January 30 x 30 Challenge - YouLookFab Forum

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January 30 x 30 Challenge

Anonymous

Hi Everyone:

Today a few of us are going to kick off a personal wardrobe challenge loosely called the 30 x 30 Challenge. Everyone's challenge will be individual and deeply personal. Each participant will select the number of items in their challenge; the categories included; the categories excluded; the number of days they will participate; and their own start date. The primary goal is for you to learn as much as you can about your wardrobe preferences and if your existing wardrobe fully meets your needs.

Because there are no rules, I am including some earlier posts that highlighted various participant's thought processes (in no particular order): https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....nother-30-https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-challenge
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-june-19th
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....th-30-x-30
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-challenge
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....t-i-learnt

I am starting on January 1st. I have never done a challenge like this during the Winter months. Obviously, layers are a big consideration that eat into your 30 items so I am going to exclude outerwear, shoes, and accessories. In fact, I am going to outright copy Joy: My 30 will start with tops, bottoms, and indoor toppers only. I plan to exclude footwear, underlayers for warmth, coats, scarves and other accessories. I also will exchange out pieces that are not working for something else. My capsule is for cold weather. If, by some miracle, the weather should get too warm for my capsule, I reserve the right to use less warm items.

One last thing. In previous years, I started out the challenge by defining my 30 items on Day 1. Other Forum Participants opted to define their 30 items as the challenge progressed. This introduced a flexibility to the challenge that I really liked. I'll be copying them.

So to start my challenge, I have three items (out of a possible 30 items):
1. Grey ponte pants
2. Navy blue long sleeved tee shirt
3. Grey cardigan.

You can report in any way that suits you. Some Forum Participants wrote weekly posts detailing their success and lessons learned. Others posted daily. The daily posters usually included a WIW. As the challenge progressed, the WIWs became fewer and fewer.

Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from Toban

Toban

Veteran

Thanks for starting us off. My “rules” are similar and I plan to track and post every few days.

Joy

Veteran

I am going to copy you and others who define the 30 items as they go.
Today I am wearing:
Olive jeans, floral sheerish sweatshirt, burgundy knit jacket.
I am so far not counting accessories, coats or under layers and socks and shoes, but may add them later. Today, besides the usual underwear, I have a black silk shell under the top for modesty and warmth, grey cashmere socks and taupe suede loafers. Going out, I will wear an olive coat, grey gloves, and use a taupe bag.
In Finds below, the first 3 are now in my 30X30.

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Rag & Bone / Jean The Dre Slim Fit Boyfriend Jeans

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Sam Edelman Faux Fur Collar A-Line Anorak

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Brooklyn

Veteran

Summertime, and the living is easy... I am wearing a blue silk top, ruched skirt and flat black sandals. Currently on holidays visiting friends, so it’s pretty casual. We are just coming back from lunch. I plan to add as I go too.

Michael by Michael Kors Handbag

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Style Fan

Veteran

I like your plan, Sterling. I will start a thread for my challenge.

Anonymous

First, I must laugh with Brooklyn. She brought a smile to my face today. A much needed smile.

I'll look for your thread, Style Fan.

YAY Toban. I hope you have fun during the challenge and learn lots about your personal style/wardrobe needs.

Joy -- defining the 30 items at you go is brilliant!!! Once I saw others doing it that way during the last challenge, I slapped my forehead and thought "of course!!!!" Your ensemble looks gorgeous, by the way. I especially love the colors of the top.

Today is my first day back at work and I planned on wearing items from my "work" capsule and then it occurred to me, why? Everything I wore yesterday was clean, comfortable, and appropriate for a very casual day in the office (no meetings, no nothing).

I am going to exactly repeat what I wore yesterday. The colors are bland, but they seem to suit me in the Winter months. Although I intend to make black and navy a signature in 2018, my current wardrobe includes a lot of grey. I'll be wearing those pieces a lot of the time. I add one necklace, silver hoop earrings, and red lipstick to the mix.
1. Grey ponte pants (Best Buy)
2. Navy blue long sleeved tee shirt (favorite, most comfortable tee)
3. Grey long line cardigan (not a favorite, might be slated for donation).

