Minimalism is one of the most popular trends in both clothing and interior design, and there's nothing wrong with enjoying the minimalist look. But being a fan of minimalism is often entwined with a sense of moral superiority about one's "simple" tastes, when in fact the simple-looking furniture or clothing is just as lavishly expensive as any traditional display of ostentation.
Minimalism's widespread popularity makes it a risk-free style choice for anyone who wants to be chic and fashionable. One of the factors driving this popularity is the conflation of minimalism as a style philosophy with minimalism as a spiritual (or faux-spiritual) philosophy. The minimalist aesthetic is built on visual simplicity, which gives an impression of asceticism. However, this impression is often in great contrast to the actual cost of minimalist goods, The Guardian reported.
Devotees of minimalism often have a tiny wardrobe with just a few pieces of clothing in various shades of off-white, but putting together such a seemingly simple wardrobe can cost $1000 in one go. These devotees may also have Scandinavian furniture with an IKEA-like look but a $4000 price tag, or a high-maintenance all-white kitchen that looks simple but requires weekly dusting.
Like the "no-makeup makeup" look, minimalist style often means spending large amounts of time, money, and effort in order to pretend that you didn't make any effort at all, iDiva reported. And in a social circle that knows the price tags of these goods, a minimalist personal style can be just another form of conspicuous consumption.
Minimalism first arose in the 1950s as an architectural movement; a well-known example is Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright. Some of the key elements of minimalism are an emphasis on clean, perpendicular lines and a color palette inspired by natural materials like earth, wood, and metal.
Even in minimalist architecture, apparent simplicity can be a cover for hidden effort: structure, mechanics, or technology are often deliberately concealed in order to minimize visual distractions and create a seamless space. Watch Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (Official Trailer) here:
