20 Minimalist Wardrobe Tips: How to Have a Minimalist Closet

Looking to simplify your closet and create a more streamlined, minimalist wardrobe? You’re not alone. In recent years, the minimalist lifestyle has gained increasing popularity, and many people are realising the benefits of having fewer clothes that they actually love and wear.

I should know. As a reformed shopaholic who once transformed my entire guest bedroom into a walk-in closet, I’ve seen firsthand how a minimalist wardrobe can reduce decision fatigue, save time and money, and create a sense of calm and clarity in your daily life. For me, it has been nothing short of life-changing!

But where to start?

I know simplifying can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re used to having a lot of options—but I’ve got your back. In this blog post, you’ll learn practical tips and tricks to help you create a minimalist wardrobe that works for you.

From decluttering your closet to choosing versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, this is everything you need to know to create a stylish and sustainable wardrobe that reflects your personal style.

So let’s get started on your journey towards a simpler, more intentional closet!

Tour My Minimalist Wardrobe

Before I share my minimalist wardrobe tips, I thought you might like a sneak peek inside my closet! 

This video is a bit out of date—I filmed this in 2019, and since then I’ve downsized ever further (especially after doing a no new clothes challenge where I didn’t shop for 13 months!). Still, I think it’s worth checking out, especially if you have a hard time imagining what a “realistic” minimal wardrobe might look like.

Why a Minimalist Wardrobe Can Simplify Your Life

Before we dive into my top tips, I want to quickly recap why dressing with a minimalist wardrobe is worth doing!

• Saves time by making it easier to choose outfits
• Reduces stress by eliminating decision fatigue
• Saves money by curbing unnecessary shopping
• Promotes sustainability by focusing on quality over quantity
• Creates a more organised, aesthetically pleasing closet

20 Minimalist Wardrobe Tips

1. Get Comfortable with Repeating Outfits

I used to think that in order to be stylish, I had to follow the latest trends and put together new outfits all the time. To keep up, I filled my wardrobe with fast-fashion pieces—trendy but poorly made. They were in one season and out the next.

That was until I discovered the magic of dressing in a personal uniform. (And no, this doesn’t mean I wear the exact same thing every day!) Instead, I embraced a few tried and tested “outfit formulas” and became an outfit repeater.

The result? I always feel great because I’m wearing my favourite outfits. I spend less time getting dressed and feel more fashionable than ever.

2. Pay Attention to Fabrics

You can have the most beautiful clothes, but if they don’t feel good on your skin, you’ll always reach for something else. Pay attention to what you enjoy wearing, and use this to simplify your closet. 

For example, I naturally gravitate towards cotton and linen because they feel better in my climate. Once I realised this, I found it easy to declutter synthetics like polyester (which left me sweating in sub-tropical Brisbane!). 

3. Define Boundaries and Create Your Own Fashion Rules

Instead of being influenced by ever-changing fashion trends, take time to define what works for you. For example, I don’t wear wide-legged trousers because they don’t suit me, and I avoid dry-clean-only fabrics because I know I won’t maintain them. These small rules help simplify both decluttering and shopping decisions.

If you’re unsure what your fashion rules should be, start by observing your favourite outfits. What do they have in common? Likewise, take note of pieces you rarely wear—what turns you off from them?

This knowledge will help you create a guide you can use when you’re decluttering your closet and when you’re shopping (so you stop buying clothes you never wear). It’s a simple concept, but it’s so helpful when creating your own minimalist style.

4. Borrow Instead of Buying

If you need a dress for a special occasion or a jacket for a one-off trip, consider borrowing from a friend or using a rental service instead of purchasing. This reduces clutter and saves money.

5. Understand You Can Admire a Style Without Wanting to Wear It

I used to spend so much money on things I loved but never wore, and I could never figure out why … until I realised there’s a difference between admiring a style on someone else and wanting to wear it myself.

For example, I love vintage/retro fashion (especially anything from the ’40s or ’50s!), and I used to have a big collection. I’d spend a lot of time admiring these beautiful pieces, but I wouldn’t wear them.

Now I can see that I enjoyed them in the same way you enjoy art in a museum. There’s a lot I love, but that doesn’t mean I want it all hanging in my living room! The same goes for our wardrobes—you can appreciate clothes without needing to own them.

6. Avoid Clothes That Require Specialty Undergarments

I avoid buying clothes that require special undergarments like a specific bra or shapewear. Unless you already own these items and are comfortable wearing them, your new clothes are likely to go unworn. 

(And buying new undergarments just to match a dress you might wear once? That’s a great way to flush money down the drain!)

7. Be honest about how much you’re willing to suffer for fashion

If you always reach for comfortable clothing, don’t buy items that are tight, restrictive, or painful to wear.

For example, I used to tell myself all the time that I’d “break in” uncomfortable shoes or “get used to” a fitted blazer. But, spoiler alert—I never did.

Now, I embrace the fact that I value comfort over trends and shop accordingly, and I recommend you take a long look at your own preferences. Stop convincing yourself that you’ll make exceptions for a beautiful piece when you know deep down that you’re not going to wear it. 

8. Know That You’re Not Defined by What You Wear

I know that most people “know” on an intellectual level, but often our choices tell a different story.

This is why we hang onto clothes that no longer fit or struggle with items that remind us of our youth. We’re still attached to who we used to be in those clothes (or perhaps more accurately, who we thought we were), so letting go feels hard. 

If you struggle with this, I recommend investing time into increasing your self-worth. The more confident you feel about yourself, the less you’ll need your clothes to define you. 

9. Get to Know a Good Tailor

Here’s a reality check for you: if you buy ready-to-wear fashion (99% of what’s on the market), then you probably struggle with fit issues. This isn’t about your size—it’s about body shape. No one pattern will ever fit everybody because everyone’s body is different.

