Does simplicity intrigue you? Having a minimalist wardrobe can genuinely simplify your entire day. Daily, we are faced with making thousands of decisions; the weight of these decisions may vary from small ones, such as what to wear, to more complex life decisions. Decision fatigue is a real thing! Your brain can only make a limited number of decisions each day before the quality of your choices starts to decrease. Why use our brain bandwidth on small, less meaningful decisions?
Why Adopt a Minimalist Wardrobe?
About eight years ago, I began my minimalist wardrobe journey; before then, I was, to put it mildly, spending too much money on clothing—a habit with a long history of dissatisfaction. I could comfortably afford this habit. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the need for change. Our walk-in closet was about 100 sq. ft., filled from top to bottom with only my clothing; it was more of a showroom than anything else. As fate would have it, our income changed, and so did my spending habits. After taking an extended break from shopping, I realized it was a habit that caused a restless feeling of never being satisfied; I was not using my time or resources in fulfilling ways.
How Did I Minimize My Wardrobe?
I always wanted a simple closet. The aesthetic was pleasing to the eye, and I could now achieve that with a minimalist wardrobe. Research shows visual distraction from clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory.
In the fall of 2015, we renovated our condo while living in it. May I add that I was also pregnant at the time? I became increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of stuff we had; we also had to move it around for the contractors to work. I started making trips to the thrift store and donating bags of clothing; the less we had to manage, the better I felt! By the time I was done with these trips to the thrift store, I had about 90% less clothing. My wardrobe evolved only to include the items I used, which helped me identify my style.
It was the perfect time to purge unnecessary items, construction seemed to run smoothly with fewer items to manage, and we also became content with what we had. My wardrobe was reduced to only the things I used, and I had fewer distractions and fewer decisions to make in the morning, which ultimately helped me identify my style.
Take a peek at My Minimalist Wardrobe
- two pairs of jeans
- two dresses
- two shorts
- three dressy shirts
- six t-shirts
- five long sleeve shirts
- two sweaters
- six pairs of workout pants
- four workout tanks
- two casual tanks
- one sweatshirt
- five jackets – winter, jeans, fleece, suede, raincoat
- four pajama sets
- seven pairs of shoes – three sneakers, two sandals, three boots, and one pair of house shoes
- one purse
- The list doesn’t include undergarments.
There is no one-size-fits-all to this; it is about having the amount of clothing that works for you! I am now very selective when shopping and select only pieces I use; it’s like a breath of fresh air—no more keeping up with the latest fashion and no more overspending on clothing I barely use.
Benefits of a Minimalist Wardrobe
- The closet is aesthetically pleasing to the eye
- less waste on fast fashion
- fewer decisions to make when getting dressed
- save money
- can purchase better quality
- prompted to identify your style
- contentment
- A walk-in closet is not a requirement – less square footage is needed
- travel easier – less to pack
- It’s simple
How to Shop with Purpose
Shopping with a purpose may be the most critical factor in having a minimalist wardrobe. First, declutter your closet and then wait to shop.
Waiting to shop allows time to figure out the amount of clothing that works for you; it might be less than you think. Pairing down to the items used, you will then be able to identify the gaps in your wardrobe. Once you identify the gaps in your closet, you can create a list of what you need. A list helps shop with purpose; in fact, it will be the foundation of shopping. There will be fewer temptations to buy random pieces you are less likely to use.
“Unless you are truly dissatisfied, stick to what you always buy. Don’t be tempted by new and improved. Don’t scratch unless there’s an itch. Don’t worry that if you do this, you’ll miss out on the new things the world has to offer.” -Derek Sivers.
Quick Tips
- Only buy clothing you love; if it doesn’t fit well or go with what you already have, pass on it.
- Have a list and plan your shopping. This will help avoid impulse buying and random pieces of clothing.
- Purchase quality pieces; they will last longer and keep you out of the stores, having fewer temptations.
- If it’s not 100% YES, then it’s 100% NO.
Final Thoughts
Deciding to have a minimalist wardrobe can also simplify other areas, changing our perspective on life. One of the most significant benefits of a minimalist wardrobe is learning to appreciate what we have. It’s easy to experience decision fatigue at the start of our day; the challenge is how to make the most mundane tasks simplified and enjoyable.
We don’t always need more clothes to have a better wardrobe. Sometimes, we need a new perspective on what we already have, and removing clutter can help give us a clearer view. The ultimate goal is that whenever you open your wardrobe, you like what you have and feel like you have something to wear without overthinking it.