Hello again! I started that Project 333 Capsule Wardrobe experiment on Thanksgiving, and then promptly got sick so I made good use of my pajamas and “loungewear that doesn’t leave the house” category for a week.
That period before December officially started was a trial run of the “only 33 items” rule and here’s what I’ve learned so far.
I’m messy. I spilled foundation on my ONE Athleta pullover sweatshirt so I couldn’t wear it until I washed it. I spilled my Starbucks Oatmilk Gingerbread Chai on my festive red Universal Standard sweatshirt dress on the way to my daughter’s holiday choir concert. I do laundry once a week (the girls do their own) and I’m not willing to wash more frequently to enable this Capsule wardrobe sitch.
I no longer love the ‘matching set’ joggers & sweatshirt look. During the pandemic I bought a delightful gray leopard print set from Old Navy that has served me well, but now when I wear them together it looks like PJs. So I now wear them as separates, which actually makes one fewer outfit combo in my capsule.
I understand my weird sensory issues more now as an adult. There are some fabrics I don’t like to wear close to my skin and most of these are winter clothes, so I prefer layering a tee or tank top underneath first. The feel of a crisp poplin button down (or most woven fabrics, really) on my skin - ick!
An online friend commented on Facebook about how Project 333 brought out some perfectionist tendencies, and I really see that. It’s easy to get caught up in the “rules” and miss out on the fun of fashion. She said she had to forgo the colors that looked good on her, and chose a more neutral wardobe to mix and match instead. I totally agree - mine is also lacking bright colors, but I’m ok with that for winter as I never get to wear all my cool black stuff when it’s burning hot here in Phoenix.
So, based on those lessons, I’ve made a couple of adjustments (of course I did, that 33 item limit is rough for me!). I added a black Nike pullover sweatshirt (which I already owned, no shopping needed) and a pair of black slip on shoes that fill the “nicer shoe” spot I’m missing. And I’m not counting cotton tees and tanks I wear under sweaters and sweatshirts since I have to wash them more frequently. I guess technically these are “undergarments” so maybe I’m still following the rules.
But having one rack of clothing holding my capsule is less overwhelming than looking into my (very) full closet. I still try to plan/choose an outfit the night before, but if I don’t, it’s easy to grab something off the small rack and get out the door by 7:30am. That alone is worth the price of admission. So here we go :)
Have you done a capsule wardrobe? Are you doing one now? What do you think?
I tried it once and gave up within about a week because of something you mentioned - the lack of colour. I just don’t feel like myself if I’m not wearing bright colours 🫢🙈🙈🙈
You are so brave to try this. Also smart!