Pattern? Probably.
Minimal shapes and monochrome colour palettes? Hmmm....Not so much!
Minimal Chic
Don't get me wrong. I love the minimal look!
On other people.
I follow some, very cool, minimal stylists on instagram (thanks to my minimally chic stepdaughter) and I love their images.
BUT, the minimal look is is not something that I can pull off easily myself.
I think perhaps it is my haphazard personality that dictates my mixed-up style of dressing.
I am always reaching for...
"Just a little something"...to add to my look, and satisfy my mood.
So, this late winter outfit, is a minimalist as I am willing to go (for now)!
Skinny jeans are back!
Skinny jeans don't seem to be going anywhere.
We (as women with the buying power to dictate the trends) are not ready to let them go.
Skinny jeans are the perfect partner for oversized (or baggy) tops like this sporty-feeling tunic.
Chunky, black, lace-up boots and vintage, silver, heart earrings kept the look tonal and simple.
A little pattern please...
I could not completely resist a little pattern play, so I wore this zigzag coat.
It is a neat fit, with a muted colourway, and just enough 'fun' to stop me snoozing.
My new, grey, patent bucket bag finished things off perfectly.
Do you love simple and classic lines/colours?
Or do you love your brights/pastels/neons?
How minimal can you go?
Please let me know in the comments or tweet me @samantha4blair.
You know I love to hear your thoughts and ideas!
P.S If you like this plain(er) look you might like these...
Pared back dressing.
Wearing all white.
Cute and simple outfit, for work.
Boots: Unbranded (Charity shop find)...these office ones are perfect!
Jeans: Topshop
Tunic: BDG @Urban outfitters.
Bag: Dune (this one is nice)
Gloves: Dents
Earrings: Old (these are pretty)
Shop the look:
Hahahaha I'm sorry, Samantha, but the word "minimalism" is simply not something I'd associate with you, be it sartorially or anything else, at any point in time. Look at your outfit. No matter how hard you attempt a sleek look, it still is a beautiful composition of colour and print, albeit a little less on the rainbow parade spectrum of things :) which is what we love and adore you for :) that being said, it's really cool to see you wearing something less Samantha.
ReplyDeletep/s you still look amazing, incidentally, I doubt you could look anything but amazing even if you tried xoxo
Thank you so much Sheela! I tried, I really did....But, winter offers us so much in the way of texture, it is hard to be minimal. Maybe I will do better in summer? Hmmm.... XXX
DeleteDon't you dare try too hard GRIN
DeleteXXX
DeleteI'm laughing only because I have this same problem. I was just taking a picture for the spin the pin again, and it was so hard not to wear a necklace or earrings!
ReplyDeleteBut let's put things into perspective....you are doing minimalism here---compared to your usual get ups! And this is minimalism compared to Iris Apfel---so it really all depends on how you look at it!
jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps...Love the coat BTW!!
This is true Jodie. For me, I am minimalised to the max! A success afterall... :oP XXX
DeleteI'm with you, minimalism is very hard for me - that said, your outfit is fab! As far as skinny jeans go, every once and awhile I think they are on the way out, and back they come! I think they are here to stay, especially in the winter/fall when they balance out heavier/flowy sweaters on top. The trend jeans will always come around and go - but skinnies and boyfriends will be around for years to come - until us gals decide we are ready to walk away from them :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Exactly Suzanne! We have the (ultimate) power to dictate what is on the shop floor. Thank goodness for that! XXX
DeleteSaying you are going to be a minimalist is like me saying I'm going to have a capsule wardrobe. Ha ha! Fine and dandy if a capsule wardrobe includes a very large space capsule where I can load my heaps of family members that other people heartlessly classify as clothing.
ReplyDeleteI was at a vintage clothing show today and thought of you. You would have died and gone straight to clothing heaven. Not a minimalist in sight! And yes...no worries...I bought a few things.
bisous
Suzanne
Hahaha...that is true! I was (briefly) considering writing a piece on capsule wardrobes then I laughed out loud. That is my idea of wardrobe hell. I recently bought an 70's vintage dress, with that typical oversized pattern of oranges and browns and I feel your approval of its utter outrageousness. And, I get what you mean about the "family members" feeling. This dress has buckets of personality. Where do you find vintage clothing shows? XXX
Deleteabsolutely love your skinny jeans and your coat! you're looking fab!!
ReplyDeletexo
vale
www.fashionneed09.com
Thank you so much Vale XXX
DeleteMinimalism is not a word that's in my vocabulary that's for sure! Like you, I can appreciate it on others, but I would be sad if I had to wear a minimalist look...lol! I do love that tunic. It's simple, but not. The subtle pattern and drawstrings make it a standout. And I'm crushing on your boots.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.com
Thank you Debbie. It is hard isn't it? I have struggled a little with paring things down as far as they can go. This is as far as I can go....for now :oD XXX
DeleteMy eyes were immediately drawn to your boots; they look so cool, something that I would want in my own closet!
ReplyDeleteI'm very much into zigzag things, too, so this coat is right up my alley.
As for the minimalism concept, I think (I think so) I've tried dipping my toes into that a few times, but I'm not sure I executed it very well though...
Ahhh...thank you! Although your feet might cook over there in these...they are (faux) fur lined and roasty toasty! XXX
DeleteI'm enjoy a minimalist look when I see it on other people and I keep thinking it might be a nice style direction to go towards. But...I do think it is better suited to a more angular body type. I'm so curvy lumpy bumpy that my body turns a long lean line into a series of folds and bends...and the minimalism is out the window! I'll keep searching til I find Just the Right Thing...cuz I do think it's good to keep trying new things and adapting.
ReplyDeleteBettye
Thank you for this comment Bettye! I think you are right about curves and structured minimalism....they don't go well together. angular clothes need to hang off bustless square shoulders! Lol. Perhaps a softer minimal outline would suit your fabulous curves? Draping fabrics, asymmetric hems and curve-loving flowing shapes? You could add the geometric element using jewellery, maybe? Curves look amazing in these types of fabrics. Please let me know how you get on with your search. XXX
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ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry but all links that don't redirect to a blog will be deleted. Thank you for your comment though. XXX
DeleteThanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I like how you wrote this posts. It reminds me of a Bond movie. Insurance? Accidents do happen. LOL
ReplyDeleteHahaha...thank you! XXX
DeleteI'd say your high colour contrast is the reason you find "minimal" and neutral dressing hard. Colours and patterns harmonise so well with your natural appearance you are made to wear them and they flatter you so well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this comment, Imogen. I know you are a professional, and know your styling stuff "inside out". I think I instinctively reach for the brighter clothes, without really knowing why...And then when you explain, it seems to make perfect sense! :oD XXX
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