Minimalism has been thriving and dominating every industry and space in the past decade. And we love it — to an extent. But we’re now so excited and happy to see the rise of modern maximalism. Have you been seeing it on your feed (and on the streets) lately? We know we have and we love it! 

We’re great supporters of anything clean and streamlined but we also love just having fun with fashion! 

What is the concept of maximalism?

Maximalism is often associated with abundance and excess. It’s also a direct response to minimalism. Whereas minimalism is about having as few items in your life as possible, maximalism follows the more is more mentality. 

While in the past, maximalism was used to show wealth and abundance, its modern iteration is all about self-expression.  

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What does maximalism mean in fashion?

Coco Chanel famously said that you should remove one piece from your outfit before heading out the door. Well, maximalism is just the opposite. Check yourself in the mirror one last time before leaving. Yes, you need a necklace or a brooch or another chain for your wrist. There’s nothing wrong with more.

Maximalism in fashion also means embracing patterns, bold colours and textures. And, more often than not, these elements are combined in one outfit for a visual feast. 

A good example of modern maximalism in fashion is the famous Harajuku style in Tokyo. Look up the aesthetic online and you’ll be greeted with images of boys and girls wearing bright-coloured clothing and big, bold accessories from head to toe. 

The movement also encourages people to break free from norms. In an era where there are lots of societal expectations to belong in groups and be like everyone else, maximalism in fashion inspires us to harness the power of our personal style and find joy through it and revel in it. 

How to take part in modern maximalism

The beauty of modern maximalism in fashion is that there are no rules! Want to pair a gingham shirt with leopard-printed pants? Go right ahead. And why not top it off with a bold-coloured bag too? The styling sky is the limit. 

Okay, but how do you actually get to it? Here are some ideas for pieces to add to your rotation.

Bold prints

Plaid, tartan, florals — you name it. There are no right or wrong patterns and prints. And there are also no right or wrong ways to pair them. If you’ll ask us what our favourites are though, we love checkers and florals together. Gingham and pin stripes look quite cool combined. 

Top tip: A good way to partner prints and patterns is by doing it by size. Yup, pair a large print with a small pattern for that sense of balance.

A variety of accessories

We love trinkets! If you do too, go ahead and grab one (or two) to add to your style roster. Layering necklaces, stacking bracelets, adding a final touch of a brooch. These are all good practices when it comes to acing modern maximalism in fashion.

Solid colours — but bold

We’re sure you already have your neutrals. But we’re talking about solid colours in rainbow hues. Get a chartreuse top or a lemon bottom. Add a cherry coat to that. Think bold, bold, bold!

Luxe textures

We’re not stopping at patterns, prints and bold colours; we’re adding textures into the mix. Because why not?! They’re fun. Think fur, feathers and frills — all faux, of course. These add an additional visual element of fun and whimsy to your outfits.

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