My Closet: A Metaphor for Life, Part III

I developed my personal wardrobe-philosophy over a lifetime of studying fashion, shopping, and twirling in front of mirrors.  

You know . . . 

• Start with the basics.
• Invest in high-quality items.
• You can't go wrong with accessories.
• Every woman needs (at least one) LBD.
• Never get rid of a Burberry coat.
• A scarf will pull it all together.
• "If you don't absolutely love it in the store, you won't wear it."  (Sandra Bullock in The Blindside)
• "Once you've dressed, and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off."  (Coco Chanel)

And, really.  I lived that philosophy.  (Except for the Burberry coat.  Which I have never owned.)

What did it get me?  A closet full of clothes . . . that I thought I loved; that I thought I needed.

Then, I met Project 333.  Talk about another perspective!

Project 333 is a minimalist fashion challenge that invites participants to dress using 33 items (or less!) for 3 months.

33 items, people.  Including shoes, jewelry, coats, and handbags.  You might imagine my reaction.  (Let's just say it involved the F-word, followed by a reference to myself.)  

But I was intrigued.

33 items?

I read all about it.  I checked out the Facebook page. I read blogs of Project 333 participants.  I even took the Project 333 microcourse because I wanted to learn more about minimizing my maxi-sized wardrobe.  The microcourse was just what I needed, actually, to get me thinking about my wardrobe and my clothes and my philosophy.  To think about WHY.  To think about how it all fits together.  To . . . explore the possibility . . . of reducing my wardrobe.

But, still.  I knew that Project 333 wasn't really for me.  [Because accessories!  I might be able to whittle my wardrobe down to 33 pieces . . . but I would never be able to give up my jewelry or my scarves or my handbags and shoes.  (Just no.)]

So, while I'm not climbing on the Project 333 bandwagon, I am folding many of its principles into my wardrobe-philosophy:

• Love every piece in your closet!
• Only wear what looks good and feels good.
• Be creative in mixing and matching.
• Shop for what you need; don't just wander and see what "grabs you."
• Start with the basics.
• Invest in high-quality clothing that lasts.

And with that, I started a major closet overhaul.  I emptied everything out of my closet(s) and drawers and shelves.  I sorted.  I bagged.  I donated.  I shared.  I sorted some more.  I packed some things away to decide later.  I sorted some more.  In fact, I'm still sorting!  Every time I put something on, I question myself.  Do you love this?  Sometimes I realize I don't.  So out it goes.

Although I know my wardrobe is still WAY too full to achieve minimalist standards, I've come a long way.  It feels really liberating to love everything in my closet; to wear everything in my closet; to be able to see space between the hangers!  

And I'm not finished yet.  The sorting will continue. . .  

 

 

 

Comments

[April]

So inspiring! I have dabbled with the Project 333 idea for awhile now. Just don't have the nerve to do it. I don't have a lit of accessories (jewelry, scarves). I've never felt very confident with bold statements like that. But I'm finding that I hold onto clothes I don't love "just in case". A terrible reason. I love the pics you posted. Maybe I will have a go at my closet this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

[margene]

I read about 333 through the year it started and read Beverly's blog about her experience. It was a little to radical for me even though my closet is quite minimal (after a purge similar to yours). Then along came 52 in 52. That was more doable to me. I have just over 52 pieces in my closet and have made a couple of my own rules for accessories and jewelry. It is liberating and one of the best things I've ever done for my wardrobe and my life.

[Vicki]

Luckily, the thing that helps keep me most in check is my miniscule closet. And I have never made it a habit to keep my clothes anyplace but in my own closet (i.e., not in the kids' closet, not in the coat closet, not in a rolling wardrobe in the basement or attic). Still, every now and then it gets a bit crowded and there is a need to purge!

[Dana]

I don't advocate my closet rule as a good idea, it only benefits my love of shopping and keeping my closet approaching respectable...only close, mind you! My rule is simple, if I buy a new item, an old one must go. I usually keep a donation bag going all the time. It's my. One rule and I live by it strictly. Sometimes hard, sometimes easy. Yet it only gets me to approaching a respectable closet!

[Cookie]

I think you lost me at shoes. Is that two items or one? Then I realized it wouldn't matter. Shoes and accessories would do me in. Looking forward to following your journey, though.

[Marilyn]

I've never heard of this before but could probably live it with no problem. Clothes just don't mean that much to me and I rarely accessorize.
Good luck with this! Let us know how it is going. :)

[Mary]

sorry for the delayed comment - I think this is a great idea! certainly makes getting dressed easier when you don't have so many options! and of course loving it all (and having it fit well) is a huge help, too. looking forward to seeing and hearing more about this!