Thursday 23 January 2014

Project 333

 
 
I've been doing Project 333 for over a year now and I have to say it's the best thing I ever picked up on here in Blogland.  This is my final assortment for this fourth round which should see me from January through to the end of March.
 
(Link to original post way back in December 2012 HERE.)
 
 
I usually start with my outer waterproof jacket, a necessity when you have dogs ...

 
... and then pick a few really seasonal items, in the case of Winter a couple of jumpers.

 
I couldn't resist this one, I must wear it at least two or three times a week.

 
I try and pick a smarter cardigan in case we go out in the evenings.
 
 
And of course there's the little extras that you really can't do without, gloves ...
 

... a scarf, my watch and my necklace of choice for this round of P333.
 
 
Of course there's always my bag to count too!!
 
I've reverted to my across the body bag for the moment, makes life much easier when you have three doggies walking on leads to control, and it stops me carrying too much junk around with me too.
 
 
I did a collage thingy of all my clothes but I'm sure the programme for it has upset my computer so I've deleted it pretty sharpish, I did get chance to print and scan the finished article before I did though.  I don't know if you will be able to see all the things that are on it, but it's a good record for me of this my fourth selection of clothes for Project 333.  (If you click on it you will be able to have a closer look.)
 
I've stuck the original in my diary ... do you stick things in your diary, it's my obsession ... by the end of the year my A4 desk diary is always soooo fat, but very interesting, and a real record of the year !!
 
 
 
I'm trying to have a year of NOT buying any clothes this year.  My last clothing purchase was this lovely fleecy top from Asda just before Christmas, it's gloriously cosy and I look and feel like a teddy bear in it!!
 
Hopefully I have enough t shirts and lighter weight things packed in a suitcase under the bed to see me right through Summer and I also have some summer shoes packed away after last year so that should help in my no spend effort. 
 
How many items of clothing do you have in your wardrobe?
 
Sue xx
 

25 comments:

  1. Brilliant - I will join in that one. I find it so liberating to have less choice when it comes to clothes and discovered when doing my Bus Pass Boots and Backpack trips that having less was so much easier. However I think stuff breeds in the wardrobe and drawers so maybe it's time for a challenge like this one!

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  2. Not sure I can manage this one AND the 52 Projects challenge - but I admire your determination and the way you have carried it through.
    No I do not stick things in my diary- I write notes in my filofax, and thsi year I have an exercise book by my pc in which I am putting everything else!
    great post xx

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  3. My kids go back to school next week and I will be de-cluttering my house....it is driving me crazy and I actually love my stuff. Everywhere I look there is piles of things but only a few more days to go and I can start onto this huge project. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  4. How I cant believe its been a year! I remember when you started it. I too am challenging myself to buy no new clothes this year, but I will use my sewing skills and fabric stash to replace anything and to make myself something new. But I have limited my space to a double wardrobe and no more x

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  5. On the subject of clothes, I have to say that I was rather shocked to see that the university guide to budgeting that DD17 has been sent from Aberdeen recommends that she set aside £400 a year for clothes!! I soon told her that she would be revising that figure Downwards in her personal budget. Thanks for such a good post and for keeping up with the project.

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    1. WHAT!? Mind you, I live 30 miles away from Aberdeen and it's blooming cold so maybe they're budgeting for buying extra warm clothing if you aren't local! We moved up here from Lincolnshire and had to invest in warm PJs, vests, winter duvets, sweaters, hats, gloves, thick socks, warm and waterproof jackets etc because the climate was so different. But £400 for one person, is that per year?

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    2. My experience with those is that they are good for accommodation costs, good for cost of meals in hall, and everything else has to be divided by at least 2. And if you're capable of pouring yourself a bowl of cereal and making yourself a sarnie a couple of days a week, the food budget can be cut dramatically as well... Spending on clothes can be a bit higher in the first year, especially if a lot of what you have is either school uniform or "at home" scruffy clothes or if, as Sue says, you need a lot of warmer things.

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  6. Wow Sue, I managed to miss this before, but you've really got me thinking this morning. In a way I think I've been getting towards this anyway, paring down make-up, clothes and accessories, but I love the idea and I'll have a go at being more deliberate about it. When I went on my little flying trip in the summer, I managed to have everything in one large shoulder bag - it was immensely liberating - and easy to carry! Less is more - brilliant.

