Spring: the final cut

So!  After a couple of weeks trialling (and getting rid of) a few items I have my Project 333 wardrobe for April-June.  The trial was really useful, it allowed me to get rid of anything that doesn't make me feel good (I wouldn't go as far as Marie Kondo in saying that you should get rid if something doesn't "bring you joy" - they are only clothes...) - these were clothes I wore last year, but I've decided they just don't work for me any more.

Here are my jackets/cardigans/cover-ups:

I have two work/smart jackets (brown and cream), plus cardigans in purple stripe, brown and deep red.  In reserve I also have an orange cardigan that I'm wearing right now - it doesn't go with as many things as the above, but I love wearing it.  I may switch this in/out depending on how things go.

Here are some tops:

I have some very definite work tops - the white shirt, green short-sleeves, brown sleeveless, deep red and teal long-sleeves - and definite non-work tops: black long-sleeves, beige long-sleeves, camel jumper/dress, two brown t-shirts and a camel t-shirt.

I actually have no ideal if this is the right split (4 days out of 7 I work = 5 tops, 3 days I don't = 6) but as the weather gets warmer I'm expecting/hoping this will balance out.

Then I've been brave and included three dresses:

I really like them, but not sure I'm going to wear them enough.  The black one is in a handkerchief hem design from braintree that I love, which I last wore for a wedding.  The daisy print I love but not sure about the neckline - I last wore this at a funeral.  The red one was in a "lucky dip" bag from people tree which I've not worn, but love the idea of it.  I have three months to decide to keep it or not...

Then there's the trousers:

At the moment, these are all I'm wearing.  I need to buy more (looking for wide leg linen trousers in khaki or navy - let me know if you see any!) but I don't want to spend money on something that's not quite right, so I'm reserving a couple of places for more trousers (I don't really "do" skirts, especially when it's warmer and there's no excuse for tights/leggings).

This totals 22 items so far.

I also have coats - the same ones as my original Project 333 - a camel-coloured mac (smart), a green light-weight anorak (non-work) and added a beige waterproof.  Bringing the total to 25.

Shoes - at the moment the weather is hideous - we're currently having strong, cold winds and hailstones.  The shoes I've chosen for April-June are not storm-wear.  I've chosen work shoes in black and brown, sandals in black and brown, casual shoes (grey) and trainers (purple with rainbow laces).  There is no photo of them as they're still in the wardrobe, until the weather improves I'm sticking to my Jan-March footwear, boots.

So that's 31 items, not counting bags/scarves/jewellery this time, with some spare capacity for more trousers.

I'm keeping back a few extra "holiday" items as I don't fancy doing laundry while I'm away, but otherwise that's my lot.  Wish me luck...

Zyla seasons

A friend of mine raves about David Zyla - from what I can gather, he's taken the colouring/season analysis to the next level, making it very individual to each person.

I love this idea.  Unfortunately I can't justify the £££ to have a personal consultation with him (I'd rather have a nice holiday!) so I've been picking up hints from the internet on how such an analysis would impact my wardrobe.

This is a good blog to point you in the right direction:
http://expressingyourtruth.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/zyla-colors.html

I've looked through it and really just found that I have a whole load of browns in my colours, with the odd deep red, cream and teal thrown in.  But at least I'm not doing too much wrong.

As I understand it,  there are also different types of autumn:

Spicy autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/277534395760840634/

Gamine autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/337981147006017968/

Bronze autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/277534395762828324/

Copper autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/277534395762828303/

High autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/277534395762828299/

Mellow autumn
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/277534395762828309/

I think I'm somewhere in between gamine and high autumn - but I've not quite figured out what this means for my Project 333 wardrobe (especially as brown clothes don't seem to be in fashion at the moment...)

Springing forward

I'm psychologically prepared for Spring.  We're officially in Spring, we're approaching the Spring Equinox, by the end of the month we will have moved the clocks forward an hour.  I'm ready!
We don't seem to have had a proper winter here, only one day of snow, but that seems to have been balanced out by the weather not yet acknowledging the change in seasons.

