Question about the 30x30 Challenge - YouLookFab Forum

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Question about the 30x30 Challenge

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was thinking about the analysis you are accumulating in this challenge:

How accurate are the conclusions you are making about your style?

You're choosing wardrobe items based on a set of variables for your lifestyle in January. The weather, time of year, your mood, your daily activities, and how you currently feel about your body play a huge role in these decisions. These variables change during the course of the year, and from year to year.

This brings me to my point. Can you really generalize about what you are learning about your style across these 30 days?

It's an interesting question, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I'm sure you'll have great things to say. (I'm working with a client all day and shan't be able to respond quickly).

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Joyce B

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Good question, and point, Angie. My personal goals are ones I think I can move forward with. One goal of it is thinking about and editing my wardrobe for this time of the year, which is totally just about this time of the year, and it can't wait! Another goal is reconciling my work and casual styles. I sometimes feel "boring" with my work style, and want to change that. I want to actually THINK about what goes right or wrong, instead of downloading a photo 3 weeks later and thinking "eh" but not doing anything about it. I think this can carry forward.

It's about concentrated mindfulness. I won't make decisions based on how pants are feeling on a post-Christmas belly, but I may make decisions about sweaters or shoes that are truly too classic for me.

Mainelady

Veteran

Angie, yours is a great question. I don’t know if I can generalize my learning. I have been so inspired by other forum members and wanted to personalize a challenge to meet my needs. I am really hoping to learn about complimentary new colorways for my changing looks. For 57 years I have had dark hair, so this will be a year of study and learning for me. I suspect mine will be a long range study and the solutions I find may be subject to change. I do hope to be able to identify a few “go to” colors and recreate a work wardrobe that enhances my color instead of making me look washed out. Your suggestion about navy instead of black has proven true for me. I still love my black, but need to discover ways to soften it.
I am interested to read the comments from others. I have learned so much from all of you and will continue to do so.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Elizabeth, that makes sense, and I wish you luck editing your January wardrobe.

Mainelady, it's all new and valuable to you because of your "new hair". I like that you've prioritized colour combinations for the challenge.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m definitely doing this with the long run in mind, as I’m coming up to a big life change (specifics closer to the time, in a few months). I can’t know exactly what my life will be like, but expect more cold, more days out of the house, and more occasions when I’d like to be a little bit dressy. I will probably lose weight and my body will be more lanky, less rounded, as it has been when I’ve lived there in the past.

Right now, Florida’s weather is cooperating with the need to figure out cold-weather outfits (although I still think a scarf would look odd here). That means I can try specific pieces like the kilt. Soon it will be warmer and I’ll be back to pretend winter, wearing boots when I can and thinner sweaters when they don’t vanish. I still think I can learn a lot that will transfer elsewhere. Krishnadoux’s comments on my second outfit completely transformed how I see it. That gives me a little boost now, but the principles she explained can travel with me to other pieces.

For most people doing the challenge, I think the results are easier to apply. It is one twelfth of the year, but the weather and social events are likely to be similar next year. In many places, February and early March aren’t much different than January, except it’s dragged on so long, so having increased the happy quotient by finding outfits and ideas that work will feel really good.

Anonymous

Thank you for asking, Angie!!! I think I can. I learned SO MUCH about my Summer Style during last year's challenge. Although I had been gently told by Forum Members that Summer was my dominant season, I just couldn't accept it until I had to try to dress for Summer wearing the chosen garments. When I found I couldn't do it comfortably, I looked for substitutes in my wardrobe and only then did I realize my buying habits were all wrong for my real climate and life style (at least during the Summer months). I readjusted and have started to build up a really nice and comfortable Summer wardrobe. So it was a Win-Win for me.

Do I expect to learn anything so dramatic this time? No. I am going to thoroughly enjoy the luxury of wearing toppers every single day. I am going to add them and scrimp on bottoms/tops. At least that is the plan. I may discover that I have a heavy emphasis on buying bottoms and in reality I really only need a small number. I may need more variety in tops and toppers. If this is the case, I will adjust my buying plan for 2018.

Oh, and one more thing, since I am not counting accessories, I am making an effort to add jewelry and scarfs. The underlying foundation seems to stay the same, but I have upped my accessory game hoping it will become habit.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Here is what I’ve sorted out over the past couple of days, doing the 30x30...

I don’t like full turtlenecks. I didn’t realize this until we had an 18-degree day this week. I currently have three turtleneck sweaters, and none of them made it into this capsule. I think that I may purge at least one by March. I love the other two sweaters, and may see if it is possible to have a seamstress give them a “turtleneckectomy”.

I am much pickier about sweaters overall, than I realized, and I own maybe ten across multiple seasons. Again... I just realized this! I have a low physical tolerance for wool and cashmere. It isn’t just contact points - sometimes wool or cashmere makes my face itch, even where there is no contact. Angora is totally off the table (and rightly so, it’s very cruel).

(Strangely, I do not have this problem with wool, cashmere, or camel coats, or suiting).

