Life is too short to be surrounded by shoddy, poorly made goods. That’s what I’ve decided, anyway. And I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment, either. There is a growing trend among shoppers that I call luxury minimalism. The basic tenet of luxury minimalism is that it is better to have a few possessions of superlative quality, rather than a hoard of junk.
This concept is relatively new, having come into existence sometime in the mid 2000s. Before that time, in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, everyone was chasing more stuff – and the bigger the better. It didn’t matter whether it was clothing, stereo systems, SUVs or McMansions. The answer was always more – regardless of the question.
It was during the Decade of Greed that the late billionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes, owner of Forbes magazine, coined the banal phrase, “He who dies with the most toys, wins.” Of course Malcolm Forbes died back in 1990. Despite his philosophy, it sure doesn’t seem like he won to me.
Luxury minimalism has blossomed as a natural reaction against these destructive excesses of the recent past. As we progress into the 21st century, many people have become more aware of how their belongings impact their living environment and, ultimately, their happiness. Luxury minimalism is a revolution in the way we live, driven largely by the younger generations of society, especially Millenials.
At one time or another, most of us have wrestled with the curse of cheap Chinese goods made from ugly plastic, coarse synthetic fabric or brittle particle board. It isn’t a pretty thing. The prices of these inferior import products may be low, but they are simply not worth the headaches involved.
I, and many people like me, have had enough. I’m finished buying cheap, but ostensibly functional, items. If at all possible, I will neither buy, nor use them, anymore. I have assembled enough nasty, pressed wood furniture to know that you get what you pay for. I have also thrown out countless small appliances and electronic devices that failed prematurely due to poor build quality or sub-standard QA testing. I simply refuse to spend my hard-earned money on more junk. I won’t do it and nor will many people like me.
Let me provide an example. A few months ago, I was balancing my checkbook when I noticed that my plastic checkbook cover was cracking along its spine. Now I don’t abuse my checkbook covers, but, in spite of this fact, they never seem to last. Every 12 to 18 months, I am forced to swap out an old, disintegrating plastic checkbook cover for a new, pristine plastic one.
And I could have done the same thing this last time, as well. I have an entire box full of plastic replacements sitting in my closet. But I had had enough. Why wallow in the mistakes of the past when luxury minimalism provides a clear path forward?
So I jumped on the internet and navigated to Etsy, an online marketplace specializing in vintage and handmade goods. Once there, I searched for leather checkbook covers. The one I eventually chose was a beautiful, made-to-order model from Outpost Arts with double-stitching and soft, chocolate-brown leather. Perhaps the best part is that it only cost $30! At prices this affordable, luxury minimalism becomes the obvious choice, especially when compared to more plastic.
When my new leather checkbook cover finally arrived in the mail, I was not disappointed. I slipped my checks and transaction register into the handsome leather accessory, knowing I would never again have to endure the inadequacies of a plastic checkbook cover. While leather goods do not last indefinitely, my leather checkbook cover will easy remain functional for a couple decades, and perhaps even longer. This was $30 well spent.
The story of my new leather checkbook cover is just a single, personal example of the growth of luxury minimalism. It would be possible for the average person to replicate this with a dozen other items in his life, too – kitchen goods, furniture, jewelry, toiletries, personal items, etc. I believe the old way of thinking – “he who dies with the most toys, wins” – has irrevocably entered the dustbin of history. Mass-produced, inferior quality, imported goods are falling out of favor. The future trend is toward owning fewer items, but ensuring they are of the highest possible quality.
There is evidence to buttress this assertion, too. The rise of websites such as Etsy and Kickstarter underscores the average person’s frustration with impersonal, mass produced, poor quality imports. In contrast, these new, small business oriented sites thrive on personalization and thoughtfully crafted products. Because almost all the makers present on these platforms originate from developed nations, they care about customer satisfaction and product quality in a way that isn’t possible from soulless multi-national corporations or underpaid Chinese sweatshop labor.
