Issue 23. Project 333 (Week 3)
Including my favorite outfit of the week, and the sweaters I ordered guilt-free
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.
Each installment, I’ll reflect on the same short list of questions, to see how things change over the 12 weeks. Below are the questions, should you want to join in. Also, please feel free to suggest additional questions for the list!
How did you feel about the challenge this week?
What was your favorite outfit this week?
What was your least successful outfit this week?
What was your biggest challenge this week?
Any key changes ahead of next week?
WEEK THREE
How did you feel about the challenge this week?
Pretty solid. My goal with the challenge was to address my struggle with ever-shifting size by reducing the overall number of items I expect to have in my closet at any given time. Essentially, I wanted to see if I could get used to a smaller daily wardrobe, of 40 pieces or less (excluding bags and athletic clothes). So far, the answer is 100% yes. I’ve already listed and sold a few items that I didn’t include in my capsule and haven’t missed.
As I discussed in a post earlier this year, taking out the unnecessary or “not working” items from my closet means that when I feel a need to buy something, it’s pretty easy to trust that I actually need it. For example, I ordered a new cardigan this week, as its been obvious (especially once I sold the striped cashmere sweater I included at the start of the capsule), that I wanted another cardigan in the daily rotation. For the first time in a long time — I’m shopping guilt-free.
What was your favorite outfit this week?
As per the guidelines of Project 333, athletic clothing (which you exclusively wear for exercise) aren’t included in your 33 items. Because of this, my favorite outfit this week wasn’t technically part of my capsule at all! Instead, my favorite outfit was the athletic clothing that got me out on my paddle board over the weekend! I ended up making two new friends out on the water, making this the highlight of my week. Sometimes, my favorite outfit isn’t the one that’s the most “stylish” but one that allows me to live life to the fullest.
TAKEAWAY: I appreciate clothing that makes it easy for me to participate in hobbies I enjoy. If you’re thinking of making a hobby wardrobe, I’ve got a post all about that!
What was your least successful outfit this week?
For a trip to the pumpkin patch on Sunday, I wore my navy blue jumpsuit with sneakers and my oversized denim jacket. Walking around the patch, I felt frumpy yet too formal. I don’t think it was entirely about the outfit, as everyone in the group (myself included) felt pretty low energy that day, but still the outfit didn’t help. I think you can even tell from my body language that morning that I was in a weird headspace.
TAKEAWAY: I probably won’t wear this jumpsuit with the denim jacket again. Not every combination has to work :)
Biggest challenge this week?
Completely separate from Project 333, we’re having an issue with the shared laundry facilities in our building, which is requiring me to go elsewhere to wash everything. Pretty time consuming!
TAKEAWAY: Sharing laundry facilities is the worst.
Any key changes to the capsule for next week?
SUBTRACTIONS
I’ll be setting aside two sleeveless tops, as I completely forgot when I made the capsule that I don’t prefer to layer sweaters over tanks in the colder months.
ADDITIONS
None at the time of writing, however,
Ideally a new cardigan, if either of the two I ordered work out. I ordered two from Sezane, the Pierre, and the Emile, after trying on a few sweaters at local shops without finding one. Next week, I’ll post a recap of my in-person shopping experience!
I’m also considering a dress or jumpsuit with sleeves for the holiday season, nothing obviously “holiday.” Maybe this one from Thredup, this denim jumpsuit from Boden, or the Nobile utility mini dress in off-white. But, I’m in no rush.
Let me know if you have any additional questions or plan on joining me in Project 333!
Hope you had a safe and fun Halloween,
MM
Just popping in to say I really love this series, keep up the good work!
I love how this whole process is helping you really evaluate your wardrobe!