You know how people are saying that narrowing your wardrobe to minimum let them discover what they truly love and liberated them from the tyranny of overflowing closets? I so wanted to be one of those people. I wanted to feel free from my shopping obsessions and satisfied with a few perfectly fitting, carefully selected garments.
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| Well, I am bored!!! |
Yes, I know I can create more cute outfits from what I currently have in my Project 333 closet. Yes, everything fits me, everything is my style and I love every individuaal piece. But still, I am sick of wearing the same things over and over (OK, so it was maybe 3-5 times each, but it feels like more).
On the top of that, we have an unusually warm weather here in New Jersey and I didn't take that into account. I cannot wear my wool pants, skirts and cashmere sweaters. As a result, I am stuck with about 15 weather appropriate garments in total. I don't feel liberated. I feel silly wearing the same boring outfits, when so many more appropriate choices hung abandoned in my other closets. Thank God I did not commit myself to 3 pairs of shoes or I would go nuts after 2 weeks (I have been doing it since January 1st).
I know nobody is forcing me to continue, but I am stubborn and I just cannot give up without feeling defeated. So I will stick with it until March 31st, boredom be damned. (I know, that's even more silly).
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So here we go, this is what I've been wearing recently:
Brora skirt, J.Crew perfect fit tee, Bandolino shoes
You have seen this Brora skirt with petrol blue lace trim thermal HERE, and this is very similar but a bit more appropriate for the warmer weather that we are enjoying.
Btw, it is not in our imagination. Did you know that the February 2012 was the warmest February on record in NJ (that is in last 118 years!)? I don't mind it at all :)
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| Love those elbow snap perfect fit tees! |
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| Cheap substitute for navy Valentinas |
J.Crew capris, lace panel tee and black blazer, Repetto flats and Banana Republic bag
You have seen the pants HERE and Lace tee HERE, Repettos HERE.
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| Pop of Red never fails for me |
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| It got too hot for the blazer |
You have previously seen the skirt HERE and HERE and shoes HERE.
I noticed this awfully visible t-shirt hemline, so I have tucked it into the pantyhose. Yes I do wear pantyhose. It is useful for hiding hemlines and general smoothing out. No, it does not bother me at all.
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| no hemline! |
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| I usually get untucked by the afternoon |
Talbots shoes, necklace Banana Republic, everything else J.Crew
You have seen the skirt HERE and I have previously styled the blouse with trousers HERE, this is how it looks tucked into a pencil skirt.
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| Is this too much yellow? |
J.Crew shirt, belt and bracelet. Peoples Liberation jeans and Bandolino shoes
You have seen the shirt HERE and HERE and jeans HERE.
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| Love this Liberty shirt! |
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| New bracelet, I don't see it online |
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| That's all folks! |
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Which one was your favorite?Do you own any of the items? How do you wear them?
How quickly do you get tired of your outfits?
Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!
What is the black blazer you are wearing? I really like that look with the red shoes.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin.
DeleteIt is J.crew drapey wool Mackenzie jacket. I like it because it is very unstructured and drapes well. You can view it on Polyvore.
Thank you!
DeleteI like the pencil skirt outfits and the outfit with the Brora skirt. But you know me, I love skirts and dresses.
ReplyDeleteI would get bored too. I probably have only 40 items in my closet right now but there are many more upstairs in my walk-in, and the truth is I go in there every day. I don't always get things to wear but I like looking at the variety.
My winter wardrobe is pretty much limited to Brora and some JCrew skirts. I have way more clothes for spring, I'll be bringing loads into my everyday cupboard soon.
I like to do a constant de-cluttering of my wardrobe but I like to have lots of clothes. Options for holidays etc. I don't want to restrict myself, I have too much fun with it.
It's great to have just one other place besides my bedroom closet for clothes storage, if you can do that in your house I recommend it. I can see everything that I have in one glance. I forget about things if they are put away in trunks!
Dani you are right, I totally forget what I have if I don't see it. And like you, I would end up buying the same thing again, lol.
DeleteDo you have to do the Project 333 or did you choose to do the Project 333?
