Minimalist Closet Challenge: The Power of Accessories

30 items to pair with a versatile sweater.

What Is The Minimalist Closet Challenge?

This week, I challenged myself to create a minimalist closet using my Oliver Charles sweater! Using clothes and accessories I already own, I found 30 items to pair with my sustainable sweater.

The Minimalist Closet Challenge was a big help in sorting through my closet and finding the items I enjoy wearing most. Over 7 days, I combined these pieces to create 3 outfits I can now see myself wearing all the time. If you want to take the challenge, follow these basic steps...

• Step 1: Audit your closet
• Step 2: Narrow down your wardrobe to 30 items or less.
• Step 3: Plan your "everyday" outfits with these few items.
• Step 4: Wear these outfits working, lounging, and going out over 7 days.
• Step 5: Judge each outfit's comfort, performance, care, and versatility.
• Step 6: Refine the items you chose. It's a journey!

Now that you've seen the steps, I'll show you how I audited my closet and the various easy outfits I put together for the challenge in the next few sections of my blog.

I also left my takeaways under each outfit, which highlights what worked or didn't. So, be sure to check them out!

The Benefits of a Minimalist Closet

I created a minimalist closet to save money, reduce waste, and tap into my inner style. It can be tempting to follow fashion trends, but these clothes usually need improvement and are only in season for a short period. I’ve saved a lot of money by only shopping for pieces that already pair with what I have at home.

Minimalist closets are also super sustainable! I used to donate and throw away a lot of clothes I never wore. Even the clothes I donated to my local thrift store didn’t always make it back on the rack. Now, I can reduce my carbon footprint by giving away fewer clothes that often end up in landfills.

I’ve also discovered my own personal uniform through this process! A personal uniform is a selection of clothing you wear regularly. For example, gold jewelry and natural colors like blue and brown dominate my wardrobe!

How to Create a Minimalist Closet

Start by choosing foundation pieces that are versatile, breathable, and comfortable. Choose neutral colors you wear the most frequently and incorporate them into your minimalist closet.

When purchasing new clothes, consider these three tips.

• Prioritize quality and durability: It’s fun to wear the latest fashion trends, but these pieces don’t last. Choose pieces that will last a lifetime!
• Establish a theme: Are there specific colors you wear most often? Stick to these staple colors and donate one-off pieces that don’t fit your personal uniform.
• Check the material: Polyester, rayon, and acrylic fabrics fall apart quickly and lose shape within a few years. Be picky about each clothing item's material and read the tag before you buy.

Three Everyday Outfits From My Minimalist Closet

When I first started this challenge, I wasn’t sure I could create different outfits using 30 items from my closet. However, I managed to create 3 everyday looks that I can wear at home, for work, and out on a date with friends!

As a remote worker, I attend a lot of meetings via video call. Though my yak wool sweater is perfect for casual meetings with colleagues, sometimes I need to dress up when doing things like presenting. That’s why I paired it with my favorite gold earrings and tan leather blazer!

At first, I thought layering my blazer over my sweater would make it too hot and stuffy to wear. Thankfully, my Oliver Charles sweater has aerated holes built into the underarm area of the sweater to help facilitate airflow! The yak wool material also helps regulate body temperature, and its moisture-wicking properties prevent the sweater from developing smelly odors.

This simple and effective outfit makes me look on top of my game while still being comfortable and breathable for 8 hours straight!

The first thing I do when I get off work is tend to my garden!

I added blue jeans, tan heels, and a sun hat for this outfit. Because this sweater is so versatile, I don’t have to change clothes after work. I can simply close my laptop, water my plants, and then go out for a walk, all in the same outfit! I love that I can dress my sweater up or down for any occasion.

This is my date night outfit, if you couldn’t tell! Simply swap out jeans for a skirt, and voila - you have the perfect outfit for a night out.

Because I established a theme for my minimalist closet, all my pieces match each other. Blue is one of my favorite colors, so I purposefully chose items that match or complement my emerald blue sweater. You can see I didn’t even need to swap shoes to create an entirely new outfit.

Accessories Elevate Everyday Basics

I only keep a few staple pieces in my closet, so I rely on jewelry to diversify my outfits!

As you can see, I have 23 different watches, earrings, and necklaces that help transform my sweater into multiple stunning outfits! If you love jewelry like me, an Oliver Charles sweater is the perfect base to help showcase your accessories! Again, you can see that I mainly stick to gold pieces, with some brown, blue, and white mixed in between.

It’s easier than you think to create a minimalist closet! Doing the Minimalist Closet Challenge seemed intimidating initially, but when you look at your closet, it’s not hard to find pieces that pair well with each other. It’s also cathartic to let go of clothes you simply don’t wear anymore.

I definitely recommend you try the Minimalist Closet Challenge and get yourself an Oliver Charles sweater! These timeless basics (like a good quality sweater) allow you to create multiple stylish outfits while leaving a smaller carbon footprint behind.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.