Less is More and my Advice on a Minimalist wardrobe

I was reading an excerpt from the A-Z of Hollywood Style and I stumbled across a quote by the wonderful writer Ernest Hemingway that read,

'Gary Cooper and I are the same. We're both minimalists, less is more.'  The very words I live by. I wanted to expand upon that theory of minimalism today. I've been championing the one in one out rule in my household for some time. When I was living in Clapham and having to move and schlepp all mine and Tuula's worldly goods to Surrey I suddenly thought, I'm moving one landfill site to another.

I promised myself that once we moved into the new place we'd be ruthless in discarding all unwanted crap. Some years back I wrote an article on minimalist trainers. But what's the point of having minimalist designs, if you have 30 pairs of the f&ckers? In the words of the great Sam Cooke, A change is gunna come. Oh yes it is.

Without a huge clutter of worldly goods and wearing old clothes, I feel comfortable and free. - Montgomery Clift.

I blame Christmas. I blame Amazon. And I blame the constant want for all things new and shiny. People talk about ageism, and how terrible it is that anyone north of 65 is suddenly no longer fit to present the news on national tele, but we are all ageists. We all look at our wardrobe and get tired of seeing the same shirts, the same denim jackets. We tell people we don't want anything for our birthday's, but yet we revel in opening gifts like we're 12 years old again. We love to go to McDonalds because they present their food gift wrapped.

Nothing is our fault of course. It's all social media's fault. How can I possibly be photographed wearing the same coat today as I was last week. People know me, it will send shockwaves throughout the influencer community. That's how much of a narcissist you and I have become. In reality, nobody gives two sh*ts.

How do I create a minimalist wardrobe?

Walk in wardrobes have also given men too much choice. Men look at wardrobe space the way women look at couches and beds. A dumping ground fluffy cushions and teddy bears insidiously sold in airports and places like Las Ramblas and now sadly, Oxford Street.

You spent all this time debating whether you could, and no time considering whether you should. (I think that's Goldblum). What I mean, you could have 20 shirts, 20 pairs of jeans, limitless dress shoes and countless sneakers, but should you? Should you really bother yourself with having to maintain and manicure such a bloated collection of clothes?

Here is my guide, and take from it what you will.

The Night stand should have 3 drawers. The top should have enough room to house 5 sets of pajama bottoms and 5 tee shirts. The evening wear should be on rotation and washed frequently, all though not at once of course.

The middle drawer should be absolutely stuffed with pants and socks. There is no need to have a separate selection for workout pants and socks. That is for the purists, and the maniacs.

The bottom drawer is up to you. I normally have excess tee shirts, dog treats, odds and sods and sentimental things. The trick is to have everything visible. And not over flowing. Bits and bobs should be relatively contained in a sunglasses box, or something similar.

The wardrobe

One decent suit, versatile navy or black, preferably of high quality fabric. Wool, regularly tailored every year to fit your evolving body shape. An everyday suit for business meetings, corporate events, weddings or funerals (if black).

One everyday suit, polyester, preferably dark prince of wales navy or charcoal grey. Ideal for everyday use, events, dinner dates etc. Tops and bottoms can be swapped out and interchangeable with other garments.

6 Bespoke shirts. One dress shirt pleated, one blue in voile, two white in cotton and sea island, two short sleeve in black and off white, linen? (Up to you).

Jumpers. 5 in Cashmere, in differing colours though think about coordinating with your eye colour. One every day jumper in cheap material for dog walking, gardening or every day chores.

2 Winter coats. Preferably one camel cashmere overcoat and one navy peacoat.

6 pairs of jeans, 3 blue, 2 black one stone. Do not wash them ever. Have them all tailored to suit your height and waist.

Running gear. As many tee shirts as you like, but kept in a separate bag under the bed.

Blue Blazer. One of, high quality brass shanked buttons.

One dinner suit. High quality, preferably bespoke but has to be tailored. Weddings, formal wear, black tie.

Two cocktail jackets. Velvet, Ivory, or pure silk (other colour / flamboyant).

Long sleeve henleys. 2-3 on rotation. Neutral colours.

Every day Spring/ Autumnal coats. 2-3 worn on rotation. Preferably one Harrington, one waterproof/ waxed Barbour jacket, one canvas jacket, (See Rogue Territory)

Leather Jackets. 2, one black, one tan.

Denim Jackets. One, G-star or Levi.

Suede Jackets. One, preferably dark, Italian made, zip skirt pockets and high quality.