I've now had 3 months minus 2 weeks of my Jan-March Project 333 wardrobe, this wardrobe wasn't drastically different from the Oct-Dec wardrobe (that's our bland seasons - and hopefully my shrinking wardrobe), so I'm needing a change!

But despite needing a change, I find that I'm still drawn to the same clothes for the coming months - the thinner cardigans, the same jeans, work "uniform" etc.  I also know that I'm going to need quite a few short-sleeved tops as we go into the warmer months and can't decide which ones.  I have a few dresses that I bought last year, only wore a handful of times, so am reluctant to reject just yet, so I feel that I need to "give them a chance".  I'm anticipating a change halfway through too as I will probably swap out some trousers for linen (when the shops start to sell them).  Because of all this indecision, my current April-June wardrobe is 33 items, not including shoes and accessories. 

I know that bending the rules is allowed, but I'm also aware of starting down the slippery slope - I don't want to do this, I'm loving Project 333!  So I'm going to have a 2 week trial of my April-June wardrobe.  If the weather turns colder I'm reserving the right to hang on to my warm coat and jumpers, but if it brightens up, I'm going for it.

I'm considering using the hanger method - turn all the hangers in the wardrobe one way, then turn each around when you wear the item - but realistically, I know what I've worn and what I haven't.  I have so many "maybes'; I bought them for a reason, but I need to make them work for me, I need to enjoy wearing them and feeling comfortable in them.  So hopefully the 2 week trial will help.
I'm aiming to reject around 5 items either in the first 2 weeks or soon after.

Once I've made some decisions, I'll post the latest wardrobe.

I need change!

I'm almost at the half way point for the current Project 333 stage (Jan-March).  I confidently predicted that I would wear the same clothes as the last run (Oct-Dec) as the weather was pretty similar.  I'd made a few changes within the last run, but nothing major.

This time I've come unstuck.  I don't think it's (necessarily) because I'm bored of my wardrobe, but some of my clothes are getting a bit shabby.  This is a bit of a revelation to me as usually I just get bored of clothes, it's only the much-loved ones that actually eventually fall apart.

• So, there's the brown/multi-coloured top with beads around the neckline - some of the beads are now missing and it's starting to bobble.  I don't feel good in it, so out it goes to charity.
• The black and white striped (and faded) top that I love in principle but does me no favours - I've admitted defeat and sent it on its way.
• the purple and black cardigans are that little bit too tight, so have been sent to potential for summer (when I'm wearing fewer layers)
• the brown winter coat that I love, it's a little bit small so I've just not worn it, in favour of my black cape that is incredibly warm (despite seeing many a pensioner sporting the very same one a week ago)
• I've not worn my fleecy cream jacket, so that's going to the back now (not quite ready to get rid yet)
• I've not worn my brown jeans or trousers, but I think that's mainly laziness
• my charcoal dress and wrap/cardigan (100% wool) were washed at 30C, but still shrank.  Time will tell as to whether I wear them as often.

The moment I decided something had to change was last week.  I was away, with work, but with a smart-casual dress code.  I felt so scruffy, I felt that my clothes were flattering, I looked at the others with envy.  I needed to do something!  These people were wearing colours that suit them, interesting colour combinations (that worked) and they wore jackets, which made them look infinitely more professional/put together.

So I've done an audit.

• The colours I've been wearing haven't helped, they've been mostly black (black trousers at the very least every day) and it's just too harsh.
• I've bought colours (such as the lovely deep red that's in the shops at the moment) but not taken account of the fit (shapeless, unflattering).
• I've recently had my hair cut, so need something (like a scarf) around my neck, or I look a bit odd.  The holy grail of the scarf with all my good colours (brown, deep red, purple, teal) has yet to be found...

