Embrace the imperfect: why ‘done’ is the new chic
Forget flawless. A new wave of designers and consumers are celebrating the beauty of decay, the charm of the worn, and the quiet elegance of things that have lived a life. It’s a deliberate rejection of the relentless pursuit of newness, rooted in a philosophy called wabi-sabi.
The rise of ‘wabi-sabi’
Stylist and designer Jenna Rosenstein is exploring this fascinating trend—a shift away from manufactured perfection and towards an appreciation for the authentic, the imperfect, and the transient. It’s about embracing the evidence of time, the stories etched into materials and objects.
At the heart of this movement is wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds its roots in Zen Buddhism. Born in the 15th century as a reaction against ornate excess, it initially flourished in the tea ceremony, valuing rustic bowls and uneven surfaces over polished lacquer. Roughly translated, ‘wabi’ speaks to the beauty of simplicity and solitude, while ‘sabi’ embodies the grace that comes with age and wear. It’s a concept that Western culture has historically struggled to articulate – the allure of the imperfect, the incomplete, the fleeting.
Repeating yourself, building identity
Designers like Ryota Iwai of Auralee are championing this mindful approach. “I’m drawn to things that aren’t overly engineered or perfectly controlled,” he explains. “Things that feel a little worn, slightly imperfect, lived-in.” This isn’t about rejecting style, but about moving beyond fleeting trends and creating a wardrobe—and a life—built on enduring pieces.
The chicest women Rosenstein knows aren’t constantly chasing the latest collection; they’re consistently returning to favorites, layering them, and allowing their personal style to evolve organically. It’s about an object’s journey, not just its initial appeal. Colin King, a New York-based stylist and designer, echoes this sentiment: “You spend months obsessing over every detail, only to realize that time is going to become your collaborator.”
From flea markets to timeless design
The embrace of wabi-sabi extends far beyond fashion. At Hôtel du Couvent in Provence, the design team deliberately left a monastery table, worn smooth by decades of meals, as the restaurant’s focal point. “That table is the room,” explains Vanina Kovarski, head of brand for the hotel. “Not despite the patina; because of it. You can’t manufacture that. You can only have the good sense not to sand it down.” This philosophy translates to choosing materials that will age gracefully – a navy jumper that hangs perfectly after years of wear, vegetable-tanned leather, or brass handles subtly darkened by touch.
The key, Rosenstein notes, is to seek out handmade and handwoven pieces, anything that retains evidence of its creation. Consider Bode’s fringed embroidered midi dress, Zara’s onyx bowl, or Art Brugi’s hand-carved chestnut serving board – each piece will transform subtly over time, becoming more beautiful with age. Hunting Season’s pendant necklace, which darkens with wear, and Niwaki’s carbon steel knives, broken in and aged, are further examples of this philosophy in action.
Featured pieces: embracing the imperfect
Zara small onyx bowl $149
Christen Helix 75 sandals $1,750
The Row Cadia scarf $650
Studio Mantel wood ear clips $331
Bode fringed embroidered midi dress $1,600
The House of Lyria Lume linen napkins $305
Carsten in der Elst Graywacke Offcut side table #4 $3,378
Dosa patched square pillow $868
The lasting appeal
Ultimately, wabi-sabi isn't about embracing flaws—it's about discovering them, and finding beauty within imperfection. It’s a visible stitch, a glaze that pools differently on every piece, a weave with slight irregularity. As Imogen Kwok, a chef, puts it,