Toward the end of the Uncluttered Course, I challenge each participant to try an abbreviated version of Project 333.
Project 333, the fashion challenge started by Courtney Carver, invites people to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months— underwear and workout clothes don’t count, but everything else does: jewelry, shoes, outerwear, tops, bottoms, etc. You can find more details on the Project 333 website or read here how it changed my life years ago.
I encourage people to try the experiment because, as Maya Angelou once said, “We need much less than we think we need.” The project helps people realize that truth. Besides, 33 articles of clothing in a closet is more than most people think.
Pamela Mullins is a teacher and piano instructor in North Carolina. Recently, she accepted the Project 333 Fashion Challenge and emailed me a list of her 33 items.
Her son, Eric, is a principal software architect with a mind for mathematics. Pamela decided to include him in the challenge by sending over her list of 33 items and a specific breakdown mentioning which items could be worn together. Based on that information, Eric created a mathematical model to determine how many unique outfits she could wear with the 33 articles of minimalist clothing.
His conclusion? 25,176 unique combinations.
That is 25,176 different outfits from only 33 articles of clothing. To put that into perspective, Pamela could wear a different outfit every day for the next 69 years without ever repeating the exact same combination of clothes.
I found the number almost too unbelievable to be true. So I asked Eric to share how he reached that conclusion. The math looks like this:
First, here is Pamela’s list of 33 items for Project 333:
1. Jean Jacket
2. Black Boyfriend Jacket
3. Long Black Pants
4. Black Capris
5. Jean Pants
6. Dress
7. Black Skirt
8. Pink Print Skirt
9. Denim Shirt
10. Checked Shirt
11. Elephant Shirt
12. White Shirt
13. Cream/Black Print T-shirt
14. Black 3/4 Sleeve Slight V T-Shirt
15. Paisley Blouse
16. Polka Dot Blouse
17. Blue Sweater
18. Black Scarf
19. Floral Scarf in blues, reds, etc.
20. Black and White Scarf
21. Long Necklace
22. Bicycle Necklace
23. Flower Necklace
24. Fake Diamond Earrings (but you would never know the difference)
25. Silver drop Earrings
26. Red music note Earrings
27. Silver Bracelet
28. Silver Bracelet
29. Black Wedges
30. Black Sandals
31. Black Flip-flops
32. Black Close Toe Shoes
33. Purse
Second, Pamela included detailed information about each piece. Here are a few of the examples she provided:
- Four pairs of black shoes, various styles, go with all outfits.
- One dress (#6) can be worn alone, or with the black jacket (#2), and with all jewelry combinations.
- Two black pants (#3 & #4), one black skirt (#7), and one jean pants (#5) can be worn with every piece.
- Jean shirt (#9) can layer with black camisole or t-shirts.
- Jean jacket (#1) cannot be worn with sweater (#17) or dress (#6).
Third, with the information for each item of clothing, Eric built models “for each terminal condition and added them together, approaching the most restrictive terminal models first, broadening the baseline for subsequent models.”
In other words, he took every article of clothing, multiplied out the number of outfit configurations for each, and added them together :
*Never changes: 1 purse, 2 silver bracelets – only one configuration.
*Can go with every configuration: 4 shoes – top level (baseline).
Model Dress: 4 (baseline) x 2 (black jacket or no jacket) x 3 (earrings or none) x 3 (necklaces or none) = 72
Model Pink Floral Skirt: 4 (baseline) x 3 (jacket + sweater + none) x 1 (camisole) x 3 (earrings + none) x 4 (necklace + none) = 144
*Can go with every other configuration: 4 bottoms x 4 shoes x 4 (2 jackets, sweater, none) = 64 new baseline
Model Jean Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 5 (shirt + t-shirts + camisole) x 4 (earrings or none) x 4 (necklaces or none) x 3 (scarves or none) = 15,360
Model White Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 4 (earrings or none) x 3 (2 necklaces or none) x 3 (scarves or none) = 2,304
Model Elephant Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 4 (earrings or none) x 2 (1 necklace or none) = 512
Model Black Checked Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 4 (earrings or none) x 2 (1 necklace or none) = 512
Model Blouses: 64 (baseline) x 2 (blouses) x 4 (earrings or none) x 4 (necklaces or none) = 2,048
Model Black Knit Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 4 (earrings or none) x 3 (scarves or none)= 768
Model Cream Knit Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 3 (2 earrings or none) x 2 (1 necklace or none) x 3 (scarves or none) = 1,152
Model Striped Knit Shirt: 64 (baseline) x 3 (2 earrings or none) x 4 (3 necklace or none) x 3 (scarves or none) = 2,304
72 + 144 + 15,360 + 2,304 + 512 + 512 + 2,048 + 768 + 1,152 + 2,304 = 25,176 Outfit Combinations.
