Although extravagant styles rule the runway, minimalism is anything but basic. Elegant and understated, this style is simple in concept but complex in construction. Soft jerseys and flowing satins make up relaxed silhouettes, while stiff denim made for tailored bottoms. Let’s take a look at modern minimalism, and how to dress down while dressing up.
Monochromatic Magic
Minimalism can be extra, too! The theme of this year’s MET Gala, Camp, has infiltrated every faction of fashion, from the most extreme ensembles to simple styles. Minimalism has become an extreme version of itself, as seen in the monochromatic looks that have taken over the runway, single colors enveloping entire ensembles as they strut down the catwalk. Haney displays this well with a stunning white set, broken up only by a thin golden belt. Alena Akhmadullina shows that she’s more than beautiful embroidery and extravagant furs with a simple skirt suit and coat set, while Alice + Olivia take the riotous red of the decade to new heights. Cushnie’s magenta set is sleek and simple, and The Row pairs tan with tan for a slouchy style. MSGM plays upon the Clueless-inspired styles that have been rocking the runway with a loud pink bar suit, while Stella McCartney tones it down with a soft lavender athleisure set.
Create The Solandria Gown utilizing Mood’s countless combinations of charmeuse and satin, and throw on a burnout brocade bolero for warm weather weddings! Pair denim and chambray for a relaxed look, or fashion a relaxed dress using a modal jersey paired with matching booties!
Natural Inspired Colorways
Minimalism is all about minimalizing your style, so it makes sense for minimalist styles to pull from nature. Jeffrey Dodd’s lovely tunic is reminiscent of a sparkling summer sunrise, bursting with the energy of a new day. Andrew Gn and Etoile Isabel Marant call on the bright blue sky and puffy white clouds for soft styles, while The Row utilizes sunshine yellow for a refreshing look. Dsquared2 combines rust and sage to create a beautiful Resort style, and Elie Saab fashions an absolutely stunning gown in honey gold. Valentino works with sage for a sophisticated look on a girlish dress.
Get back to nature with bamboo jerseys fashioned into slouchy tees and paired with tailored twill trousers, or create wrap dresses made of crisp cotton poplin, ideal for heading to the beach or twirling in the grass, barefoot!
Simple Sequins
I know what you’re thinking. Sequins inherently cannot be minimalist! But, the constraints of the term “minimalist” have been made fuzzy, and the use of sequins has skyrocketed. Using sequins to create simple and sleek silhouettes allows the fabric and tailoring to speak for itself, shown beautifully in Emanuel Ungaro’s lovely sequined tank. Akris and Alberta Ferretti utilize simple sequin stripes to elevate some sleek styles, while Altuzarra does something similar with a leg slit skirt. Anna Sui’s style may not be minimalist, but the simple use of sequins in her peplum top speaks volumes to how the minimalist trend has saturated fashion, while Derek Lam 10’s crop top makes a statement while maintaining a clean look. Greta Constantine does minimalism her own way with an absolutely jaw dropped wrap dress in a strict black, a shining example of the subtle sequin style.
Maximize your minimalism with sequins on simple silhouette! Create The Vallea Tunic with a subtle gold sequin, or the Brassia Dress in soft pink! Check out Mood’s entire collection of basic patterns to create casual sequined styles.
The Slip
The slip dress is the most simple of the silhouettes, usually worn under a gown or dress. They’ve taken center stage recently, layered over a tee like Mara Hoffman’s, or alone. Deveaux shows off similar styles in black and white, and Dorothee Schumacher layers a slip dress over a long sleeve shirt to take this simple gown to the streets. House of Holland uses a rich emerald lace for an elevated ensemble, while Huishan Zhang’s simple slip is adorned with an even more simple trim – single feathers attached sporadically throughout. Maggie Marilyn’s look can slip from cocktail party to casual brunch depending on accessories, while Roberto Cavalli takes some tips from the aforementioned Monochromatic Magic and pairs a pale yellow slip with a pale yellow trench.
A usual slip is made of satin, but you can get creative and casual with a denim slip! Use velvet for a luxurious look, or linen for a summery style. Pair with The Avelia Bomber for movie dates on brisk evenings, or over mesh tights!
Windowpane Check
Windowpane Check is the classic pattern of minimalism. From brunch to business, there are very few occasion that don’t match with windowpane check. Erdem’s gorgeous coats utilize a simple windowpane check is shocking colors, while Adeam’s simple pleated skirt is lovely in a thinly lined windowpane. Huishan Zhang shows a simple silhouette accented in shining windowpane check, while Lela Rose creates simple slacks and a scholarly dress with this stately print. Martin Grant’s model may not stand up straight, but the straight lines of their windowpane dress can stand on their own two feet. St. John looks ready for fall with a jacket in navy windowpane check, and Ulla Johnson uses a sparkling gold windowpane layered over shining black.
Windowpane check is a classic pattern, perfect for minimalist styles. Fashion The Molina Tunic for a relaxed shirt paired with black slacks, or The Zea Blazer for a professional style. Pair windowpane check with solid cotton sateens, or the Hollyhock Shirt paired with solid Jamesia Pants.
Are you loving the minimalist trend? Me too! Check out the Capsule Curator for a way to minimalize your closet. What trends will you be wearing this season? Let me know in the comments!
