YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Project 333 may not be for me(?)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Project 333 may not be for me(?) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:25:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php viva on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409825 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:13:53 +0000 viva 1409825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really love discussions like this. For me, it pushes against the blogosphere, where a reigning idea -- 333, or minimalism, or layering, or whatever -- seems to dominate and can make some of us (me!) feel like we need to jump on the bandwagon of the day. This thread makes it very clear that fashion, style, and closet-approach is not a one-size fits all. Look how many different opinions there are here! I love it. Some of us have and want four pairs of jeans, and some have and want 40. Whatever makes you happy and comfortable and suits your lifestyle and your budget. It's a great reminder not to feel you have to follow the buzzword of the moment. AnnieMouse on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409817 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:57:01 +0000 AnnieMouse 1409817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, I like the idea of "I'm not adding more hangers" - that seems like a useful tool! In general, I feel quite comfortable with my wardrobe - I've found, through my tracking, that for me, I can feel like I'm in a rut, and wearing the same thing what my mind interprets as "all the time"... and then I look at my spreadsheet, and it's been 3 weeks since I last wore that piece. So it's also important, I think, to keep in mind that we have different tolerance levels for what constitutes "wearing often." And again, a large proportion of my wardrobe comes from thrifting - it affords me a higher level of quality, and the variety I crave. Having said all of that: I have done 333 and found it very useful and educational for myself. I try to do one a year, because I find that I learn quite a lot about my personal needs and preferences when I do it. I think it can be an incredibly useful tool to give oneself time to evaluate what prompts a reach for this thing over that thing, even in a limited wardrobe.  Janet on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409808 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:23:18 +0000 Janet 1409808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AM, I think it only warrants reviewing if you feel like those numbers don't work *for you*. I sometimes fear that these threads make those of us with more abundant wardrobes feel guilty. I decided long ago that I don't want to count items to get to some arbitrary number, when the only person my closet needs to make happy is ME. Does an item need to get worn once a week or even once a month to warrant a place in my closet? No. If it makes me happy when I wear it, even if that's only twice a year, the answer is yes. Everyone has their own wardrobe happy place. I say cull thoughtfully if you feel the need to. My editing style is based on whether I love a piece and/or find it useful enough that I wear it in a reasonable time. Plus the fact that I have a bunch of extra hangers I'm going to take to TX next time so they're not an invitation to fill them here at home. I'm never adding hangers to my closet again. AnnieMouse on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409804 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:11:14 +0000 AnnieMouse 1409804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, man, ladies! I've always wondered what my actual wardrob size is - that's part of what began me on my path of keeping my spreadsheets two years ago, actually, since I began it to try to get a full inventory!  Now that you are all talking about >333, I got curious if I would be able to take part, and started playing with my unique items data set.  I haven't documented every day - days I'm camping, for example, or lounging around the house or ill, I don't track outfits on, bceause "20 eyar old t-shirt and college sweatpants" doesn't seem worth it. LOL! BUT, there are days that I changed to go to dinner or similar, and I have tracked that. I document bottoms (skirts, pants, jeans, dresses all go in this column), tops, toppers (jackets, cardigans, et cetera), and shoes. I have what I call a "running wear" tab that I use to fiddle with the data - in that tab, I keep two main bits of data: one of all wears, so I can see how many times I've worn an item, and with what; one in which all duplicates are removed, so I can monitor how many unique items I've actually worn in total.  At any rate, I just went in and removed all the days that I didn't track (I document them as "no info" or "camping" or whatever, because I'm... Well, I'm a nerd at heart). Then I totted up the unique items bits totals. Even knowing I have a robust wardrobe, I am shocked to find 407 items have been worn by me this year; 101 of those items alone were shoes.  Yep, it's time to do some serious reviewing.  Laurinda on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409719 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:54:29 +0000 Laurinda 1409719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Project must wear = or > 333 items in 365 days? Count me in! Elizabeth P on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409689 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:10:27 +0000 Elizabeth P 1409689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura and Janet, I'm in. That doesn't count shoes though, right? :). Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409670 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:35:31 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1409670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet, if I counted all my accessories, PJs, gear, underwear etc. I probably do have nearly 333 items! We could start a "project 333 - the other sort" challenge... Janet on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409665 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 02:17:08 +0000 Janet 1409665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yeah, if anyone is shocked by the idea of a dozen pairs of jeans in a wardrobe, my closet would throw you into shock. ;-) I have zero interest in doing a Project 333. Unless I change the meaning to "I'm going to make it a goal to wear all 333 items in my closet." I admire those who can practice and enjoy a very small, limited wardrobe, but I have never been one of those people. