My personal definition of the term “Midsummer” is one of two magical times of the year( the other is around February) when clothes for two different seasons are mad cheap. Midsummer, this time of year, is crucial for wardrobe transitions. This prime wardrobe-time for maximizing your personal style, especially if you are verging towards the ever-popular idea of a minimalist wardrobe.
The Trend
As seen on the runways for Fall 2017, designers focus on simple color pallets with edgy silhouettes, like deconstructed blouses and asymmetrical skirts, similar to what was seen earlier for Spring ’17. Many designers who are favorites of many minimalist fashionistas, stepped out the standard grayscale that is so often associated with the school of thought and embraced bright colors and even prints. Creatures of Comfort did this very well and turned up the volume with bold colors on their velvet dresses and oversized cable knitted sweaters. Dries Van Noten enlisted the classic white button up and black trouser while Dior kept it sweet and sultry with a vintage-inspired navy dress.
Where To Shop
Wearing minimalist fashion in a place like Chicago, well, the whole Midwest, in general, is quite easy. We Midwesterners, like the Parisians, are pretty simple when it comes to our wardrobes. You have your staple pieces, ultimately creating a capsule wardrobe, and instead of building with white blouses, we, however, build with white t-shirts. Very simple. Very Americana. It is important that when maximizing the Midsummer Minimalist look and transitioning your wardrobe over to this next season that you invest in the basics, like a little black dress and then build from there; implementing a piece that’s a bit more in trend like an oversized dark green sweater. The key in both cases is not to go too cheap on your basics, and not to add too many trend-driven pieces. Or you will completely defeat the point of being a minimalist. Overall the Midsummer Minimalist trend is pretty easy to implement and realistically is a lifestyle that you can create you all year long.
Build your wardrobe with one or two of these pieces from the list of 18 Midsummer Minimalist essentials:
Everlane, The Double Lined Silk V-Neck Cami, $65 available at Everlane.
Uniqlo, Women Sweat Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Hoodie, $19.90 available at Uniqlo.
Stelan, Panel Skirt, $22.99 available at Need Supply Co.
Morph Knitwear, Cashmere + Silk Box Crop, $212 available at Morph Knitwear.
Madewell, Slim Straight in William wash, $128 available at Madewell.
Textile Haus, Iro Kimono, $388 available at Textile Haus.
Mango, Flowy Shirt, $39.99 available at Mango.com.
Gap, Icon Denim Jacket, $69.95 available at Gap .
H&M, Short Dress, $17.99 available at H&M.
Anna Brown, Grifter Pants, $485 available at Anna Brown.
Wulfka, Sirona Wrap Pants, $105 available at Wulfka.
Issac Sellam, Clandesdine Jacket, $1,595 available at Robin Richman.
Pringle of Scotland, Lambswool Cashmere Cardigan, $1,020 available at La Garçonne.
Industrial Arts, Large Ring Necklace, $168 available at IA+
Stuart Weisman, Nearlynude, $398 available at Zappos.
Reebok, Classic Leather, $75.99 available at Villa.
CHC, Emit Tote – Sand, $425 available at CHC.
MZ WALLACE, Crosby Tote, $365 available at MZ WALLACE.