It should be noted that some of the configurations contain very minor changes (with earrings or without earrings, for example). But still, a different outfit combination every day for the next 69 years is pretty unbelievable—and accomplished with only 33 different articles of clothing.
There is a reason Project 333 is such a popular experiment in owning less. Most people who try it discover there are numerous benefits to owning fewer articles of clothing and creating a capsule wardrobe. And many people discover 33 is more than enough—including Pamela who recently wrote this about her experience, “I actually love the simplicity and feel I have more than enough to wear.”
About Joshua Becker
always have to keep my closet full so I don’t BUY more and keep hoping having more storages
I’ve always been quite minimalist, but I was really pleased when I decided to do the 333 challenge to find that I actually only had 26 items of clothing – assuming I don’t count underwear and workout clothes. I’ve even included my belts and watch, which I’m not sure if I should or not.
This is incredibly inspiring and I am pretty sure Courtney Carver is where my wife first got the idea for minimalizing her clothing. There is no way she is down to just 33 items, but I bet I am close. We both cut out quite a bit and ended up donating about 6 big bags of clothing and other things to a local thrift shop last spring.
Living simple means living lighter and it’s the best way to go!
Ok, that just messes with my head! Lol.
My issue with the small wardrobe is that I’m one person and I’m not about to spend the time (or money) doing so much laundry. It cost me $2 to wash a load and I don’t want to waste money doing half loads. If I were doing laundry for a family of 4, things would be different.
I have enough clothes to be able to do full dark and light loads. And plenty of underwear/socks so I always have a clean pair.
Well, I’m just starting to actually plan this, but since I have been mulling the concept over in my mind for the last six years, (since we added our two GKs to our home suddenly). They are now 10 1/2, and 12 years old, and learning to do their own laundry, and developing their own clothing tastes.
We are a household of 4, with their sizes constantly changing, and we live in Pa, which means our seasonal clothing needs are constantly changing. I am also an artist, and color and pattern, and playing with style and accessories makes me happy.
So I am starting out with ONE big modification to the plan; I am starting out with 66 items instead of 33. This helps me in several ways:
1- It lets me commit for a WHOLE YEAR, meaning I am ONE person, (TWO if i can get Hubby to buy in), for whom there are NO seasonal changes; – (with clever choices and layering, I can be warm OR cool, and presentable year round), and I have taken TWO HUGE seasonal task out of my time and brain. My jackets and sweaters will stay out all year, and be in various weights to accommodate seasonal climate variations WITHOUT sorting/changing/moving/storing clothing out of my bedroom.
My ENTIRE WARDROBE will stay in ONE PLACE year round! The only times I will have to think of my clothing are when I am laying out my outfits for the week, or when something get damaged or worn out.
2- It lets me play with Color, Texture, and Pattern, instead of forcing me into so many neutrals. Yes, because I am limiting my wardrobe to 66 items, it pares those color choices down somewhat, but it’s really generous with jewelry and scarves. I upped my accessories, and added heavier/medium weight choices in all categories, and added more layering items such as sweaters and jackets. I added such things as, (6 necklaces instead of 3); (5 jacket instead of 3); (6 sweaters of different weights, dressiness, and colors instead of 3).
