Minimalist vs Maximalist Wardrobe

With the new UNIQLO sweat set taking over my TikTok feed, I thought to myself, 'Is THIS my sign to start a minimalist capsule wardrobe?'. You see, I’m always on trying to choose between a minimalist capsule wardrobe and a bold maximalist wardrobe. I can never seem to find the balance and end up with the most incoherent wardrobe of all time. Maybe I’m just being dramatic.

No I'm sure you've heard the phrase, 'History repeats itself'. This philosophy applies heavily in the fashion world, where we see the fashion pendulum swing from the sleek, utilitarian aesthetic of the early 2000s to the Y2K glitter explosions and Juicy Couture velvet sweat sets. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love pieces from every era of fashion. The staples of a minimalist capsule wardrobe—a crisp white tee, perfectly fitting blue denim jeans—sound so cool and chic. But some days, I’m just not feeling cool and chic. On those days, I’m feeling happy, and I want to wear my bright yellow polo crop. Other days, I’m feeling passionate and angry, so I pull out my red leather jacket and black stiletto heels.

So maybe, just maybe, my deepest desire is to have the best of both worlds.

Eventually, I want to be that girl with the monochromatic Scandi-cool looks, living my best Matilda Djerf life. I even tried building my wardrobe to look like hers—bought some minimalist pieces from Djerf Avenue. But the moment I stepped out on the street, every second girl had the same (or at least a very similar) outfit to me. Yes, I know—this is the definition of a minimalist wardrobe. To have simple pieces means to present yourself simply to the world. This can sometimes feel like a safe option—if people can’t read you, they can’t judge you. Take fashion icon Hailey Bieber, for example. Her outfits, regardless of their price tags, perfectly embody the clean girl aesthetic. Although, with Glassons duplicating every piece, it often leans into cheap and fast fashion.

At the end of the day, I just want my outfits to be me. I want my clothes to represent how I’m feeling. I want to channel my inner Alexander McQueen and be bold and daring—expressing my emotions through the canvas of my body.

To dress maximalist is not to seek every eye in the room. It’s not to present yourself as an art piece to be judged. It’s not about adding as many colours and textures as possible into one outfit. To dress maximalist is to be unapologetically yourself. It is to thrive on creativity and self-expression.

My biggest inspiration for dressing this way comes from small, niche influencers like Koleen Diaz and Sierra Rena.

Koleen Diaz

Sierra Rena

What I love most about their looks is the marriage of masculine and feminine silhouettes—the bold, oversized pants paired with a sleek, sexy pointed-toe heel. Using pieces from my minimalist capsule wardrobe, I elevate them with bold jewellery, complementary hairstyles, and balanced makeup. This is my secret recipe. You shouldn’t be afraid to throw in some statement pieces, but only if they feel authentic to you.

By following these rules, you won’t just feel sexy and confident—you’ll feel utterly and completely yourself. No more copying everything celebrities or influencers wear (taking inspiration is always acceptable, of course). But let’s bring back individuality and self-expression. Let’s practice bravery through our outfits.

Let’s, you and I both, build a wardrobe that’s lean yet loud where it needs to be—a closet that’s both effortlessly minimal yet unapologetically bold.