It's that time of year again - autumn is setting in, and despite some really warm sunny September days, I knew it was time for my half-yearly wardrobe sort. Bob was watching the Grand Prix, so I hauled the "winter clothes" bag from the loft, and then emptied the wardrobe contents onto our bed. Over the summer, a number of items have gone to the CS, but I found a top that I have not worn at all so that went into the box. I spread out all the winter clothes onto the huge spare bed.
I was wondering last week about what approach to take. It is seven years since I first attempted Project 333, where you select 30 items and they are your clothes for the next 3 months. There are rules [underwear/nightwear/workwear/sportswear not included in the 30] Here are some of the results of that experiment [I was no good at selfies then either!]
Looking at the garments chosen, a high proportion of them are still in my wardrobe, they still fit, and are still worn regularly. The fabric of the pink denim jacket wore out completely and I threw it out - but picked up a similar replacement at a yard sale in the summer. The blue chambray shirt from the 1990s, with its multiple mends and patches has also gone, I've replaced the jeans. The red loafers split, and the boots are worn out with dodgy zips.
I could actually put together an almost identical wardrobe for this winter.
I think that I did manage a reasonable "capsule" back then - but the red/white/blue/black white palette felt quite limiting and dull.
Just after I posted in 2016. the wonderful Sue shared that she'd been doing the challenge since 2012. A much more disciplined women than I, I am sure she is still doing it! Of course, with Project 333 you sort your wardrobe four times a year. I really can't be doing with that!
I did cheat a little - two 5-bar trouser hangers hold "smart trousers" and "jeans", and there are 4 skirts on one hanger and my tee shirts and knitwear are in drawers.
Everything is creased, because it came out of the vacuum bags. I will press things as needed. There are 5 extra empty hangers at the top, in case. The colourful turquoise fringe on the right is the hanger which holds all my scarves. Almost all of these garments came here from Dorset 3 years ago - and I have realised how much I enjoy wearing different dresses and coloured tights in the dreary autumn months. So I don't need to buy a new wardrobe, I shall just continue to enjoy my old one!
And I hope the clothes which still have life in them but are no longer 'me' will benefit others via the CS.
Did you do the 100 day dress challenge, what happened on Day 101?
Have you ever done Project 333, did it work for you?
Has your lifestyle changed since the pandemic and has that affected your clothing choices?
How often do you have a wardrobe sort, or do you wear the same clothes all year round, just adding or subtracting layers?
*Older readers will remember that years ago, when the weather started to get chilly, grannies would declare "Winter drawers on!" and change to thicker knickers....
100day dress challenge; I don't wear the blue dress every day, but am looking forward to when the weather is reliably cooler and I can wear it with different coloured Snag tights again, so comfortable, and no decision making in the mornings. I have all my clothes out in drawers and wardrobe all the time, and just choose what's right for the weather. The clothes gravitate to the nearest or furthest end of the rail with the changing seasons.
ReplyDeleteTo have "all the clothes out all the time" would require me to have more wardrobes or fewer clothes. I'm working towards the latter. I would imagine the 100 day dress isn't so comfortable on warm says. Did you do the challenge and get a voucher or have they stopped that scheme now?
DeleteI got the voucher, and put it towards another dress!
DeleteOh that's good!
DeleteI've just swapped my 5 summer dresses for 4 pairs of leggings, 3 t-shirts and four tops. I have two stripey cardigans that I wear throughout the year. I also have two dresses but as I've not worn them for two years I may discard them.
ReplyDeleteI think two years is a reasonable length of time before discarding. I'm doing the "reverse hanger" trick again. This week all the hangers are "backwards" but if I wear a garment, I'll turn the hanger round. At the end of the season I will know if any garment has never been worn.
DeleteI have a one in, one out rule and if something isn’t leaving I either don’t really need the new item or don’t like it enough. Our local hospice shop has the experience to get the most out of expensive, donated brands so I know the discarded wardrobe items are getting a second life and raising money for a food charity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful blog, thoughtful, amusing, informative as ever. Jill x
I must confess I take my CS items to different shops - there is one shop I know sells lots of bric a brac, others which sell clothes at fair prices [esp 'brands'] and books go to dedicated charity bookshops. One in- one out is an excellent rule
DeleteI used to have a summer wardrobe and a winter one, but, not anymore. These days, almost all my clothes are hanging in the closet or in drawers (I still have one or two saris stored in a suitcase; regularly worn saris are hanging in the closet).
