https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:06:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876592 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 18:31:00 +0000 Sara L. 1876592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I'm in this boat too - I enjoy reading the 30 x 30 posts, but I have no desire to participate.&nbsp; I'm easily bored with my wardrobe so I'm constantly trying to NOT repeat outfits.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876588 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 18:16:06 +0000 Zibbets 1876588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you, Janet. I appreciate the idea of the challenge, but I like to be able to wear whatever suits my mood that day without limiting it to a capsule. Also, we have four distinct seasons here, and joke that we sometimes see all four in the space of a week. Just trying to dress for the weather is enough of a challenge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876540 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:00:30 +0000 texstyle 1876540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I almost do a 30 x 30 a lot of the time anyway because I am a big repeater when it comes to outfits I like and I get lazy and just keep rotating the same items through the laundry at the end of the week. I 'hang' my clothes to finish drying inside the house (too dusty outside) and often my favorite things are out there in plain sight after laundry so I tend to reach for them again. lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876503 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:28:38 +0000 Anonymous 1876503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found one or two comments unsettling.&nbsp; Let me <i><u>emphasize</u></i> that you do not need to stop reading Forum posts for the entire month of January just because a small subset of the Forum is posting about their 30 x 30 Challenge.&nbsp; This Challenge was never meant to be obtrusive or mandatory.&nbsp; It was a fun exercise for those that wanted to participate.&nbsp; It is also an opportunity for the participants to get to know one another better and reap the benefits of the Forum that much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876496 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:55:33 +0000 LaPed 1876496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, this makes perfect sense -- of course you crave a change after living out of a suitcase for several weeks!&nbsp;</p> <p>For myself, I find a capsule challenge forces me to wear things I wouldn't otherwise, and I end up with more variety than if I have access to my whole closet. Particularly in the winter, if I don't make a conscious decision to wear my "good" things" it is so, so easy to default to jeans and a flannel, especially since it will be covered up by a big puffy coat for much of the day!&nbsp;</p> <p>And I think you're better than I am about wearing your cool new things. My goal with my winter capsule is to get myself to wear several new trousers -- they are all more polished than jeans, but if I don't start wearing them now, I will save them and they'll still be new next winter! This is quite similar to Angie's winter goal, I just need to be more restrictive with myself to actually make it happen (and I didn't even wear them the first week of my 30x30! I wore all three of the "casual" options I've given myself due to weather and illness. This week, though -- this week I'll make it happen!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876464 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 06:50:39 +0000 rachylou 1876464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I did several years ago put about 2/3 of my wardrobe in storage, when I moved up from the suburbs (boy do I miss the space you get in the ‘burbs!). Not a 30x30, but limited - and illuminating. I learned a lot about what was dead weight and what I was overlooking but loved. I also learned to think about the whole outfit more. Previously I really evaluated items in isolation. Like, ‘oh, this is a cute sweater.’ But I realised this cute sweater and those cute pants don’t really go together just because they’re both cute.</p> <p>I also learned I wanted to stop being ‘cute.’</p> <p>Ok. WIW pics were also important there too... lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876459 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 05:56:30 +0000 Anonymous 1876459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Make sure you post 'em! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876457 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 05:22:41 +0000 columbine(erin) 1876457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m enjoying reading about everyone’s challenges, and the different rules they set up for themselves, but am not participating, I was going to, but when I started to plan, realized I’m still needing to wear postpartum stuff and even with footwear and outer wear, it’s less than 30 items. I was inspired to come up with a few new combinations, though and that was helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876455 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 05:15:34 +0000 Beth Ann 1876455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I crave variety, too, Janet!&nbsp; I do use a flexible capsule approach, I suppose.&nbsp; For example, I wear my bootcuts extensively during fall and holiday season, switching more to skinny pants when the snow makes them more practical.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Good for you for designing a practical capsule for travel!&nbsp; It sounds like you'll enjoy your full wardrobe on your return! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876449 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 04:47:57 +0000 Janet 1876449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t see negativity — everyone here seems very supportive and respectful of others’ efforts. Just expressing a different opinion or direction need not be interpreted as negative. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876445 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 04:20:02 +0000 Anonymous 1876445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, what fits in a carry on for a 21 day trip is its own challenge. At the end of a trip I am so sick of what is in the suitcase that I can not wear any of it for months. I definitely need variety and a large wardrobe but am hoping to figure out what my needs really are. I have also learned to be aware that my wardrobe needs variety and not to buy several of something, like skinny jeans, just because I like the look. If I do, they had better be a new color or have a pattern or texture that adds something new. In past challenges, I have learned that variety in tops is more important than in bottoms. Lessons may be small but help when shopping decisions. I agree with Brooklyn, that using a limited number of items forces creativity. For me that is especially with dresses and layering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876438 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 03:36:29 +0000 Jaime 1876438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I were one to track wears, I think I wouldn't be far away from 30x30 actually. As I wrote on Angie's recent thread, I tend to repeat outfits a lot over a certain period and therefore am not interested in limiting myself in case inspiration strikes. But I do agree with Brooklyn that the challenge is actually very versatile and although I am not participating I am very much enjoying seeing what others are doing with it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876424 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 02:30:14 +0000 Brooklyn 1876424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am bit surprised at some of the negativity here! Of course no-one has to participate in the challenge.