I also realized that having only 30 items is making me decide about closet orphans. I wore one yesterday. I think I might make this a year of 30x30 challenges every month.

Body wise, while I am always working to stay in shape, and have been slooooowly losing weight, I am at peace overall with how I look. Maybe that is more to do with being in my late 40s.

Stylewise, I really liked my outfit yesterday (will post pictures at the end of the week), but I think it was a little too ‘slick’, menswear, and it made me a bit unapproachable. Today I’m dressed warmly while I wait on a film set, and I feel like I am Kindergarten Teacher Chic, which I don’t quite care for. Overly approachable and interruptible. I think I’m going to keep the word “approachable” in mind, especially in combination with what activities I have planned for any given day.

I’m going to look at my pics at the end of this first week, and do some analyzing.

Does this make sense, Angie?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm not participating but I sure love reading about everyone's experience and learning as it helps me too. I'm sort of doing the 30 challenge this month without trying since I have a very small winter wardrobe due to our short cold season so I repeat the same tops and bottoms often due to the warmth factor. If have a feeling if I truly had to choose just 30 items for a summer month I might feel bored, but then again, if I'm choosing only tops and bottoms, that means I could have 15 of each if I wanted. I'd still have to do laundry quite often in summer. I think 21 tops was my own min. summer requirement. I can't remember if shoes count and in summer here that's usually the only third piece (aside from jewelry and handbag)

ETA - You know, it's actually fun having been here on YLF long enough to understand some of these challenges and discussions. I remember way back when I had no idea what RATE was or JFE or HEWI, etc.

Katerina

Veteran

Thanks for the interesting question, Angie. I participate in the challenge and it is the first time I do anything like it, so I suppose expectations, as well as goals and "rules" will get modified during the journey. One of my major long term goals regarding my wardrobe is to use it better. By that I mean use ALL clothes I own in a reasonable rotation. Therefore, one of my rules for the challenge is to create daily outfits during January without repeating any items. As it is now, I own lots of lovely clothes and accessories, but I do not wear them to their full potential. I have some "favourites", which get worn a lot, and others do not get worn almost at all (although I like them too). My goal is to create and document satisfying outfits involving all my clothes and to create a kind of an outfit bank. Then, I will be able to choose from my outfit bank every day what I am going to wear. I know that this cannot be achieved completely, there must be flexibility and spontaneity of course as well. But I hope that a system like this will elevate my style AND make my mornings easier :-). This process will also show me, which wardrobe holes need to be filled and it will make my shopping effective. The January challenge should get me forward, but I will probably have to continue with similar exercises during the whole year to cover the various seasons. Last but not least - it is a great fun and I love the process. I would be very grateful for your feedback on this plan. Is it realistic and wise or silly? Should I reconsider?

Anonymous

No Katerina -- You should not reconsider. I think your plan is exactly on target and I wish you great luck.

Toban

Veteran

Some aspects that I expect to learn through this 30x30 challenge will be specific to winter and not be helpful for the spring season, and other aspects will be more generalizable.

In this first week, I've already learned that my ratio of bottoms/skirts/dresses for winter and the very cold weather is very different than what I wear for three-quarters of the year as I lean towards pants right now, but skirts and dresses for the rest of the year. It has also demonstrated how crucial tall boots are for my winter wardrobe. Unfortunately my tall boots are unwearable as they are too big in the calves. Useful lessons for next fall/winter.

More generally, I think I'll learn how to maximize what I have with variety in accessories and shoes. I'll have to think harder about outfit building. It will give a sense of whether a smallish wardrobe per season feels ok. I gravitate towards the idea of a small wardrobe, but don't know if emotionally it is right. This is a good test.

It is also a real test of the effectiveness of my planning for purchases, which I am trying to be much more mindful, with restrictive palettes, limiting duplicates, etc... Am I doing a good job anticipating my needs? This is crucial when the best items are in the shops long BEFORE I need them.

I'm sure there will be more that I'll learn along the way.

Bonnie

Veteran

I'm not sure what I am going to learn from this Challenge but I think the value for me is going to be using a limited number of items. I usually plan outfits and wear them over and over rather than using the capsule approach. Who knows, maybe I'll learn something about my style by mixing things up in different combinations.

Windchime

Veteran

That's a perceptive question, Angie. For me, it's motivation to pay good attention to outfit building for a limited period of time--one month. I expect to wear many of my favorite January outfits for several months.

Already there has been value. My closet was starting to fill up with a lot of items I was kind of "ho hum" about. By choosing only 30 items for this month, I gave myself permission to put the "ho hums" into temporary storage. It's energizing to open my closet and see a small wardrobe with many items I really love and feel good in. I might continue assembling 30 item capsules (give or take a few numbers) every month this year because I'm enjoying my wardrobe so much again.

SarahD8

Veteran

Really interesting question. I am loving this discussion, thanks Angie.

I do think it is possible to gain general insights from a 30x30 challenge. Certainly I feel that some of my conclusions from the capsule I was working with in December apply more broadly (need to pay more attention to tops, enjoy all-neutral outfits as long as they are mixed neutrals and have color in accessories -- to name just two).