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  7. I know I still have much too much, but I do try to cull clothes that look start looking worn or stained as soon as I notice it. I have a neighbor who gets bags and bags of cast off clothes from a client, and she lets me go through to find things that fit. I think the only clothing items purchased new in the last several years has been a couple pairs of jeans and some evening dresses for a cruise we took in December. But I only spent about US $20.00 for 4 dresses at a thrift store half off day! I just can't see myself purchasing clothing items at full retail price any more, ever.

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  8. You do have an awful lot of projects. I love your pug sweater, I want a pug but Mike doesn't want a dog in the house as he would feel to tied down with regards to holidays. He might come home to a surprise one day.

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  9. I have far too many clothes but that's because my sister and a friend gave me lots of unwanted clothes and I still have a fear of falling on hard times, so I hang on to things. Also, because I work outside a lot and get dirty, I don't have a lot of smart items (really just one outfit).

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  10. I think this is a great idea and admire how well you have done with it. I am working towards this goal - albeit slowly! I cleared out my husband's drawers the other day - he had 60 T shirts!!!!!!!! Certainly no more will be required for a VERY LONG time. I managed to get rid of about 10 that had gone in the neck, but he needed some convincing. I have been clearing out mine stuff as well and so far have four charity bags full in our hall way. How DO we accumulate so much stuff I wonder? I think mine is because I very rarely buy new - almost all are from charity shops so you think that it isn't costing much, but over time it surely adds up.

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  11. I'm impressed!! I really must get my clothes sorted out. I have far too many plus I have a lot of stuff for refashioning and making from scratch. Think I need to do a blog post on it soon!!

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  12. - still far too many clothes in our wardrobe, despite having only a single one to share with hubby. Of course we do have 'lockers' in the 'van but they too are crammed full - oops!! Can I claim that I need more clothes because I am currently working in an office??? I really will have to pick up on this challenge (as uncomfortable as it will be) because we, more than most need to KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! I have been reading about you doing this challenge from the start and it always pricks my conscience; not sure I can avoid it for much longer.

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  13. I recently persuaded my husband to part with a dressing gown he'd had longer than he'd had me (50 years). It's now a dog blanket!

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  14. I have one blouse, one silky evening jacket 6 dresses & 2 cardigans. I was ruthless after I was ill & now have only these few itams.

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  15. You have made me think about a different way to tackle sorting out my clothes. I really like the idea of choosing a selection to take you through the next few months. I am slowly working my way through my wardrobe and I have also decided that I just don't need to buy any new clothes this year - I may relax this rule at car boot sales but I buy far too many from charity shops when I am browsing in my lunch hour and that's definitely not allowed.

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  16. Okay, I just had to get up and count - and the answer is 40. This is over all seasons, from shorts to the winter coat - but does not include underpinnings, hosiery, swimwear, shoes, handbags or the dressing gown ;o) And looking through it, there's stuff that's not been worn for a while, which might well end up going if it's not earning its keep !

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  17. I loved this post Sue, I have way too many clothes, sorry to say I keep items that are the wrong size in the hope that I will again fit into them, I must be ruthless. You are a great inspiration.
    I look forward to your other blog 365 days also, thank you.
    Pam in Texas.xx

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  18. Oh I am off to read this, as I have too many clothes. I have tried to declutter this january, but could do with more.

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  19. Well I'm not sure how many I do have these days but I switch out my clothes as well and just have the current requirements in the wardrobe, makes life so much easier!

    As I don't have lots of clothes though and I am going on holidays to Paris/London in June, I have put aside a selection of items that I will be able to take away with me, so they are just tucked away at one end of the wardrobe. I don't want to wear them out before I go :)

    xx

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  20. I have 27 core items, but I am looking to add a few more this year! I did a year of not buying clothes in 2009 and it totally changed the way I felt about clothes.
    Good luck with your challenge Sue x

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  21. I updated my wardrobe before Xmas with some sale items. I like the idea of a capsule wardrobe so I am working towards that. I need smart clothes for work (4 days a week), smart casual for the weekend, one or two for best for going out and a heap of very casual gardening clothes. You seem to have your challenge well in hand.

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  22. Project 333 has really helped me to see what I wear and what I need in my wardrobe, but confess to not reviewing my wardrobe at the start of the year as my Autumn clothes are what I intend to see me through to Spring.

    Have you ever tried Picmonkey for photos? It's web based so nothing to install and you can do lots of things with the free version, including making collages. No need to sign up and provide personal information either. Sx

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  23. I have too many articles of clothing in my closet and try to limit my buying and made a deal with myself. Every time I buy something new I have to donate at least one piece of clothing to charity.

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