Following hot on the heels of trends like “dopamine dressing” and “quiet luxury’, there’s a new minimalist seasonal trend emerging among lovers of fashion and interior design alike, coined “grounded living”.
The trend embraces a slower pace of living, combining mood boosting colours with a stripped back minimalist feel. Promoting self-care, mindfulness and a laid back approach to both fashion and interior decor.
Retailer House of Fraser has spotted a spike in sales of products featuring a mood boosting or calming colour, with earthly orange and yellow products seeing year on year increases in sales of 74% and 37% respectively, and relaxing greens boasting increases of 71%.
Combined with this, huge numbers of Brits have been seeking out key elements of the trend on social media and search engines. Pinterest has seen a 185% increase in searches for “minimal fashion” in the past six months. Meanwhile, on TikTok, #healinghomes, which explores colour theory and feng shui, received 727 thousand views and #slowliving has been viewed 880 million times.
Reacting to the emerging trend, House of Fraser has dubbed the aesthetic “grounded living”, due to how the movement embraces elements of harmony, peace and mood boosting mindfulness, intertwining the same approach to both fashion and interior design.
Working with style psychologist, Dr Dion Terrelonge, House of Fraser has revealed the best ways to incorporate the trend into your life, from your dresses to your decor.
Dion shared: “When I think of harmony, I think of peace, ease, attunement, equilibrium, and nature. In general, colours and patterns should flow, complement each other, and not jar or pop to pull our attention. We want to feel in harmony with, and able to let our minds wander.
Choose grounded colours
Dion explained: “Earthy colours are seeing a surge in popularity, with Pinterest searches for ‘earthy outfit’ increasing by 144%, and searches for ‘earthy bedroom aesthetic’ rising by 139%. These colours may help us to feel grounded thanks to their connection with nature, and include terracotta, warm blues, greens, gentle yellows. When combining colours, think complimentary, rather than contrasting tones.
“Studies have found that the colour red and visually complex environments excite the brain and cause overload, therefore we may want to avoid this colour for harmonious living. On the other hand, blue and green spaces are associated with a sense of well-being, with green in particular being associated with freshness and ‘recreation’ and can have a positive impact on stress levels.”
Opt for natural textures
Dion shared: “Prioritise choosing natural materials and textures rather than artificial synthetics. Go for wood and other natural materials in the home, for example stone, veined marble, foliage and clay, rather than plastics.
“When it comes to fashion, soft and inviting textures made from natural materials are a better option than synthetic fibres. Opt for materials such as woollen clothing and cashmere, which also help to provide pleasurable sensory feedback.”
Avoid triggering patterns
Dion says: “With patterns within this trend, avoid dots as they look like small holes. Dots and spots can cause subliminal stress and aren’t the best for evoking feelings of calm.
“Instead, opt for horizontal lines such as those we see in nature, like the horizon. The human eye naturally scans horizontally, so these patterns echo the natural scanning of the environment.
“Fractal patterns, which are often seen in nature and plantlife, are also good for creating a relaxed and soothed feeling.”
As “grounded living” continues to permeate the fashion and interior design spheres, it signals a profound shift towards simpler, more mindful living. By emphasizing nature-based colors, natural textures, and stress-reducing patterns, it encourages us to reassess our relationship with our surroundings. House of Fraser’s interpretation of this trend is a beacon to those seeking a respite from the fast-paced modern world, offering a return to balance, tranquility, and understated elegance. Whether it’s in the clothes we wear or the spaces we inhabit, “grounded living” brings a sense of harmony and connection that speaks to our innate need for relaxation and rejuvenation. This trend is not just about changing our aesthetic preferences, but ultimately, it’s about enhancing our well-being and quality of life.
