I’ve been using a capsule wardrobe for a while. I’m a creature of habit, wearing some version of the same “uniform” 99% of the time. As a knitter, I am happy for cooler weather so I can incorporate my knits into my capsule!
Normally, this would be the season I start wearing some booties, but when I broke my ankle last November, I acquired some hardware that makes it uncomfortable to wear anything over my ankle bones, soooo I’m skipping booties this season. Plus, heels are not really an option for a few months. I honestly don’t know how athletes just go back in after surgery when going down one step still scares me a little. Might have something to do with the fact that I’m not an athlete. And I’m almost fifty.
I discovered Project 333 a couple of years ago and the idea of it appealed to me. As I found myself wanting to pare down my life and home more and more, I decided to document my seasonal capsules in a more formal way, and here we are.
In a nutshell, Project 333 is the idea that you wear 33 items of clothes, shoes, and accessories for 3 months.
Now, I am a knitter. I have shawls and scarves and hats that I am not counting as my accessories because I love them all and they love me back. Same with jewelry. I used to make jewelry years ago and from all the earrings and necklaces I made I have kept a precious few that I wear regularly, they are smaller and can be worn with almost anything, so I am not choosing from them.
But I have selected 33 pieces of clothing, shoes, and a bag that will be what I wear this autumn.
Most of the items I have here are pieces I already had. My clothes are 99% from Target or Old Navy, or made by me, in the case of some of the sweaters. My one splurge in my wardrobe is my Marcie bag by Chloe. I lusted after this bag for about ten years, and almost two years ago, Steve got it for me as a present. I love this bag. I have no plans of getting any other expensive bags. It goes with everything and is big enough to carry all my stuff and of course, the stuff my husband and kids hand me when we’re out.
Now, much to the dismay of style bloggers, capsule bloggers, French influencers, and mostly, my late mother, I don’t do woven shirts. Any silk or polyester fabric in most button down blouses makes me incredibly warm, and cotton button downs don’t fit my boobs 99% of the time. I much prefer knits like t-shirts and knit tops, which feel more comfortable to me. And white? Not in my lifestyle. So the ubiquitous white button down that you “absolutely must have in your closet” has never made an appearance in mine.
Bottom-wise, I have one pair of jeans and they’re not even skinny.
They’re by Lee, I either wear these or the infamous Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda, which is legendary for a reason, and it’s because it fits us with hips and junk in the trunk.
Other than that, these are the rest of the bottoms I will be wearing for fall.
There is a tan pair that I am debating on. I like the color and it fits well, but it has this very textured slubbed fabric and while it doesn’t irritate my skin, I’m always aware of it when I’m wearing it. It’s on the pictures of the full rack.
For shoes, I got these sneakers and they are not only cute with the animal print but they’re also super comfortable. I love my Rothys, I have them in Navy as well. The cross-strap black shoes are so comfortable and perfect to show off my knit socks.
Should any slightly dressier occasion arise, I have two dresses that have served me well for a couple of years. I can dress them up very easily and they’re super comfortable.
For outerwear I have several options that provide different levels of warmth, including two of my own handknit cardigans. I tend to run warm, so a t-shirt plus a cardi and a scarf or shawl are enough for me, unless we get a cold snap or something.
So, to round up the numbers:
15 tops + 4 bottoms + 2 dresses + 6 outerwear + 1 bag + 3 pairs of shoes (I’m including the white t under the plaid shirt) = 31 items.
I have a couple of items I can add if need be, such a heavier coat or snow boots if it were to snow in November, which is a possibility, to get to the 33 items of the challenge.
I won’t be posting daily outfits but I will be posting outfits I wear during the three months of autumn. I am also keeping the dates fluid – fall starts on September 22 but if there are consistently cooler days before that, then I will start the challenge earlier. Winter is harsh here in Wisconsin, so there are definitely going to be a few different pieces in that challenge, and my long-term goal is to steadily donate or gift items that don’t make it into these challenges.
My wardrobe is made up of such basic pieces (except for my handknits, which are, of course, exceptional ha ha) that I don’t feel like I need to share any links to a specific piece, but if you, dearest reader, have questions about anything, please let me know. The statement necklace was a gift so I don’t know where it’s from.
I am excited to start this challenge and seeing which items become most worn and loved!
