Issue 30. Project 333 (Week 7)

Filling two more wardrobe gaps

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 SEVEN

How did you feel about the challenge this week?

Back to enjoying the challenge a bit more now that the rain paused and the sun came back out. Unsurprisingly, my doubts about the challenge last week are more related to my general irritation with getting dressed for soggy weather, and the lack of sun. I write this on a beautiful, sunny, Thanksgiving morning before heading to celebrate the holiday with family.

Quick refresh on my intention of the challenge: embrace life with fewer pieces of clothing at a time and remove the items that no longer serve me. Notably, my intention was not to stop shopping entirely - many of the things I’ve had for years no longer fit. Its unrealistic and self-sabotaging to prevent myself from replacing key pieces that I can’t wear comfortably anymore. Because of this, I’ve actually been shopping quite a bit again, most of which has been returned: an off-white maxi skirt (this one wasn’t right but I’m still on the lookout); a raincoat from Quince to replace the much nicer one that I could no longer layer under (returned, the coat is really oversized); a replacement cashmere crewneck (returned due to fit); and a pair of cowboy boots to wear under jeans on colder days (excited to actually keep these). Plus, I’ve been longing for a pair of off-white pants for quite some time¹, and finally found a well-fitting pair! I am so excited to make the cowboy boots work for West coast / small town life by pairing them with crisp white and light denim.

Images via Tecovas; I purchased the Jamie in Scotch Goat

What was your favorite outfit this week?

I’m really loving my new cotton collared sweater. On Wednesday, I paired it with my dark wash denim and suede boots for a trip to my parents to prep the turkey and pick up a few last minute ingredients. I felt sassy, laid-back, stylish and authentic.

TAKEAWAY: I am a happy outfit repeater.

What was your least successful outfit this week?

Nothing comes to mind!

Biggest challenge this week?

Handling the returns from what I purchased. I do feel guilty from buying / returning so much, but ultimately, I am addressing specific needs / gaps, and actively selling what no longer works on my Poshmark. Plus, shopping for larger sizes is, unfortunately, much more accessible online than in-stores. I’ve had many experiences recently where I go into a shop and they simply don’t offer my size, or its sold out. As a result, shopping has been a real adventure in trial and error. I’m thinking of writing a post about how shopping plus-size for the first time is basically like learning how to shop all over again.

TAKEAWAY: I give myself permission to shop for clothing that fits my today body, and part with things that no longer serve me.

Any key changes to the capsule for next week?

SUBTRACTIONS

• Sold my Stutterheim raincoat after realizing the cashmere sweater I used to wear it with no longer fit nicely, and the sweaters I’ve bought recently were too bulky to wear with the more fitted coat.

• Sold the cashmere sweater that I used to wear with the raincoat. (Note: I actually omitted this sweater from my capsule originally and reached for it only when it started to rain. I promptly sold it when I remembered the fit was off.)

ADDITIONS

• Suede crossbody bag via Etsy ($50 for size medium)

• Ecru pants 00-16 ($66 on sale)

• Tecovas cowboy boots ($260 on sale)

---

Let me know if you have any additional questions or feel inspired to try out Project 333 in the new year!

Best,

MM

1. I fell in love with these ecru pants from Anthropologie a few months ago, but they’re sold out in my size. Part of me thinks they never even made them in my size to begin with, since they’ve restocked smaller sizes but not the size I need.