and Dresses
Thought Wide Leg Jumpsuit (gifted in 2020)
Zara Tiered Maxi Dress (thrifted in 2020)
COS Tiered Wrap Dress (thrifted in 2021)
Linen Fox Midi Dress (added in 2020)
Monki Sleeveless Maxi Dress (thrifted in 2021)
Bags
Everlane Transit Bag (added in 2020)
Tote Bags (added in 2021)
Ellyla Circle Bag (gifted in 2020)
Shoes
Dr. Martens Ankle Boots (thrifted in 2021)
Dr. Martens 1461 Shoes (added in 2014)
Grenson Clara Loafers (gifted in 2020)
Dr. Martens Strap Sandals (thrifted in 2021)
Birkenstock Madrid Sandals (thrifted in 2020)
Birkenstock Milano Sandals (added in 2015)
Teva Original Universal Sandals (added in 2021)
One of the biggest lies about having a minimalist wardrobe is the idea that you’ll never make another mistake about what to buy again. Yet no matter how carefully we consider our purchases, mistakes happen. Not everything works out the way we expect it to. Our lives change, our style grows, and we find ourselves with clothes we no longer want or wear.
But what I can see from keeping track of my wardrobe is how cohesive it has become over time. Having been intentional about what I acquire with a clear colour palette in mind, I've allowed my personal style to develop and in the process I've created a wardrobe that's versatile and sustainably made.
