Since starting Project 333 a year ago, I have bought very little clothing. I have loved the idea of a capsule wardrobe for years and read Courtney’s book in late 2019/early 2020. I’ve also been gathering ideas and reading experiences from numerous blogs and Instagram accounts of repeat Project 333ers. The consistent message I found was; it takes time to build a wardrobe you really love. So I’ve been taking that message to heart and really living with what I have. It’s helped me learn what I love and notice what I’m missing.
Take your time
There are lots of reasons to wait when you’re trying to be intentional with your spending and building a capsule wardrobe. Maybe you are changing jobs or working from home more often now. Perhaps you have young kids or in simplifying are changing your style.
One for me, is that I have a 2.5 year old, and with COVID I am not as active as usual. I want to make purchases that will last me for years so I’m hesitant to buy much until I feel I know what will fit for more than the short term. The other reason is, I’m really trying to live with what I have and see what items I think I actually need or want. This has also been a bit of an impossible year to really gauge what kind of clothes I want in my capsule wardrobe, other than sweatpants!
It takes time to build a wardrobe you really love.
Since I’ve started Project 333, I’ve noticed a couple things. One is how much easier it is to let go of clothes that don’t work for me. The other is I’m paying more attention and more curious when I am wearing something.
I’ve started asking more questions:
- What do I like about what I’m wearing?
- How does it feel?
- Does this work for my daily life?
- Am I pulling at them or pulling them up all day? Does the fabric stretch out as I wear them?
- How does the fabric wear?
- Before I buy new; is it sustainably made? What am I supporting?
- Am I comfortable?
- When I go to get dressed, what do I wish I had?
These questions have really helped me shape my purchases. At the same time, they’ve also helped me make do and wait. For instance, this winter I really felt like I’d just love to have an oversized cardigan. Many times when I was getting dressed I thought, yep that’s what I’m missing! I looked and the ones I found, the I loved, were way out of my budget. So I’m waiting. I will find that great cardigan but for now I can make do with the cardigan I have that I feel okay about.
What I’ve bought
These are purchases I’ve made that I’m really pleased with. The companies are all sustainable producers and I love the simplicity, quality and feel of all of them. I realized most of my tops were poor quality, misshapen, well worn and not working for me. So replacing my tops has been at the top of my list.
1. Thought Tops
I have bought two tops, one long and one short sleeved, from Thought, a sustainable brand from the UK. I love, love, love the quality. Such beautiful clothing and incredible customer service. I had bought some pants earlier this year and the sizing was off, they refunded my purchase without asking me to return them! I couldn’t believe it. The material is so soft, wears beautifully and has a nice structure despite them being t-shirts.
2. Boody Top and Pants
I bought one tee and a pair of bamboo pants from Boody. Their clothing is made from bamboo viscose, sustainable and great basics. I love the length of the tee and the weight of the fabric. It’s nice to have a bit of structure, feel more pulled together and not have a white tee that is sheer at all. It has washed very well also. The pants are soft and hold their shape. The waist hasn’t sagged at all, I don’t need to pull them up and I love the colour. Also, although they are ‘lounge’ pants I wear them as pants. With so many dress pants taking on this style and having a casual workplace, when I pair them with structured pieces they work well.
3. Prana Vida Leggings
Black leggings are a staple for me. These are ethically made in Canada using recycled fabrics. I love them, high waisted, not at all see-through and so far washing very well. They stay put, I don’t have to fidget with them or pull them up during the day and very comfortable. These are way better than the lulus I used to own. No piling!
What next?
I know with warmer weather approaching that there will be one or two items on my wish list. One of them is definitely shorts. I wore my maternity shorts last summer and just made do but I would love to be able to replace the linen shorts I used to wear, that no longer fit. Linen is such a great summer fabric, breathable and soft. I’m also contemplating bike shorts, seem like leggings but shorts, no? Toby & Roo inspired me. On the hunt for high waisted and sustainably made. I actually can’t believe the choice so far! High on the list are Girlfriend Collective and Wolven.
Have you found any sustainable brands you love? Have you created a capsule wardrobe? What are your must haves? I’d love to know!