</p> <p>I don’t see the challenge as necessarily being about wardrobe minimalism or arbitrarily restricting myself.</p> <p>Personally, I am looking upon the challenge as an exercise in wardrobe planning and not in miminalism. I plan to build a 30 item high summer work/going out capsule over the course of 30 wears. I don’t think a 30 item build-as-you-go dressy summer capsule (which excludes shoes, accessories and outerwear) will limit me arbitrarily. I may not even reach 30. And if I go over 30, there may be good reasons for that. But I am hoping at the end of the process that thinking about what made the cut and why, what I didn’t choose and why, what I did wear but didn’t enjoy, what was missing, etc will help me with purchasing and editing decisions. And with travel planning. I also hope it encourages me to find and wear new combinations of items in my existing wardrobe rather than to boredom buy. I think that is a way of being creative. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30/page/2#post-1876395 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:22:28 +0000 anne 1876395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been reading the 30 x30 posts with interest but have also never had any interest in following it .</p> <p>Like Jenn, it is perhaps pretty close to how I dress anyway. I counted up the clothes I have worn since Jan started and cutting out loungewear and gear (we were camping for 4 days) I was mostly just wearing the hot summer&nbsp; capsule I bought last year - i.e., 2 dresses, a white skirt and a chambray sleeveless skirt. Add in 2 lightweight cardis for warmth in aircon and you have 6 items.</p> <p>I'm on holiday (vacation) at the moment and when I return to work I'll add in more items, so I thought I'd keep a count of how many - but not actually restrict myself at all.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876393 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:18:28 +0000 Kate 1876393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with you too, Janet, and for exactly your reasons. Thanks for posting. I felt I was alone in feeling this way. I need the variety. Traveling for weeks at a time also has it challenges. We are frequent travelers, most often to cold/wintry destinations, and I find I crave more variety traveling than I do at home. Probably because I’m limited to what I packed. I need a bigger suitcase! In summer I can manage with a 21” carry-on. In F/W, no way. I’ve decided a bigger suitcase is indeed a necessary purchase for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876365 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 22:03:32 +0000 Elizabeth P 1876365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also enjoy variety and choosing from my whole (huge) wardrobe.&nbsp; </p> <p>However... when I did the numbers, I figure I'll be wearing 10-12 tops, so that's only repeating them 3 times over 30 days.&nbsp; I'm doing this as a work capsule, 4 days per week, over 8ish weeks.&nbsp; Plus a casual capsule, also 4 days a week for 8ish weeks.&nbsp; I'm forming my "deep winter" capsule, so if these things don't get worn now, they won't get worn, period. When I look at it this way, repeating something 3 times in 2 months seems totally practical to me.&nbsp; If wearing something three times a year is restrictive, then I have a problem!&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm hoping this challenge will help me pick my favourite, most versatile items, which will help me with doing some purging.</p> <p>At least that is the theory.&nbsp; If I blow it, I blow it.&nbsp; But it should force some good decisions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876343 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:33:39 +0000 Windchime 1876343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am doing the challenge, Janet, but I already know that by Week 3 I'll be so ready to wear things outside of my 30 items! It seems every time I travel, I'm bored with what I brought before it's time to go home, no matter how carefully I pack. So, even though this 30 x 30 is helpful to me for other reasons, I can definitely see it from both sides. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876340 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 19:46:01 +0000 anchie 1876340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you, I am also not participating for similar reasons.I did participate last time but it was pure coincidence - at the time of the challenge I was on the road for 4 weeks and have packed around 30 items. I also prefer challenge that wil force me to wear more of my clothes, not less. For example, I haven’t worn skirt in ages and I am thinking of challenge of wearing all my winter appropriate skirts at least once and to try to figure out why I don’t reach for them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876337 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 19:37:45 +0000 Joyce B 1876337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you, Janet. I always found the 30 x 30 interesting but never actually joined. I realized it was not for me. I do not need to restrict what I already own although I can restrict what I purchase. I also want to make sure I wear what I have and minimize orphans. Your challenge suggestion for wearing orphans would be useful for me too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876333 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 19:09:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1876333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd love to see you do that challenge, <b>Janet</b>!<b></b></p> <p>I have four such "problem children" in my 30, and both of the pieces I've worn so far have surprised me in some basic way, which shows how long it's been since I looked at them. </p> <p><b>Angie</b>, does having such a restricted wardrobe when you travel bring back some of the fun of shopping for yourself? (I'm going on the assumption that when shopping is part of your job, it may lose some of its sparkle sometimes, just like anything we commit to doing long-term) </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876303 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:54:46 +0000 Angie 1876303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES, <b>Janet.