I’m not forcing my GKs to do this at this time, but am going to ask my Hubby to help him plan a similar Year-Round wardrobe. We both have a hard time parenting again at 63, so the less complicated caring for our own clothing needs is, the more time we have to keep up with homework, sports, up-coming “Teen Talks”, (and listening), and the better it is for ALL of us! We’ll try to “influence” the GKs by example.
I’ll try to “report back” how this is going for us in the next year…Hopefully this and other laundry handling routines we are starting will make our lives better and simpler.
Love it!! ❤
I think I will need a different 3 dozen clothing pieces. What do you wear when you are outside working in the garden? How about at the barn with your horse? I’m not sure I really see something appropriate for all day kitchen prepping for the next day’s family gathering (does a fun coverage apron count as one of the items? :-). So I’ll work on my version of a minimalist wardrobe a little differently, then.
Same thoughts I had, living on a small farm. Riding boots, barn shoes (we don’t wear in the house), hiking boots, sneakers, bathing suits and cover ups, old jeans, etc are a part of our lifestyle.
I live the idea, but I think it needs to be modified for a person’s particular circumstances.
Nice thought and all…but one needs a pair (or two) of boots, at least where I live. Can’t walk around in winter with flip-flops or even closed-toe shoes.
Absolutely agree. This is definitely unrealistic in some climates. However, some of the items could be swapped out for boots or to keep the numbers down and adjust for seasonal changes. I understand the big picture of what is being said.
I have for years given courses on fashion for different types of enterprises, and fashion stores the 8 pice rule gives you 30 outfits and I do not actually count the accesesories as an item but they are what changes the look.
Everyone can have a formula this one makes 360 looks a year, If you play with a concept and a color scheme each month which is already in your closet, you would have more exciting things to wear.
Still the shoe is key it lets you know if it is formal, casual, sexy etc, and an important pice of jewelry can really transform an outfit, no matter the color.
I work a lot with color blocking and prints over prints, it is a lot of fun. I have a new rule no more black when I shop, I have enough and wear it mostly in winter. As I always say my fashion is not your fashion since my life is not your life, but fashion should always be fun with quality over quantaty.
33 items doesn’t sound like much, but if you pick well, it gives you so many options. Makes taking the leap seem much less scary.
This is such an interesting article, but no one has commented about those weeks and weeks of -20, -30 and beyond … you need more than one sweater and one turtleneck, believe me, and more than one coat. (I refuse to destroy my beautiful wool coat doing chores such as shoveling snow and ice, etc. etc.) I would have to add snow shoes/boots as well as gloves and hats to the list, so it will have to be about 50 pieces for horrible winter areas.
I found something that works wonderfully for me with limited storage space. It will work to identify gaps in your wardrobe, to purge or just to store them. I bought 4 hanging racks off amazon for about $12 each. They roll which is nice. I put outdoor wear on one, nightwear and clothes to wear again on the next. I pulled out all my neutrals, which are usually navy, white and tan, and lastly put my rainbow clothes on one. “They” say even if we have tons of clothes we usually do not have enough basics in neutral colors. If you have overflowing closets, I would get a fifth rack, for clothes to decide upon….get them out of stuffed closets (I have read lately to only have clothes you can see) and make some decisions and move them to neutrals or rainbows or get them gone…keep your favorites…
What works for me is neutral pants, usually tan or navy, mostly white blouses, sometimes navy or an occasional color, and more colorful sweaters on top…
Lands end pants last me forever, as do their polos. For fleece I prefer LL Bean.
If you have enough neutrals that you could wear only them, you have enough (make sure you have outfits for summer and winter funerals and weddings)…then just decorate yourself like a cake if you want with your rainbows.
I have gone through the article for the first time, it’s nice to see. Everyone has their own priority when it comes to clothing. Such a differentiating article, definitely a new experience.
