Project 333 in crazy weather - how do you do it? - YouLookFab Forum

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Project 333 in crazy weather - how do you do it?

Sisi

Veteran

Good morning dear Fabbers! Today I am going to ask you some advice. Since one year or so I am trying to follow Project 333, which I find a very interesting challenge (and, as usual, I have to thank YLF for discovering it). The results go up and down. I noticed that when the weather is consistent I am able to stick to 30-something pieces of clothing per season. But in Spring everything goes to hell - in crazy weather you need a lot of different pieces of clothing, from woolen pullovers to short-sleeve tees, from booties to sandals. At the end of the season you have used a ton of clothes.

Are there Fabbers who follow P333? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sisi

Anonymous

I followed Project 333 years ago (at least five or more years ago). I loved the simplicity of it. I adhered to the original rules (33 items, including all accessories). When I discovered that others re-interpreted it to mean 33 items of clothing (accessories not included), there was no challenge and I lost interest.

Despite the fact that I lost interest, it was a fun and worth while project. I don't want to discourage you in any way. I think I did Project 333 during my dominant seasons (Summer and Winter) so I did not face the challenges you describe. I'm sorry I have no advice.

harmonica

Veteran

Interesting question. Our spring is crazy, too. I'll be following this thread.

LaPed

Veteran

We're having crazy transitional weather and I've been living with a pretty small backpack-sized capsule (traveling to visit family, and rehearsing for a show two hours away from my house). I think dressing for this sort of weather really comes down to form over function. I love my merino tees from Icebreaker and Ibex, because they can be worn in a wide range of temperatures and they layer very well. I like merino skirts and dresses too, because they can be either cozy or breezy depending on how you layer them.

Cropped pants are a real boon for me this time of year, because they are warmer than skirts or shorts, while still feeling more spring-y than just wearing long pants all the time.

My MVP toppers right now are a black cotton cardigan and a black merino hoodie. When it's too cool for the cardi, the hoodie is perfect. They are both cropped/boxy enough to work with wide leg crops, but look good with straight leg pants as well. And they pack well and don't wrinkle.

Angie's pants-under dress trick is great, too, and can get you a lot of mileage out of fewer garments. (I'll admit I prefer wearing leggings under dresses and tunics, because jeans and any trousers with a fly just feel too bulky underneath dresses for me, but I still love the look.)

Shoes-wise, I'm sticking to closed-toe -- it's too cold and wet still for sandals to be comfortable/versatile. Sneakers, ankle boots... and I'm really loving my Allbirds Loungers (can you tell I'm merino-obsessed?) as an easy sock-free but still warm enough option, bonus that they're ridiculously comfortable and look reasonably good with just about everything.

Here's my actual wardrobe that I'm using right now, which is just under 30 items, or just over, if you count underpinnings):

olive green chinos
black 501s
rust wide cropped pants
blue wide cropped pants
black cropped leggings

black jersey skirt
eggplant merino dress

striped merino tee (navy/lavender)
blue St John breton top

grey merino tank top
black/white cotton breton top
white cotton tee
black cotton tank top

navy linen blazer
black cardigan
black merino hoodie
black down vest (lightweight)
turquoise rainshell (patagonia city trench)

navy allbirds loungers
navy xero sneakers
burgundy chukka boots

silk scarf
linen scarf
sunhat
wool beanie
sunglasses
necklace

underpinnings: merino ankle socks, merino bralettes, merino briefs

HTH!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't follow 333—partly because I live in a climate of extremes and it feels too constraining to me, particularly in the transitional seasons, for exactly the reason you describe.

One way of approaching it might be to layer Heat Tech or similar under your chosen items in the colder weather to make it work (not counting those as clothing "items.")

Or another way would be to add extra "seasons" to your rotation. What I mean is this -- instead of making a season = 3 months, accept that your own climate is iffy and make the spring season 6 weeks plus 6 weeks (e.g. cold spring, warm spring), including one or two options for warm weather within "cold spring" and one or two options for colder weather within "warm spring" but keeping the balance towards whichever weather is dominant during that period. I did something like this at one point (without the limitation on 33 items, which is pretty much what my seasonal wardrobe is for each 3 month period anyway; I might be closer to 40 per season but it's around there.)

