The minimalist style adheres to the principle of “less is more.” It encourages a return to the essentials by shedding unnecessary ornamentation and decorations, allowing the quality of fabrics, neutral colors, and clean cuts to shine at the forefront. In this aesthetic, the understated elegance of simplicity takes center stage.
Tracing the Origins of Minimalistic Style
After decades of fashion characterized by excessive and eccentric trends, the 90s ushered in a fresh, uncluttered aesthetic. This new wave of styles celebrated the purity and simplicity found in geometric lines, proportional designs, clean cuts, and balanced silhouettes.
The roots of minimalist fashion can be attributed to visionary Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo, who made their mark in the late 80s. Embracing total black ensembles, deconstructed garments, and oversized silhouettes, they epitomized the traditional concept of Japanese beauty with its emphasis on clean lines and unpretentious simplicity.
Across the European fashion scene, designers like Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, and Martin Margiela fostered the minimalist movement. Their creations portrayed a natural, sophisticated, and timeless woman adorned in impeccable cuts and innovative materials. Meanwhile, in the United States, names like Calvin Klein and Donna Karan swiftly embraced and pioneered the minimalist aesthetic.
These trailblazing designers revolutionized the industry, introducing a minimalist sensibility that offered a refined and enduring approach to style. The influence of their work continues to resonate, inspiring fashion enthusiasts worldwide and shaping the timeless allure of minimalistic fashion.
What Defines the Minimalist Style?
The minimalist style draws inspiration from cosmopolitan women who prioritize functionality and practicality without compromising on sophistication. A prime example of this ethos gaining popularity was witnessed in 90s New York, where women made waves by effortlessly transitioning from trainers to stilettos, flawlessly blending impeccable office attire with a touch of versatility.
These fashion-forward women skillfully paired masculine suits featuring oversized and asymmetric cuts with impeccably tailored dresses, skirts, and even jeans. This fusion of styles showcased the European minimalist designers’ penchant for clean lines and structured silhouettes, while the idea of incorporating jeans into the workplace was championed by American designers, who crafted the perfect casual wardrobe for the urban American woman.
When shifting away from excess, the focus turns to cuts and fabric quality, encompassing:
- Clean and precise lines that exude simplicity.
- Garments designed to allow freedom of movement.
- Thoughtful combinations of textures.
- Skillful play with volume and proportion.
- Carefully chosen colors to enhance the overall aesthetic.
- The use of high-quality fabrics, including silk, organza, or cashmere blended with cotton, denim, or innovative synthetic materials, striking the ideal balance between practicality and elegance.
Minimal style icons
- Carolyn Bessette: The wife of JK Kennedy managed to perfectly capture the discreet luxury of minimalism. Her way of mixing low-cost clothes with some of the most prestigious brands in the world created that casual and relaxed style which is chic and elegant at the same time.
- Christy Turlington: As one Calvin Klein’s muses of the 90s, her image stood as the epitome of low-key style.
- Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen: Their long curly manes, simple makeup with Goth touches and their passion for black have turned the Olsen twins into icons with a stamp of their own identity. Later they translated their minimal style into their label The Row, which is a very successful refined New York brand.
- Pernille Teisbaek: Undisputed star of street style. The Danish beauty has captivated thousands of followers thanks to her way of introducing the main trends season after season without giving up her relaxed and simple Scandinavian style.
