https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 11:15:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411715 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 05:18:48 +0000 Alesia 1411715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post. Thanks for sharing, really good insights. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411679 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 03:49:46 +0000 Jaime 1411679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also love your recommendations. I think yours are exactly the right reasons to try something like this, and done&nbsp;with an excellent attitude. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411635 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 02:04:20 +0000 thimblelina 1411635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, this! A very cogent analysis. Thanks! xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411621 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:16:28 +0000 abc 1411621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome insights. I love your balanced approach and the recommendations are spot on. Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411568 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 00:08:28 +0000 gryffin 1411568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>TG - what amazing insights!!&nbsp; I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head, the point is not to be imprisoned by your own rules, rather to find the guidelines that allow you to enjoy and be happier with your wardrobe!!&nbsp; Awesome!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411549 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:19:59 +0000 Helena 1411549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>E., once I sort it out I will share for sure Thx all for the kind words! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411541 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:06:44 +0000 E 1411541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're so clever TG! Like Suz, when I travel I end up with a small capsule (I spent 4 weeks in Ecuador, w climates varying from the hot &amp; humid rain forest to cold &amp; windy Andes,&nbsp;w 2 trousers, 1 skirt, 2 cardigans, 5 tops, 1 coat,&nbsp;and 2 pairs of shoes, so that's 13 for 28 I suppose, hehe), but as you know in my regular life I love my big closet.&nbsp;Especially since I only wash clothes when they smell/have stains, so it usually takes me a month to have two somewhat full loads (lights &amp; darks) anyway.</p> <p>I'm glad the experience helped you &amp; that you know yourself well enough to stop now &amp; enjoy your holiday! I'd love to see your next capsule, although I know taking all the pics can be too much work. Just if you feel like it/have time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411531 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 22:40:16 +0000 Alassë 1411531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great write-up; thanks for doing it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411501 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:24:02 +0000 Caro in Oz 1411501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your recommendations are spot on in my experience :)&nbsp;I did my own version of 333 last summer - I had 18 items of clothing but more footwear/bags &amp; jewellery. It was amazing to see how little I needed &amp; I agree it is a great way to learn about what you actually wear. Coming up against restrictions was also a&nbsp;great way to learn about where I need variety &amp; where I don't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411480 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 20:16:42 +0000 Anonymous 1411480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Trying Project 333 was my first wardrobe planning experience. &nbsp;I too learned a lot. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411474 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 19:59:41 +0000 Suz 1411474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an excellent summary of your experience and those are superb guidelines. I nodded with every word you wrote. I also think your ideas for switching it up post-holiday are really terrific. They will help you feel fresher and a bit looser without opening the door to overspending or overthinking.&nbsp;</p> <p>I absolutely think a shot of colour and/or pattern (a simple one, like stripes) is even more important in a challenge like this.&nbsp;</p> <p>I basically lived this challenge a few years ago -- from a suitcase -- when I was away for a month in China and Vancouver.&nbsp;</p> <p>Weather conditions varied tremendously during that time so my wardrobe was highly practical with dark jeans, sweater, skirt, tops, etc. Walking shoes, a pair of booties, a pair of dressier flats. I mostly brought denim blue and black.&nbsp;</p> <p>Of course I wore my core essentials like the jeans and the skirt most often. But what were my other most-worn pieces?&nbsp;</p> <p>1. Striped ivory/ navy Breton sweater.&nbsp;<br />2. Multicoloured scarf.&nbsp;<br />3. Fuchsia (fuchsia!!!) knit jacket.&nbsp;<br />4. Big red tote.&nbsp;</p> <p>I learned a valuable lesson there. While I love my neutrals and enjoy wearing them, I equally enjoy the pops of colour and they change up the look of an outfit so much more than their $$ price.