I have been reading about the 333project on several websites, not yet tried it for myself (though I have been paring down with no regrets). The heat of the discussion on neutrals versus colourful and variety and choice limitations of minimalist wardrobes leaves me wondering why we still attach so much importance on clothing and approvement of our choices. Having a minimalist wardrobe or not doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference… 😉
I appreciate the philosophy of the 33 pieces, but I have a practical question. If you constantly wear the same tops and bottoms, don’t they get worn out a lot quicker? (even though I buy better quality clothes, you still put them in the washing machine with a higher frequency, therefore damaging the pieces)
What formula for the 33 pieces? How many tops, bottoms etc. Also pictures of the pieces would be great
Also, what ‘formula’ for the 33 pieces? How many tops, bottoms etc should make up the 33 pieces?
I completely agree with the thought that we actually need less than what we have. A nice article to show how to use things differently
I have been following Project 333 for over two years now. Sometimes I get it down to 33 pieces a season, sometimes not, but I try not to sweat it. I don’t like black (because it doesn’t like me), but I do like grey, and I add other colours like pink and purple. (Link to my summer capsule page is in my address line.)
I have gained tremendous inspiration from your story and from the comments. Here is something that has worked for me in my effort to cultivate a minimal, hassle-free wardrobe. I live in a 4-season yet unpredictable climate on the east coast. I recently decided to wear only my most loved sleeveless and 3/4-sleeve blouses. I have only one long-sleeved, turtle-neck top for the most bitterly-cold days. In the summer I can wear the sleeveless blouses and add a sweater if necessary. Sleeveless blouses can also be worn as shells under jackets the rest of the year. The 3/4-sleeve tops can be worn in spring, fall, and winter and as transitional pieces. I always have thought short-sleeved tees make me look frumpy, so I have only 3 of those for working out. I also have only black or metallic-toned shoes and sandals, which go with everything. The money I have saved on clothes now goes toward a personal trainer so I look better in those sleeveless tops!
LOL..”I recently decided to wear only my most loved sleeveless and 3/4-sleeve blouses.” I do wear pants and skirts with the blouses.
I would like to see pictures of the 33 items. I am a very visual person and I cannot picture this with only names of the items. Any possibility of a followup with the images?
How about a list for Men?
Wow! I am not a math person, but appreciate the theory behind this. Even 1% of this number of outfits (252) would take you several months to wear without repetition. I have about 30 pieces of clothing in my closet, and find it’s enough for everything, all year round. I replace when something needs it, but otherwise no clothes shopping! This article shows why it works in a scientific manner, and I’m blown away. I’ll definitely be sharing this with those who continue to doubt!
I recently traveled to China to visit my Daughter. I was gone for about a month, and anticipated doing everything from dressy dinners to visiting the Panda Research site as well as my 10-year old Grandson’s pool party. I took one suitcase and 16 items of clothing . Janice at the Vivienne Files has templates to facilitate this sort of packing and I used her “4×4” as my core wardrobe. With careful planning I had over 100 outfits…for 26 days. I never felt under-dressed, mis-matched, or that I had scraped the bottom of my suitcase for gleanings to wear. Everything matched and I was comfortable in every situation. I’m hooked! Janice is now working on a total core wardrobe which is what I have also been working on. Now I am ready to apply the same concept to the rest of my house, as well as my life. How freeing! And I can engage in more intentional living than standing in front of my formerly-bulging closet, complaining that I have “nothing to wear”!
I have a few ripped or stained T shirts which I wear under sweatshirts in the winter. I also save one pair of ratty pants for messy projects. I just filled 2 more bags for Goodwill and a bag of art supplies for my grandkids’ art teacher. I find most people have way too much of everything.
I have a lot of clothes and I do like them a lot! Very close to all were given to me, except underwear and footwear. Ready to do some paring down, but not (yet) looking forward to giving things up.
Great post. FYI- There is a great blog called The Vivienne Files, where she
maps out core wardrobes
based on color combinations, a piece of
art, or travel requirements.
It is an awesome blog and
she proves you do not need a lot of clothes to have a great workable wardrobe,
that is anything but boring. :)
Love that site. She does an amazing job of building around a beautiful scarf, for instance. Very inspirational. And lots of color.
Thought I had done a fantastic job of clearing out my closet, but read this article and went to work. Two bags are now sitting in the trunk of my car, waiting to be dropped off at the donation center tomorrow. Got rid of items where I looked “just ok” in the color. I want to look fabulous so only kept those that made me look and feel that way. Now I know that whatever I decide to wear, it will be a good day because I feel that way.