ReplyDeleteI've never done a project 333, but, when I was in mourning for my mother, I had a very limited wardrobe of about a dozen items of white clothing which I wore for the duration. I still have one of the skirts from then!
I am interested that for you, white is the colour of mourning, but in the UK it is black.
DeleteIt's a religious thing, I think, Angela. Buddhists (and Hindus, too, I believe) generally wear white for mourning. Christians/Catholics would wear black.
DeleteThank you, I didn't know this. It is becoming very common at funerals I. The UK for the dress code to be "no mourning black, please wear bright colours to celebrate a happy life"
DeleteI haven't tried anything like this and to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to. I like a choice. However, there are clothes than I do gravitate to more. I have too many dressy dresses that I don't wear so much anymore. I seemed to used to go out more or have more events, e.g. social swing dances where you don't want to wear the same each time. Probably need to downsize those a bit. Similarly, I have dressy coats I don't wear so much because of cycling and needing flexibility and rain protection. I enjoyed seeing your set of outfits! Kx
ReplyDeleteWhere does the cosplay stuff fit into all this? You are right, our patterns of life change and some things are no longer worn so much. When I was doing a lot of early years teaching, tunic tops and leggings were good, because I did a lot of kneeling on the floor. They're also good for cycling. But I love dresses and heels too. I dont keep things for Sunday Best like my mum did - but sometimes I do like to Make An Effort when I go to church,
DeleteGradually changing to wool sweaters now. I did a big charity bag last week so my wardrobe has slimmed down.
ReplyDeleteI've been privileged to meet you in person - and you are always so stylish - I imagine your donations are snapped up quickly! The CS must love it when you turn up with a bagful
DeleteHow kind of you. I don't feel at all stylish today on woolly sweater and jeans that are well worn! The CS lady was surprised that all my offerings were folded. She said that most clothes are just thrown into a bag!
DeletePeople can be very thoughtless with their donations at times
DeleteWow, what a strange coincidence!!
ReplyDeleteI literally looked in my wardrobe this morning, saw all the lightweight Summery things and thought it's time to pack them away ... and perhaps go back to P333. No, I haven't been doing it officially for the past couple of years but thinking about what I have been wearing I think I've almost subconsciously been doing it. Some of the things I got out at the start of Summer have been worn and worn and some have never even made it off the hanger and it was the same with the previous seasons things. Maybe it gets ingrained in your mind after a while and you can't escape.
You have inspired me to have another go at P333, thank you so much. It's time to get all the warmer clothes out from under the bed then.
Oh Sue, I hope I haven't burdened you with Yet Another Challenge, but I'm confident you will rise to the occasion. You could combine it with the Rations thing, and think about Clothing Coupons and Make do and Mend.
DeleteI have hung on to a lot of clothes that I have had for ages, because I still like them, and since dressy events are few, I can always shop in my wardrobe and find something decent to wear. Also I love to wear a skirt or dress to church and mix and match outfits. I do occasionally weed out a garment and I have a couple in mind to donate, but that beige jacket that is too yellowy, would really be useful in a better shade, so I could keep an eye out for another! Winter is boring, always trying to keep warm, huddled in a big winter jacket!
ReplyDeleteI've got some outfits for 'dressy' occasions which are classic style which shouldn't date. I dress up a plain black woollen winter coat with colourful scarves.
DeleteThe challenge in winter is that it can last for 5 months and the temperature can often be well below zero, like -10°C on a good day! Of course we get plenty of snow, too.
DeleteI'd just stay inside I think!
DeleteI so seldom go places that I should have a good clearout of things that doen't fit. Am slowly losing weight intentionally so will keep some things that almost fit. The coats I wear are almost fall from my mother or aunts!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
😊👍
DeleteLike you Angie, I do a big turn around twice a year. Since retirement I have cut my wardrobe back to fewer items.
ReplyDeleteI find the trick (if I am doubtful about getting rid of an item) is to put my bag for the charity shop/recycling to one side out of site telling myself I can change my mind at any point point and reclaim any garment. After a few weeks I’ve forgotten what’s in the bag and out it all goes!
Ive started doing that too.
Delete