Build a Timeless Wardrobe With These Minimalist Style Essentials

When it comes to minimalist style, it’s not necessarily what you wear, but how you wear it. Take the quiet luxury fashion trend, for instance, which dominated the trend cycle over the past two years. It’s a perfect example of how a less-is-more approach to dressing can earn you major sartorial clout. Celebrities, including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, have been championing the look for years, thanks to its timeless nature and wearability (read: no flashy fabrics or ostentatious silhouettes here).

Still, to keep minimalist style fresh and relevant, it has to be reimagined, while staying true to its core identity. Fortunately for us, a few wardrobe basics and some fashion know-how are all you need to make a statement. To prove it to you, we asked fashion experts to share their best advice for wearing this simple yet stylish aesthetic.

Keep scrolling for five tips for pulling off minimalist style like our favorite A-listers.

Establish Your Wardrobe Staples

Quality matters when putting together your minimalist wardrobe, but not just concerning materials (we’ll get to that later). Minimalist style relies on having the right foundational garments to build upon. “Although there is no magic number of how many pieces to have in a capsule wardrobe, it’s important to put the focus on building with the right pieces,” says fashion stylist Naina Singla. Her minimalist style must-haves? “A statement coat or trench, an everyday dress, loose knitwear, tailored trousers, high-waisted jeans, a tailored blazer, and elevated basics to layer with—such as knits, tees, and tanks.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Outfits

Minimalist style in today’s fashion climate is not only favorable for its aesthetic but for its sustainability too. And although you may have to get a little creative when styling, upcycling is very much in (thanks, Cate Blanchett). “You’ll get the most out of your wardrobe if you’re able to make simple tweaks with your looks,” Singla tells us. “You can do this easily if you create a go-to daily outfit formula, which is a specific combination of items you can wear in different versions. Think of it as a uniform with little variation, that will help you to get dressed more easily and make it more enjoyable.”

Pay Attention to Quality Over Quantity

Dresses are a pillar of minimalist outfits because of their simplicity. That said, there is such a thing as too simple. “The simpler the look, the nicer the fabric needs to be because prints can hide flaws like uneven seams,” says Alison Bruhn, co-founder of The Style That Binds Us. Her solution? Investing in quality fabrics, such as linen, cashmere, cotton, silk, tweed, leather, and suede. “Pay extra attention to how the clothing drapes on the body,” she adds.

Lean Into Tailoring

According to fashion stylist Madeleine Kennedy, well-suited pieces (no pun intended) are also integral to minimalist style. “Picking pieces that are property tailored will keep your look sharp and elevated, while neutrals throughout will create a more cohesive look. Things like black and white trousers, black and white blazers, white and black button-ups [are must-haves].”

Add More High-Quality Accessories

When shopping for accessories to go with this aesthetic, you’ll not so surprisingly want to keep them minimal. Paule Tenaillon and Marine Braquet, founders of sustainable luxury footwear brand NOMASEI, offer up their recommendations: “You can’t get the minimalist look without a good pair of loafers, a silk-colored scarf…and a clean leather belt with minimal buckle.”