Maximalist Pants, the Opposite of Scandinavian Minimialist

For my upcycle project I am creating a Scandinavian minimalist ski jacket from an old sleeping bag. Scandinavian minimalist clothing is designed to not be flashy and utilitarian. The articles of clothing lack unnecessary details and branding, as well as utilizing earth tones and grayscale colors. The jacket I am created is designed to mimic the clothing brand Norrona, a Norwegian high end outdoor gear brand. An example of a Norrona ski jacket can be seen below in figure 1.

Figure 1. Norrona GoreTex Pro Ski Jacket in hunter green.

The opposite of a Scandinavian minimalist would be maximalist. Maximalism is the complete opposite of minimalism and is a celebration of excess colors and patterns. Maximalism is known to be flashy and at times can be characterized as gaudy. Maximalist clothing is elaborate and contains many unnecessary features and attachments. Figure 2 showcases a minimalist outfit worn by Jared Leto on the red carpet at the British Fashion Awards in 2016. This outfit is quintessential maximalist attire. The outfit is bright utilizing a diverse color palette. Leto is wearing a full suit with a gold, sparkly bowtie and an overcoat draped on top. His burgundy trousers feature a bold white stripe down the side, adding a sporty contrast to the formal elements. Completing the look, he has black leather loafers with pearl embellishments, white socks, and oversized aviator sunglasses. The coat itself is embroidered with floral motifs, koi fish, and Donald Duck. The entire outfit blends luxury with eclectic, vintage-inspired details.

Figure 2. Jared Leto’s maximalist outfit from the 2016 British Fashion Awards.

Maximalism can be seen in men’s fashion most commonly in high fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton himself. It is one of the most prestigious and recognizable brands in the world, renowned for its craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless elegance. Originally specializing in high-quality trunks and luggage, the brand has since expanded into ready-to-wear fashion, handbags, shoes, accessories, fragrances, and jewelry. Figure 3 showcases a model from Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, embodying a bold and maximalist aesthetic. The model wears a striking red varsity jacket with white leather sleeves, embellished with an oversized, crystal-encrusted patch on the chest. Underneath, a plain white T-shirt is tucked into a high-waisted black pleated skirt, cinched at the waist with a statement belt featuring an ornate gold buckle. Accessorizing the look are three Louis Vuitton duffle bags in different sizes, each adorned with the brand’s iconic monogram print in vibrant colors: red, blue, and yellow. The bags’ structured design contrasts with the model’s relaxed yet edgy ensemble. The footwear consists of black chunky loafers paired with white socks, reinforcing the mix of classic and contemporary styling.

Figure 3. Model from Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2024 Collection.

In summary, maximalism embraces bold colors, patterns, and extravagant embellishments. Maximalism is prominent in luxury fashion, notably on runways and in high end fashion collections. The aesthetic arose in response to the rise of minimalist, and is a direct antithesis of minimalist design.

Images

1. https://www.essence.com/fashion/mens-street-style-new-york-fashion-week/?utm_source=pinterest.com by Hannah Saleh
2. https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/products/lofoten/lofoten-gore-tex-pro-jacket-men/?color=3301
3. https://www.muzivcesku.cz/galerie/jared-leto-se-neboji-menit-barvy-modni-chameleon/black-tie-podle-jareda/
4. https://eu.louisvuitton.com/eng-e1/stories/men-ss24-campaign

This post was edited for clarity and conciseness using ChatGPT.