Not included in the 30 item challenge are Ugg boots for commuting and loafers for the office.

This post has 8 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

SarahD8

Veteran

Nice, simple outfit to start off with, Sterling. I also find that I want "quieter" looks after the bling of the holiday season. I do like the pink scarf though, that is a nice touch of brightness to start off the year!

It will be so interesting to see how your 30 items come together. I am doing the opposite from you and many others -- I'll be gathering everything from my closet that fits my color scheme and then seeing what I reach for, what works, what doesn't work over time. I will post my capsule later this week. Thank you again for starting this!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sterling, this sounds great, and awfully motivating in the dead of Winter. Thanks for managing the process and being on top of it all.

I like the flexibility of the challenge best.

May we see your items in Finds?

Bonnie

Veteran

I've never tried a 30 x 30 Challenge before, but this one might be doable since I can start slowly. The t-neck, jeans, boots, and bag are workhorses in my wardrobe and go with lots of tops and toppers. I'm going to a birthday luncheon with some neighbors, and thought this cardigan would be fun. I'm not sure which pants will work best, but I know they will be both part of the Challenge eventually.

Women's Lookout 2x2 Rib Long-Sleeve Turtleneck

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PAIGE Transcend Hoxton High Waist Undone Hem Skinny Jeans

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MZ Wallace 'Lizzy' Bedford Nylon Crossbody

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FLY London Women's Phil Ankle Boot

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Joe's Jeans Women's Flawless Olivia Midrise Cropped Flare Jean in Regan

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LaPed

Veteran

Bonnie, that cardigan is SO COOL!

Sterling -- I'm glad you're embracing navy/black as your signature, and putting that idea into action already. And I love the addition of the bright scarf. Bright pinks and reds make me feel good in the winter -- warming, energizing colours.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Gosh this will be interesting to see through.Well done for having the energy at this time of year to manage a post like this,contributions like this are a big part of what makes YLF such an interesting blog to follow.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sterling, thanks for doing this! I wonder if the blog can set up a little corner for us, like for NAS.

I really like your starter outfit, because it is simple and pulled together. The bright berry pop is great.

I just posted my personal “rules”. I will post pictures weekly, or a little less often, depending on how long it takes me to pull together a handful of good outfits. In my Florida Fall challenge, I think I posted to many iffy outfits.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, I always enjoy the flurry of WIW's and outfit posts that accompany the challenge! A benefit even for those of us who are not participating this time!

Anonymous

Thank you, Emily and Cardiff Girl! It is a flurry of activity. But really, really fun.

Thank you, Fashintern. I'll go find your post right now. Although having a section of the Forum all to ourselves sounds great, I'm not sure how it can be arranged. I'll look into it later today.

LaP -- the scarf is energizing. I love the feel of it against my neck.

Gorgeous outfit, Bonnie.

Sarah -- Your approach is the way I always started these challenges in the past. That approach just makes sense to me. I changed it a bit this time to make it more interesting for me. I also don't have to guess every single work activity one hundred percent correctly. I have some added flexibility.

Angie -- I need to migrate my pictures to the Finds Section. I'll do that as the Challenge progresses. Thank you for the reminder.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sterling and SarahD8, my approach is right between yours. I do want to see what items of my closet I'm most likely to reach for, so will allow myself to pull things in as needed. This is probably a cheat way for me to track without committing to it all year. Otoh, I do have a specific color scheme in mind and there are some things I say I want to wear that I haven't actually worn in a very long time. If I can't get myself to wear them in the challenge, they may very well move on from the closet.

Sterling, thanks for finding and commenting on my post, as you mention above--I really like the idea of all of us being in this together, and am keeping an eye out for others' posts.

Anonymous

Fashintern -- I try to comment on every single participant's post. I learn my most valuable lessons from their experiences. The problem is sometimes I miss one or two ... especially if I fail to look at page 2.

I am so glad you joined us. My best Forum Friends were developed during challenges like this.

