Sunday, April 6, 2014

Announcing the Minimalist Wardrobe Resources Page


i made a slouchy, stripey tee

Hello Dear Readers!  I've been thinking about adding a new feature to my blog the last few months, and finally decided to take the leap today. As you have no doubt observed, my wardrobe has been consolidating and getting tinier, with more repeats of items and looks, so that OOTD posts can get a bit repetitive. At the same time, i've become more interested in clothing minimalism and capsule wardrobes - in style, in aesthetic, in exact number and type of items in the closet. I find the idea and reality of an aesthetically cohesive, well thought out practically, and beautifully curated wardrobe simply captivating. Over the last couple of years, i've been wearing more and more outfits whose look i love, pieces which fit and flatter and don't itch or bind or ride up in drool worthy colors and luxurious fibers and it is just as wonderful as it sounds. More, please!

It's a bit concerning to realize the amount of time i've spent searching for information on this topic. But it's because there's not a lot out there! Fortunately that is changing, especially in the last six months, but it occurred to me that if finding all this information is hard for me it could be hard for other people to find as well.

So i've added a new page to my blog, the Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Resources Page. (The title certainly clunks along the esophagus, but i wanted people to be able to find it easily with search engines. Prepare yourself for an infelicitous insertion of the word "French" in future.) Just click on the title up there at the top of the blog to go to the new page. I'm starting off with some example minimalist wardrobes. For me it's so much easier to envision something with examples! And they can be hard to find through internet searches, especially if it's a one-off type of post in a blog or website not typically concerned with style or wardrobe planning.

Edited to add:  Pam from over50feeling40 left a comment which has led me to realize i've not been clear - the resources page is live, just click on the title "Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Resources" at the top of the page, right under 'not all who wander are lost', to view the page at any time. So far i have six authors/blogs profiled, with nine+ example minimal wardrobes. Thank you Pam!


I also wanted to include notes on all these links so it's easier for people to hone in on what resonates with them and skip the (to them) chaff. These wardrobes vary considerably in size, budget, practical considerations, and aesthetic viewpoints. The Minimalist Mom gets down to basics with 14 jeans + tee + cardi pieces in dark blue, black and grey in order to get dressing accomplished with the least amount of fuss, and on to life. Dawn Michelle scours the thrift and consignment shops, brick and mortar and online, to find the perfect pieces for her artistic life in sunny California. Dawn does not balk at spending as much time and thought as she requires in order to craft a collections which is exquisitely 'her'.

In future i plan to include more resources on planning and theory as well as example wardrobes, and of course anything else which doesn't fit into a particular category but seems helpful. I hope you find this helpful as well, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any links you'd like to see included at pygmyowl (at) sbcglobal (dot) net or to leave a note in the comments.

I'm excited to have started this project! I truly hope it will be a help to other minimalist closet afficionados out there to have many disparate resources in one place. I'm linking up with Patti's Visible Monday, of course starting an idea makes a gal feel visible but also i want to get the word out if other people are interested in this topic. Go visit Patti's Not Dead Yet Style blog and check out the other bloggers. Then, come back here and let me know what you think of my new page!

8 comments:

  1. Wonderful post and concept! I have always been fascinated with the idea of how small a space I could live in and I used to spend hours drawing and designing such a space. I now love the idea of minimalizing my wardrobe, although at every turn I seem to go the exact opposite direction. Hubby and I downsized from a home to a 2 bedroom apartment a year ago. In a few more years I would like to see if we could transition to a 1 bedroom. That may be an impossible feat...but we'll see. I've got much work to do (in the clothing department) to make that happen. This addition to your blog will be helpful to me...and an encouragement to take that step.

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  2. Love the post...your hair and this look!! I look forward to reading what you have planned!

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  3. Great idea, Stephanie - I love reading those types of posts too, and have definitely downsized over the past year. You look lovely, and thanks for sharing your plans with Visible Monday.

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  4. Hi! Pam's comment has led me to realize i've not been clear - the resources page is live, just click on the title "Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Resources" at the top of the page, right under 'not all who wander are lost', to view the page. So far i have six authors/blogs profiled, with nine+ example minimal wardrobes. Thank you Pam, i'll edit the post as well :)

    Welcome Lisa! that's really exciting how much you and your husband have already done in scaling down :) it really is an adventure, and you realize how much our culture is 'stuff-focused'! i've also found it's just really hard to keep stuff from accumulating, even if i never shop. It takes a lot of push back and mental focus. My husband and i hope to build a small house and live there someday, too. Thank you for the positive feedback!

    oh, thank you Pam! i have to say how much i love your profile pic - fun and spring-y and ladylike without being at all fussy or prim, smart and lighthearted all at once. Uplifting!

    Thank you Patti! it's great to have a place like yours where we can share :) i know minimalism isn't everyone's cup of tea, and i'd be bored stiff if it was, but i realize how helpful i find other people's blogrolls and what nots, so....

    Happy Day All!! steph

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  5. I am over the moon with your info Steph. This is a lot of work on your part! I have been studying color all weekend after discovering your blog posts just last week. OMGosh, incredible. THANK YOU for the spark.
    Leslie

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  6. Yeah, I noticed that in the past half year this "French 5-piece wardrobe" thing has suddenly started to give a lot more hits on google. Two good blogs dealing with minimal wardrobes are http://into-mind.com/ and http://the-nife.blogspot.com/.

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  7. Welcome Leslie - you make me blush! Thank you so much for your kind comments, i am very happy that you find this information useful. Of course i like to blog in itself, but i've been so helped and inspired by so many others on the web it's extra meaningful to know i'm able to give some back. (hug)

    Helllo elle! oh, that's fun you noticed it too, it's not just a wild hair of my own!! And i'm so appreciating these new voices - into-mind is on my list of blogs to profile, what a brilliant person! And le nife is new to me - wow! I read your comment, went to check it out, next thing i knew it was the afternoon (uh oh....) thanks!

    Happy Day!! steph

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