this week in (minimalism).

Coco Chanel famously said that “When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on.”  Even though I’m not really one to accessorize, I think this quote can be applied to any aspect of design, and, on a broader scale, life.  If you ask me, accessories and excessive details in design are often a crutch for a bad concept.  This train of thought has always attracted me to minimalist art, fashion, and so on.

This week, while playing my favorite weekly game, What Can I Spend My Entire Paycheck the Moment It Goes Into My Account?, I was drawn to some minimalist tote bags that proved to be both visually appealing and functional.

The first of these, which I finally ended up buying, is the O’Hare Shopper from WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie.  This French brand, known for it’s minimal totes, computer cases, luggage, and small leather goods, has always been a favorite of mine.  While the brand’s leather products run a little out of my price range (the same tote in leather runs about $800), the canvas alternatives are a great option for any minimalist.

Image via Net-A-Porter.

Even though I’m sure a lot of you are thinking that this bag is a little too boring, I think that this is a case in which simplicity speaks loudly.  The clean, classic lines are exactly the kind of design elements that I am drawn to.  

Furthermore, this bag is functional.  The shoulder strap lets you throw it across your body, and the four interior pockets ensure that nothing gets lost.

Image via Net-A-Porter.

As much as I love this tote, I like many of you, have been drooling over the Céline Cabas totes for well over a year.  These bags are another great throw-everything-in-it option for those of us who love functionality and simplicity.  At a little over $1,000 a pop, these bags are pretty pricey, but they definitely won’t be going out of style anytime soon, so you could argue it’s worth the investment.

Image via Céline

While my minimalist tendencies in fashion has always existed, my iTunes has only recently started to reflect those inklings.  One minimalist band which I have followed for some time, Little Dragon, came back on my radar when I saw that their new single, Ritual Union, was a free download at Starbucks.  The track, which comes from the album of the same name, was released back in July.  

The song, like most songs on the album, makes use of simple drum beats, which vocalist Yukimi Nagano gently coos over.  Minimal embellishments, such as the quirky synthetic drum sound, are fun additions that don’t overtake the song.

The band has a knack for using these same basic elements over and over without the sound getting too stale.  Another standout track, Crystalfilm, features the same kind of beat and vocals as Ritual Union, but it still feels fresh.

Is my taste in tote bags minimalist or just boring?

Do you want to buy me a Céline Cabas tote?

Does anybody want to go see Little Dragon at the 9:30 Club?

How are you keeping things minimal in your life?