ReplyDeleteIf you chose to then simply don't anymore.
Now, I'm biased against buying stuff lately as I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan & we've culled about all our non-essential spending to to the tune of being not only debt-free but should easily have our home paid in full by 2014.
Jane, I think it is very smart to try to be debt free, too much debt gets us enslaved, I agree. Of course I don't have to do Project 333. But I am stubborn, like I said.
DeleteI love all of these outfits!! Like Dani, I really like the skirt outfits, but then you know how crazy I am about J. Crew skirts!! And, I LOVE those red shoes. I squealed when I saw them. I applaud you for doing Project 333. I don't think that I could do it. Thanks for sharing these great outfits!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rynetta! I definitely have a red shoe fetish :)
DeleteI really like all of your outfits, except that maybe I'm not so crazy about the Brora skirt, as well made as I'm sure it is. Maybe it's that I'm in the spring frame of mind so all your brights and florals are more appealing to me right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Dani -- clothes is just TOO MUCH FUN to limit yourself and feel bored. I think you can stick to the rationale behind the project 333 without following exactly, and you'll still get all the benefits without any significant drawbacks. With your lovely wardrobe and figure, you should not be feeling SICK of getting dressed! Also like Dani, I have a separate clothes area, away from my closet, and I will echo her point about packing clothes away -- for me, it's definitely out of sight, out of mind.
Oh, and I want to thank you for introducing me to Repetto shoes!! I just rec'd my first two this week, bought on one of those daily flash sale websites, and they really do feel like ballet slippers. The two things I found with these are (1) they run SMALL! I am normally a 38 and luckily, I ordered the two I got in a 39.5 after reading some reviews. They fit perfectly. And (2) they don't have much support. Very cute and comfy as long as not walking all day. Are these typical features of the line?
Audrey, thanks! Maybe this is what I am learning from Project 333, that I like clothes too much to restrict myself drastically, this is a valuable lesson too, I think.
DeleteAnd yes, Repettos run very small, I am between 8 and 8.5 and I wear 40 in Repettos. I would not wear them for walking. I wear them at work but I commute in sturdy moccasins. I had a cobbler add rubber soles, it adds some cushioning, I highly recommend that.
Maybe swap out your woolens for the same number of pieces, but ones better suited to the season? You would obey the spirit if not the letter :-)
ReplyDeleteHadilly, I may do just that if the weather keeps being so warm. I think we may be going back to more normal March temperatures though...
Deletei love all of your outfits,esp. the one with capri pants and the lace tee.the red shoes look perfect with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ina! I do love my red shoes :)
DeleteAlthough I'd be tempted to quit the Project 333, I can understand wanting to see it through. Just 2 more weeks, if you can stand it :) I could stand to move toward the Project 333 end of the spectrum and thin out my closet. I tend to hang onto things for too long, especially purchases that weren't the best decisions. And I like to hang up tees and (some) sweaters so I can see them, but it makes the closet too crowded.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites: I love that Liberty shirt. I really like the Brora skirt the way you've styled it, too, it looks modern. And I love the black capris/black blazer outfit with the pop of red shoes, it's really simple but it looks great. Probably it's the cute shoes and the detail of the white top that makes it special.
cate, I think I will stick with it for two more weeks, how hard can it be.... I still think Project 333 was good for me, maybe just not everything I expected from it.
DeleteThanks for the compliments!
i told you it's not for everyone!!! that being said, i think the outfits you've created here are just amazing and super, super flattering. if i had to get dressed and go to an office setting and had your collection of #2 pencil skirts and those amazing pumps, i wouldn't limit myself either. i think the whole idea of the project is to stop being on automatic pilot. whether that involved shopping too much or too little or maybe not putting any effort whatsoever into your wardrobe. whatever the reason, it def gets your attention and makes you take notice. i think clothing should be a fun part of our days, heaven knows we can all use more fun!
ReplyDeleteJanet, I know you warned me... I think you are right about the project, it did make me think what I like and what I buy and why, I am whining here, but if had to do it all over again I would, it also did curbed my shopping significantly if not completely.
