I am currently halfway through Project 333 and the challenge has been going so well for me so far. I’ve really loved having a more minimalistic wardrobe and what this challenge is helping me with is defining my individual style. Fashion has never been something I’ve had much interest in, but I love collecting wristwatches. And if I need a reliable watch repair, I just contact this watch servicing here for the best help. I love and loathe shopping and to be completely honest, shopping isn’t fun when you’re overweight and unhappy with what you look like. Most times I go shopping, I leave the fitting room with my stomach in knots and feeling upset because everything I tried on didn’t feel good on me.
I want to feel good in what I’m wearing and I know I have a ways to go before I can look in the mirror and be proud of my body. This post isn’t about body image, though. It’s about Project 333 and how I feel halfway into the challenge. The truth is, I need to begin to hone my style and find clothes that make me feel good now. Not thirty or forty or fifty pounds later. So this challenge is two-fold: to first, start minimalizing my wardrobe and getting rid of clothes I have no need for and don’t make me feel great; and secondly, to begin to cultivate my own personal style.
While I wouldn’t say I’m unfashionable, I also rely on comfort over style most of the time. And since my work is super casual (like, wear-yoga-pants-to-work casual), developing my own personal style hasn’t been something I’ve made a priority. I get overwhelmed at the prospect of buying more clothes when my closet was already full, and again, it’s hard to find clothes shopping fun when you’re uncomfortable with your body and feel anxiety every time you step into a fitting room.
So how has Project 333 been for me so far? Have I begun honing my personal style through this process? I thought it would be easiest to do this in Q&A form, with questions I think some people might have…
Are you bored with your options?
Yes and no. There are some days when I look at my tiny selection of clothes and I feel so bored with what I have. I can usually go about 3 weeks before I have to repeat clothes. Usually, I love the simpler selections and the fact that I don’t have a lot of options so deciding what to wear is a breeze.
Do you miss shopping for clothes?
Not really. I never enjoyed shopping that much before and it doesn’t bother me much now. I’ve been to Target numerous times and I’ve never even ventured into the clothing section, and twice I’ve gone to Ross with coworkers and walked out with nothing in my hands. When I need to be strict about spending, I can be strict with myself. I’m sure I’ll want to buy a few new things once the challenge is over, but right now, I’m doing just fine without buying clothes.
Will you continue with a 33-item wardrobe after the challenge?
I don’t think so. I think I will continue to have a minimalist wardrobe and adopt the “one-in-one-out” rule of giving away an item of clothing when I buy something new but sticking to just 33 items total for all clothing, accessories, and shoes is very strict so I will probably allow myself a bigger selection, but no more than 50 total items. I can take my watch to Sydney watch repair for restoration instead of buying a new one.
As far as developing my personal style goes, I am slowly figuring out what that is. I know I will always choose comfort over fashion, discount stores over the mall. I like dark colors and stripes and shirts that fit loosely (but not too loosely). Empire waist is not my friend, and dresses should be fitted (but not too fitted). I need a great pair of dark-washed jeans and a pair of black slacks that fit me comfortably (I have yet to find these, as being short and chubby makes everything difficult). If I can get away with never wearing high heels again, I am going to do so. I love t-shirts, hate tank tops, and will avoid wearing shorts as much as I can. I’m more preppy than bold, more casual than chic.
I’m eating up Jess Lively’s “How to Build an Intentional Wardrobe” posts like candy and have begun the (slow) process of creating a vision of the type of wardrobe I love. (On Pinterest, no less. Here’s my board. It’s pitiful right now.)
What Project 333 has taught me is that I’m ready to start developing my style and that I don’t need a huge wardrobe to do so. I can have a minimalist wardrobe but still have a style that is completely me and feels good. I know how I dress has a direct effect on how I feel. I think it’s important not to get too caught up in our looks, but I also think it’s perfectly fine to take pride in our appearance and care about how we dress.
So the first six weeks of Project 333 have gone extremely well, and I look forward to what else I learn about my wardrobe and personal style in these next six weeks!
How important is your personal style to you?
My personal style has really developed over the years. I have never really liked shopping. I like having new things, but don’t enjoy going to shopping malls or multiple stores. So I almost exclusively shop at Banana Republic and Gap, with some summer dresses purchased from Target. Nearly everything in BR reflects my personal style, and I always get 40% or 50% off coupons, which makes the clothes affordable for me. I prefer solid colors, stripes, dark denim, dresses, pencil skirts, and heels with pointy toes.
I would have a hard time with a project like this because of the dress code for my job, but I think I could benefit from purging my closet of clothes that I haven’t worn for awhile. I did this before my move as I knew my closet would be much smaller, but I should probably do it again. I have been putting it off as I was so burned out on purging when I moved here, but after 3 months, it’s probably time to take another sweep through my closet!
