,

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mindful and Minimal

November 18th, 2016 at 2:07am

Sure to catch an eye from everyone on campus, this Fashionista is sporting a minimal look while managing to make a major statement. By working with a monotone canvas, a splash of color can make a simple piece a bold expression.

Sticking to a set color scheme allows you to maximize the number of combinations while not breaking the bank. My rule of thumb is, as the weather gets cooler, so does your color palette. Pairing scarves or other simple accessories with three or four neutral staples, can go a long way when it comes time to layer up.

Believe it or not, having fewer pieces to work with gives you more options to choose from. Less is more as they always say! In the past decade, we have seen a huge growth in the fast fashion lifestyle. With the ability to purchase a shirt for less than a Starbucks specialty drink, we have lost mindful connection to our material possessions. By no means am I suggesting to treat your clothes as you would a personal relationship; however, thinking in terms of life-cycle processing may help you see the true cost of all your consumer habits.

Staying up to date with the latest trends can seem harmless and fun, however, it is important to consider what our fast fashion habits are doing to not only us but all those around us. Scoring a pair of knee-high boots for a fraction of a penny seems to be a harmless act of bargain shopping. I’ve been there, it’s exhilarating! Because we paid so little when the buckle breaks and the sole begins to part from the fabric, we toss them in the trash with little sense of guilt as they hardly cost us anything in the first place.

What if we treated each pair of shoe like a new pair of Christian Louboutins. For a while, I am sure we would hesitate to even wear them outside. Imagine if every piece we owned, we treated with this same amount of care. This is an essential aspect of a having a minimalist wardrobe and even lifestyle.

Simplifying your wardrobe not only can add clarity to your day, but a whole new avenue for creativity. This Fashionista is perfect proof that being mindful and minimal doesn’t have to hold you back from making a statement with your style.

Author