Mainelady

Veteran

Sterling, thank you for the inspiration and for the fabulous information on what categories to consider for this challenge. I am going to join in tentatively from the sidelines. Mine is a Rookie challenge. I am starting small and focusing on my work wardrobe.
I teach first grade, so all outfits need to be comfortable enough for sitting on th floor, frequent movement, durability and pretty fuss free. I seldom have time to adjust clothing during the day. Put it on and be gone for the day is standard for me.
Winter is beautiful, but can be brutal here, so warmth is a key deciding factor for me. I will not be including outerwear or boots with this challenge. I have plenty of both, but choices of which to wear are directly related to the weather and temps and not necessarily to the outfits underneath.

Anonymous

Welcome Mainelady!!!! I am so glad you are joining us from the sidelines. Few Challenge Participants are including outerwear or boots. I live considerably south of you and I'm not including them!!

Hope you have fun with the Challenge and learn a lot about yourself!

Anonymous

Today is Day 3. I actually had trouble getting dressed today. I have multiple roles to play for a long day. I knew that what I wore today would become part of the challenge going forward and I wanted my selection to be well thought out.

Here is what I finally decided upon: Kut from the Kloth dark blue jeans; Gap white short sleeved tee shirt; and Landsend navy cardigan. I added black oxfords and the same outerwear/tote from yesterday. No pictures because I am at work.

1. Grey ponte pants (Best Buy)
2. Navy blue long sleeved tee shirt (favorite, most comfortable tee)
3. Grey long line cardigan (not a favorite, might be slated for donation)
4. Kut from the Kloth dark blue jeans (Best Buy)
5. Gap white short sleeved tee shirt (Best Buy)
6. NEW Landsend navy cardigan (purchased to make a "suit" just as Janice from the Vivienne Files has taught me to do).

Some thoughts and one buying mistake. I bought two Eileen Fisher cropped tops to wear with high-waisted pants. I anticipated that they would be instant workhorses, but when I stand with good posture, there is 1/2-1 inch sliver of flesh exposed. This really bothers me. I just can't wear them with more than 90 percent of my bottoms. These two tops are on "probation."

I mentioned The Vivienne Files above. I have commented how I am uncomfortable wearing a single color head to toe, but I find I really like matching my cardigan to my bottoms to form a "suit." I feel it elevates my style quotient. The white tee shirt brightens the outfit and my mood.

So another signature look for me: forming a suit using a cardigan that matches my pants.

I have a long day. I feel appropriately dressed and am cozy comfortable.

Toban

Veteran

Sterling, have you tried wearing a cami in the same color as your pants under the cropped top? I was also in a cardigan and jeans yesterday for work because of the cold and so were nearly all my coworkers. It’s too cold for my skirts and dresses, though those are the majority of my bottoms!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Mainelady, come on in, the water’s fine! Your description of your clothing requirements made me laugh, because I have the same “rules”, but no little people to explain them. I just like freedom to move.

Sterling, what do you mean by “Best Buy”? Surely not the electronics store! The EF top surprises me—that’s exactly the sort of issue I thought her line was designed to avoid. I consider you a forum friend already, but would like to get to know you and others better.

Katerina

Veteran

Sterling, it sound like a stylish, comfortable and practical outfit for you busy Day 3.

I like your idea of a "suit" created by a cardigan and jeans/pants in the same colour - simple and chic way of dressing. As I love scarves of all kinds, I would probably add one to this outfit - but that is just me - the scarf addict

I look so much forward to your next post!

Joy

Veteran

Welcome, Mainelady! Winter must be your dominent season. You need lots of warm outfits, and clothes that allow sitting in little chairs in a reading circle. Plus really warm outdoor clothes for recess duty. Brrrr.
JAileen, I second Toban on wearing a long cami or tank under those cropped tops. Matching the pants means that if the top rides up, it will not be obvious. This time of year you could even use a long sleeved under layer tee. It sounds like you like an outer column of color better than an inner one. I think Janice at the Vivienne Files does both in her 4X4s. ( often a pair of pants, top, topper (jacket and/or cardigan, and skirt or another different pair of pants). If it is not in the 4X4, it shows up in the expansion 4. Your outer layer matching your jeans or trousers could also be a gillet or vest.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sterling, because I enjoy your challenges so much, I'm going to try to participate. I just got back from being away over the holidays, and had totally removed myslef from real life while I hung out with lots of family. So I haven't really had time to give this much thought. A couple of things have come to mind, so I will try to incorporate them somehow... and am open to any ideas you or others may have on exactly HOW I can use them!

