For me, longing for a more minimalist lifestyle comes from practicing more mindfulness in my life. Surrounding myself with less clutter creates a sense of calm for me. I have always gravitated towards a clean and minimalist aesthetic coming from a design background. Concepts like “form follows function” and the Bauhaus philosophy of marrying functional design with the fine arts and crafts have always fascinated me. A design of anything speaks to me, if it strikes me as “just right” regarding form, proportions and color with no unnecessary add-ons. Clean design and less clutter have a soothing effect on the mind. Mindfulness and minimalism go together beautifully.
Before this shift of mind I used to be somewhat of a shopping addict, always feeling like that next purchase would finally make me happy. Breaking news: it didn’t. Most things got old and boring after some time. This was before I learned that happiness can’t be found in external things. The idea of living with less can give us anxiety, as it is against anything we have learned growing up. Accumulating more and more stuff to become happier. But really? It does not fill the void. It just makes you move on to the next thing in search for the happiness that the last thing couldn’t provide you with.
I feel like the longing for simplicity is a general mind-set in society right now. Shows and documentaries like “Marie Kondo – The Art of Tidying Up” and “Minimalism” are huge hits on Netflix. Climate change, our finite resources and oversaturation in every aspect bring out the need for change. The chaotic situation of world politics and increased (dis-) connection through social media foster our need for more security and simplicity. The desire for simplicity really might be a longing for more mindfulness and real connection.
To this day, I still love fashion and good design but I won’t run after every trend anymore and rather keep my closet neat and lean and my credit card at a reasonable amount. I choose the things I purchase more carefully and with the long-term on my mind. Will I still love this piece for seasons to come or is it a purchase I will get tired of after wearing it once? If it’s the latter, it’s a pass. I’d rather invest in one quality piece than buying ten things at a fast fashion retailer. QuaIity over quantity. I don’t want to deal with an overflowing closet anymore because it’s not sustainable and doesn’t bring more joy to my life.
Here are four tips to keep your closet lean & more sustainable:
Shop Responsibly. The fashion industry in particular has a huge environmental footprint and it’s time for a change towards more sustainable business models. There are a lot of amazing small start-ups that have environmentally friendly practices like using recycled fabrics or fabrics made from plant fiber like one of my favorite active-wear labels Seela Studio.
Choose Carefully. It feels so much better to have a closet full of favorite items than pieces one you only wear once and can’t look at anymore. Invest in quality things that will bring you joy for a long time and not just a season.
Re-Wear & Swap Closets. Have a wedding to attend? Or a vacation coming up and desperately need a new item to complete your outfits? Shop your bestie’s closet. We all have that one best friend that loves the same things and wears hopefully the same size so your closet choice just doubled! Good for the wallet, the environment and so much fun to temporarily “own” your best friend’s amazing clothes!
Re-Sell. I love re-selling my more expensive items through Vestiaire Collective, an amazing second-hand platform. They have an app which is super easy to use and sell your once loved accessories and clothes. Just snap a pic, upload, wait for it to be approved and you are ready to sell. I have sold half my closet on there. Flea markets and second hand brick-and-mortar stores are also great options for your old pieces to find a new home.
