M I N I M A L I S M

“Minimalism is asking why before you buy”

--Francine Joy

Why do we need that crop top that Kylie Jenner wore on her Instagram yesterday? Why did we used to scream at our moms until they bought us the new styles from a magazine cover? Our society has become one centered upon fitting in, instead of standing out. The closer you look to the “ideal” pop star the better. The more you have, the more you are, right? Wrong!

Other than the obvious buying from brands that are ethical and sustainable, one of the most important components of sustainability in the fashion industry is minimalism. The first step to minimalistic fashion is to not take part in fast fashion. This is the term used for fashion retailers that quickly remake runway trends in cheaper, low quality fabrics. These are the items being sold in Santee alley in the LA Fashion District. Sure, these clothes might be inexpensive and provide high-fashion trends to those who can’t afford them, but in the end, you will be throwing those clothes away much quicker than had you invested in a quality garment, not only because the fabrics are poor quality, but because the trends will undoubtedly go out of style.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that an average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually. According to Forbes, “Daily Mail reports that women in the U.K. buy half of their body weight in clothes each year, and the average woman in England has 22 unworn items in her closet.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmajohnson/2015/01/15/the-real-cost-of-your-shopping-habits/#1b10e7fa1452. All of this clothing translates to the need more space. The average size of homes is growing along with the storage industry. Americans spend $24 billion a year just to store their possessions.

Minimalism in fashion is about knowing yourself. It is about picking pieces that you know you will wear time and time again. It is about not worrying what everyone else is wearing, and instead picking clothing because it fits your lifestyle. This doesn’t mean you have to be unfashionable, it just means removing the frivolous purchases and keeping to only the essentials. It means finding multiple purposes for one thing. I personally also always look at a thrift store for a desired garment before investing in something new.

The more simplicity you have in your life, the more clarity you are able to achieve. If you live intentionally, with only the things you need, you not only make carbon footprint, but also you are able to focus on what matters most to you.