Be More with Less

simplicity is love

Season 7 of Minimalist Fashion Project 333

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The seventh season of Project 333 begins on April 1st. This minimalist fashion project began on October 1, 2010 as a personal experiment and challenge to readers to dress with less.

Who knew that the idea of whittling down wardrobes to 33 items would appeal to people around the world? What some thought was extreme became a way of life for most who gave it a try. Experiencing the benefits of dressing with less had people talking, blogging, Facebooking and Tweeting about Project 333. Once Project 333 hit the news, clothes donations went through the roof as more and more people said enough really is enough.

Here is what people have to say about Project 333

  • “Changes your outlook on not just clothing, but life period.”
  • “I’m more grateful for what I do have and less lustful after what I don’t have. This has meant a tangible and recognisable change in mood and outlook. I’m happier because I have less stuff.”
  • “Project 333 has been a great vehicle for me to look carefully at how I spend my time and energy on everything.”
  • “Getting dressed in the morning isn’t the chore that it once was. I feel refreshed with less.”
  • “My wardrobe became so simple, but it was all the clothing that made me feel great.”

For me, 33 items are more than enough. I don’t think I’ve used more than 30 items in the last 2 1/2 months. That said, it took time to get here. I had to assess what I had, what I needed and what was getting in the way of keeping things simple.

How to do Project 333

  • When: Every three months (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
  • What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
  • What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear,  and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
  • How: Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of site.
  • What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. Remember that this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don’t fit or are in poor condition, replace them.

 

If you are trying Project 333 for the first time this April …

  • Take inventory. I recommend the How to Make Space approach.
  • Working with your “I Love” pile of clothing, start to build your wardrobe. It will help to make a list on paper.
  • Consider signature items like a trench coat or pair of boots. Your signature item might be your sunglasses. You will find that having one well made version of something will be far better than 10 of the knock-off.
  • Once you start dressing with less, pay less attention to what you are wearing, or not wearing and more attention to something more important.
  • Get connected and ask questions. The Project 333 community is awesome!
  • Visit the getting started page for more information and helpful links.

If you’ve ever looked into a stuffed closet and thought, “I have nothing to wear” or if you long for  simplicity and serenity in your closet and your life,  join us. I’d love to hear about your experience in the comment section. Are you new to Project 333 or a veteran that has make Project 333 a way of life?

P.S. Saturday is the last day to register for Create Space, a lovely course.

 

Comments

  1. Im deffinitely doing this this year! Except, im including house/lounge clothing cause thats what im mostly in (sahm), and i need to stop. So excited!

  2. I found once I stopped spending time dressing to impress on the dance floor and spent the time working on my moves, I started getting the more genuine attention I was looking for, people were watching me actually dance instead of ogling my body – I was finally putting on display what I wanted seen.

  3. I’ve attempted this once before and failed miserably. I just wasn’t ready. Now, almost a year later, I’m eager to give this another try. I’ve since gotten rid of much of the clothing that previously was a stumbling block, so I have confidence I’ll be more successful.

  4. I am definitely interested. Thinking about how this will work in the crazy Rocky Mountain climate. It’s probably best not to over-think it:)

  7. I think this is easier than most people would think. I’ve been decluttering my clothes and I do it by counting how many pieces I wear in each laundry cycle which is once per week. I count them as I take them out of the dryer, it makes it easy. Normally, it is about the same each week. My goal is to get down to about how many pieces I wear per week plus any special items, such as a black dress, one suit, etc.

  8. In the summer I wear easily fewer than 30 pieces. I live in 4-season climate of extreme weather so if I count everything together it’s probably a bit more than 33 items. But I love a simple, basic, minimal wardrobe and getting dressed is so easy!

  9. Am so doing this, in Melbourne, Australia, 4 seasons in one day! We are in Autumn now, I have boxed up all clothes in 4 boxes with the seasons marked on each box.

  10. as i sat here and read this, i smiled. I dont quite have 33 things, excluding the “don’t counts” of course. And it feels good, because what you DO have, you obviously like and feel great wearing and being seen in 🙂 great job!

  11. i probably own less than 33 pieces of clothing as it is! Including shoes! 🙂 but i haven’t tried this project yet and i’m very excited to join!
    this is a great way to realize that clothes are not as society and advertisement make us think so.
    Courtney, you have been my biggest inspiration in becoming a big believer in minimalism and appreciating people instead of “things”. Thank you! Keep the good work!

  12. I just wrote a post about thinking of malls as museums. That trick should help with not buying anything for 3 months. I don’t even think I own 33 items of clothing at this point!

  13. I’m definitely interested in this challenge as I have a closet full of clothes a (and tons of shoes) that hardly get worn. However at this time I’m 6 months pregnant and know I’ll need to be buying a transition wardrobe after I give birth. Any suggestions on minimalism during the in between stages of post pregnancy weight loss?

    • Just wear the pregnancy clothes, going backwards as you slim down (+ maybe you need to buy some breastfeeding tops).

  14. I’ve been decluttering for a while and think this would be an interesting challenge to try. It’s definitely going to be a challenge with the weird weather we’ve been having, and because I try to only do one load of laundry a week (for clothes.)

  15. I loved doing Project 333 last year, and it made a tremendous difference in how I dress and how I organize my closets. Decluttering also spread to the rest of my house, and I’ve managed to keep it uncluttered, except for the junk room and the garage, but those will be my projects this year.

  17. I am in. I’ve done this once this past three months. But i’d love to go through the whole process again, with a focus on shaping my wardrobe into something I genuinely am thrilled with, rather than put up with. I’ve been writing about my specific situation on my website, if it’s of interest. I look forward to following along!

  18. My husband and I have tiny wardrobes right now, but we are travelling, so perhaps it doesn’t count? Regardless, I love it. It’s so easy to get ready and out the door. I think it helps that we don’t see the same people every day, so I don’t worry about anyone judging us. I wonder why I even care about that?

  20. I’m on my way..I got rid of 3 bags full of clothing, belts, shoes etc. After I started decluttering I felt good, but I kept checking the bag to see if I was really going to let it go. I got over it, and took it to a clothing bin immediately, otherwise I thought I might back out. Here’s the really great thing. I can’t remember what I got rid of, and don’t think about it at all. I do need to get a few classic items, but all in due time. No rush, I like my closet of clothes with space.

  21. I’ve just started, and will be on Project 333 until goal end date of 31 July 2012. I’ll blog about my 33 items and I have started tweeting my outfits. Very very excited and keen to give this a real go. Please follow me @sewinlove if you’d like to see my progress 🙂

    Thanks for all the inspiring posts.

    Rin

  22. I’m almost ready to start this. I’ve gone all out and am consulting with a stylist in Hollywood!

  23. Hey, that project is a great idea and I was thinking about doing the same thing, but I need advice: I have to dress corporate for work, but I live so close that I bike instead of taking the bus. As a result, I can’t wear the same outfit twice.

    I was wondering what is a nice biking-type outfit that I could wear to work (no shower or lockers, and office is shared with 30 people, so I can’t schlep around a 2nd outfit).

    So far I have been wearing a black cotton t-shirt, suit pants, and a jacket that I take off to bike…

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

  24. I think this will feel like living out of a suitcase. After every business trip I was always so happy to have more choice in what I could wear once I got home to my closet. why would I do this to myself? i think this will cause more stress not less

Trackbacks

  3. […] Project 333 Posted on March 25, 2012 by Fairy I have signed up for Project 333, a challenge to have a wardrobe of just 33 items for 3 months.  I will be starting on April 1st so now is the time to start tweaking my list.  You can read all about the project here. […]

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