It’s great to have someone’s actual list of clothing. After uncluttering my closet I probably have 60 items total–for year-round. But I would like to pare down a bit more – with the best combination of clothing for me. Thanks for this post!
I am totally fine with a 33 item wardrobe, much less than that, actually. I have a casual lifestyle with a sports-related job, plus my interests are in things I do, not things I wear, so a small wardrobe is easy for me. I think if I had a 9-to-5 office job it would be more difficult, so I do feel for those who are trying to identify their essential 33.
What a brilliant project, definitely inspiring to downsize your wardrobe!
I have been using a 33-item wardrobe for approximately 2 1/2 years and I never feel like I am “going without.” It has enabled me to reduce concerns with excessive shopping, and pay off a lot of debt. When I do shop, I can buy my favorite thing and not feel bad that it is a little bit more expensive. I have more color in my wardrobe now than I ever have had, because it is intentional – I look for a red shirt, for example, to fill in a gap. I am happy to learn that 33 items can lead to so many different combinations! This article was so interesting – thank you for writing it.
I’m in the process of moving from California to Nevada, and discovered some clothes I never wear (and I thought I was fairly minimalist!) Moving is a great motivator for paring down!
Certainly a post to print and study! Our clients have a hard time getting rid of an overabundance of things, however, clothing is one area that most can pare down and feel accomplished about. This week we are posting about a client whose’s closet literally fell off the wall and how she is ready to take heed to less is more advice for her wardrobe. Will be passing this post along!-Laurel
I told Pamela when she originally shared the numbers with me how significant I found them to be. I’ve tried for a long time, with little success, to explain to people how much clothing 33 pieces actually is. The number sounds intimidating at first, for so many people. I think Pamela and Eric have helped show, in a practical sense, how much clothing 33 pieces actually represents—25,000 different outfits is quite significant.
I assume Pamela either lives in a warm climate like Florida or is there ANOTHER 33 piece wardrobe for the cold months? In MD where I reside we can get quite chilly in winter and the above wardrobe would not be enough for a 20F day. Nonetheless, I am learning so much and realizing that I do not need to dress like some doll every day, as long as I am clean and presentable I am not in competition with anyone. Thanks for your minimalism blog.
Pamela lives in North Carolina—as mentioned in the article. Courtney Carver, who originally created the Project, lives in Salt Lake City, UT. Her first time with the experiment had temperatures ranging from 95 degrees to 15 degrees. I went my first time through the experiment during the Fall and Winter of Vermont. I think there are lots of examples of people trying it out during extreme temps—it’s totally doable.
Personally I have downsized my winter wardrobe to a few pieces that layer for warmth. Once we get over the stigma that you can not wear the same item two days in a row, we open to the idea of dressing for purpose. Who really cares if someone wears the same outfits one day after the next. Clean and fresh, focus there.
I just moved into a small home where the closet rail is literally 2 ft long. Works just fine
Absolutely! It’s key to having a small wardrobe not to wash clothes so often. It’s better for the clothes, too. I find that with only clothing I love, I do get attached to an outfit and want to wear it several times a week. This is especially true in cold weather.
While I throughly enjoy this journey I’ve been on for 3 years now, I can’t wrap my head around every single picture of a 33 wardrobe I’ve ever seen. The staples of their closets are generally black and gray and to me convey such a negative energy. Colors are interchange just as simply and easy as black! Look at the amazing array of colors God infuses to a flower garden! To live my life adored in only the neutral blacks grays and browns of all the 33 wardrobe pictures of seen would be depressing beyond words. As an artist I can tell you that very few people actually flatter their God given beauty by wearing black or gray! (PS I’d love to see you, Joshua, is a light chambray blue!) I currently have and am totally comfortable with 50 items in my wardrobe… still minimal by most standards. And it’s filled with color. Does anyone else have a colorful 33 wardrobe? I know there are exceptions to “all” but I’m just curious why every thing I see in reference to a 33 wardrobe is black and gray
Instead of black as a base, I use beige/brown. Then I incorporate color in my tops, jackets/blazers. For example, I have one trench coat – it is bright yellow. I have one wool winter coat – deep purple. My tops are almost all color (I also have no white in my wardrobe). So it can be done😄
I have a winter wool coat that’s a deep, muted purple plaid. I love it!