Chris987

Veteran

I am not familiar with Project 333, but i AM interested in your comments about merino items, La P. Maybe a little off topic for this posting. Historically I've always thought of merino wool for heavier sweaters and socks, and that's it. I do find it softer against the skin than cashmere. I bought one merino crewneck pullover late last winter as a layering piece and love it. I'm thinking merino could provide warmth without bulk. You've inspired me to look for some other pieces next fall. Back to the 333 discussion .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

More threadjack -- Chris, the thin merino is lovely (though it can wear out/ get holes quite easily at times and need to wash with care). I wear a lot of merino in transitional seasons also.

I do think the wardrobe LaP describes sounds fabulous -- but works primarily for a casual lifestyle. It gets harder to manage this stuff in transitional weather when a person has to meet dress standards for an office or a fashionable urban environment. Merino can still be a brilliant choice, though, in that circumstance, if you can find the right items. Silk is another fabric that works for this.

LaPed

Veteran

Suz -- If I needed a dressier option, I would swap out one of the breton tops for my silk long-sleeve blouse, switch one of the wide leg crops to black sateen ankle pants, and replace the chukka boots with black oxfords or pewter mary-janes, depending on the context/event. And I'd probably throw in a more statement-y necklace than the one I usually wear. I don't own any truly dressy toppers, or I'd swap one of those as well. That's an environmental thing, though -- in VT and NH the answer to "Can I wear flannel?" is always yes. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a local wearing, say, a classic trench.

Chris -- Re: merino for everyday wear, one of my favourite dress-up-or-down tops is this one: http://shop.ibex.com/merino-wo.....ck#clr8961 It’s a midweight merino jersey, good for all but true summer weather. I usually can’t wear cowl necks at all, but this one is so well-designed and flattering. It also comes in some cool florals, which are on super sale right now: http://shop.ibex.com/merino-wo.....-p#clr3562 Ibex does really high-quality "performance" fabrics but in a lot of not-overtly-gear stylings. Perfect for travel. Or life in northern New England.

Anonymous

I want to give a shout out to LaP. WOW. Your list is so well thought out. You are my heroine.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Re: layering. My mom introduced me to this French brand Bernard Solfin. They make thin camis and tops to be worn under your clothes that they call "Vêtements seconde peau" (second skin clothes). The best mix is "laine et soie" (wool and silk, 70% and 30% respectively). I have long sleeves tops in black and creme, and it has literally completely changed my winter and spring wardrobes, as I can now mix more pieces together. Some models have a more open neckline, allowing for open collars on blouses and shirts. Some others have more of a rounded crew neck. I have re-discovered thin floaty blouses and sleeveless tops thanks to them.

BUT they are costly as it gets ordering them (in Canada, customs + shipping + taxes = lots of $$$). There might be another North American brand using the warm, soft, thin wool & silk combination.

Anonymous

Was going to suggest the heat tech solution + thin merino, which can be used all winter through spring.

The tricky part is migrating from cold spring to warm spring (aka, summer) and for that I really have no solution other than increasing the size of your wardrobe!

I am a bit of a minimalist in terms of quantity of clothes (but I purge a lot!) and I increase the size of my wardrobe at this time of year. I keep the thin merino on hand (that works in spring) but put away thick sweaters and puffers. Those are really the only two categories that can be put away though!

I think 333 is a fun way to force yourself to be happy with the things you have.

My problem is not quantity of items but rather purging quite a lot and not being happy with the things I buy. The solution for me is to stick to a yearly budget and if I do purge a lot, well, it was in my budget so it's ok.

tulle

Veteran

I don't know much about the 333 thing, and tend to get anxious when restricted (even when I'm restricting myself) so when it comes to rollercoaster weather in transitional seasons, my method is just to suffer through it. I've been pulling out warm-weather things for the occasional high-temp days, while keeping my heavy denim and cozy sweaters handy. For me, a temporarily overstuffed closet and sweater box is annoying but bearable, and as soon as the hot weather locks in, I put everything woolly or heavy away for the Summer.

The Cat

Veteran

I don't do Project 333, but living in a climate with four very different seasons and travelling most weekends, I am familiar with the challenges of crazy weather. My solution is dressing in (thin) layers.

