Fourteen - that is not just the number of days in a fortnight, but the average number of times an individual clothing item is worn nowadays. It’s an astonishing statistic that puts our relationship with fashion into perspective. Long gone are the days when garments would withstand the test of time, proudly passed on from one generation onto the next. The prominent model in fashion today is one built upon rampant consumption and even faster disposal - a framework aptly dubbed “fast fashion.”
Globalization, increased demand and ever-changing tastes have pushed the supply of clothing to unprecedented levels, while increased competition and cheaper production techniques have flooded the market with low-cost, low-quality items. While this has made fashion pieces more accessible on the one hand, its bill on the environment has been nothing short of damning. Not only does the production process exhaust a disproportionate volume of natural resources, but used clothing is rarely re-loved and typically disposed of into landfills where they remain indefinitely.
As the downsides of this model become more evident, many are turning to minimalism as an alternative. Minimalist fashion, with its focus on quality over quantity and mindful consumption, offers a refreshing contrast to the chaos of fast fashion. However, is this sufficient to offset the damage being done?
Defining Minimalism
Minimalism can be thought of in two ways: as a fashion style and as a way of thinking. The first focuses on simple, understated designs, while the second encourages mindful and restrained shopping habits. You might have heard of the saying, “less is more” – this sentiment lies at the heart of the minimalist fashion movement. While the global market encourages constant consumption, minimalism advocates for intentionally owning fewer, high-quality items.
At Belong, we stand firmly against the relentless cycle of fast fashion, committing instead to sustainability and mindful consumption. Our mission is to create clothing that is as fashionable as it is considerate, both to your needs and that of the environment. We place priority in eco-friendliness and community building, which together serve as the backbone of our brand.
Our Principle: Quality over All
Our collection aligns perfectly with the minimalist ethos, offering a refreshing alternative to the excesses of fast fashion. Each piece is carefully designed to be versatile and durable, allowing you to build a wardrobe of sustainable essentials that will serve you well for years to come. Our pieces mix and match effortlessly, giving you the opportunity to create endless stylish outfits with ease.
Our Minimalist Essentials
The foundation of a minimalist wardrobe consists of a few key pieces that can be easily mixed and matched to create a variety of stylish looks. Our current collection offers essential, high-quality items that are a perfect addition to your new style.
- Neutral Tops: Invest in high-quality, versatile tops in colors like white, black, gray, and beige. Our shirts provide the perfect example for that, where an overall minimalist approach is paired with sophisticated production techniques like patchwork and embroidery. These items can be effortlessly styled with various bottoms, including their own matching shorts, making them timeless staples in your wardrobe.
- Bottoms: Our Prologue collection provides the perfect polished base for your outfits. Crafted from durable and comfortable fabrics, these shorts are designed to blend style with practicality, ensuring they last through the many seasons to come.
- Invest in High-quality Fabrics: It doesn’t have to come down to a monotone wardrobe if that’s not your style – you can keep it as colorful and versatile as you like. The key is to focus on fabrics that are durable, breathable, and comfortable, equipping each piece to stand the test of time while maintaining its original colors. The best options are natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, or high-quality synthetics that mimic these properties. We use 100% organic Portuguese cotton in all our pieces, making them highly resistant to “wear and tear” and friendly to the environment.
- Try to Avoid Prints and Patterns: Alison Bruhn, the co-founder of The Style That Binds Us, advises, "The simpler the look, the nicer the fabric needs to be, because prints can hide flaws like uneven seams, et cetera — but solids cannot.” While prints and patterns can be fun and trendy, they can also be limiting. Styles change quickly, and a print that’s in today might be out tomorrow. By sticking to solid colors, you ensure your wardrobe remains timeless and versatile, and we offer just that with our latest collection.
- Coordinated Sets: For a cohesive and stylish look, consider pairing our Brown Patchwork Cotton Shorts with its matching t-shirt, or the Essential Cotton Print T-Shirt with our Green Embossed Cotton Shorts. Combinations like these not only look chic but also reaffirm the minimalist principle of mix-and-match versatility.
Expressing yourself through fashion does not have to come at the cost of the environment. Minimalism offers endless possibilities of creating standout looks that elegantly reflect your identity. By embracing this mindset with us, you reduce debt, clutter, and stress – both from your wardrobe and your life.