1. I CAN retire this year. Gulp. Hard to imagine for a 39 year old, huh ;-). I am not going to, but it does make me think that maybe it's time to stop buying work clothes "just because" and either stop completely, or be very, very careful and strategic in what I do purchase.

2. I am happiest when I incorporate a bit of edge, asymmetry, or something chunky (esp footwear) into my outfits. I don't always do this. Why? I esp notice this when it comes to dressing for work, as I seem to wear more classic, conservative clothing for work. I often feel well dressed, but not quite "me". Maybe this is an area to focus on.

So there we go. I've put this in writing. I'll try to articulate something this weekend, and see if I can turn my musing into a challenge.

Anonymous

Elizabeth -- I am so glad you are going to join in. Jump in whenever it is convenient for you and your life.

I know you are happiest when you incorporate a bit of edge into your outfits. In fact, I can't look at an asymmetric top and NOT think of you. So it surprises me that you don't incorporate your signature in your work wardrobe and then I remember, work. We all have special needs/requirements to dress for work. Of course, sometimes we lose a bit of ourselves in the process. I challenge you to see if you can't start introducing a few sly elements into your work wardrobe.

I also second your decision to reconsider your wardrobe buying priorities. I am not near retirement, but I have started teleworking two days a week. That has had a profound impact what what I need to buy and wear. Unfortunately, I have spent so many years buying for my work wardrobe, I have had a hard time re-adjusting.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sterling... you may have noticed that I haven't posted a WIW in quite some time. For some reason, the past few months have been SO busy for me, I've defaulted to grabbing outfits rather than thinking about them. This is when the edge, or maybe it's just plain interest, sometimes disappears. So you haven't seen the outfits I'm talking about... so it's really validating that you feel the way you do about my style.

What I need to do is get rid of the pieces that are too classic for me, so that when I'm in this "just get dressed already" mode in the mornings, I can't put them on!

Anyway, challenge accepted! Today I'm triple pattern mixing, so feeling pretty good

I have spent so many years buying for my work wardrobe, I have had a hard time re-adjusting.

It really does become a habit, doesn't it!

You are so good at observing, and articulating your comments... you really are such a value to this forum. Thank you.

SarahD8

Veteran

Your outfit today sounds nice, Sterling. Great that you have identified the "suit-like" formula works for you. With the oxfords you are following through on your intention to wear navy and black!

What a bummer about the Eileen Fisher sweaters. If the camisole suggestion above doesn't work, or for variety, you could also try layering with a longer, tunic-length blouse or knit underneath. I think that makes cropped (and sometimes boxy, but I don't know how boxy the sweaters you bought are) proportions look intentional. Just a thought on another solution to try.

Anonymous

Great suggestions for my trying to make my tops work, Sarah, Joy, and Toban. I admit to not having thought of any of them.

I should of added a scarf this morning, Katerina, but I didn't think of it until I saw your post. Some times I get points just for showing up at work in clothing. This week was especially hard because I had just under two weeks of vacation and my sleep schedule got mucked up.

Fashintern -- a "Best Buy" is the award I give a garment that quite literally is one of my all time favorites. Others might use the term Workhorse.

I had noticed your absence, Elizabeth. Thank you for your very kind words. They mean a lot of me.

Style Fan

Veteran

Sterling that is disappointing about the EF cropped tops. EF is usually longer. Matching the cardigan and pants give a nice streamlined look. I did that when I was working. It was a softer version of a suit.

Anonymous

I agree, Style Fan! I want a softer silhouette going into 2018. The cardigans work perfectly for me. I am very pleased. YAY Old Navy for providing me reasonably priced cardigans with which to experiment.

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