We recently had a period with summer temperatures, so I stored away my warmest items and enjoyed wearing summer clothes and sandals. At present, however, temperatures are lower. I happily wear my summer clothes anyway, but add one or more of the following items if needed:
- camisole or tank top
- closed toe shoes
- hosiery
- scarf or shawl
- cardigan
- raincoat
When leaving the house, I will often bring an umbrella as well as sunglasses.

Sisi

Veteran

A lot of wisdom, as always.

Sterling - I agree that P333 is worthwhile and even fun.

Harmonica - you have a beautiful and functional wardrobe, you need not to change a thing !

La Pedestrienne - thank you for your detailed answer! Your list of items is inspirational. Few thing but that work well together.

Suz - the solution you suggest is brilliant! You smart girl. I should just make peace with the idea that Spring is not one season, but four seasons in one and there is not much that one can do about it. Me too, I found out that my usual number of clothes per season was approximately 40 (before P333). One would think that going from 40-something to 33 would be easy but no! It's like those stubborn few kilograms that one never manages to lose before reaching the ideal weight! (Not my direct experience but I I know from a dear friend).

Chris987 and Smittie - merino is my favorite wool! But strangely it is very difficult to find. It seems that cashmere dominates the market (I don't like cashmere - I know, I am weird). A couple months ago, at the beginning of Spring that is, I spotted a merino pullover on sale in the men dept. of my local mall and I pounced on it! Useless to say it's been an excellent purchase and I have worn it a lot.

Krishnidoux - I know, the wool/silk blend is wonderful! But like merino it's a very rare thing. Thank you for the link, I will check if they sell this brand in Italy.

Tulle - I do the same in Spring - I keep everything at hand. Pullovers and tees, boots and sandals ... A big mess.

The Cat - hehe, I do the same as you, I often leave the house taking along "contradictory" items of clothing: a warm cardi and a lightweight tee, if I am wearing booties than I take along ballet flats or sandals and viceversa ...

Thank you all for your kind comments!

Meredith

Veteran

I don't do Project 333, but do make a core capsule for each season that consists of a similar number of items. I agree with Suz. Split spring into two seasons if you want to stay true to the project guidelines or include mini capsules of transitional pieces to boost your spring capsule. For example, include for cool spring: long white pants, light footwear, and bright jacket sweater, scarf. And for warm spring: Dress, sandals, lightweight cotton knit top. Transitional dressing is so hard!

Sisi

Veteran

Meredith - you seem to do something very similar to P333 anyway. Thank you for your suggestions!

Lisa

Veteran

I don't follow an exact 333 but I often find that my capsule wardrobe's on my blog end up around 33 items. I'm a big fan of layers, so I always include pieces I can layer in my capsule wardrobes. Also thin weight items that add extra warmth (such as tank tops in warmer months and Uniqlo thermals in colder months) but not extra bulk, are often a part of my wardrobe and really help when the temperatures won't settle down.

Sisi

Veteran

Lisa - it's interesting that you have been able to create a moderate and functional wardrobe without following any rule. By the way I like your outfits!

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm not doing the project- In fact keep struggling toward a more all- in closet- but also experienced very changeable weather this spring.
If I were limiting items for a wide range of temps/ weather, I would think about breadth, not depth. So, not 5-6 shortsleeves like you might have in summer capsule, but 1-2. One pullover , one cardi, blouse- and these should layer. For shoes, one bootie, one loafer, one sandal. This is just an example/ concept. In addition, I also would use specific undergarments for warmth. I wear tights with skirt and also under trousers. I wear nude hose under crops for the cold a/c. Heat tech T's, or could use regular T, but I like the smoother lowneck fit under a blouse or sweater. Then use scarves and jewelry to look different. So this way you would have the right outfit for a range of weather, but would not have a huge variety for any one type of weather day.

The Cat

Veteran

I have a colleague who easily gets cold and is known to wear rather wintery looking clothes even in summer. (Admittedly, Scandinavian summers CAN be chilly.) However, she recently told me excitedly: "I have found out how to wear my summer clothes! I can just wear them over my other clothes!"

Sisi

Veteran

unfrumped, thank you - I try to keep the number of clothes minimal but somehow I manage to pull out of the closet all what I have!

The Cat - hehe, funny colleague!

Well, now comes Summer - easy season!