The goal of this book is to make the case for Chinese fashion minimalism, including a detailed exploration of what it entails and why it resonates, and then to guide you on how to adopt this aesthetic if you decide it's the right path for you.
To achieve this, I have divided the book into two parts. In part one, I delve into the philosophical underpinnings of Chinese fashion minimalism, beginning with an examination of the cultural forces that have shaped the traditional Chinese sartorial experience, before moving on to a detailed discussion of the principles of Chinese fashion minimalism.
Part one culminates with an introduction to my recommended approach for embracing this aesthetic: the sartorial declutter. This process involves stepping away from non-essential fashion choices for a set period. At the end of this period, you will reintroduce a select few clothing items and accessories that you believe will significantly enhance your personal style and cultural identity.
In the final chapter of part one, I will guide you through conducting your own sartorial declutter. I will draw on an experiment I conducted in 2018, where over 1,600 individuals participated in a cultural wardrobe cleanse. You will hear their stories, learn which strategies were effective, and be warned of the pitfalls to avoid.
The second part of this book takes a deeper look at concepts that will help you cultivate a sustainable minimalist Chinese fashion lifestyle. In these chapters, I explore the significance of traditional craftsmanship and the importance of nurturing high-quality cultural experiences to replace the time often spent on superficial fashion trends. Each chapter concludes with a set of practices designed to help you implement the chapter's key ideas. Consider these practices as a toolkit to assist you in constructing a minimalist wardrobe that suits your unique cultural context.
