My Closet: A Metaphor for Life, Part III
04/22/2014
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. . .
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.
Posted by: April | 04/22/2014 at 08:13 AM
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.
Posted by: margene | 04/22/2014 at 08:33 AM
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!
Posted by: Vicki | 04/22/2014 at 01:00 PM
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!
Posted by: Dana | 04/22/2014 at 03:36 PM
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.
Posted by: Cookie | 04/22/2014 at 04:23 PM
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. :)
Posted by: Marilyn | 04/23/2014 at 10:34 AM
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!
Posted by: Mary | 04/29/2014 at 05:26 AM