Trying out minimalist style challenge Project 333
Here's what I'll be wearing for the next 3 months. Care to join me?
The start of this post is a short personal backstory behind my desire to try Project 333 relating to struggles with weight fluctuation. Scroll down for a visual of what’s in my capsule, preliminary outfit uniforms, and a by-the-numbers look at what’s in each category.
Some days, it feels like my body will never stop changing shape.
Clothing that fit only months ago no longer do. My closet feels like a revolving door of clothing due to changes in my body size and shape.
I have a clear personal style and aesthetic. I’ve bought high-quality items, as much secondhand as possible. I’ve mended, dyed, and taken good care of what I have. Despite all this effort, my ever-changing body keeps requiring me to re-purchase items in different sizes. I’m exhausted.
To more closely align to the season of change I’m experiencing in my body, I’m embarking on Project 3331, a minimalist style challenge.
The premise is simple: Select ~33 items to wear for the next 3 months.
Why do I think this will help? Focusing on shorter increments of time seems more in-line with the frequency of change I’m experiencing in my body. Plus, a fewer number of items in each category means less to replace should more changes occur!
The fun part: What’s in my Project 333 capsule for autumn?
Now that our Bay Area heat wave seems to be calming down, I can better guess at what I’ll want to wear in mild, 45-65F degree weather over the next three months. Key events include working from home, casual time with family, going out with friends, and the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have no big trips planned, and I’m not including activewear, which I recently covered.
I took a first pass at creating my outfit uniforms for the season.
It’s been too hot to style heavier jackets or boots, so they’re not really reflected here. Let me know in the comments if you want a full post on my outfit uniforms & how I created them!
Here’s everything that made the cut
And yes, it all fits in one half of my closet!
A neater visual for the vibe, & some links:
My Project 333 - By the Numbers
Many of these items are covered in my recent closet tour, or a post from earlier this week about how my style is changing.
Eight tops
Most days, I’ll be wearing a neutral tee with any of the bottoms, and layered with a knit if its chilly. The statement tops are perfect for when I feel like looking more put-together, such as dinner with friends.
Two “statement” tops
Six fitted neutral tees / tanks
Four knits
Two cardigans - both neutral
Two pullover sweaters - one stripe, one solid
Seven bottoms
One for each day of the week! Bottoms are my most challenging area to fit, so I’ve only got two “fitted” options, and the others have stretchy or a looser-fit, to be more flexible.
Two skirts- one solid mini, one printed maxi
Two fitted wide leg jeans - one dark, one light wash
Three relaxed pants - one linen, one baggy denim, one knit pant
Six dresses and jumpsuits
All of these can be worn day or night, dressed with the right accessories.
Four A-line maxi dresses - two solid, two printed
Two jumpsuits - one long sleeve, one short sleeve
Four outerwear
One denim jacket
One puffer jacket
One anorak
One overcoat
Seven shoes
Four boots - one suede, one off-white leather, one Chelsea boot, one tall boot
One pair of sneakers
Two pairs of close-toe flats
Bags, hats, and jewelry not included, as I keep these categories fairly curated already, and they continue to fit me even as my body changes.
Let me know in the comments, would you ever try Project 333?
Why or why not?
Challenge a friend to join us!
Courtney Carver’s explanation of Project 333 via her website, Be More With Less
Really fun idea, can't wait to see all the looks you make!
Wait, wait, wait… this is sort of blowing my mind seeing the uniforms for different occasions. Actually I could probably work backward building those and seeing the repeated pieces. I love this challenge idea; it’s the right amount of restricting.