I don’t know why so many of the 33 wardrobes are so neutral. My wardrobe is predominantly white, black and denim with very little pattern because that is the look that brings out the best in me. I’m small and slender with a small face. If I wear really loud colors or prints then I fade into the background. I don’t want people to see my clothes first then me. I prefer them to see me and THEN notice what I’m wearing. I do wear some reds, greens, purple’s….all with a blue undertone and a deep, bright navy or a Mediterranean blue are also favorites. I get my color fix in shoes, purses and jewelry.
I do! I have colored shirts, colorful patterned leggings, colored dresses and a coral cardigan. I have some solid navy blue items, but only a bare minimum. I also have only yellow, gray, tan and white shoes. Each of my clothing items can be worn with at least 3 other items (except dresses). I own nothing black, as it looks awful on me, and color makes me happy. :-)
I don’t have a small wardrobe yet, but I am also very colorful and creative. Most of my bottoms are black with the exception of 2 – deep teal, and burgundy because they go with the shades I most often wear. My tops are colorful, and I have colorful scarves. My shoes are all black or red/burgundy. Almost everything I have can be worn together since I go for a lot of solids, and the prints have complimentary colors to the shades I wear.
It’s such a personal choice re color. I adore color, decorate with color, appreciate creation and the Creator who gave us color.
But my wardrobe is neutral (except for 1 LL Bean Christmas colored flannel and a turquoise sweatshirt that matches our business colors) and I love it! I don’t add color splashes because it doesn’t feel like “me.”
When I try to add color – even with amazing items – they go to consignment because it doesn’t feel authentic to me and what I love to wear.
So – to each his/her own re: neutral or color.
You can absolutely do a 333 with heaps of color chosen wisely:)
I use black as my “base” color in bottoms (jeans, slacks, skirts, shoes) and lots of colors for interest in tops (tees, blouses, cardigans, jackets). All of my tops go with all of my black bottoms, so I can create lots of items, but I’m never dressed all in black! You could substitute gray, brown, navy, denim, whatever for the black “base,” whatever looks good on you.
Oops! “I can create lots of outfits,” not “items.”
Me too. I actually ended up at this blog post, because I used the search terms: colourful capsule wardrobe.
I love color. I have not counted how many pieces I have yet… after losing 70 lbs I replaced most of my wardrobe and much from thrift stores. I added in grey and some black for pants and shoes. The main color is purple though. All shades. And some blues and pinks, fuchsia, coral, orange in patterns with purple. Really pleased with mixing outfits. Just got back from a trip and I could mix many things and it worked. Before I added in some solid pieces in scarves and tops it was difficult.
I limit myself to 23 hangers and one drawer of lingerie. That totals more than 33 items though I am not much of an accessory wearer except for earrings. And a move into orthopedic shoes has limited my footwear choices nicely. In recent months, I have put together three suitcases for three different trips of at least ten days and not used the same pieces, except lingerie, shoes, Tshirts, or jewelry in any of the three. Combining my hanging clothes with items from a hanging cubbie (jeans, Tshirts, cardigans) yields plenty of colorful variety with only very pleasant decisions to make.
I think this is good but I look at this wardrobe and there is no colour. It is so boring. I love prints and colours. I would like to minimize my wardrobe but I can’t wear black every day of the year.
I started with my first overhaul and took over 100 items out of my wardrobe. I will go thru a second and third time to continue to get it down but I doubt I’ll ever be at just 33 items. But I am inspired and I have stopped buying clothes. I have enough.
There’s no reason you have to wear black every day. Just add some color.
So easy to add color and pattern in scarfs and jewelry! Scarfs don’t have to be our granny’s way of wearing them either. Head band scarfs, tied to a bag or as a wrap all add so much.
