I’ve been thinking of clothes lately and reading about clothes. In particular, something that’s been around a while but never really stood out enough for me to pay much attention: Project 333
Summary from the website:
The Basics
- When: Every three months (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
- What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
- What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear, and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
- How: Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of site.
- What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. Remember that this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don’t fit or are in poor condition, replace them.
The appeal is clear for me: I’ve always been a sucker for the tidy simplicity of this paper-doll-like switch around. As long as I can remember I’ve had a soft spot for Ricki’s 10 Items 10 Ways. I always end up wishing that Ricki’s did a version that wasn’t office appropriate. Don’t get me wrong, I do want North America to dress better. But I like to see examples of this in a more casual or urban-street kind of way to get my creative juices flowing.
Project 333 seems like such a wonderful chance to play with finding a central wardrobe for myself. But then again, I feel like this is how I’ve been living for a while and now that I finally have a few more things I don’t want to go back to a more minimalistic time. Having lost 50 pounds and living on one income, I have tended to buy a few things and wear them til they fall apart. It has taken years to get to a point where I have a few more choices. Especially since I have a hard time spending money on myself.
So I don’t think I’ll try Project 333, but I have really enjoyed reading about it, rethinking what I own, and setting a few goals for finding a few essentials that would really give me a lot more scope for expression.
It’s led me all sorts of fun places:
The Capsule Wardrobe Concept and a little more on the idea
Redbook’s 51 days of clothing for $200
I sure wish someone would do a version of these that isn’t quite so preppy. Something a little more ‘strolling down the cobblestones after going to the market and stopping to have a cappuccino’.
This Flickr mosaic of someone doingProject 333 comes close.
6 comments
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May 16, 2011 at 5:40 pm
JoVE
Interesting concept though those of us who work at home might live in “sleepwear and in home loungewear”
This is one of my big issues, actually. Most days no one sees me but my family. And I do farm chores, walk the dog in the woods, etc. I find it hard to justify dressing up in those circumstances, even when my definition of dressing up is clean jeans and a nice sweater.
May 17, 2011 at 7:06 am
Just Peaches
Thanks for the links. I can always use a bit of inspiration. Check out: http://youlookfab.com/
May 17, 2011 at 10:31 am
Just Peaches
P.S.
While you’re at youlookfab.com check out the MOTG formulae (Mom On The Go). Just type MOTG in the Blog search box.
May 17, 2011 at 11:10 am
momco3
I’ve wanted the same for awhile. I’m wondering if a scarf nattily tied will turn my homeschooling-through-fractions-tantrums outfit into a let’s-meet-for-coffee outfit. Thanks for the links.
May 17, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Amanda
This is funny to me, because I don’t think I would have 33 items unless I counted my pajamas and underwear.
May 24, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Elizabeth
I have 5 pairs of trousers (that includes 1 pair of shorts & two cropped trousers), 2 skirts and about 9 tops–I would need to go shopping to get to 33!