Project 333 success stories? - YouLookFab Forum

Glory

I love the idea of it but I am such a sentimental hoarder and that coupled with not being on Team Wear would do me in.

Susie

I like the idea of a limited, functional wardrobe where you love every piece and wear each item frequently. I don't really see the point in limiting it to a particular number.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Well now, that's interesting. This is the first time I've heard of (or remember) Project 333, but I did something similiar when I downsized apartments a few years ago. Didn't take it down to 33 items, but I did only take a capsule with me to the new place and put the rest in storage. I've been slowly fetching things from storage that I really want and donating the left overs.

I really like my closet more that I ever have. Every item seems immensely functional and I can't think of anything that's going to waste.

I will note tho that stuff wears out a lot faster when in heavy rotation. It hasn't saved me any shopping.

12 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

http://theviviennefiles.blogsp.....roject+333
here are a bunch of entries on Janice's blog. She does 333

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think Adelfa is doing a version of this. So is Ingunn (but she is not posting just now) and Jayne has her own version. And I believe we have others here -- I'm afraid I'm just blanking on who, at the moment. (Apologies to those I've probably chatted with about it.)

I have worked out that I do something similar, just not formalized or regimented by a specific number of items. And I switch the items out by season. I have more like between 40-50 items per season, not counting footwear and winter coats or belts, or workout wear/ loungewear. (Some people do include all accessories and even PJs in their count, but for me that would feel too limiting.)

I divide my year into 6 seasons. (Deep winter; early spring; spring/early summer; high summer; early fall; late fall/ early winter.) There is naturally some overlap between my seasons. So some (very few) items are 6 season, some are 4 or 5 season, and many are 2 season, with a smaller number really only working in one season (high summer or deep winter).

This feels about right to me. With this number of items, my need for efficiency and variety are met. I wear everything (barring weird weather conditions that might prevent that) and while I repeat outfits frequently, I am fine with that, during a season. I have quite a range of different capsules (from work at home to dressy) and I feel "covered" for most situations with this amount. With fewer items I think I would feel either bored or unprepared for some of what life throws me.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am increasingly curious about this. I don't think I could ever have an entire wardrobe of 33 items - but could I pick 33 items per quarter (3 months)? I don't know, maybe. Then the 33 capsule would actually be specific to the weather instead of knocking you down to 9 pieces per quarter because you can't wear knee high boots in the height of summer and desperately need them in the dead of winter.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, Rae, that is my idea, too....and I just knocked footwear out of the count. I figured if it becomes more about a specific number of things vs. figuring out an approximate number that is workable then it loses its appeal. I want it to be fun, not fraught. But maybe 40 items per season is way too easy. I'm not sure if it even counts, the way I do it. But that's okay. It works for me.

12 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Isn't the idea to have 33 pieces per season (assuming a season is 3 months)?

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Susie, yes -- I think that is the "pure" version of it. But I make adjustments as required, LOL.

I guess 33 per 3 months would still feel a bit restrictive to me. And my seasons are more like 2 months than 3 because of temperature extremes. Or rather, some of them are 2 and some of them are 4 months, but you get what I am saying. In a 2 month season I need fewer items. In a 4 month season I find I need more.

12 years ago

Gabrielle

Active Member

I practice Project 333. I have been working on it for more than two years now. I can't say I am perfect, rather it is something I aspire to. Given the fact that I live in a three season climate, it works out perfectly.

12 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Suz, I'm laughing at the picture of you matching pajama pants with one of your toppers!

12 years ago

Carole

Veteran

This has really intrigued me but I have yet to put it into action. It seems 33 for a season is doable if it doesn't include shoes/accessories, at least that's how I would approach it. I may be giving this a try in the near future, as we are moving and will be living in a smaller condo for 6 months requiring some big changes in my closet!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a great ballpark figure for those who like a smallish wardrobe.

I am laughing, too, Susie. Maybe I could get away with it, given the recent pajama-look craze.

12 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Hi, I don't do 333 but about 403 and that is just clothes, no shoes, accessories or outwear, basics or gear in that 40. I am more and more happy with this amount and steadily am decreasing it as I get closer and closer to PPP in both my items and my outfits. I don't really want to restrict myself to a number it is just trying to make sure I use what I have regulary, and the better I get at it, the more I see where I have too many things, and adding more just makes it harder to use them all!

Sorry I am not much help but I do track everything in serious detail!

12 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I've read about 333, but until I get more in the groove of what my style is (and isn't), I'm not quite ready to go 33 items per season yet. Right now I'm more focused on what is and isn't being worn in my closet.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I think I am fumbling towards something like Suz's system. It's hard in our climate though -- this morning was 53F, and two weeks ago was 104F and this is right in high summer.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I didn't set out to do 3X33 (you get to pick 33 items for each 3 month season), but I'm right around that number if you include shoes and accessories. It's worked great for me this month because I've hardly left the house, lol! Gear and sleep/lounge wear is not counted.

