There was a time when personal style was like a secret gateway into someone’s world. Opening their wardrobe was like stepping into a treasure trove of untold stories— each outfit a plot twist, every clothing holding its own adventure.
Nowadays, it feels like we’ve all been conscripted into some invisible army of beige jumpers and white trainers, marching to the monotonous beat of “less is more” capsule wardrobes.
Minimalist aesthetics; the gospel of “timeless essentials.” It’s sleek, it’s practical, and it’s everywhere. But here’s the thing: not everyone wants to look like a Pinterest board curated by an algorithm.
A one-size-fits-all problem
The capsule wardrobe promised freedom—freedom from decision fatigue, impulse buys, and overflowing wardrobes. But along the way, it turned into another set of rules: only 30 pieces, neutral tones, stick to the basics. For a movement built on simplicity, it’s alarmingly rigid. And while minimalism works beautifully for some, not everyone is comfortable owning just white shirts and black trousers.
Because what happens when you love a bold print? Or glitter? Or when lime green is your neutral? Fashion is about joy and self-expression, not squeezing yourself into someone else’s vision of perfection.
The death of individuality
Personal style seems to be suffering. We scroll Instagram, and everyone is wearing the same oversized blazer, the same “it” bag, shopping from the same handful of brands. It’s like a giant game of fashion musical chairs, and we’re all scrambling for the same seat. Somewhere along the way, the minimalist wardrobe turned from a lifestyle choice into a personality. And it’s exhausting.
Why rules are meant to be broken
Fashion thrives on rebellion. It’s about taking risks, bending rules, and wearing that sequinned jumpsuit to the supermarket just because you can. The rules of minimalism—don’t over-accessorise, stick to basics, avoid trends—are helpful guidelines, but they aren’t laws. If you’re someone who finds comfort in chaos, who layers clashing prints with reckless abandon, then break free of the capsule.
At the end of the day, we don’t all have to be minimalists. The world is already full of sameness, and your wardrobe doesn’t have to be part of that. Maybe your style is a little over the top, a little messy, a little “too much.” But isn’t that what makes it yours? Minimalism may be here to stay, but so is maximalism, eclecticism, and whatever-is-on-the-floorism. Forget the rules. Wear what you love.