I decided I need more brown.  Unfortunately most shops are not selling brown (chocolate/deep brown rather than tan/camel colours).  After a lot of online browsing I've finally found:

• a brown leather jacket
• a brown cardigan/jacket
• a brown tunic
• a brown sleeveless top (to be worn under jacket)
• a cream/brown cardigan/jacket
• a brown leather work handbag that WILL hold all I need (no more shoehorning everything in)

It feels very frivolous to buy so much.  Earlier this month I thought I'd been cured of the shopping urge as I went to two sales of eco clothes companies (that I love) and came away with only socks and a pyjama top.  I think the urge is still there, but I'm much more considered, I deliberate, I go shopping with a specific purpose, I make sure I'm sure before I part with my cash.  Most importantly, if I buy online and it's not right, it goes back.  I do it quickly so I don't forget.  I also try to consider how clothes will fit with my current wardrobe (thanks Pinterest).

I'm hoping that this change to having brown as the most prominent basic will make a difference.  At the very least I now have more than one outfit that I can wear to my follow up work event...

New Year - same wardrobe

I was going to post photos of my latest wardrobe for Project 333, but then I realised that, with a small number of exceptions, it was pretty much the same wardrobe as I've used for Oct-Dec.  I've not really needed any new clothes as I can make the ones I have work for me.

I've had a new experience of no impulse buying in the sales.  I made a list and stuck to it.  Previously I'd had stormed in and bought whatever I liked.  I decided I needed a long black dress (for formal work events) - tracked one down in the John Lewis sale (£35 down from £120) and ordered online.  I've tried it, it looks good, so I'm keeping it :-).

I've been aware that I have a lot of black in my wardrobe, despite it not really being one of "my" colours, so I've allowed myself to order a few things from Braintree in their sale.   I'm loving their colours (purples and teals) at the moment and also love the fact that their an eco-friendly company.  I've also resolved that if they don't fit, I'm sending them back - not keeping them "just in case"...

As there's nothing very exciting happening in my wardrobe (well, apart from the obvious being-able-to-wear-my-favourite-clothes-every-day) I've set myself a few new year challenges:

- Read 52 books in 2015.  I love reading, but life has taken over and I have books I was bought for Christmas (requested books) four years ago that I've still not opened.  This makes me sad, hence the challenge.  It will also help declutter the house as, in many cases, once I've read the books I will probably donate them to friends/charity.

- Make more meat-free meals.  I tried to be vegetarian once - after working in a pizza factory and being revolted by all the processed meats - but I couldn't give up bacon.  I lasted August to Christmas.  However, I think it's healthier and better for the environment to eat less meat, so I'm going to experiment and find some meals than both my carnivorous partner and I will enjoy.  Tonight we tried this and it was fabulous.   There is also a decluttering mindset behind this.  We get a veg box delivered every other week (I know, so middle class...) with a wide range of veg - I have no idea what to do with most of them, but they come with recipe cards and it forces me to use them up (and eat veg).  I don't eat fruit so sometimes eating 5+ veg a day can be a challenge.  If all else fails, apparently there's veg soup at the end of the week (I have bought a blender after a traumatic experience on the notorious "cabbage soup diet" in the 1990s).

- Use up my huge stash of toiletries.  It's not just clothes I've had a glut of.  I have at least one drawer of toiletries that I bought when on offer, so have enough shower gels to last me to retirement.  I've sorted out those products I'm definitely not going to use and donated them.  I still have a drawer full, but am working my way through.  Things like body lotion (which can be a faff putting on in the morning when you're running late) are actually being used.  I smell better.  I'm getting into a routine of having a bath every week (also my reading time) to use up products and chill out.  So far it's working...

Secretly I'm looking forward to the next round of Project 333, from April-June.  I think this is partly because I culled my wardrobe after last summer and may be "allowed" to go shopping!  Although again I have a set list of items I need to complete my wardrobe.  I always struggle a bit with spring/summer as I suit dark colours best, but the shops are full of pastels.  I'm also hoping for brown coloured clothes to come back into the shops, as black is definitely not a great spring colour.

