Keyboard jackets and garden decorations: welcome to the maximalism trend

Keyboard jackets and garden decorations: welcome to the maximalism trend

Coco Chanel is said to have once said, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off," coining the idea that overdressing was, in her eyes, a fashion faux pas.

The influence of minimalism and maximalism on fashion

This commandment has shaped many fashion houses for decades. The monochrome style of Issey Miyake and Hermès' crisp leatherwork shows that muted neutral tones, simple silhouettes and elegant fabrics have often appealed to the fashion world. This “quiet luxury” aesthetic was popularized by series like HBO’s “ Succession " (HBO and CNN belong to the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)

The return of maximalism

However, recent runway presentations from brands like Valentino, Prada and Ashish show that the maximalist fashion style, which has roots going back to 17th century Rome, may be making a loud return. Economic realities also appear to be favorable, with maximalist movements often emerging in times of economic hardship, as is currently the case in much of the world following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an interview with CNN, Melissa Marra-Alvarez, curator of the exhibition, stated “ Minimalism/Maximalism " 2019 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York: "When we look at fashion history, we see changing periods of minimalist and maximalist aesthetics. This interaction of these two opposing aesthetics drives fashion forward."

Social media and the evolution of maximalism

Marra-Alvarez added: "Every time an aesthetic resurfaces, it not only reflects the social and political climate of the time - it also responds to what came before. Therefore, it is never the same iteration of minimalist or maximalist expression. It evolves each time." The current maximalist trend, popularized by social media, is more extreme and theatrical than ever before, reaching a whole new audience who may not have previously been exposed to previous iterations of the style.

Maximalists on TikTok

Jaclyn, known as @llolfashiondump on TikTok, has 1.2 million followers. In a Zoom interview with CNN, she explained that for her, maximalism means being "like a walking monument to my art" - it's a physical embodiment of her creativity. In their popular ones Dress With Me Videos, which averages 200,000 views and sometimes reaches up to 4 million people, Jaclyn challenges the conventions of clothing. She wears sweaters on her head and combines endless accessories. This style can seem awkward at times and requires special sewing techniques, but she emphasizes that it's all part of the fun.

Challenges and solutions in maximalism

Myra Magdalen, another prominent TikToker in the maximalist space, appeared on a Zoom call with CNN wearing a top that embroidered with the image of nail cutters was. She faces similar challenges in adding heavy embellishments to her outfits, such as: Dolphin lamps or Computer mice, experienced. The solution? “Multiple attachment points,” she says. "When you're attaching something, especially if it's heavy, you have to make sure that if one attachment point fails, it won't fall."

Tips for getting started with maximalism

Both Jaclyn and Myra enjoy experimenting with bold statement pieces like long nails and decorative headphones. For those looking to delve into maximalism, fashion stylist Kristine Kilty recommends purchasing a statement piece from a thrift shop and using the color palette to create the rest of the outfit. Finding inspiration on social media can also help alleviate some of the anxiety people may feel when trying an experimental fashion style for the first time. Kilty adds: “The important thing is that ‘more is more’.”

"You really can't go wrong... It's not that the outfit doesn't work. You just haven't finished it yet," she says.

Creativity in fashion

When curating their wardrobe, US-based Myra and Jaclyn rely heavily on second-hand clothing, whether through in-person shopping at thrift stores or through online platforms such as Depop and Vinted. The algorithms have adapted to her unusual tastes and help Myra find unique pieces - like a jacket that matches a computer Keyboard to give your looks the finishing touch. In videos styling these pieces, Myra takes a statement piece, like a DIY duck bag, and combines seemingly endless matching accessories like a duck print skirt, a duck necklace, and mini stick-on duck nails.

Confidence through fashion

Both TikTokers report that their creativity is well received not only on social media, but also in real life. While Myra and Jaclyn know when to dress in jeans and a simple t-shirt, they enjoy the attention that daring outfits generate in public. "It's such a positive feeling to have confidence in what you're doing," says Jaclyn, who admits that her maximalist clothing originally served as a mask for insecurities stemming from psoriasis - she thought unusual clothing obscured the reasons behind people's stares. “It radiates into many other aspects of your life,” she added. Myra's unique approach has also resonated with her circle of friends, who she says have become more experimental in their own clothing choices.

Kilty believes that people should use fashion to inspire confidence and creativity. “Fashion can be an armor or a disguise,” she says. “But ultimately it’s about what you wear to feel comfortable.”

For some, that might mean elegant silhouettes in muted colors, while for others it might be bright colors and contrasting patterns. If you're one of the latter, Kilty has some final words: "Go really extreme - don't hold back."