In 2000, I moved from a large-ish (950 sq. ft.) apartment to a small-ish one (650 sq. ft.). I had to think hard about everything in the small apartment. In 2004, I moved to New Mexico with what fit in my car (which Neal packed to the hilt, but still, a car is small). Sure, my parents shipped my books, and my girlfriend Cheryl visited me with a duffel bag of clothes and other items I wanted, but almost everything fit in that car! Since I moved back East and have my very own room and several bookshelves that Neal built for me, I've accumulated. I've gotten quick to order a book that looks interesting or to snap up a skein of hand-painted yarn that looks pretty.
And clothes. I love my clothes.
Ultimately, though, I think I'd be happier with less of everything. Right now my office is so cluttered that I can't even work on my desk. It's embarrassing. I've been reading a lot of blogs about simplicity, including the Minimalist Knitter, who has been inspiring me to rethink my approach to crafting, and Courtney's Be More with Less. I arrived at Courtney's blog when The Uniform Project mentioned it. The day I first visited, Courtney had posted about a challenge that is right up my ally:
Project 333. Three months. Thirty-three items.
My list is a work in progress, but with 17 days until the start of the project, it is time to share it in draft form. So, here it goes.
The Basics
1. Little Black Dress from the Uniform Project. I may want to lower the hem to make it more wearable, but this will be versatile for work and holiday parties alike.
2. Graphic print jersey dress. Black, gray, and white. I got this at TJ Maxx over the summer, and I wore it for the first time today. I love the way it looks, and I can wear it with a cardi to change the look.
3. Black slacks from the Gap. I got these 30% off a couple of weeks ago. Great staple.
4. White blouse from the Gap. Bought at 30% off, too. Another great basic piece.
5. Black cardigan. I've had this one for a while.
6. Gray cardigan. This one has some special details like long cuffs with buttons. Looks good with jeans or dressed up.
7. Print blouse. I have to chose from the handful in my closet, but there is a floral one I like more than the others. It is not quite as dressy, so it will work for casual dressing as well as part of a teaching outfit.
8. Gray skirt. A nice a-line that Neal gave me for Christmas last year.
9. Another skirt. Maybe my jean skirt, which can be for work or casual, but I'm not sure. I also have a print skirt that I enjoy wearing, but it doesn't work for casual wear.
10. and 11. Two black tank tops. I wear tanks almost every day, all year round.
12. and 13. Jeans. One pair is dressier and appropriate for teaching. The other pair is my go-to weekend pair.
The Shoes. This is where I fall apart and have to think harder about my choices.
14. BBC Boots. I wore these for the first time yesterday. Cute! Comfy! Good for work or play. Wish they had come in red when I bought them, but I didn't order via Fluevog and got a sweet, sweet deal.
15. Chinoa Boots. Best. Boots. Ever. They go with every single item on my Basics list.
16. Gray Malibrans. Oh, how I long for the orange, but these are just fun enough to make me happy.
17. Pink and Black Pearl Harts. My most comfortable pumps. I'd like these in all black, too. I wear these a lot for a little surprise of color.
I have a pair of baby blue slingbacks that I'd like to keep on the list, but I think I have to replace them with a pair of easy-to-slip-on casual shoes.
Accessories
This is a challenge because I love to pile on my bracelets, which are all steeped in meaning and inspiration for me.
18. Watch. I can't do without my watch at work, especially since none of my classrooms have working clocks, but it is not on the exemption list.
19. Necklace. I wear one necklace almost every day. Neal gave it to me when I lived in New Mexico, and he said the mother of pearl pendant was meant to remind me of the sky over the ocean in New England on a winter's day. Any jewelry he buys from me comes from our talented local jeweler, and whenever I go in to have my wedding ring checked, she is so pleased to see the necklace, too!
20. Clapotis. This is one of my favorite items I've knit, and I can't imagine being without it. I can use it as part of an outfit as well as to keep me warm.
The Stuff I'm Not Sure About
Lucky 13 items left, but here is what is still up for debate.
21. Coat of some sort. I'm thinking my jean jacket as I won't want anything heavier until late November, most likely.
22. Green vest. In case it is colder than I expect during the latter part of the project.
23. Toast. I need something for my hands, and these are my most versatile item, better than a glove unless the temps really fall fast.
24. Those casual shoes I don't own but should.
25. A pair of khakis. I have a pair that need to be hemmed, but I've lost some weight since I bought them on sale at J. Crew this summer, so the fit might be off. Might be good crossover basics.
26. and 27. Long-sleeved v-neck t-shirts in black or maybe a bright color
28. Orange crew neck cabled sweater.
29. A ring? There's one I wear a lot, but maybe I can do without any. BTW, wedding ring doesn't count!
30. Perseverance bracelet. I buy bracelets as rewards and reminders of my big accomplishments. This one could stand in for all the others, at least until 1/1/11.
31. A black turtleneck. The one I loved got too holey (Maddie chewed it as a puppy, and I simply could no longer keep it in good repair), so I'd have to find another to replace it.
32. A bag. I have two black ones between which I'm deciding.
33. Still deciding!
Whew!
So. Why do this? As I typed my list, I found myself telling a little story about a lot of the items. Many of my clothes are not just things to keep me presentable, but they also have different levels of sentimental value. I don't plan to donate all of the clothes that don't make the cut on 10/1, but I do plan to sift through them with a more critical eye. I hope to pare back, to work towards what I've wanted for a long time: a high-quality wardrobe, each item of which is worn often, fits well, and expresses my personality.
Anyone out there want to join us?