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411422 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 18:35:54 +0000 Astrid 1411422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the write up! It was interesting to read about your thoughts re project333 and your conclusions. It all sounds very sensible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411420 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 18:30:47 +0000 Pree 1411420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for Sharing your useful insights! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411344 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:31:52 +0000 Anonymous 1411344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post-mortem, thanks! &nbsp;I particularly appreciated the "for personal growth, not moral" &nbsp;comment as hitting on exactly why I find this project appealing. &nbsp;I'm working on refining my selection over the next couple of weeks so I can hit the ground running in January. &nbsp;Have a wonderful holiday! &nbsp;Turks/C is so beautiful ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411335 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:19:27 +0000 Helena 1411335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Angie! :)</p> <p>Elizabeth, yes, definitely&nbsp;- "tools not rules", as Suz has said. We are heading to Turks and Caicos, for the second time - we can't wait. Happy Christmas to you too!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411327 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:06:39 +0000 Elizabeth P 1411327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing this, H.&nbsp; It sounds like you learned some very valuable things about yourself, and your clothing needs.&nbsp; I haven't commented on your colour posts just because I've been so busy, and sneaking YLF reading in late at night on my ipad :).&nbsp; But a bit of colour makes a HUGE difference in breaking up the black and white.&nbsp; Trust me, I know!&nbsp; It's so easy to default to black when it feels good on you, but a break is good too.&nbsp; I also like that you are finding ways to define the "rules" so that you can work within them, rather than making them make you feel guilty.&nbsp; That's no fun!&nbsp; As I'm sure you can appreciate, I have to do the same ;-)</p> <p>Have a great Christmas!&nbsp; (going anywhere fun?)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411326 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:04:23 +0000 Angie 1411326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*applasue*</p> <p>I LOVE your recommendations. Those are particularly insightful to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333---lessons-learned#post-1411317 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:50:57 +0000 Helena 1411317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi all, well, a bit short of the 3 month mark (about 2.5 months, I think), I feel I've run out of steam for Project 333, so thought a bit of a 'post-mortem' might be handy, and since it's been discussed quite a bit lately, thought I'd share.<br /><b><br />What I've Learned<br /></b> <ul> <li>33 items, including coats and shoes,&nbsp;is more than enough from a purely practical perspective, for me. I never ran out of clothes by laundry day, and was able to dress appropriately&nbsp;for every occasion that came up.</li> <li>I did not get bored until the very end of the process, and I feel this may have been a matter not of numbers, but of variety within the numbers.</li> <li>The 'cheat' purchases and switch-outs I did (maybe 6?) ended up, I think, being good choices made for good reasons. Seeing them as "cheats" added an element of mindfulness which was valuable to have.</li> <li>A manicure or indulgent fancy coffee can be as good of a pick-me-up as a clothing purchase, if not better. Same goes for taking some extra time of doing hair and make-up.</li> <li>For me, walking into a spacious, not-full closet, is a daily joy.</li> <li>Streamlined does not have to mean everything is the same - I could have included more variety and still had a workable wardrobe.</li> </ul> Overall, I think this was a highly valuable exercise, added mindfulness to my dressing, and I'm really glad that I did it. <b>I would recommend it</b> for anyone who is overwhelmed by their closet, in a bad shopping cycle and needs to put the brakes on,&nbsp;or just has&nbsp;fun with these type of challenges (it can be an interesting creative exercise to see what you can do with a small amount). I would recommend allowing oneself flexibility to change up&nbsp;the rules as appropriate &nbsp;(e.g. choose a different number, or shorter time period, etc.)&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>I would not recommend this</b> for anyone who is generally happy with their wardrobe, wears most of their things, or enjoys the process of creating outfits most days&nbsp;- in that case, it would be deprivation rather than fun and learning, which makes no sense. <i>To my mind, this is an exercise in personal growth, not a moral one. It's not "better than" any other way.</i></p> <p>I am going to put the brakes on until after we return from our post-Xmas vacation, then I will do it again for January - March, applying the following changes: <ul> <li>I will allow myself one purchase per month.</li> <li>When creating the capsule, I will try to include more variety, perhaps in the form of color.</li> <li>I will allow an occasional&nbsp;'one in one out' rule with my packed-away clothing.</li> <li><b>Most importantly, I will try to&nbsp;lighten up and have more fun!</b> This may mean bending the rules when I see fit, and that's okay given that this is my process!</li> </ul> Thanks for reading!! :)</p>