I think it is useful to ask oneself, as observations arise, Is this a general pattern or something specific to the current season/etc.? Some May in fact be specific.

I don't think it's possible to learn *everything* about your style from just one 30x30! I do hope that by doing multiple capsule challenges some more general insights will emerge with repetition.

I notice that in this discussion, a lot of the questions or goals people are articulating are less about style than they are about wardrobe planning. The two topics are closely intertwined of course. But I think there is a difference between "what do I like to wear?" questions and "how much do I need/how often do I want to wear a given pair of pants?" questions. A wardrobe challenge with these artificial constraints on timing/number of items/etc. may be especially helpful in addressing the latter. (Again, not saying it is entirely either/or.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the insights, ladies. Sounds like you're doing the challenge for all sorts of useful reasons - which is fabulous. The most important part is that you have fun along the way. It also keeps your style focused through the doldrums of January. NICE.

Joy

Veteran

Angie, this is an important question to ponder. I have been thinking of my wardrobe in 6 seasons. My deep winter capsule is warm but heavy with black, grey, and dark colors, which for me includes chocolate brown. I also am very heavy on plain fabrics. I would like to identify my needs, if any, for this time of year. Do I need and want to add color, print, texture or are scarves enough to satisfy. Do I feel a need for trousers? Different silhouettes? My holiday winter and cold spring capsules have plenty of color. Will I want to borrow from them in January and February. Will I want saturated colors or murky ones rather than the brights and bling of November/December or midtones and pastels of March/April. Last year we had snow in May. I guess I am saying that I hope to identify my needs for this time of year.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great question and I have enjoyed the responses. I am not doing the challenge but I appreciate the reasons one might do it a lot more having read what participants have said and I will cheer from the sidelines.

Note...I'm not doing it formally...but I may simply add up how many pieces I end up wearing over the month for interest's sake...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great question Angie and very interesting answers. I am not drawn to these challenges and I am not quite sure why - as a matter of fact, I tend to go through phases with my clothes and probably do wear a limited capsule every month or two. Which might be why I don't want to close off the possibility of suddenly grabbing something new. But reading about everyone else's thought process is illuminating.

Lynn

Veteran

I missed your thread when you first posted but would like to reply.

A thread by La Belle Demimondaine helped me to define my wardrobe goals this year. Actually I co-opted hers- “streamlined, joyful, and with a purpose”

I am using the 30 x 30 challenge to help me address these, especially the streamlined and joyful aspects. My goal is to define what is “enough” for me. I recently retired so my wardrobe needs have changed a lot. I want to have a minimal-moderate wardrobe (more to the minimal side) for several reasons. However, I also want to have enough options so that I feel excited and satisfied with my wardrobe. Joy in my clothing is something I haven't given enough thought to in the past, so I will use this challenge to specifically note how I feel in my clothes emotionally and physically.

So the ultimate goal is to have a purposeful wardrobe.

I am using an additive process to build up to my "30" . 30 seems like a good place to start - minimal but with enough options for my lifestyle. Then I will live with that number for another month or so to see how that feels. I plan to repeat this process in spring, summer, and fall.

Hope that helps answer your question. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Here is my thread that details my thoughts and process in more detail

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-challenge

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’ve learned one thing already. I had hoped to do more pattern mixing, but am realizing that I have mostly solid-color tops. I could have figured that out without a challenge, but I never did. It took a focused exercise for me to realize it.

LaPed

Veteran

When I did a 30x30 challenge last summer, the goal was wardrobe-building. I just didn't have much to wear in hot humid weather that wasn't gear, and I wanted to build a capsule that would work well for summer trips and day-to-day. It helped me identify several wardrobe holes -- short-sleeved woven tops, a white topper for dresses, etc -- that I managed to fill later in the summer.

I'm doing something similar now, though I didn't go into it with an explicit goal. I want to minimize my use of denim in deep winter, because I find it too cold, so the capsule I'm building is a denim-lite capsule. Also, it will be interesting to see if I even get up to 30 items this month! I probably have about 60 cold-weather pieces total, so 30 is a pretty significant portion of that. I tend to wear the same things on repeat in the winter, since a lot of it is wool and gets aired instead of laundered, and because my outfits are hidden under a parka so much of the time when I'm out in public. Besides encouraging variety, capsules also encourage me to track wears! Tracking is much more manageable when I'm taking photos regularly and only working with one portion of my wardrobe at a time.

Anonymous

LaP -- That is a brilliant way to build wardrobe capsules. I hadn't thought of it exactly in those terms, but I see the power of an exercise like that.

Joyce B

Veteran

I am reading everyone’s interesting thoughts on the 30 x 30. For me, although I find it interesting, I am not there at this point. What I am trying to do is to make sure I wear every garment and that I make different outfits with the less worn pieces. That way I can see if they do or don’t work for me. A 30 x 30 would be too restrictive for what I need but I am following the threads.