The Rise of Minimalism: How The Row and Toteme Are Influencing Resale Trends

As the world shifts to function, simplicity and excess reduction, minimalism is on the rise, especially in the fashion world. As you may know, minimalism is when you can strip away everything excessive or non-essential to share your message or highlight your style with just the essentials. As housing costs rise and many people find themselves in small rentals or apartments, it’s even more important to cut back on many things and keep what’s most versatile.

Minimalism in fashion can translate into more neutral colors, more timeless pieces and quality over quantity. Those who invest in a minimalistic style tend to lean toward items that can be worn across seasons and with different outfits. They may value brands such as The Row and Toteme that place an emphasis on stylish items that stay durable for years.

The Rise of Minimalism

So, how did we get from a place where embellishments were all the rage to a place where it’s respected and desired to minimalize your life, your closet and your ideas? The rise of minimalism is different for every industry, but we’d like to focus most on how it’s affected the fashion industry. Most agree minimalism gained traction during the 2010s, and we’ll dig into why, how and who was involved.

The emphasis on simplicity is often attributed to changing economic and cultural values. As consumers focus more on quality, timelessness and sustainability, the fashion world shifted on its axis to accommodate them.

Ethical Production and Focus on Sustainability

Fast fashion hit the scene hard and became popular almost overnight. While consumers love the affordable aspect of these products, they often find that they are lower quality and not made ethically. Younger generations focus more on ethical practices and are willing to spend more to reward companies that invest in safer environmental and humanitarian production. Simply put, buyers are willing to pay more for those who care about the same things they care about: the planet and the people making the product.

As influencers and media highlighted unethical practices by these fast fashion brands, consumers quickly became turned off by the idea. Because of this, they began investing in fewer specialty items and turned their money to quality.

A Shifting Style and Economic Crisis

The 1980s and 1990s fashion styles relied heavily on attention-grabbing, logo-heavy styles. This continued through the 2000s, but around 2010, consumers began buying more versatile, simple pieces. Then in 2008, the economic downturn hit many people so hard that buyers were forced to focus on quality over quantity. Many people shook the excess off their life (including their fashion choices) and returned to simple living. The lasting effects of this crisis turned minimalism into less of a trend and more of a lifestyle choice.

Digital Minimalism’s Effect on Fashion

Social media gave consumers access to all different types of fashion. One popular influence on minimalism is Marie Kondo, whose “Does it spark joy?” message resonated with millions who pared down their possessions to the basics to free up space. As people like her with their minimalist values became more popular, consumers focused on cohesive, clean styles. The idea is that less is better in all areas of life, and it’s extremely popular in the current spending climate.

Return of Timelessness

As minimalism took root in the minds and bank accounts of so many buyers, the trend celebrated timeless pieces over a more temporary, transient style. Buyers invest more in clothing that can be worn during all seasons and paired with different pieces to change it up. The careful tailoring, quality materials and mix-and-match designs of this methodology are known as investment dressing.

Many of us remember the times when we had to update our wardrobe each season and pack away the last season’s clothing for the new ones. Now, we focus on pieces that can be layered or shed, ridding us of the need for constant updates to our wardrobes.

Quiet Luxury Brands

Don’t mistake minimalism for low quality. Some companies, such as Phoebe Philo’s Celine, Toteme and The Row invested in making high-quality clothing that still embraces a minimalist philosophy. This style is known as “quiet luxury” and includes understated designs still made with the best materials. Considered good value options, they last longer and prioritize subtlety over showiness. Without the need for overt logos and brand displays, classiness shines through.

Highlights of Minimalist Fashion Companies

Brands that understand what consumers value jumped right on the minimalistic trend and offer basic pieces that can be switched up for every season and different occasions. Some examples include:

• The Row: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen founded The Row in 2006 with a focus on luxury minimalism. The brand focuses on timeless pieces made of high-quality fabrics with quality tailoring, so clothes fit perfectly.
• Everlane: The company has a strong, loyal following and relies heavily on ethical production and transparency. Wardrobe essentials such as jeans, outerwear and tees all come at an affordable price, so fashion enthusiasts can enjoy the “less is more” philosophy.
• Toteme: Founded by Karl Lindman and Elin Kling, Toteme is a Swedish brand that leans heavily on the quiet luxury philosophy. Most items are made of high-quality materials and highlight neutral colors and clean lines.
• Acne Studios: This brand has more of a streetwear edge but stays committed to modern design and a minimalistic approach. The items usually have a clean aesthetic but stand out for their unique textures and cuts.

Pre-Owned Luxury at The RealReal: A Valid Part of Minimalism

For those who can’t resist luxury brands or items, one way to embrace minimalism without sacrificing design is to buy and sell items. At The RealReal, we offer a platform where you can authenticate, organize and sell as a luxury marketplace. Our method is clear, and our process is simple. We have staff on hand to walk you through the consignment process, so you can stay true to your minimalist roots while indulging in the designer pieces you love.

We understand luxury resale trends and how they shift based on new trends and attitudes. Contact us today at The RealReal to learn more about how we can help you sell your designer items.