Our Guide To Sustainable Minimalist Fashion

What is Minimalist Fashion?

We are so glad to see that minimalist fashion trends are sneaking their way back into culture – with so many of us being constantly inundated with marketing and the latest “fashion hauls” or “must buys” that we see on social media, we can’t help but love the more classic styles that always seem to remain timeless.

The ideology around minimalist fashion is really just investing in fewer and better pieces that really suit your style and your body. Pieces that you feel good in and reach for time and time again.

We also tend to look for more high end and natural fabrics within this type of fashion – soft, organic cottons and ethically raised wools for instance. Fabrics that tend not to disintegrate or leak out micro plastics, but rather can be styled beautiful and worn on the body with comfort.

A minimalist wardrobe typically includes 20–40 core pieces that you reach for time and time again and are easy to style with one another. Below, we delve into how we think about creating our own minimalist fashion wardrobes and what the parameters we set in place as a team are.

You can also explore our own sustainable curation here!

Focus on Silhouette - Structure

When it comes to silhouette, combining different cuts can help us create statement and unexpected looks. Pair a loose top and bottom for a chic un-done look. Pair a loose bottom and fitted top for a more preppy put-together look. Experiment with these various combinations to find your minimalist style and maximise your styling possibilities! For a bit of structure in your look, we love Dāl The Label’s sustainable workwear pieces such as their Signature Linen Double-Breasted Blazer. Olistic The Label’s new Misoki Trousers are the perfect loose bottoms to be dressed up or down.

Focus On Silhouette - Comfort

When we look at the ‘flow’ silhouette, we are using a loose top and loose bottom combined. Finding soft and relaxed knitted trousers and knitted jumper or cardigan can help us re-create this look. By using heavier knits for winter and lighter knits or more breathable fabrics such as linen or organic cotton for summer, there is always a way to replicate this look no matter the season! Two of our favourite jumpers for this look are The Grey MAREE Crew  from the British ethical knitwear line, Navygrey, and The Ingleton Gilet by regenerative knitwear brand, HERD.

Choose Your Colour Palette - Black & White

The most simple colours in your wardrobe can create the most stunning looks when done right. Combining your understanding of silhouette, take either black, white or both and begin to build your minimalist outfit. When we look for basics, this season (and every one following!) we are looking straight to Shaina Mote to build the foundations of our outfits.

Born out of the desire for lasting, quality garments like those of years past, Shaina Mote offers a pragmatic wardrobe for real life. The collection focuses on dependable classics built with purpose, crafted from quality fabrics with a focus on regenerative and organic practices.

Choose Your Colour Palette - Neutrals

A highly popular style currently is pairing neutrals together in a minimalist look. The best thing about this style is you can tailor it to your preference for warm or cool neutrals depending on your taste and personal colour tones or you can get creative and combine various neutral tones to be more unique!

We love OZMA of California for the most incredible naturals, and also Industry of all Nations for incredibly chic outerwear that comes in creams and camels.

Simple Accessories - Bags

Now if these minimalist looks are going to be suitable for on-the-go, we are going to have to accessorise with a sustainable bag! Luckily we are so fortunate to stock the incredible Marai who create sustainable versions of our favourite style bags, in each shape we could possibly need. To refine a flowing silhouette or reinforce a structured silhouette add a Marai leather bag!

Simple Accessories - Shoes

We love a simple shoe, and tend to make this an investment. Our favourite lines for sustainable shoes? Dear Frances, Coclico and Vibae.

Dear Frances unites directional design and traditional Italian shoemaking techniques. Each silhouette embodies a minimalist refinement, marked by understated integrity and considered production. Made in Italy and designed in London, pieces are created to endure, both physically and aesthetically. The ethos and vision echoes the delicate strength of a woman and we love that these shoes last you years and years and work with any outfit.

Coclico is a wonderful option for comfortable yet beautiful footwear. Each pair is made in a family-run Spanish atelier using materials chosen for their beauty and environmental footprint. Our commitment to integrity runs from form to finish: certified sustainable woods, thoughtfully-tanned leathers, and production practices that favor longevity over excess. Coclico is a rarity as an independently-owned, small accessories house that focuses entirely on its expertise in shoes. Always intended to have a life beyond its founding mothers, since inception, our small team has eschewed creating a cult-of-personality and instead has cultivated a cult of design.

Simple Accessories - Jewellery

Finally, to respect the pinnacle of minimalist dressing, being defined by a refined style and exquisite taste, we must include a piece or two of jewellery that reflects that. When opting for minimalist jewellery, see which ones call out to you. To highlight externally, the refined artiste within, jewellery can be the abstract rule breaker in a minimal outfit, to subtly showcase your personality. If however you wish to maintain minimalism throughout, simple and textured sustainable metals is our way to go. Carolina de Barros Jewellery is our newest go-to for these cherry-on-top pieces that tie it all together!

Maintain & Repair

We know that investing in high-end pieces that have been incredibly well made comes with a higher price tag, but we also believe that these pieces can last you for years to come with a little extra care.

When investing in high end minimalist fashion, it is important to think about after care to make sure it lasts. For us, we believe washing clothing on gentle cycles, in warm but not hot temperatures and line or hang drying your pieces is always the best bet. Also, try to wash things a little less! You will find by doing some simple spot cleaning you can actually save money on electricity whilst also going easy on fabrics. You should think about using extremely natural laundry products, with our team’s favorite being Koala Eco. It smells incredible and is made with only the most sustainable, plant based ingredients.