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409651 Fri, 12 Dec 2014 01:53:01 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1409651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One of the things that I'm constantly reminded of when reading YLF is that everyone's needs and expectations vary so much, and we all think that our normal is everyone else's normal too, which it rarely is. Conversations about how much is enough and how much is too much have chance to get testy - I remember a thread about how many jeans members owned where I felt a bit negatively judged, but then I'm a bit incredulous at some on the minimalism thread who have less than a full week's worth of clothes at one time. That'd drive me nuts just because I don't want to have to do laundry that often! Maybe I should start a "wear all your stuff" challenge for those of us who are definitely not minimalists numbers-wise. That's the point of trying to get CPW down, among other things. I could call it Project Infinite... Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409518 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:21:08 +0000 Anonymous 1409518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I live a very different lifestyle, and need to remember to keep my mouth shut when it falls open in amazement sometimes.    And , envy   Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409516 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:19:06 +0000 Anonymous 1409516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh gosh Susie - I'm honestly sorry if my remarks conveyed any judgment.  I did not intend that at all. After all, I'm the one who found 7 black blazers in her closet this past weekend!  I think my response had more to do with having my not having  occasion to actually wear that many different pairs of pants.  I was taking what I was reading in this thread and thinking out loud about how it would apply to what I am going through right now.  And you're right, I should not have commented.  I do sincerely apologize, and again, meant nothing by that comment at all.  If you saw the number of workout tops I have.......:)   Sadie on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409500 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 21:59:47 +0000 Sadie 1409500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ bookmark Susie on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409495 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 21:52:34 +0000 Susie 1409495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Jules. I know that there is no one right way; we just all have to find what works best for us. Annie, I feel no shame whatsoever about my wardrobe...feeling judged was probably an over-reaction. But I appreciate your thoughts. AnnieMouse on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409463 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 20:47:58 +0000 AnnieMouse 1409463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Susie, I wear a LOT of clothes myself, and I rather enjoy the variety. I have a very full life with very different dress codes for its various pieces. I have NO shame about that, because I know it's the thing that's right for me - and I know the manner in which that wardrobe was acquired (slowly, often through thrifting, swaps, and hand-me-downs from family), so I don't feel shamed for it, either.  On the other hand, my husband has no concerns about my wardrobe - it's sizeable, for sure, but it's also all very loved and worn. What I wear to a dinner with my family is different that what I wear to go to work, both of those are different than the things I wear to a Burning Man-related event, and I wear a different sort of outfit for errands. *shrug* What works for each of us will vary.  Jules on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409458 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 20:39:38 +0000 Jules 1409458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm certainly not judging you Susie- my comments aren't meant to be snide. I think there are many people on the forum who enjoy variety and quantity and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just not one of them, and dropping back a bit was a good thing for me. I'd imagine that your pants probably last years, whereas I probably need to replace more frequently, since I wear fewer pairs more often. I also live in a 4-season climate with extreme winters and summers -  most years the only items that are truly worn year round are underwear. So yes over the course of a year our "numbers" might come in closer... BUT.... I don't think it's a moral issue or significant difference, just a matter of everyone figuring out what makes them happy :) Susie on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409451 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 20:26:22 +0000 Susie 1409451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I didn't expect to "shock" anyone by stating that I wore 20 pairs of pants in 2 months, considering that I work in an office 5 days a week. While some of my bottoms are seasonal, quite a few of them can be worn year round so I probably wore a lot of them the month before that and the month before that too. I like a certain amount of variety, my closet isn't at all crowded, and I wear the vast majority of what I have.  I am sorry if that sounds defensive but I do feel like I'm being judged on the numbers I shared.  Jules on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409410 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 19:20:08 +0000 Jules 1409410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree lisap -  I do not have the space, physically or mentally, for those kinds of numbers. It doesn't even hold appeal to me - if I had a bigger closet and unlimited budget, I think I would just buy nicer things, and maybe be able to hold all my stuff without doing my seasonal swaps.  I find people's reactions to unfancy very interesting. In the end I really thinks it depends what perspective you are coming from. Gretchen Rubin, of the Happiness Project books, has an interesting concept of being an under-buyer or an over-buyer. I immediately identified as an underbuyer.  