I was aiming more for the "10 item wardrobe", which only counts core clothing items like tops, bottoms and dresses. Shoes, jackets, cardigans, layering T's, outerwear, gear and sleep/lounge wear and accessories do not count. I have about 20 clothing pieces counting everything (including jackets), Winter and Summer combined, because I use most of them trans seasonally. Most people would need a set of 10 for each of the 4 seasons. I am really liking this approach because it's giving me permission to have a few really nice (read: more expensive) things. I generally wear my favorites over and over anyway, so this way I'm enjoying better quality items instead of having my closet look like a riotous thrift-store explosion.

It all started when I was packing for a trip. I realized how cruddy some of my things were and how I was almost embarrassed to pack them in my suitcase. They didn't look any better at my destination, either. I thought how nice it would be to have just one really good item in each category (trench/jeans/shoes/blazer) to take with me. I haven't arrived yet, but I'm having fun working on it! Since I don't work outside the home, I don't need the sheer amount of clothes that a career woman would need.

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

I used to do a version of 33.3 without shoes, loungewear, sleepwear, gymwear and accessories; also excluding underthings but including layering tops and toppers in cooler months. Worked great when I needed to find my style comfort zone even though I still was dissatisfied many days.

The concept works for me as I find smaller more manageable and love repeating faves. My issues at the time were laundry bottlenecks, the same 'short season' quandary Suz described (dry-ish heat, then pouring warm rain, then humid heat all in one summer), and simply not owning the right pieces at the time (I was also practising SYC until I felt I had a better handle on my style aspirations as I had and still hv a v moderate budget). But these were really functions of my specific situation at the time. It is easier in my current city to do 4 seasons instead of my classical 6. And I have since decided v recently that if exact duplication helps the laundry issue or PPL then the duplicates all count as one item.

Under the circumstances, I have less than 25 items in regular rotation and 42 overall including special occasion 'extras' just now. Current dissatisfactions largely due to the exigencies of early motherhood, including a shortage of shopping opportunities to find just the right item and simply not knowing what I want or need.

Conclusion: v doable for serial repeaters with just the right pieces.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I started working towards this as a way to have fewer clothes. It helped me focus on the wearable. When I had donated everything I didn't wear I realised sticking to a specific number didn't make that much sense to me. It made more sense for me to stop buying make-do pieces & only buy things I loved & that looked great on me. If I only buy what I need & buy the best I can afford my wardrobe stays fairly small.

I love this quote:

“Minimalism is not defined by what is not there but by the rightness of what is

and the richness with which this is experienced.” John Pawson

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Caro!! Still my beating heart. That quote is BRILLIANT!!!

That is exactly what I feel.

Moni, I also adore your idea to count duplicate essentials as ONE. Very, very sensible. So...for some, that might be a white layering T. For others, it might be a great pair of jeans.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

Would near duplicates count as dupes? I don't like to have exact items. But I do get items with different details but hold same place in my capsules. Grey skinnies and pewter coated skinnies essentially fit the same outfits.

12 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Interesting. My wardrobe item count is at 150 (not counting jewelry, scarves, nightwear, gear or underthings). If I really had to, I could definitely live with just 100 items. So if I pretend I live in a 3-season climate, that would be 3x33.

I actually do have sufficient clothing that I could dress myself for a week in any climate, except say, the Arctic where one would need specialized gear.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I like the idea but I am mathematically challenged and counting and working to a number is not for me.

Caro, that quote is golden!

12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

I have been doing the 33 thing for four seasons. I love it. I got the idea from Janice (theviviennefiles) and I do it the way she does, in that lots of stuff doesn't count: layering pieces, outerwear, gym wear, sleep wear, lingerie, scarves, shoes, bags, belts, jewelry....

What does count is anything I wear regularly for work or smart casual. So nice jeans are in the 33, but the Costco skort that I walk the dog in is not. Right now I don't count tees, but if I ever started buying designer tees (instead of Old Navy and Target) then I would.

I keep it all on a spreadsheet. I should admit I adore spreadsheets and working on one is a form of deep relaxation for me.

I find that 33 is more than enough items for a season. Right now I am at 29 for the summer.

I do my chart, then look at it a month or two later and take out stuff I'm not wearing and add in new purchases.

I am happiest this way and am looking forward to being able to get by with even fewer items. One disadvantage is that y'all see all of my clothes pretty quickly and there's nothing left to post for WIW!!!

One interesting thing is I started to keep lists of the "don't count" things such as bags, shoes, and scarves. Soon I was winnowing those down too. It's just more restful for me to know what works and to not have other things around.

I keep stressing that this is what makes *me* happy. I think it's very much a personality thing whether a 33 regime would be a good thing for any given person.

But Brenda, count me as a success story!

12 years ago

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