DeleteI love the bright dalia outfit and the Brora skirt! You look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on being bored, but I blame it on the beautiful weather we have been having (minus yesterday and today). My personal shopper emailed me pics of the apple dress. I had to laugh. I guess she doesn't know me at all.
Have a great weekend!
haha about the apple dress, I hope I did not spoiled it for everyone, I think it may be cute on many, it is just not my style and it was definitely a case of false expectations with the catalog picture.
DeleteWhile I completely understand the rationale behind Project 333 (or 30 for 30, or other similar programs), it just seems silly to me to restrict yourself for no real reason. If you've (this is "you" in the universal sense, not "you AJC")bought too many clothes, then I think you should stop buying, cull your closet and sell/donate what you never wear, and then have fun with ALL the pieces that you do love. Take some time to look through your closet(s), try pieces on and see what works together, plan some fun outfits, read blogs or go on Pinterest for inspiration, etc. And buy new things that you love here and there, as long as you can afford it.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you at all for feeling bored and limited, I would too! I think you've done a fabulous job putting together outfits and you always look great to me. At this point I think you need to decide what would make you feel better--quitting now and enjoying your whole wardrobe again, or sticking it out for another two weeks and then never participating again :). Once you've figured that out, do whatever you think will make you happier.
Caitlin, I agree with everything you are saying. Maybe I had to do Project 333 to learn that this is the case for me. I think I will do it until the end of March so I don't regret quitting too early, after all it is only 2 more weeks.
DeleteLoving the pencil skirts, of course! I commend you on your ability to undertake project 333. I know I couldn't do it because I too would be bored. I'm kind of boring in my style anyway since I wear a lot of the same shapes and colors but the items differ just enough to make it interesting for me. I also like to be able to change it up depending on the weather, which fluctuates wildly in Calgary. I plan my wardrobe but am spontaneous with my outfits.
ReplyDeletehi xoxo, the pencil skirts is what cheered me up every week, if I only had some cotton ones included I would have no problem, but I never expected the weather to be so warm in March, it is crazy!
DeleteI like the idea of planning your wardrobe meticulously but being spontaneous with your outfits, excellent way to put it!
The second outfit is cute!
ReplyDelete-Charlotte
http://incharlottesshoes.blogspot.com/
thanks Charlotte, glad you stopped by!
DeleteIf I have to pick one, the bright dahlia with striped top is my fav outfit on you! They all look good on you though. A project that would assist in building a better wardrobe, or help copy a desired outfit, really a project to help fill in the wardrobe gaps would be quite useful. Restricting yourself from your lovely wardrobe kinda sounds like punishment.
ReplyDeleteBrigth dahlia is probably my favorite too! I am missing my viridian green and persimmon though :) Yoy are right, I definitely do not want to punish myself...
DeleteI couldn't do something like Project 333 because I enjoy clothes too much. I wouldn't be able to limit myself to a select number of pieces. (I also live in a climate where we don't have seasons and I don't have the luxury of changing out a winter/spring wardrobe -- which I definitely envy!)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to stay focused on buying the perfect pieces...the perfect chinos, shirts and other button-downs, cargos and denim -- which you've done with your pencil skirts, perfect tees and Brora. As you've discussed before here, changing up accessories can really make a difference. Focusing on finding the perfect pieces means that I'm less bored with my closet because I look forward to wearing the pieces (or perhaps it's just laziness as I get older).
I think you look amazing in all of the outfits you put together above, but the chambray shirt+yellow pencil skirt and the liberty shirt+jeans are my favorites.
If you're bored, perhaps you should stop doing Project 333...it doesn't sound like the experiment is going well enough to continue. But that's just me.
Hi Decaf, I decided to do Project 333 on a whim, maybe I overestimated myself in being able to really keep it to a minimum. Nevertheless, I still learned from it like I mentioned. Sorry for all the whining :)
DeleteAnd thanks for your support and the compliments.
You guys are amazing, I already feel much better and with renewed energy, thank you all for that!!!
ReplyDelete