This can be problematic! For a long time, due to lack of pieces, getting dressed was stressful 5 days out of 7.The biggest factor of my style transformation from unhappy to happy involved allowing myself to buy more stuff and enjoy it. But at some point, the constant online browsing, ordering, trying to fit my body into trends that weren't immediately friendly, etc, became a bit of an exhausting chore, simultaneously addictive. I'm in a good place of wardrobe maintenance right now but I think the buying/obsessing stage might have been necessary. However, I'm quite glad to be out of it. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2009/04/quiz-are-you-an-overbuyer-or-an-underbuyer/">http://www.gretchenrubin.com/h.....nderbuyer/</a> gradfashionista on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409402 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 19:09:14 +0000 gradfashionista 1409402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have never tried it, although I've been tempted to try. If I take out undergarments and gym clothes/shoes, I suspect that I wouldn't be reducing the number of items I regularly wear, I'd simply be putting the items that don't get worn due to climate and weight fluctuations out of sight.  Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409399 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 19:06:29 +0000 Anonymous 1409399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm very interested and in fact am starting my own version of this shortly.  I have read P333's information, blog and even bought the worksheet package etc. but I decided even before diving into it that jewellery,work out gear, outerwear, and boots are not going to be part of this plan. I don't see any value in that aspect - for me anyways.  I'm concerned about my CLOTHES, not the other things.   As I just read through the postings here - I have to admit I'm shocked by some of the numbers!  20 pairs of pants?  11 pairs of jeans?   This isn't a judgment call at all, as I'm the LAST one to comment on numbers of things - but I don't even come anywhere close to having that kind of wardrobe.  It's interesting to see how other women operate - and if anything, it reinforces my suspicion that I am a good candidate for this P### plan.  I wouldn't know what to do with 20 pairs of pants or 11 pairs of jeans, no matter how varied.  This has been another very valuable thread for me - as I'm coming to some really interesting conclusions about my own needs and shopping habits.  Cool! Helena on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409391 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:54:52 +0000 Helena 1409391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi, I am currently doing Project 333 (ok, it might be about 37 at this point), and it is great for me because I get overwhelmed by a full closet. I am looking forward to seeing my other pieces with fresh eyes when I build my next capsule, and I think I will appreciate them more. That said, I am doing this because it is a way of putting structure around something I already do anyways! It is enhancing my enjoyment of clothes; it does not feel like a sacrifice to me, more an exercise in mindfulness. I firmly believe that if you get joy out of your larger collection of clothes, then this is not wasteful, anymore than any other collection. It's a hobby, it brings you happiness, why not enjoy every beloved piece? In fact, I also agree with the suggestion that those of you with larger collections of beloved pieces should challenge yourself to see how many you can wear in 3 months! Isn't that another way of tackling the "waste" factor - by using, enjoying and appreciating them heartily! MovingFashionForward on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1409385 Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:46:52 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1409385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Alaskagirl, in answer to your question: lots of layers for visual interest and warmth. :-) Sarah Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1405862 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 18:31:28 +0000 Anonymous 1405862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Un-fancy's blog is the first minimalism blog that *really* hit home for me. it wasn't about finding the perfect item (says the perfectionist) but it was about being DONE with shopping for a while knowing that I had clothes to wear that didn't feel frumpy. Maybe the other blogs hit on that too, but somehow I missed the whole "stop shopping for a bit!" Project 333 is so interesting to me on paper, but I couldn't get it to work with all of my patterned items.  I am a minimalist at heart and get totally overwhelmed with too many choices. If you look into your closet and love it then I wouldn't worry about trying to change! crutcher on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1405740 Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:32:53 +0000 crutcher 1405740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love it...your comment...go for the world record for number of pieces worn in three months...Laughing out loud...That is my title...don't steal it...smile.. Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me/page/2#post-1405201 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:56:03 +0000 Anonymous 1405201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I LOVED the concept of Project 333 and I worked very hard to reach the goal of 33 items for 3 months time.  That was when the 33 items included accessories as well as clothing (i.e., shoes, belts, earrings).  It was really challenging and really fun for me.   Then I started seeing all these posters that redefined Project 333 to include just clothing (athletic clothes, lounging clothes, shoes, belts, jewelry, scarfs didn't count against the 33).  At first I was intrigued, but I soon found that this watered down version didn't appeal to me because the initial challenge disappeared.   Despite the fact that I discarded this wardrobe concept, it was the foundation of what later became capsules.  I tried Project 333 for a couple of years.  As part of Project 333, I edited my wardrobe to get rid of all the stuff that didn't work for me.  Then I started defining a new concept (capsules) that would work for me.  I still use the capsule approach today.  I don't know if I would have found capsule dressing if not for Project 333 so I am grateful for having tried it.   