Minimalist Style Personality

Here was my Monday Style Prompt pep talk:

“You’re not *exactly* a minimalist, Nicole.  Have you seen your jewelry collection?!  Your scarf collection?!  Scratch that, your summer scarf collection?  This is going to be hard for you but just pretend it’s like the end of maternity leave when only two things fit.  You can do it!  You can go a day without a bracelet!”

Me, back to me: “Fine!  But I won’t like it!”

As it turned out, my Monday minimalist style experiment wasn’t *that* bad!

Since I’m a dedicated thrifter and blogger and have a sizable closet, it’s not hard to justify buying “new” pieces!  I consider my ample wardrobe a blessing, but the slow fashion, sustainable style, conscious consumer movement has made me ponder my shopping choices, particularly after surviving enjoying a month on a fraction of my wardrobe in the 10-item Sustainable Spring Wardrobe Challenge.  In fact, I have misunderstood minimalism as meaning “small and boring” when it means something entirely different… it means that everything you have holds value!  In your home decor, every trinket would hold some sort of meaning; in your wardrobe, every piece would “spark joy.”   I kept that in mind as I selected my outfit for the Monday Style Prompt…

A few lives ago when I called Montreal home, I was living a minimalist life by necessity.  I splurged and got myself a grey v-neck tee and wore that top to death!!  I loved it!  I felt great in it!  I looked great in it!  Ever since then, the grey v-neck tee has been my fave.  For that reason, when I decided to buy an Icebreaker piece new after a full year of exclusive secondhand shopping, I chose a grey v-neck tee and am happy with that choice to this day!

This skirt is new to my closet but I chose it for my minimalist look because it represents what I like about skirts – nice print, good fit, interesting details and POCKETS!  As for accessories, well, I could not go with nothing so I chose one of my fave She Does Create pieces – when you have to buy new, shop local!  The cost per wear of that pendant is well under a dollar and I will be able to wear it forevermore!  Quality valued pieces are worth the price!

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between the Classic Style Personality and the Minimalist Style Personality… I actually think what I misunderstood minimalist to be is probably more or less the classic style personality!  Classic is classic pieces in classic colours…  and yeah, I find that a little boring for me personally.  True minimalism on the other hand is something I can embrace!  Here’s a great video by My Green Closet that defines minimalism and differentiates between a minimalist lifestyle and a minimalist aesthetic.

The minimalist style personality was more inspiring than I anticipated!  I liked my outfit and am now thinking about all the pieces in my wardrobe – do they bring me joy and hold value?!  I will be considering that as I continually edit my closet (and shop!).  Meanwhile, let me wrap up with something that brought me joy…