</b> High five. That would be more "our type of challenge". In fact, I'm trying NOT to wear blue jeans at all for a while as a challenge, and I'm loving it. Lots of dresses, white jeans and pants. You should set yourself a personal challenge when you get back - just for fun.&nbsp;</p> <p>As always, <i>horses for courses</i>. What appeals to us, does not appeal to others - and vice versa. It's eye-opening, we learn from each other, practice acceptance, keep an open mind, as well as sharpen our own needs.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876300 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:46:42 +0000 Janet 1876300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love having that freedom and creativity too, Angie! It’s been interesting to see what people get from their challenges. I could see doing a challenge of *some* type when I get home (wear all my scarves, or sweaters, for example), but mine would perhaps be focused on getting the most out of the breadth of my wardrobe, rather than arbitrarily narrowing it down for a period of time. Making myself wear problematic pieces to help me figure out their fate would be a more useful exercise for me. So perhaps I’ll do an experiment that forces me to give some attention to closet orphans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876298 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:42:02 +0000 Angie 1876298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Janet. </b>YES,&nbsp;you're&nbsp;doing your own 21x21 challenge - the same way I pack my travel capsules.</p> <p>The 30x30 challenge is not for me either. I LOVE having the freedom and creativity to wear what I want daily from my <i>entire</i> wardrobe - which is edited, organized, cohesive and makes me happy. I'm a lucky fish.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I absolutely get the challenge appeals to others, especially in the dead of January&nbsp;- (although they need to to be careful with their conclusions as I suggested in a separate thread). I'm cheering from the sidelines with gusto, and hope everyone has fun.&nbsp;<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876297 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:41:53 +0000 Bonnie 1876297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm doing the 30x30 because I want to focus on shopping my closet instead of stores/internet for awhile. It was also good timing for me as January is not a good shopping month with leftover winter items and it being too soon to see summer things in the stores.</p> <p>This is going to be a month of experimentation, and hopefully I'll gain insights so when I resume shopping, it will be more mindfully. I'm thinking I have accumulated enough essentials and I'm going to need to add some wild cards which is what I really love to shop for. Another thing I have noticed is that I have strayed from what is flattering to what is trendy and those items are not good capsule items.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876296 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:31:34 +0000 Gail 1876296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm totally in agreement , I like to have my selection ready and waiting for me at all times. No 30x30 for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876294 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:21:57 +0000 Toban 1876294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fair enough, and very insightful for your style journey. It's important to recognize why something does/does not resonant. Like others above, I think my 30x30 has a lot of versatility and different silhouettes (but not variations of a given silhouette), though many of those items haven't come out in the first week because it's too cold for skirts and dresses. Next week should be above freezing and I'll mix up my silhouettes more.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876285 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:51:14 +0000 JAileen 1876285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not doing the 30x30 because I want to be able to choose from all of my clothes. I'm actually not doing it though, because unlike the Eastern US, we're unseasonably warm and dry here. </p> <p>Re travel wardrobes: I remember going on a trip to Boston in early December years ago. It was colder than expected, and I was forced to wear a particular pullover sweater every day. I was sick of it. After we got back, I never wore it again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876284 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:50:02 +0000 Jenn 1876284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's so interesting, <b>Janet</b>! I'm impressed by how cohesive your wardrobe seems, despite that preference for color and silhouette variety. Across it all, you always manage to look like you.</p> <p>My reasons for not doing the 30x30 were closer to Lisa's than yours. It's just not that fundamentally different from my normal way of dressing, so I didn't see a lot of lessons to be learned for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876277 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:43:01 +0000 Anonymous 1876277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Travel wardrobes are their own special kind of weirdness. I find after just a week away and wearing the same things a few times , it's months before I wear any of those clothes again for work ....which makes it sound like I have a ton of clothes, and I don't. &nbsp;A formal &nbsp;30 x 30 holds no appeal for me either although it does "force" one to come up with new ways to wear things . &nbsp;I operate on this method most of the time anyways but I prefer it to come organically. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-i-won%e2%80%99t-be-doing-a-30x30#post-1876262 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:09:02 +0000 The Cat 1876262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for writing this post. I was wondering if was the only one who didn't find this kind of challenges appealing and if I should take a month's break from this forum. :-)</p> <p>I feel very much the same way as you have explained in the first part of your paragraph 2. I have learned a lot from making countless travel capsules, but I would feel unneccessarily restricted if I had to live that way when I'm at home. Would be unhappy if for one month I was not "allowed" to wear gorgeous clothes that I see in my closet every day. I have several roles in a month, experience many kinds of weather, need variety and love being able to choose from several different colours, textures, etc. </p> <p>The different views on this matter may have to do with how long each of us have come on our personal style journey.</p> <p>My style and my wardrobe have evolved and been fine-tuned during many years. At this stage in my life, I know myself, my body, my needs and my preferences pretty well--though I'm still open to new ideas and make adjustments from time to time. At least 4 times a year, I check all items in my closet and get rid of those which no longer earn a place there. I aim to keep only items I really like, and love being able to use these whenever I want to. </p>