Patrycja from ANSIN: Hi Milena! First of all, I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation to this interview. Tell us, how did your adventure with minimalism begin?
Milena: Hi! And thank you for the invitation. I started my adventure with minimalism about 6 years ago, specifically with a closet clean-out. I'm not sure if I can call myself a 100% minimalist at this point; I don't hide the fact that I don't like to put myself in a box. I prefer to live by the principle of relative moderation and respect for the world around me, which in turn has forced me to limit my possessions.
As for the beginning itself, it is quite prosaic. When my husband and I moved into our first own apartment, we only had one wardrobe at our disposal, and by necessity, I had to organize my closet in such a way as to fit all my clothes in it. Since I really wanted to have all my things in sight, this forced me to do a thorough cleaning and "clear out" for the first time. I still remember the feeling of immense satisfaction when I hung all my clothes (I still use this method today) on the rack and could quickly reach for any item without having to dive to the bottom of the closet!
PzA: Was your closet always this consistent and organized? We are curious how long you spent building your capsule wardrobe base, as well as the process of incorporating specific rules into your wardrobe.
M: Oh no. I've gone through many fashion phases in my life—starting with bell-bottoms for every outfit in elementary school, combat boots and studs in high school, and a kaleidoscope of colors in a boho style during college. The only thing that has always been close to me is second-hand clothing and a general respect for things. It wasn't until 6 years ago that I "matured" into my current style and realized that I prefer to have fewer things in my closet, but of better quality. As for the length of time it takes to build a consistent closet, I believe that it is a very individual process and it cannot be done in a month. Our lifestyles and preferences change, and as a result, we need different clothes. That's why I'm a huge fan of timeless classics: a simple t-shirt, good jeans, a blazer, a sweater with a good composition in a natural color—these will never go out of style and are good for starters if you are interested in a capsule wardrobe base. It was these that allowed me to build a consistent wardrobe, thanks to which I no longer have the feeling that I have nothing to wear. And the process itself took me several years—that's how long it took me to find "my" cuts and colors.
PzA: What advice would you give to someone who is wondering how to create a capsule wardrobe and is just at the beginning of their journey?
M: First of all, it's worth starting with a closet clean-out. Only when we take everything out (but absolutely EVERYTHING—this will make us realize how much we actually have) can we make a selection: on one pile, it's worth putting clothes that we love, in which we feel good, which are comfortable and fit into many outfits; on the second pile, clothes we aren't sure about (it's worth having them in sight to check if we will actually reach for them). And of course, the final pile: these are things to get rid of: sell them, give them to someone who will enjoy them. This is a method that appears in all guidebooks, and I used it myself.
The next step is to gradually invest in a kind of base, meaning clothes that we can combine freely with our other items. It's worth paying attention to what we already have in our closet and what we reach for most often. And here is a note from me right away: don't rush! Let this process be more of an adventure than a tedious necessity. The fewer clothes we have, the more we respect them, the higher our expectations for quality, and the more joy a long-awaited purchase will bring us.
And of course, another important thing: get inspired! Pinterest, Instagram, people on the street… It is definitely worth saving the outfits that we like on others and checking if we can recreate them using the clothes we already have in our closet. Such an exercise helps a lot at the beginning, as we develop the habit of using what we already have. Plus, it will be easier for us to determine what we might actually need.
PzA: What about fabrics—do you pay close attention to the composition of the things you buy? Maybe you have your favorite fibers that work for you in every situation?
M: Yes, as far as clothing composition goes, I am very demanding. I try for my clothes to be made of materials that are as natural as possible or those in which I simply feel comfortable. When it comes to shirts and t-shirts, I like cotton, Tencel, cupro, and linen. In the sweater department, wool and cashmere reign supreme. I avoid synthetic materials, but without exaggeration. I have a trench coat with a polyester blend that serves me very well, and I don't intend to get rid of it. It's the same with functional clothing, the type typically used for sports.
PzA: Changing the subject—the one thing that will save any of your outfits is…
M: A white shirt and a wool blazer! They can't be missing from my closet.
PzA: You had the opportunity to test our MISS INVISIBLE in NUDE as well as our MISS MELLOW top. How do you like wearing these products the most? We saw that they have appeared in many of your outfits!
M: Both products have settled into my closet for good, and I think they will be worn almost daily in the autumn-winter season. I always wear the beige tank top under my shirts and sweaters, because since I was a child, I was taught the principle: "bare back = cold and rheumatism in old age" 🙂 And seriously, I am very careful to dress appropriately for the weather, and on cooler days, I like to have an extra layer under my shirt.
In turn, the short-sleeve top fits perfectly under my blazers, and since I rediscovered beige this year, I wear it very often.
PzA: Did any trend steal your heart this season, or are you trying to stay true to minimalist solutions?
M: I'm mostly trying to stick to proven classics. As for a trend, this year the craze for beige clothes caught up with me too. Honestly, I'm not even up to date on fashion news and "must-have" items. I like fashion, I follow many cool people who inspire me, but I don't blindly follow marketing guides like: "Top things for autumn 2020." I simply learned that what is trendy will not always look good on me.
PzA: Where do you usually find inspiration for your outfits? Share how you manage to create so many combinations!
M: I am a Pinterest girl 🙂 Seriously, for me, it's a goldmine of inspiration! I like to save some outfits and then try to recreate them with what I have in my closet. Besides that, I use Instagram, I have several favorite YouTubers, and I like observing people on the streets. I live in a big city, so I have plenty of opportunities to be inspired.
My clothes are mostly in basic colors: black, white, grays, beiges, and blues—that's probably the secret to why I have no trouble combining these clothes into consistent sets. I also have my proven uniforms that always save me in situations when I don't have the inspiration. A blazer, a t-shirt, and jeans or tailored trousers plus an oversized shirt. In my opinion, it's worth creating such an outfit for "bad days"—favorite clothes in which we feel great and which always go together. Besides that, I won't be discovering America if I say that the fewer clothes we own, the more often we combine them into new looks.
Also, don't forget about accessories. Sometimes they are the key to the whole look. For me, certain tricks that I apply almost every day always work:
- comfortable shoes and a cool handbag: I like having a choice in this matter, as my favorite jeans look completely different when combined with high-heeled pumps versus sports sneakers,
- delicate jewelry, a watch with interchangeable straps—it's nothing, yet these elements always catch my eye,
- rolled-up sleeves on a shirt and a belt for trousers,
- subtle makeup and… good posture! Even the most expensive clothes don't look their best on a slouching silhouette 🙂
PzA: At the very end, I would like to ask you one more time about the capsule wardrobe, specifically, whether introducing its principles into your wardrobe has changed anything in your life?
M: Definitely yes. Minimalism (or rather order and moderation) in the closet has carried over into other areas of my life. I started paying more attention to what I buy, how my purchasing decisions affect others, and the environment. I try not to consume mindlessly and on impulse. I learned to live by the principle of "I don't buy until I'm 100% sure I want it." I try to use what I already have, and if I need something, I also look for second-hand items.
PzA: That is a principle that, in my opinion, is especially worth remembering! Be sure to let us know how you liked the interview with Milena. By the way, I highly recommend visiting her blog at parafrazy.pl. There is a lot of inspiration and even more advice waiting for you there! I also invite you to read my other entry about how cotton is made.
Patrycja from ANSIN