Firecracker (Sharan) on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405130 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 04:40:04 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1405130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah, I haven't tried the 333 project, but I love your idea of instead trying to see just how many items we can wear in 3 months! Dee on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405128 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 04:28:51 +0000 Dee 1405128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've never done a 333 challenge explicitly, although I have packed for some long trips in that spirit. I think the worst part of doing it everyday would be my latent guilt over everything left hanging up and unable to be worn during the project. I have carried on for longer trips (4-6 weeks, and 30 items is probably the high end of what I'd pack) multiple times so when not faced with the guilt factor but dealing with the limitations of a small wardrobe, I've learned a few things. I've found I'm happiest when my clothes: 1) are comfortable. I'm never going to want to reach for things that I don't find comfy. 2) are in line with my style goals. When traveling, that tends to be looking put together but a little more subdued in terms of color and pattern than my daily wardrobe, because it tends to hold up better in terms of photos. 3) mix and match well with each other. Again, sticking to a limited color palette works well here, and I don't vary my silhouette as much. Although bringing two dresses in different styles can go a long way for breaking up my denim related boredom. 4) can be dressed up or down with accessories. I'm not talking black tie, obviously, but a wide range of smart casual looks and maybe one cocktail dress can cover a lot. I always find it hard the first week because I feel limited, but by the second week, I enjoy putting together pieces in ways I might not have thought about previously because a different item could be grabbed instead. And by the end of a month or so, it does feel more streamlined because I've gotten a good idea of what works together and how I enjoy wearing certain pieces. When I get home, I often find myself feeling overwhelmed by all my options and don't end up wearing as many "new" pieces as expected. Anyway, sorry for rambling a lot, especially since I can't say I've successfully done the challenge. I wanted to give some idea of why working with a limited wardrobe can be nice, even starting from a larger wardrobe. Jaime on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405118 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 04:16:55 +0000 Jaime 1405118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah I am always thrown by how people get on their high horse about the limited number of clothes they wear. I love what Claire said above (and I am obviously and absolutely not talking about her!). If you have beautiful clothes in your closet why shouldn't you wear them! To do otherwise is just a waste of good clothes and enjoyable experiences. I think these experiments have their place for people that want to challenge their creativity like AnnieMouse suggested above, but other than that I think it makes more sense to think about being more deliberate about adding to your closet rather than limiting your use of what is already there. Elizabeth P on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405108 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:52:58 +0000 Elizabeth P 1405108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The closest I'll ever come to a 333 is a virtual one. Which, ironically, I just created in stylebook, a couple of days ago. I do find it amusing, but as soon as I'm done, I see all the pretty, fav items that didn't make the cut, and move on. Like most here, I don't see the point of setting aside things I already own, just because. I think it does make sense to help guide packing, or starting over, but not much else. And just to fess up.. I did create packing lists in stylebook to track what I actually wore in each "season". Late summer/early fall, which was pretty much september and October, I wore 75 items, 14 were footwear, 2 belts and one scarf. My 333 wouldn't count shoes or accessories, for obvious reasons :). And in November, I wore 53 items, 10 of which were footwear and one belt. (Hmm, interesting. I guess semi tucking took a backseat this fall). Ya. Not for me! ETA. Oh yeah, and this does not include my evening/weekend at home outfits of lululemon yoga pants with tees and hoodies. (I know, I know....). Ya. Not for me Suz on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405057 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:26:27 +0000 Suz 1405057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good thoughts here.  One of the things I'm trying to figure out for myself this year with tracking actual wears is how many items I feel comfortable owning for "just a few" yearly wears.  My closet is not tiny by any means any more; it's moderate to lightly padded, I'd say, for my lifestyle and 4 season (or 6 season) climate. But I know for a fact, without tracking, that I DO wear all my clothes. I know every item I own, never "forget" about stuff, and suffer from none of the hallmarks of an "out of control" closet.  What I also know, from even a few months of tracking, is that special occasion items are not the only items that might only be worn five or six (or even fewer) times per year. I definitely have a few button up shirts, a few sweaters, and a few pairs of pants that fall into that category also.  So the question is, do I keep them, or get rid of them to create a more streamlined wardrobe? (Or, more likely, in my case, to replace them with some pretty new distraction, LOL.)  Knowing when you've reached your own person "just right size" wardrobe -- that's the trick. And it's not easy!  Anonymous on "Project 333 may not be for me(?)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/project-333-may-not-be-for-me#post-1405005 Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:23:44 +0000 Anonymous 1405005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Laura, you are SO right. Just because someone has a small wardrobe or is a minimalist, doesn't mean they're free from materialism (or envy, or greed, etc.) *cough* You can worship "stuff", but you can just as easily worship "minimalism". Ask me how I know this!