Patrycja from ANSIN: Hi Milena! First of all, I'd like to thank you for accepting the interview invitation. Tell me, how did your journey with minimalism begin?
Milena: Hi! Thank you for the invitation. I started my minimalism journey about six years ago, with a closet cleanout. I'm not sure I can call myself a 100% minimalist at this point, and I won't deny that I don't like to put myself in any box; I prefer to live by the principle of relative moderation and respect for the world around me, and this, in turn, forced me to limit my possessions.
As for the beginning, it's quite prosaic. When my husband and I moved into our first apartment, we only had one closet, and I had to organize my wardrobe to accommodate all my clothes. And since I absolutely wanted to have everything in plain sight, this forced me to do a thorough cleanup and my first "cleaning." I still remember the feeling of immense satisfaction when I hung all my clothes on the rod (I still use this method to this day) and could quickly reach everything without having to dive into the back of the closet!
PzA: Has your wardrobe always been so cohesive and organized? We're curious about the length of time it took you to build your capsule wardrobe base, as well as the process of incorporating specific principles 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 riot of boho colors in college. The only things I've always held dear are secondhand clothes and a general respect for things. It wasn't until six years ago that I "grew up" to my current style that I realized I prefer to have fewer, but better quality items in my wardrobe. As for the sheer length of building a cohesive wardrobe, I believe it's a very individual process and can't be done in a month. Our lifestyles and tastes 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 well-made sweater in a natural color – they never go out of style and are a good place to start if you're interested in a basic capsule wardrobe. They've allowed me to build a cohesive wardrobe, thanks to which I no longer feel like I have nothing to wear. The process itself took me several years—that's how long it took me to find "my" styles and colors.
PzA: What advice would you give to someone who is wondering how to create a capsule wardrobe and is just starting their adventure?
M: First of all, it's worth starting by cleaning out your closet. Only after you've thrown out everything (absolutely EVERYTHING—that'll give you a sense of how much you actually have) can you make a selection: put clothes you love, feel good in, are comfortable, and go with many outfits in one pile, and clothes you're unsure about in another pile (it's worth keeping them in view and checking if you'll actually use them). And of course, the final pile: things you should get rid of: sell them, or give them to someone who might enjoy them. This method is common in all the self-help books, and I've used it myself.
The next step is to gradually invest in a kind of foundation—clothes that we can freely combine with our other items. It's worth paying attention to what we already have in our wardrobe and what we reach for most often. And here's my advice: don't rush! Let this process be more of an adventure than a tedious necessity. The fewer clothes we have, the more we value them, the higher our expectations for quality, and the greater the joy we'll experience with a long-awaited purchase.
And of course, another important thing: get inspired! Pinterest, Instagram, people on the street ... It's definitely worth writing down the outfits we like on others and seeing if we can recreate them with clothes we already have in our wardrobes. This exercise is very helpful at the beginning, as it helps us develop the habit of using what we already have. It will also make it easier to identify what we might need.
PzA: What about materials? Do you pay a lot of attention to the ingredients in the things you buy? Do you have favorite fibers that work well for you in every situation?
M: Yes, when it comes to clothing ingredients, I'm very picky. I try to make my clothes from the most natural materials possible, or ones I simply feel comfortable in. When it comes to shirts and t-shirts, I like cotton , Tencell , Cupro , and linen . Wool and cashmere dominate my sweaters. I avoid synthetic materials, but not too much. I have a trench coat with a polyester blend that serves me very well; I don't plan on getting rid of it. It's the same with functional clothing, typically sportswear.
PzA: Changing the subject - the thing that will save every styling of yours is...
M: A white shirt and a wool jacket! They're a must-have in my wardrobe.
PzA: You had the opportunity to test our MISS INVISIBLE in NUDE and our MISS MELLOW top. What's your favorite way to wear these products? We've seen them featured in many of your looks!
M: Both products have become a staple in my wardrobe, and I think they'll be worn almost daily during the fall and winter season. I always wear a beige tank top under my shirts and sweaters, because since childhood, I've been taught the rule: "bare back = colds and rheumatism in old age" 🙂 But seriously, I make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, and on colder days, I like to have an extra layer under my shirt.
The short-sleeved top, on the other hand, fits perfectly under my jackets, and since I rediscovered beige this year, I wear it very often.
PzA: Has any trend stolen your heart this season, or are you trying to stay faithful to minimalist solutions?
M: I tend to stick to tried-and-true classics. As for trends, I've been obsessed with beige clothing this year. Honestly, I'm not even up to date on fashion news and must-haves. I like fashion, I follow a lot of cool people who inspire me, but I don't blindly follow marketing guides like "Top things for fall 2020." I've simply learned that what's fashionable won't always look good on me.
PzA: Where do you usually find inspiration for your outfits? Share how you create so many looks!
M: I'm a Pinterest girl 🙂 Seriously, it's a goldmine of inspiration for me! I like to save outfits and then try to recreate them with what's in my closet. I also use Instagram, have a few favorite YouTubers, and enjoy people-watching. I live in a big city, so I have plenty of opportunities to be inspired.
My clothes are mostly in basic colors: black , white , gray , beige , and blue —that's probably the secret to me having no problem combining them into cohesive outfits. I also have my tried-and-true uniforms that always save me when I'm feeling a bit out of it. A blazer, T-shirt, and jeans, or fitted trousers and an oversized shirt. I think it's worth creating an outfit for "bad days"—favorite pieces that we feel great in and that always go well together. Besides, I'm not breaking new ground by saying that the fewer clothes we own, the more often we combine them in new combinations.
You can't forget about accessories either. They can sometimes make or break the whole look . For me, there are certain tricks that always work, and I use them almost daily:
- comfortable shoes and a nice handbag: I like having a choice in this matter, because my favorite jeans look completely different when paired with high-heeled pumps than when paired with sports sneakers,
- delicate jewelry, a watch with interchangeable straps - it seems like nothing, but these elements always attract my attention,
- rolled up shirt sleeves and a belt on the trousers,
- Subdued makeup and… a straight posture! Even the most expensive clothes don't look their best on a hunched figure :)
PzA: Finally, I would like to ask you again about the capsule wardrobe, and specifically whether introducing its principles into your wardrobe has changed anything in your life?
M: Definitely. I've carried minimalism (or rather, order and moderation) in my wardrobe over into other areas of my life. I've started paying more attention to what I buy, how my purchasing decisions affect others, and the environment. I try not to consume mindlessly or impulsively. I've learned to live by the principle "I don't buy anything unless 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: This is a rule that, in my opinion, is especially important to remember! Be sure to let me know how you liked the interview with Milena. I also highly recommend visiting her blog, parafrazy.pl . You'll find plenty of inspiration and even more advice there! I also invite you to read my other post about how cotton is made .
Patricia from ANSIN
