What remains

How much of the clothing I purchased while on the project do I still have and wear, and...how much more have I purchased? Accountability time!

Here's the list of everything I purchased as of June 12 (over 2 months ago).

1. Zodiac Vans
2. Tennis ball green lace Vans
3. Black leather leggings
4. White tunic shirt - wore it out 
5. tennis ball green tank + v neck tee
6. Minty blue sweater
7. Minty blue sheer layering long sleeved tee
8. LBD
9. White cigarette pants - too small in the waist, donated them
10. Black cigarette pants
11. Navy blue open weave pullover with hood  got rid of navy items over the remainder of the summer; sold on eBay
12. White knit jacket  too casual overall for direction my style was going in 
13. Black lace jacket
14. Citron fancy pants
15. Citron knit button front shirt  kept, but as loungewear--just wasn't sharp and fresh looking enough for work, slight fit issue in bustline
16. Black knit button front shirt  too small. had to rush to Target to replace it when it repeatedly gapped open during work. 
17. Eileen Fisher black maxi dress (this was an INSANE find at $7.99 at the Goodwill) 
18. Gap chambray shirt dress (another find for $2.25 at the goodwill)  just couldn't make this work. Really, really wanted to, but the cut combined with my body didn't work
19. 3 copies of the same shirt (I count it as one) with a badminton birdie print.from Target. So cute.
20. Geometric tank hi low shirt with spring colors   too small to wear comfortably more than a few times
21. Black stretch pencil skirt (for interviews)
22. Black sweater with chiffon trim from Banana

So, 8 out of 22 items, almost a third of the items I bought. Blush. Well, I'm getting there. 

What did I buy in June/July/August: 

1. White long sleeved tee, sheer with abstract floral/painterly print in black, grey, hot pink, green, blue, etc. --unknown, Goodwill.

2. J. Crew D'Orsay crackle painted flats, white/black

3. Steve Madden mules, black suede *probably headed on eBay, just a tiny bit too small 

4: Gold D'Orsay shoes --some odd brand, eBay *headed to eBay, too large by almost a full size

5: Boyfriend jeans, Gap

6: Heavy silky tencel smock like shirt, dark grey (really for fall) --Gap

7: White seersucker a-line smock shirt (I wear this at least once a week despite its wildly unflattering shape. I feel like a million tax free bux in it) --Ann Taylor 

8: White jeans, flared -Gap, eBay

9: White jeans, cigarette - Gap, eBay

10: Black lace shell -Target 

11: Black and white polka dot cardigan-Target

12: Black and white striped maxi * this was a replacement for another version that bit the dust in August -Design History, eBay

13: Leopard print and black D'Orsay flats --Goodwill, Sam + Libby *might be headed to eBay, slightly too small

14: Black booties (these are a style I've had three pairs of: American Eagle cone heel booties. I will buy these ANYTIME I find them. They are god.) Got them at a Goodwill. 

15: White hi-low short sleeved sweatshirt --Banana 

16: White sheer tuxedo shirt with white sequins-- some off brand, Goodwill 

17: White short sleeved shirt with chiffon trim: second hand from Banana

18: Black-two piece cotton shirt. This is a creation: a wide strap cami edged in cotton lace, cropped at the waist, over which this puff shouldered three quarter length cotton blouse with lace details and pin tucked edges wafts. #NOREGRETS. --odd off brand, from "the country store" in Parker

19: Multi-color leopard print pointed toe skimmers-- second hand store, Nine West

Things I'm resisting but might cave on: 

1: Acid green and lavender Supergas. 

2: White lace pencil skirt 

3: White/acid green striped casual tunic 

4: Various shoes (when will I learn not to buy shoes online? Never?) 

What I'm doing better at: 

• putting things in my shopping cart or "watching" on eBay and then waiting to see if I really like it 
• resisting colors that don't fit into my scheme 
• making sure I put together outfits on the hanger in the closet at the beginning of the week so I have grab and go outfits
• refining my look and making sure I avoid things I KNOW I'll regret
• Phasing out the tie dye and other more "hippie" styles, or putting them in lounge wear, where i can indulge my inner San Franciscan to my hearts' content 

What are my soft spots? 

• For some reason, I have trouble dressing my age. I usually go for either too young (Flying Tomato shirt I'm looking at you!) or too frumpy. I'm getting there, but I'm still drawn to "day pajamas" (much older "college president wearing art jewelry" look) and neon sneakers. Sigh. 
• I can't have enough fancy vans/fancy sneakers. I never would have thought this would be me, but with all the walking I do, they just look so good. Also, I have very small feet for my tall, curvy body and I need shoes with bulk or else I look like an ice cream cone. Not cool. 
• Refusing to accept that my bust line means I can't wear certain stuff. No! NO! NO! 

Project 333 and the evolving wardrobe

When I started Project 333 in March 2015, it was still very much winter. I was able to get through most of April and even some of May with the 33 items, plus a few swap ins and add ins. Then the warm weather hit.

June, July, and August have really challenged me. I've pretty much drifted completely off course from the strict Project 333 ideals. While I still have a small wardrobe and feel a lot of the benefits of the project, the purchasing part is where the wheels fell off.

I spent 2010-2013 in the Philippines, where it's generally between 80-100 degrees F everyday. The clothing look is casual, beachy, feminine, and sexy. Most of my clothing from that era was either hand made for me (and thus very hard to get rid of or put away) or very tourist-y purchases like flowing bright colored skirts, swim coverups, and the like.

My summer wardrobe was very, very skimpy and just didn't work for a new job I took in late July at a much higher salary and a title bump. I wanted to upgrade to a sleek, minimalist look with professional, high quality clothing. My steps:

I had to say goodbye (or repurpose) most of my summer clothing. Wispy, girly, playful clothing got sold, gifted, or made into loungewear/swimwear only.

I used what I learned about my style to curate a new spring/summer wardrobe. Clean lines, abstract, artsy looking clothing, black, white, aqua, hot pink, and lime/neon/citron green with accent of deep teal ONLY.

I had to accept some flops--mostly trendy one-off purchases that I bought on impulse. Still working on that!

I got into Pinterest as a way to "shop" and curate/create looks without spending too much money.

Some winter/early spring pieces made it in, but most did not. My boyfriend jeans are so much of a workhorse I'm considering buying another pair.

Now I have a very workable wardrobe for spring/summer/early fall. We'll see how it works as I transition to fall/winter. :)