52/52 Project

4:365

closet: January 2011

I mentioned my new dressing-with-less endeavor, the 52/52 Project back in April, and, at long last, today is my official start date!

“Wait a sec,” you might be saying, you sharp, sharp reader. “I know for a fact that 52 > 33. WTF, Beverly?”

You’re right. I’ve increased my wardrobe by 19 pieces (see how I really can do math?). The other 52 in the project title means 52 weeks. So instead of 33 items for 3 months, I’ll have 52 items for a year.

Let me share some of my self-made rules, with a tip of the hat to Project 333:

  • This is not about suffering. If an item gets shabby, I will replace it. If an item no longer fits and can’t be altered, I will replace it.
  • Work out clothes and undergarments are not included in my list. Work out clothes are not to be worn for anything other than working out.
  • Jewelry is lumped together as one item. I have culled my jewelry collection to the pieces that I will not get rid of. It’s a small, sentimental collection.
  • If I make it, I can wear it. I’m not a prolific seamstress or knitter, so this doesn’t add more than a few shawls, hats, and maybe a sweater or two to my wardrobe.
  • Outerwear does not count. I don’t have a lot of variety with coats, so I’m counting outerwear as one. I don’t buy these things in excess; to me they are necessities of living in New England. I’ve pared coats down to trench, jean, cloth, and short winter jacket.
  • I can exchange one item that is not working each month. My goal is to create the most versatile, elegant, small wardrobe possible so that this transforms from a project to a way of life.

Want to see my list? Of course you do!

  1. Grey sheath dress
  2. Gray pattern dress
  3. Eileen Fisher dress (I don’t own this, but I plan to order it)
  4. party dress (floral)
  5. Red spring/summer dress
  6. Gray spring/summer dress
  7. Liberty of London summer dress (white)
  8. Liberty of London summer dress (blue)
  9. Rita
  10. Gray skirt
  11. Jean skirt
  12. Denim wrap skirt
  13. party skirt (black)
  14. black tank top
  15. black tank top (need to purchase second one)
  16. black v-neck t-shirt
  17. white blouse
  18. red blouse
  19. denim shirt
  20. lace blouse
  21. Floral short-sleeved
  22. Floral button down short-sleeved
  23. black cardi
  24. cashmere cardi
  25. gray cardi
  26. Gray turtleneck
  27. Black cap-sleeved shirt
  28. Black long-sleeved shirt
  29. Black turtleneck (to be purchased)
  30. Black velvet blazer
  31. Camel cashmere capelet (wait until you see this! I bought it in France this summer-divine!)
  32. Jeans
  33. Green pants
  34. Black slacks
  35. Skinny jeans
  36. Black slim jeans
  37. Malibrans
  38. Pearl Harts
  39. Flip flops
  40. Ballet flats
  41. Chinoa boots (these need repair)
  42. Ugg sneakers
  43. Ugg boots
  44. Danskos (these may get swapped…I haven’t worn them often in the last year)
  45. Frye boots
  46. Spike sandals
  47. jewelry
  48. Orange Kate Spade handbags
  49. Leather bag purchased in Mirepoix, France
  50. MZ Wallace bag
  51. La Trop

I’m one item short, and in the next week or so as I pack away anything not on the list, I may find an item I don’t want to do without. What wouldn’t you want to do without in a minimal wardrobe?

If you’d like to join me or start Project 333 (you can start any time; there’s no reason to wait), but you’re feeling a little anxious about cutting down the wardrobe, I recommend you start with Courtney Carver’s excellent Micro-Course Dress with Less: Click here to view more details.* The course is a week-long, and it includes pdf worksheets, playlists to inspire you (Courtney’s a real Mix Master), and access to a private FaceBook group, where you’ll find lots of people ready to cheer for you and answer questions.

And if you have any questions about paring down your wardrobe, well, I’m here for you. I’d love to chat with you about your clothing list-sometimes it helps to hear that you really can get by with one pair of black pants!

*Please note: I am an affiliate for this program. I believe with all of my heart in Courtney’s work. Having done Project 333 for almost 2.5 years, I know her advice works!

10 thoughts on “52/52 Project”

  1. Very interesting. I find myself wearing the same things over and over again. Which reminds me, I need to start shopping for the winter here in Minneapolis. I was able to get by wearing the same t-shirts in Nashville but I don’t think that’s going to cut it in heavy Midwestern snow.

    The reason behind my “uniform”? I hate going clothes shopping and I hate how expensive everything has suddenly become to my grown up eyes. 😉

    1. Have you lived in a cold region before? Layers will be important!! I agree about how expensive everything seems now…my mom is a whiz at shopping sales, and I learned at her knee. I get angsty at the thought of paying full price, V!

  2. I’m allowing my 333 to shake out a bit during September since we don’t have air conditioning in our school, and it can get quite boggy for a few weeks (add the smell of 130 7th graders, and it’s such a lovely place to be. I’ve pretty much settled on what I’m wearing, but I need to allow for the September funk to play its course.

  3. Hello lovely,
    Just did a double take on the picture of your closet. I thought ‘That’s my bag!’ and so it was. I use it most days, and still love it.
    M x

  4. Your guidelines make perfect sense and I believe this is how I’ve constructed my own wardrobe. My husband thinks I have too much “air” between my clothes, but I think it’s time for another thinning and a good look at what’s not being worn.

  5. Hi Beverly!

    These posts always inspire me, and I think I’m about ready to go ahead & take the Project 333 plunge. I’d love some advice, though: I am a full time yoga teacher & studio owner (10+ classes a week), so workout clothing IS my work clothing. Now, I really only wear this yoga clothing (plus some cover-ups) from the studio to home generally. But after 9 years of teaching, I have a LOT of yoga clothes! I don’t get sweaty when I teach, so often will re-wear items throughout the week. But I’m wondering if they should count toward the 33 items? I go back & forth on this…any advice is much appreciated!

    Cheers,
    Amy Jo

  6. I like your version of the project, and think it would be more do-able for me. Plus, I tend to wear most of my clothes year-round anyway (just add more layers in colder months), so this makes sense for me. I also have pared down my jewelry and other accessories, so I plan to not count each item. I want to live more simply, but am not yet committed to being a minimalist.

    1. I don’t consider myself a minimalist, either, but I sure love having less in my closet! Like you, I do a lot of layering of the same pieces…let me know how your dressing with less project goes!!

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