Is it a shopping problem or am I a maximalist?

It’s the end of September, which means the close of Fashion Month. This year I paid particular attention to Paris Fashion Week and found myself surprised by the shift in approach to a more vibrant, explosion of style. 

Since the pandemic, it seems, quiet luxury and understated pieces have been the focus of style icons from Sofia Richie to Jennifer Lawrence. We saw simple, exquisite pieces on shows like Succession. Brands like The Row found new limelight. 

However, the designers during Paris Fashion Week seemed to throw the quiet luxury ideal out the window in favor of maximalism, with shimmer and applique and color abound.

I am such a fan.

The shows that impressed me the most (Paco Rabanne, Versace, Ermanno Scervino PatBO, Loewe) were courageous. They felt new. They felt indicative of a new type of woman, one who dresses without the need to show off a price tag or a label. That being said, obviously these clothes are runway and likely all VIP. 

This maximalist approach is my style. I love layering and adding color and sparkle. While recently I have been trying to cut back on shopping, I find myself sometimes questioning whether I’m actually limiting my expression? 

I ask for a lot of my wardrobe. I sometimes purchase thoughtlessly, and I’m trying to find the thin line between need for expression and need for validation. The future expressive look versus the immediate dopamine fix. 

Maximalism is a beautiful thing when expressed through a gold floor-length gown. Is it the same thing when the need to express is expressed through endless shopping and the need for more?

How do we balance style evolution and expression with a pared back lifestyle that doesn’t depend on consumption?