Minimalism or Minimalistic Fashion: What is needed?

Minimalism is a lifestyle and design philosophy focused on simplicity and the intentional reduction of excess. Minimalism provides people with a simpler lifestyle, mental freedom, and the capacity to focus on their spiritual lives. Therefore, it is not only a lifestyle with physical aspects but also a spiritual and mental approach to living.

This article highlights how current minimalistic fashion designs embody the core features of minimalism, providing not just physical simplicity but also promoting mental calmness. In various contexts, minimalism emphasizes:

1. Design and Architecture: Clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and a limited color palette. The focus is on functionality and the beauty of simplicity.
2. Art: Minimalist art involves the use of simple, geometric shapes and monochromatic color schemes, often stripping down the work to its essential elements.
3. Fashion: Minimalist fashion revolves around classic, versatile pieces with simple designs, neutral colors, and high-quality materials. It aims to create a timeless wardrobe that emphasizes quality over quantity.
4. Lifestyle: Adopting minimalism in life involves decluttering physical and mental spaces, prioritizing essential items and activities, and reducing consumption. The goal is to focus on what truly matters and eliminate distractions.

Overall, minimalism encourages mindfulness, intentional living, and appreciation for the essentials.

Origin of Minimalism

Minimalism as a concept emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the excesses and ornate styles of previous periods. However, minimalistic approaches have been present in ancient cultures and religions as well. Buddhism, for instance, is a religion that truly focuses on minimalism, teaching that increased greed leads to more suffering. Not only in Buddhism, but Christianity and Islam also provide guidelines to donate excess possessions and encourage periods of fasting. Before globalization and the rise of free-market economies, people were mostly satisfied with fulfilling their basic needs. They didn’t have grand physical ambitions and often donated their excess harvest to religious activities and the poor. Not only for humans, but they also allocated some resources to animals. These practices were largely derived from minimalistic approaches. Socialism also embodies some minimalistic principles. It never allowed individuals to become excessively wealthy and consume disproportionate amounts of resources without considering others and future generations. However, with the advent of globalization and free-market practices, these minimalistic lifestyles have diminished, and people have begun to pursue achievements rapidly, often at the expense of their mental freedom and spiritual activities.

Then a few people understood the harshness of this lifestyle, and minimalism developed as a modern way of living. It began as an art movement in the late 1950s and 1960s, primarily in the United States. Influential minimalist artists like Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, and Frank Stella focused on simplicity, using basic geometric forms and monochromatic palettes to emphasize purity and clarity.The principles of minimalism soon extended beyond art into architecture and interior design. Architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier embraced the “less is more” philosophy, creating buildings with clean lines, open spaces, and a lack of decorative elements. The focus was on functionality and the inherent beauty of materials.

Minimalistic Fashion

Minimalism in fashion began to gain prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This was a period characterized by a reaction against the extravagant and flamboyant styles of the 1980s, which included bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and excessive ornamentation. Influential designers like Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Helmut Lang were at the forefront of this shift. They introduced collections that emphasized simplicity, neutral color palettes, and understated elegance.

1. Calvin Klein: Known for his clean lines and monochromatic looks, Calvin Klein’s designs epitomized the minimalist aesthetic. His work often featured simple cuts and high-quality fabrics, creating timeless and versatile pieces.
2. Jil Sander: Often referred to as the “Queen of Less,” Jil Sander’s approach to fashion focused on purity and refinement. Her collections were characterized by precise tailoring, neutral colors, and luxurious materials.
3. Helmut Lang: Lang’s minimalist designs incorporated innovative fabrics and a deconstructed approach, blending utility with high fashion. His work often featured sleek silhouettes and a modern, urban edge.

Features of Minimalistic Fashion

Minimalism in fashion is a style characterized by simplicity, functionality, and elegance. It emphasizes a limited number of high-quality, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. The core principles of minimalist fashion include:

• Simplicity: Minimalist fashion focuses on clean lines, neutral colors, and minimal embellishments. It rejects the chaos and excess of fast fashion, instead opting for a more streamlined and sophisticated aesthetic.
• Functionality: Minimalist fashion prioritizes the functionality of clothing, ensuring that each piece serves a purpose and can be worn in multiple ways. This approach reduces waste and promotes sustainability.
• Elegance: Minimalist fashion is often associated with understated sophistication and refinement. It emphasizes the beauty of simplicity, using high-quality materials and timeless designs to create a sense of quiet luxury.

