As I continue to cast a critical eye over my belongings (how did I get so much STUFF?), I keep coming across these projects that are designed to remind us how little we actually need!
First, I read about the Six Items or Less project, in which participants pledge to choose SIX items of clothing (not including undergarments, outerwear and accessories, of course) from their closets and wear only those items for an entire month. The idea is to emphasize how much we already own versus how much we really need. I'm embarrassed to admit that there are clothes and shoes in each of my three bedroom closets, and I STILL feel as if I don't have anything to wear! I considered joining Six Items or Less, but I really don't feel that I could create a work-appropriate wardrobe out of six items.
Then I saw this: Project 333. In this project, you choose 33 items to be worn over a period of three months. This is more like it! I already use about 20% of what is in my closet, and a project like this could help me to cull the items that are simply taking up space. I did take some clothing to consignment shops in December (ack! It's time to find out if they sold anything!) so I'm making a dent, but I want to try to create a more minimalist wardrobe with quality items that I actually like and will wear.
I'm not sure when I would have the time to go through my closets and find 33 items; I'm thinking in the spring, because I am almost positive that I will try to work less than I am now, even if it slows down my debt repayment. I'll keep you posted!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Frugal wardrobe. . .
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4 comments:
I'm in the middle of moving - how did I EVER get so much stuff... in just 4 years since the last move....???
Pile growing in the garage for the garage sale :)
How about clearing a 2-3 ft space in your closet... As you wear something, after laundry, place it in that empty space. Keep doing that for a month - putting only the clothes you are actually wearing in that space.... Then after a month - or 3 months... you'll have a good idea of what to keep and what needs to go.
Of course, you might have to do this seasonally... altho here on the coast we just kinda have variations of the same season, so seasonal doesn't work well here.
Of course, save out your "interview suit", and your wedding and funeral attire, and any other special occasion you might need something more for.
I'm moving, and have a 3 ft wide closet and a 6 ft wide closet in my new room.... I'm going to try this myself... and then get rid of a lot of stuff.
My hang up tho seems to be the fabric it is made of... I hate to get rid of fabric! I'm a frabricaholic..... I am sure of it!
Good luck!
marci357
Why not keep out the first 33 items you use and see if you can go with them? They say we only use 20% of our wardrobe! So 80% is a waste! Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson in the 80s was the best system I ever found for choosing what colour and style are best for you, your colouring and body type -- it simplifies everything and you need much less. It works for your 'home decor' and buying for other people too.
I like the idea of the 33 items over 3 months. Our weather has swung from -35 to +5 and back to -20 again all over the course of the last week. I couldn't do a 6 item challenge right now! 33 sounds doable. Good luck with the clearing, and I hope some of your consignment stuff has sold :)
Ha ha! Color Me Beautiful! I remember that book; my mom and I pored over it when I was younger (she even had the swatches to go along with it). I was a 'winter', back in those days, and I must admit the 'winter' colors are still the ones I'm drawn to after all these years.
@Marci: moving does have its benefits, eh? Nothing like having to truck it all over to a new house to decide that you don't really need all that stuff anyway!
@Cassie: I thought about the weather issue too; Portland is nowhere near as cold as where you are (Canada?) but it does vary, and six items just wouldn't cut it. But 33? Now that might just work!
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