Clothes creep

I'm almost 2/3 of my way through Oct-Dec Project 333. 

I'm loving the clothes I'm wearing - I'm definitely more of a cold-weather-clothes person. I think this may be because darker/warmer colours seem to suit me better than lighter/pastel colours - and generally there are more clothes in these colours at this time of year and these are generally for cooler weather.

However, I have to admit to clothes-creep.

It started well. I replaced a jumper with another from my standby wardrobe.  I replaced my jeans with some black and blue ones which fit much better and I feel better wearing.  But then I looked at my wardrobe and realised that I've not yet worn some of the clothes in there - one dress is slightly small and doesn't do me any favours, another I've not had the occasion to wear it. I've not worn 2/3 cardigans as they're not big enough to go over long-sleeved tops.   I know I need to do a mid-point wardrobe revision, but I've not quite managed it, I think this is for the following reasons:
- I included dresses in my wardrobe.  I'm not a dress person, but I feel I try to be (at least some of the time) because it will give me a bit of variety.  I've not yet worn the dresses in the original cut.  If I take them out, I'm admitting defeat.
- I really want to wear colours that suit me (autumn-type shades mainly) but am drawn to black because it's easy to wear, most things will go with it and it's easy to find in the shops (this last one is a biggie - try finding dark brown trousers (brown is not popular this year) in a fabric I like, a cut/fit that suits me and in my size - it's practically impossible.  Not even polyvore or shopstyle have been able to help me).  So I'm mainly wearing black, but don't want to get rid of the warmer colours from my wardrobe just yet (in the hope that I'll find that pair of trousers that ties everything together).

So, in the knowledge that I'm not wearing my full wardrobe (but without doing the sensible thing and having a wardrobe audit) I've bought myself a few more clothes that I should definitely wear:
- some pyjamas in deep red/brown (I know these don't count in the 333, but I've been amazed at how much better I've felt wearing a colour that I know suits me, even just to sleep!)
- a dress from a posh (for me) shop - it was in the sale, I had a money off voucher (old habits...), it's charcoal (so not completely black) and is wool so ideal for autumn/winter.  I've worn this twice, once for work, once for play - I really like it.  And it gives me chance to wear my long boots, that I love.
- the jeans I mentioned above.  I bought two pairs of black cotton jeans that I can get away with for work (smart-casual) and some blue jeans - high-ish waist, bootcut (not very fashionable, but refuse to wear skinny jeans as I'd look ridiculous).  I have worn no other trousers since I bought these.  No regrets there.
- some oxblood (deep red/burgundy/maroon) coloured ankle boots.  I love these, the colour, the style, they have a three-inch heel that I usually avoid but because it's a chunky heel I have no problem walking in them.  I've put away my battered old black ankle boots and not looked back.
- I've also just ordered two dress/tunics (they're not long enough for me to wear with leggings, so will be worn with trousers) in brown and teal.  They are in "my" colours, they could be worn for both work and play.  I'm looking forward to trying them.

Because of this, I have more than 33 items in my wardrobe.  I need to be realistic and move out the things that I'm not wearing.  But do I do it now?  Or wait until the end of December when I'll be revisiting my wardrobe for Jan-March?  I can sense a big clear out coming on (some of the clothes that have not made the cut and also not been re-assigned to pilates clothing or nightwear), but I'm not quite ready for it yet...

Spoke too soon

I was feeling so smug that I had my wardrobe sorted.  Then I had an epiphany over some jeans I've been wearing for the last few weeks and decided they had to go.  They will be ebayed to make way for a new pair which is the same fit as ones I already have (no surprises) - I refuse to wear clothes that I know I look rubbish in (even if it takes me a while to work it out).

In other news, I drove past my nearest shopping outlet today. Without shopping.  The words "I don't NEED anything" popping into my head.  Am I cured??