Attributes of Minimalistic Fashion

• Neutral Colors: Minimalist fashion often features a muted color palette, with a focus on neutral shades like black, white, and gray.
• Clean Lines: Minimalist fashion emphasizes clean lines, geometric shapes, and simple silhouettes. This focus on form and fabric creates a sense of elegance and sophistication.
• Timeless Pieces: Classic items like the white shirt, black blazer, tailored trousers, and little black dress are staples.
• Quality Over Quantity: Minimalist fashion encourages a focus on quality over quantity, promoting the purchase of fewer, higher-quality items that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come.
• Versatility: Pieces are designed to be mix-and-match, creating multiple looks with fewer items.
• Functionality: Practicality and comfort are prioritized, with designs focusing on everyday wearability.

In the 21st century, minimalism in fashion continues to evolve, adapting to contemporary trends while maintaining its core principles of simplicity and functionality. The movement has also been influenced by the growing awareness of sustainability and ethical fashion. Minimalist fashion aligns well with the principles of slow fashion, which advocates for mindful consumption, high-quality garments, and a reduced environmental footprint.

Key Areas that Minimalist Fashion Designers should focus

Even though minimalistic fashion derives from the spiritual concept of minimalism, today some aspects of it have diverged from pure minimalism. Below are a few key areas that minimalist fashion designers and minimalist fashion brands should consider while continuing their business.

• The pricing

Sometimes, people have to spend more on minimalistic fashion items than on regular fashion items. Minimalistic fashion can be quite expensive compared to fast fashion due to the durability of the materials. However, the cost should not be attributed to the brand value of minimalism. The elegance of minimalist fashion should not be considered a cost element. Ultimately, people may need to earn more to afford minimalistic fashion items, which can lead to a compromise of the minimalist lifestyle.

• Excessive quality requirements

Elegance is a key feature of minimalist fashion, and achieving this requires high-quality standards. However, these quality standards should be practical and offer clear benefits to the end consumer. Manufacturers putting a lot of effort to achieve those quality parameters and if those were not important to end consumers, manufacturers may need to use excessive resources such as utilities and manpower, leading to high garment wastage without a customer requirement. Ultimately, all these costs are added to the final product, causing the entire value stream to become counterproductive to the principles of minimalism.

• Lack of innovation

Minimalism is a concept that fulfills mental and spiritual requirements rather than focusing solely on physical appearance. The innovativeness can sometimes be overshadowed by the concept itself. Minimalist fashion, which emphasizes quality over quantity and timeless over trendy, may struggle to attract consumers who seek variety and regular updates to their wardrobe. Without this, consumers might move away from the minimalist concept, relegating it to old school museums. Therefore, innovation is a mandatory requirement in this context. But these innovations should align with minimalism principles, such as reducing resource consumption, increasing durability, and enhancing attractiveness to the general public.

• Consumer Perception

Minimalistic fashion is often seen as less expressive or exciting compared to more ornate styles. This perception can limit its appeal to consumers who prefer bold, statement-making fashion. Minimalist brands must work to shift this perception by highlighting the elegance and versatility of their designs. Educating consumers about the benefits of investing in a minimalist wardrobe is crucial. Many consumers may not understand the long-term value proposition of comparatively higher-priced but durable and timeless pieces. Brands should invest in educational campaigns that highlight the versatility, quality, and sustainability of minimalist fashion.

• Brand Identity & Limited Trends

Establishing a unique brand identity in the niche market of minimalistic fashion can be challenging. With many brands adopting minimalist principles, it can be difficult to stand out and create a strong, recognizable brand. Differentiation through unique design elements, storytelling, and brand values is essential. Minimalistic fashion focuses on timeless designs rather than seasonal trends. While this is a strength in terms of longevity and sustainability, it can limit opportunities to capitalize on the latest fashion trends and seasonal sales. Brands need to find creative ways to remain relevant and engaging without compromising their minimalist ethos.

• Cultural Diversity

Adapting minimalistic fashion to fit diverse cultural contexts and preferences is another challenge. Minimalism’s aesthetic may not resonate universally, requiring brands to be sensitive and adaptable to different cultural tastes while maintaining their core principles. For example, South Asian traditional attire often uses a lot of jewelry and bright colors, which differ from minimalistic concepts. Therefore, designers should focus on creating hybrid products that help these consumers move towards minimalism while preserving their traditional values.

By addressing these challenges thoughtfully and proactively, minimalistic fashion brands can strengthen their market position and broaden their appeal, ensuring a sustainable and successful future in the fashion industry. This will reinforce minimalist concepts, contributing to a simpler and more peaceful world amidst the frantic pace of modern life.

Author:
Dileepa Fernando
MBA, BSc (Industrial Statistics),
Diploma in Textile Coloration & Finishing, Lean Yellow Belt