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.
Handmade Homeschool 
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.
Thanks for the links. I can always use a bit of inspiration. Check out: http://youlookfab.com/
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.
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.
This is funny to me, because I don’t think I would have 33 items unless I counted my pajamas and underwear. 🙂
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!