Issue 39. Project 333 (Week 11)
Official wrap-up and what's next!
This is part of a series about my experience with minimalist style challenge, Project 333: selecting ~33 articles of clothing to wear for three months. To read why I’m doing this and what I’ve included in my wardrobe, check out the first installment.
WEEK 11
How did you feel about the challenge this week?
I am certainly continuing the challenge again in the new year! I’ve already pulled together a “first draft” of the ~40 pieces I’ll wear for Jan-March of next year. Having a smaller wardrobe, which started from necessity (a lot of my clothing no longer fitting) now brings me a sense of clarity and calm.
I really resonate with a quote I saw this week from
:Repetition is style, and authenticity is the patina of wear on the clothing we repeat - waiting and wearing each piece until threads soften, fade and fray.
I know there are many ways to create history and patina in clothes - for many people, this could be generations or life-times long. The best solution for me and my specific situation is to have a small selection of clothing that I truly have to wear on repeat. None of my clothing is languishing.
TAKEAWAY: Less is great.
What was your favorite outfit this week?
I wore my favorite Sezane cardigan out for lunch with family in town a few days before Christmas. I felt cozy, elevated, but not too overdressed for a quick trip to the hardware store to pick up a last-minute Christmas present.
TAKEAWAY: Still not sick of this combination….
What was your least successful outfit this week?
I layered a new-to-me cotton jacket (a Christmas present I picked out and my husband wrapped) over a similarly-toned brown tee, and loved the combination. I was comfy all day, but my new Everlane pants really stretch out. I did get a few adjustable pants buttons on Amazon to help with bagging over the course of the day, but this only worked for a short while. I even ordered a replacement pair of the same pants in the next size down, which were simply too uncomfortable to try to stretch out and I ultimately returned. I’m still waiting for these Anthropologie pants to restock in my size (also ecru), but I’m not hopeful. Maybe I get a light colored belt? I’m not sure, but I know I love having a pair of off-white pants!
Biggest challenge this week?
I was briefly overcome with a desire to order a bunch of clothing online (a coping mechanism), until Christmas came and realized that buying too much at once is actually much more difficult than to slow purchases down. Arranging purchases together requires a certain amount of mental math that I simply don’t have the desire / energy to manage right now.
I did order an Aritzia pale gray maxi skirt on Poshmark after thinking about this type of purchase for the last few months. Hasn’t arrived yet, but I hope it fits!
TAKEAWAY: Slow and steady purchases = less overwhelm. What’s the rush?
What’s next?
I’m already working on my capsule for Jan-March, which will include a few new pieces, and a few pieces put on hold until Spring. Excited to share at the start of January.
See you in 2025!
Best,
Maureen