READing Your Style: The Big Buy Theory (The Minimalist)

Being that these next two months is about The Secrets of Stylists, I was so fortunate to come across InStyle Magazine’s feature, “The Big Buy Theory”. I found this feature useful because it offers a classification system for the types of ways to approach buying ones clothes. In my fashion, if you are out shopping and finding it hard to find an outfit for a particular event, or just looking for clothes that suit your style, I thought this was an accurate theory of which to base ones decisions off of. Styling the mannequins at Forever 21 this past month, I find I have to put myself in the mindset of the customers who are looking to buy from the store. Forever 21 has a huge selection, and is a treasure trove of clothes for any look, and what I have heard from customers is that they have a bit of trouble sifting through all the merchandise. If you are familiar with Forever 21, you will know that Forever tries to make it easy by coordinating different rooms for different types of girls (i.e. Girly Girl, Grungy Girl, Now Girl, Bohemian Girl, etc.). Based on the selection of clothes each room has, I have to think about what each particular girl would want to wear and present an innovative and inspiring look that entices customers to consider particular pieces to buy. I enjoy showing the ways in which to wear pieces that one might not think to combine together, and in my fashion, no matter what type of girl you happen to classify yourself as, “The Big Buy Theory” applies to each girl and how to approach selecting one’s clothes at the store.

Now, as we all know, the Fall 2014 collections were shown last month, and I have reviewed the collections! This season I wanted to approach reviewing the collections with “The Big Buy Theory” in mind. For those of you looking for inspiration on your next shopping excursion, what I have done here on #IMFblog is chosen designers that I find exemplify each classification of “The Big Buy Theory” and presented my picks of looks worth imitating if you are looking to create a modern, innovative look for yourself the next time you are out shopping. Along with my runway choices, I have reprinted each of “The Big Buy Theory” classification descriptions and InStyle’s suggestions for how to shop based on what you classify yourself as. In my fashion, I find that there maybe a little of each of the four classifications in all of us, but there is probably one of which we tend to gravitate towards the most which make us feel most comfortable in our sartorial journey. If you find that you are a generally a “Trend Spotter”, and want to appear more “Minimalist” use InStyle’s guide to help you put yourself in the mindset of how a Minimalist would find clothes. If you are a “Investor” and want to boost the impact of your look by thinking as an “Accessory Maven” would, there is a bevy of advice to consider from “The Big Buy Theory”. Regardless of what type of girl you think of yourself as, whether you are a punk rocker, athlete, or business professional, each girl can benefit from approaching buying clothes thinking about which classification to approach buying the pieces to complete a look. Hopefully the runway looks I chose help you to create new looks for yourself that keep you current and forward thinking for the coming season. 

The Minimalist

Marc Jacobs, Christopher Kane, J.W. Anderson

You have a uniform that’s not classic in the conventional sense, but it’s totally classic to you. Your predilection for always buying the same brands conveys an overarching aesthetic that’s evident from your sleek trousers and your austere dresses. You mix and match textures, shapes and a mostly neutral color palette seamlessly, regardless of the puzzle piece.

Marc Jacobs, Haider Akerman, Celine

Why it’s easy: Dressing in the morning is a breeze

Hugo Boss, J.W. Anderson, Stella McCarthy

Why it’s tricky: You can spiral into style boredom.

Celine, J.W. Anderson, Narcisco Rodriguez

The Goal: Perfecting the algorithm without being too predictable.

Celine, Haider Ackerman, Stella MacCarthy

Plan of Attack:

SPLURGE ON A MINIMAL SILHOUETTE WITH AN IMPECCABLE CUT: Be it cropped trousers, a tailored blouse, or a cashmere knit, a timeless item that fits perfectly is worth the expense. InStyle Style Director Melissa Rubini recommends her “forever” choice: a midi-length sheath in a dark hue. “I rarely spend a lot of money on clothing, but I’ll invest in a beautiful dress I know I’ll wear often.”Buy one in a silk or lightweight wool crepe, a crisp fabric that holds up well.

Christopher Kane, Haider Ackerman, Narcisco Rodriguez

UPDATE GO-TO’S WITH FRESH ACCENTS: If an all-black tailored blazer is your sure thing, pick one with leather lapels. It’s a subtle shift but nuanced enough to feel new.

Chistoher Kane, Narcisco Rodriguez, Stella MacCarthy

TAKE CHANCES WITH ACCESSORIES: This is the moment to try a showstopper that will stand out from the rest of your look, like a pair of futuristic architectural sandals. Make it fun and eye-popping so it can be pulled out and revisited over time.

J.W. Anderson, Marc Jacobs, Narcisco Rodriguez

BUY ON A ROTATING BASIS: Rubini, a lifelong minimalist, periodically chooses a category from her closet and takes inventory to fill in the gaps. It could be adding more turtlenecks one weekend or new pencil skirts another, she says, but breaking down your purchases will keep things organized instead of overwhelming. It also gives you a better ration of flashy accents to key staples.

Christopher Kane, Haider Ackerman, Stella McCartney

Websites to check out:

Haider Ackerman, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs

LA GARCONNE: lagarconne.com – Its affordable in-house line has sleek basics in a pared-down palette.

NEED SUPPLY: needsupply.com – The stock leans toward well-priced indie brands.

SSENSE: ssense.com – Browse hot labels with a cutting-edge take on minimalism.

STYLEBOP: stylebop.com – This German site caries hard-to-find Euro designers.