How to Build a Minimalist Wardrobe

The idea of a minimalist wardrobe hasn’t always appealed to me. I once thought that the more clothes I had, the more choice I had. But over the years I’ve embraced the idea of less is more. So when I came across the un-fancy.com website this summer I had a feeling I would be giving the minimalist wardrobe system a go at some point.

Caroline, the blogger behind Unfancy, has designed a fun and easy-to-follow wardrobing system that feels like just the right balance of simple without feeling limiting. After some serious contemplation I’ve decided to give her system a try this winter. Here’s a little bit about what I’ll be doing and why.

The Unfancy wardrobing system:

{read more about the unfancy system here}

Here’s what I love about this minimalist wardrobe system:

• even though the number of clothes to choose from is minimal, the time you’re with the same clothes is relatively short so boredom probably won’t happen
• saves loads of time shopping
• if you’re in a transition of any kind, this system should have lots of outfit options for you without having to buy too much
• shopping once per season is a really smart way to keep track of your budget (and spend money on pieces you actually need or want)
• when you only have 37 pieces to work with, you have to be really discerning about your choices and choose your absolute favourite pieces only—a great way to see your true style and make quick decisions in the change room
• it feels like a really fun challenge!

This system is new for me, so of course I feel a little nervous about a few things (and you may too):

• there’s no room for “I kinda like this” type pieces in this system. The pieces I already own I know if I love love love them or not, but the new stuff I can only make an educated guess about. I hope nothing shrinks or becomes uncomfy down the line
• there are a lot of holiday celebrations coming up, and I want to make sure I have enough to get me through those parties without using up too many items as “dressy”
• perhaps something unexpected will come up and I won’t have anything to wear to that in my capsule

Feeling nervous is okay.

In the end, I know the only way these worries will go away is to give this system a go. If I don’t love it halfway through I can always go back to my old ways—no one is stopping me! Also, there is no one holding me back from digging into my stored clothes if something comes up and I need a different item.

A visual helping hand

The hardest thing for me to wrap my head around was which thirty seven pieces to choose. Not individual pieces, general wardrobe pieces that will get me through the winter. So I created a map of sorts to help me out (you can download a pdf version of minimalist wardrobe helping hand here). I’ll be using this little sheet to create my shopping list once I slot in the pieces I already own and love.

Two notes about this sheet:

1. the helping hand sheet lists only 36 items. I did this on purpose so there’s a bonus “play piece” leftover to add in once all the proper planning is done
2. I’m in the middle of planning my wardrobe out at the moment so what I’ve outlined may change once this season’s wardrobe takes shape.

Would you like to join me?

If you’re looking to simplify your wardrobe, budget your shopping dollars and save time doing it, I would love for you to join me on the this three month adventure. Here’s what you’ll need to do this month to prepare for the next three months:

1. Wash or dry clean all your clothes.
2. Try on every piece you own and make a few decisions (wear this season? keep for another season? donate?)
3. Open your minimalist wardrobe helping hand sheet
4. Start slotting in the pieces you want to wear this season into the sheet (you may find you need different pieces than I’ve listed and that’s ok! feel free to play with things as much as you like)
5. Make a shopping list (your shopping list will make itself—the empty slots!)
6. Go shopping!

If you know you’re in… let me know below! We can support each other along the way. If you want to join me but you have questions please post them below, I would be happy to answer them.