How to Master Minimalist Style
Liberty shares how to get to grips with minimalism, the aesthetic of the moment
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How to Master Minimalist Style
Liberty shares how to get to grips with minimalism, the aesthetic of the moment
By: George Elliot
Minimalism is on the rise. Whether you look at the catwalks, red carpets or your TikTok feed, there’s a growing sense that less really is more. Sure, you might think that it’s relatively straight-forward to master this style – just avoid prints and wear all black, right? But in practice, there’s actually much, much more to this surprisingly complex style than first meets the eye. Intrigued? Here Liberty shares the formula, one element at a time.
Read more: a minimalist's guide to wearing Liberty print
A Purposefully Restrained Colour Palette
A carefully curated palette of warm neutrals, earthy tones (trending this season) and crisp monochromes forms the foundation of this aesthetic. The kind of subtle colours that never feel dated, pieces in beige, black, cream and charcoal can be cleverly mixed and matched for an almost limitless line-up of looks. You could wear one shade from head-to-toe or combine two opposing colours like black and white. Another fail-safe – but more considered – method is to harmonise varying hues of a single colour, mixing pales with richness, dark tones with lights. Take the humble camel shirt; compliment it with pieces in rust, chocolate and reddish brown for a balanced colour scheme that’s pared-back, but far from boring.
Read more: soothe your soul with the earthy tones fashion trend
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Rick Owens
Sail Semi-Sheer Cotton Jacket
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Solid & Striped
x Sofia Richie Grainge Soglio Dress
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Toteme
Sleeveless Cotton Tee Dress
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Rick Owens
Cropped Crater Knit Jumper
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Dries Van Noten
Double-Breasted Cotton-Faille Shirt
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St. Agni
Bias Slip Skirt
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S Max Mara
Marie Linen Long Vest
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A Mix of Textures
While those with maximal wardrobes often rely on layering vibrant prints together, minimalists add intrigue to their outfits by clashing something else: textures. That could be pairing the soft fuzziness of a mohair jumper with a silk skirt, or coupling a grainy leather jacket with a sharply pleated dress. Juxtaposing textiles is intrinsic to the minimalist mindset. Similar to how artists might contrast delicate watercolours with thick, jagged strokes of oil paint, minimalists create a sense of depth and variation by cleverly layering fabrics that pleasingly contradict one another. The best bit? In theory there’s really no limit to the number of textures you can add into the mix. As long as you remain within your set colour palette, allow your creativity to run wild.
Read more: the best maximal fashion brands
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Molly Goddard
Lacey Tan Coat
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Paige
Palomi Wool Blend Knit Jumper
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JW Anderson
Cropped Anchor Jumper
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KASSL Editions
Lacquer Peacoat
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Molly Goddard
Edwina Ruffle Top
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RAINS
Norton Longer Jacket
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House of Sunny
Sun Dial Knit Top
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JW Anderson
Wide Leg Cargo Trousers
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A Surprising Silhouette
Now to silhouette, and this is where the minimalist’s hard work and restraint pays off. Here is where you can be as experimental and avante-garde as you please. And this season’s biggest fashion trends will provide plenty of inspiration. From 90s-style boxy suits with larger-than-life shoulders and sculptural denim dresses to 70s-inspired wide-legged flares and dramatic gowns, opt for pieces that’ll redefine the figure with standout proportions. It’s not just the bigger picture pieces that require your attention; ensure that your minimalist wardrobe has a few pairs of shapely sunglasses and angular bags, but just keep them to a minimum of one to two per outfit.
Read more: discover the perfect sunglasses for your face shape
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Issey Miyake
ASSEMBLAGE BRANCH Top
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Dries Van Noten
Striped Wrap Dress
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JW Anderson
Sleeveless Peplum Top
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House of Sunny
Venus Asymmetric Skirt
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Ganni
Black Ribbon Tulle Midi Dress
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Loulou Studio
Oyat Silk Blend Long Shirt
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Aligne
Margaret Leather Blazer
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Form and Function
The final step of mastering minimalism is striking a balance between practicality, ease and elegance, looking good but remaining fit for whatever your day has in store. This is why many fashion designers with hectic schedules tend to dress minimally themselves, even if they’re famed for extravagant collections. To achieve this sense of preparedness, look to all-in-one pieces like jumpsuits, sleek uniform staples like blazers and clothes with utilitarian touches, such as pockets and built-in belts. These are the pieces that’ll be easiest to style and form the bedrock of your new capsule wardrobe.
Read more: how to build a capsule wardrobe
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Aligne
Margaret Leather Blazer
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Solid & Striped
x Sofia Richie Grainge Ronit Sleeveless Top
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FARM Rio
Denim Wave Skirt
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House of Sunny
Tassel Shirt
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Citizens of Humanity
Marcelle Low Slung Cargo Trousers
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Lovebirds
Tie-Up Gathered Denim Dress
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