My personal style has evolved a lot over the years, I think. I have definitely started to dress more conservatively and have looked at things in my closet and wondered if they are appropriate for an almost 30 year old to wear (in some cases NO, so I have donated/sold them).
I have a different style depending on the day: work, leisure, fancy work, date night, exercise. My biggest thing as I get “older”: I like to be comfortable. I don’t like discomfort at all. I’m really into long flowy dresses because they are comfortable and I can relax in them while still looking stylish. I’m not as trendy as I would like or think I should be, but I’m ultimately ok with that.
I just removed about half, if not more than half, of my wardrobe the other night. I had read a series of posts by Jess Lively {http://jesslively.com/keys-to-an-intentional-wardrobe-part-two/} on defining your style, which made me realize just how unhappy I was with a lot of the clothes I owned. There was a huge mound of clothes on my floor for a couple days before I bagged them up and gave them to one of my younger cousins to sift through. I am so much happier with my closet now, but a little nervous because most of my winter wardrobe is gone. Lol. I’ve been really into getting organized lately in all aspects of my life. I guess I’ve just spent a really long time in disarray that it’s starting to get overwhelming. I take this as a good thing, because it means I’m changing and developing for the better as an adult. However, like I was saying to a friend last night, I don’t want to get over-scheduled. Micro-management stresses me out.
So, I was late to work this morning because I had to keep looking for my heart shaped sun glasses. 🙁 Finally gave up but can’t wait to go home and search again.
I don’t dress like a grown up so much but have ditched flip flops mostly for good (except for scrub days and for pools) and have ditched clubbing wear. haha. Oh clubbing days.
I thought about doing this but then I counted my clothes and realized that I really don’t have that many things that I own. There are a few pieces that could use a little more love, but everything is worn pretty often, or is saved for a particular reason. I have no problems getting rid of old clothes. In fact, sometimes I think I’m a little too okay with it, and then later regret throwing things away. Oh well.
My personal style is sort of a classic, colorful look. I like pretty colors, skirts and dresses. I’m trying to get into colored pants and shorts, but since I’m losing weight I’m trying to be careful about buying certain sizes. My skirts have elastic bands, so it helps when fluctuating sizes. I love maxi dresses too. I could live in those everyday! LOFT is a favorite, because they always have great sales, as well as Target. I used to shop more at Banana, but they are too work-oriented and I don’t need that since I’m in school. But like Lisa, they were a favorite because they have such a classic look to them.
Since I have worked from home for nearly four years, my need for fancy clothes has dwindled a bit. I only have a few really nice outfits that I wear when I travel for work and have to go to meetings. Usually I’m traveling to different places, so I can wear the same thing many times and no one knows the difference! When I’m home, it’s t-shirts and shorts in the summer and jeans and sweat shirts in the winter. Sexy, I know.
I definitely do have personal style when I leave the house. I love tailored, classic pieces from brands like Theory (expensive but worth it) and Ann Taylor. I don’t wear high heels much because I’m 5’9″ and they are bad for your feet. I love statement necklaces which can make a plain t-shirt look awesome.
I have been trying to invest in a few pieces rather than buying tons of new things. I’d rather have one expensive but great fitting pair of jeans than 10 that don’t fit great. And, when I have to get really dressed up, I’ve started using Rent the Runway where you can rent formal dresses and gowns. That way I get to wear something killer but I don’t add something I’ll never wear again to my wardrobe.
This project is so interesting, and I love hearing how it’s working for you! I’m still pretty sure it wouldn’t work for me at all, but I do aim to minimize my wardrobe when I can. I think “extreme” projects like this are good reminders that we don’t need 800 of anything to survive in the world. 33 pieces of clothing CAN suffice, it won’t kill anyone ha. Great job so far!!
It’s interesting to try things like this because it does give you a better awareness of what you can get along without. I could do it without a problem, as I basically wear the same 5 tops every week anyway! Also, I am not much of a shopper. However, I sometimes DO have trouble getting rid of things; I am a bit of a hoarder with certain things.
Instead of pinterest try polyvore.com to create your ideal wardrobe. My style and situation sounds very similar to yours. I first started minimising my wardrobe when I realised I was dressing according to what I thought I SHOULD BE wearing or what looked good on other people (hence the large collection of decorative scarves and lots of cheap jewellery!).
On Polyvore I first picked out (similar) things that I know I wear all the time and fit, like etc. Straight away I could see what colours and styles I liked and then added a few more things to make up the 33 and used that as my shopping list. The advantage with this is that you can see at a glance what you have/need and whether its a cohesive collection (its kind of like playing virtual dress-ups). This was my winter collection, then in summer took some pieces out (a lot of my clothes are layering appropriate), added in others and voila, all done. This way I’m focused when I do go to the mall and I haven’t been shopping for “fun” for over six months now – awesome!