This is where a tailor can help. If you struggle to find essential items of clothing that work for you— classic pieces like a pair of jeans or button-down shirts —don’t go searching for new pieces. Instead, chat with a tailor. He or she might be able to customise something you already own, leaving you with a high-quality piece that’s made for you.

Pro Tip: Before you shop, it’s important to know what a tailor can and can’t do. 

10. Do a Wardrobe Audit

I believe that clutter, in all forms, stems from a lack of clarity, and this is especially true in your wardrobe. Many people think they like wearing certain things, but in reality, they don’t.

The best way to fix this is with a wardrobe audit. Take a long, hard look at what you wear and why—and conversely, what you don’t wear and why. Your favourite clothes reveal insights about your personal style, and the more attention you pay, the easier it is to refine your wardrobe.

Want to learn more about conducting a wardrobe audit? Then be sure to check out my closet decluttering program, the One Day Closet Cleanse.

11. Shop with a List and Always Do Research

Retailers spend millions researching consumer behaviour, using everything from store layouts to music and scents to encourage impulse purchases .

But there’s a simple way to resist these tactics: always shop with a list and do your research first.

Know what you need, and be specific. For example, if you want black pants, what style, fit and fabric are you looking for? I like to read reviews too—you’d be surprised what information you can find online. Narrow it down to a few specific options (or at least have clear criteria) before you get to the shops, and you’ll be less likely to be influenced by marketing gimmicks. 

12. Let Go of “Perfect”

Before I started dressing with a minimalist wardrobe, I spent a lot of time searching for “perfect”.

• the perfect little black dress
• the perfect white t-shirt
• the perfect classic trench coat

You get the idea, right? It’s what every fashion “must have list” recommends, and I understand the desire for quality over quantity.

But here’s the thing: perfect is an illusion. You can buy the leather jacket of your dreams, and then next week you’ll see some celebrity with one you like better and suddenly yours won’t be good enough anymore. That’s the trap of chasing perfection—there will always be something newer, trendier, or ‘better’ just around the corner.

When you accept this, it gives you permission to say, “Good enough is good enough.” I’m not saying you have to settle for poor quality, but think about your time, money, and energy. Remember, there are more important things in life than having the perfect wardrobe (minimalist or otherwise), and accepting this will set you free.

13. Know Your Preferred Hemlines, Necklines, and Silhouettes

Most people favour certain hemlines, necklines, waistlines, and other design features without realising it. Getting clear on what you love will make shopping easier and keep your wardrobe consistent.

14. Experiment with Going Without

Most of us have near 24/7 access to shopping, which makes it easy to buy things on impulse. For example, if I’m trying on a dress and I don’t love how it looks with my shoes, I can hop online and buy a new pair in minutes (and have it delivered the next day!).

Sometimes this convenience is a gift, but let’s face it—we’ve all picked up bad habits.

If you want to buy less but better, practise putting some space between your desire to buy and following through with your purchase. Wait a few weeks to see what you truly need, and you might be surprised by what you learn.   

Related Post: How to Be Happy With What You Have + Stop Wanting More

15. Take Good Care of Your Favourite Clothes

One challenge of a minimalist wardrobe is that you’ll wear your pieces more often—so they need to last. Here’s what I do:

• Wash less frequently. Air out clothes instead of over-washing them.
• Avoid the dryer. Heat weakens fabric fibers.
• Follow care instructions. If you’re unwilling to follow them, reconsider the purchase.

16. Organise Your Closet

An organised wardrobe makes it easier to see and appreciate what you own. To create a cohesive space, try using matching hangers, arranging clothes by colour, or using uniform storage bins.

But remember, always declutter clothes before you organise!

PRO TIP: Take a picture of your closet once you’ve organised it and keep it somewhere handy. Look at it before you buy anything and ask yourself: Do I physically have space for a new purchase? Do I already own something that will do the same job? Does this new item fit my existing style? (This is especially helpful with identifying your colour scheme!)

17. Choose Versatile Items

Minimalist fashion doesn’t have to be boring; you don’t have to stick to neutrals, and you can still express your unique style! But you’ll get more value from your closet if you embrace pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, such as:

• A denim shirt works well on its own or doubles as a lightweight jacket
• A simple t-shirt dress can be worn in the summer with sandals or you could add tights, boots and a cardigan in the winter
• High-quality tanks or camisoles can be worn alone or under sweaters, jackets, etc. 

Be wary of pieces that are hard to layer or items with limited use. You can still indulge if that reflects your personal style, but if you do it in moderation, you’ll get more variety from fewer clothes.

18. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People

The more time you spend looking at other people’s wardrobes, the less content you’ll feel with your own. Be mindful of what you consume—fashion magazines, social media, and even blogs can fuel unnecessary desire for more.

Related post: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

19. Experiment with a Capsule Wardrobe

A minimalist capsule wardrobe is a curated selection of clothes where (almost) everything mixes and matches. There’s no magic number of items it should include, so don’t stress about getting it perfect. Instead, focus on versatility, and you’ll spend less time worrying about what to wear.

20. Stop Taking It All So Seriously

Finally, a bit of tough love from someone who REALLY needed to hear this fifteen years ago …

At the end of the day, no one cares what you’re wearing. Dress for yourself, but also be mindful of how much time, energy, and money you invest in your wardrobe. Spend less time worrying about what to wear, and you’ll have more energy for the things that matter.

Learn More About Creating a Minimalist Closet

If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out:

• What To Do When You Have Too Many Clothes
• Inspiration and Ideas for a Minimalist Spring Capsule Wardrobe
• Minimalist Winter Outfits + How to Make The Most of Your Closet
• A Simple Guide to A Simple Wardrobe

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