I love color too, so to enjoy it in a minimal wardrobe I buy all of my bottom pieces, (pants, skirts, shoes, stockings), in black. My tops are varied in color and pattern to keep it interesting. This way I never worry about a top and bottom clashing, but my wardrobe is not all black.
I do that too, but I use black and navy for bottoms. :-)
I know what you mean exactly. Prints are my favourite and I have them in tops and bottoms. Many of them would totally clash with each other. Also, being interested in clothes doesn’t necessarily mean you are interested in fashion (constant change) but that you love different, prints, textures, fabric-types, weaves, the weight of a garment, how something hangs, folds, drapes, whether it is woven or knitted (criss-cross or looped threads). I don’t shop often (and much of what I own is vintage, second-hand, or just plain old) but I love textiles. Minimalists simply can’t have as much as I’d need. However, we’re all different…. some folk have loads of books instead :o)
I got rid of all black clothes a long time ago, and for the past year have lived out of a small suitcase, but it wasn’t terribly challenging to put together pieces using navy or denim blue as an anchor color, with charcoal grey and other shades of grey. (Full disclosure: I rarely have to wear “office” clothes these days.) Also, treat some colors as if they are neutrals, such as dark teal (I have a dress in this color from Old Navy I wore out this past winter) and olive. I have camel and a sea-blue color that works with navy and grey. White T-shirt, white button shirt. A pareo that can be used as a scarf in a print; some striped shirts; a print or striped skirt. And put things together you wouldn’t ordinarily–not purchasing new clothes forces you to do that, and it’s really a lot more fun. My summer list:
-Olive linen shirtdress
-Dark blue and white print maxi skirt
-Blue chambray skirt
-Navy straight leg pants (work appropriate)
-Blue chambray shirt with tuxedo short pleats
-Skinny jeans
-Blue and white striped button shirt
-Light grey tunic t-shirt
-White t-shirt
-Navy and off-white striped “sailor” t-shirt
-Lightweight camel cardigan
-Orange tunic t-shirt
-Blue, sea-blue, white print pareo/scarf
-Dark red Superga sneakers
-Beige and cream flat sandals
-Black patent leather flats
-Brass ball-drop earrings
-Brass original ring
-Navy blue Swatch watch
-Gold tone navy-based statement necklace
I still need a pair of linen or cotton drawstring pants and have been searching high and low for them. I gave my medium blue pair away last summer.
I’m not even tired of these clothes mainly because I carefully selected each piece. I have a rule that I don’t buy anything unless I can say that I love it.
When I returned home from my travels and dragged a storage bin of clothing into my room, I didn’t actually enjoy having so many more choices. I think I’ll swap out pieces rather than add. Full disclosure: I’ve been working hard for years to reduce my clothing and have made other “capsule” wardrobes previously.
I think it is cool that he did the math behind the 33 items but I think it is also misleading to include adding jewelry (or not) as a new outfit. In general I don’t think people would consider it a “new” outfit just because you are now wearing a bracelet. I would love to see the math redone with the jewelry excluded.
The bottom line though is that you can make a lot from just a little and that’s something that people just don’t take into account. Making a lot out of a lot seems to be the norm…and I look forward to more and more people realizing that they can do with so much less and gain so much more happiness.
Thanks for the article Joshua…it was enlightening as always :)
I have to say I count a new outfit simply by jewelry and shoe changes. Traveling for work that runs into social so often makes this work without lots of packing!
I was thinking the exact same thing!!
I agree with Rachel, this number of 25K+ is disingenuous. Few people would consider it a fully different outfit if you change the just earrings or shoes.
If you re-do the math it is still a lot of outfits =212 and
if you allow adding or changing scarves to make it s different outfit, it goes up to 500.
For those who are already of the minimalist mindset, it may be reassurring, but if you want to try to convince someone and you show them this, they will just see it as more false advertising
Wow! I have also been working on the big de-clutter! The local Goodwill is on my way to work so it’s easy to move the extra stuff out of the house. …have been following the motto, “if I’m not using it, give it to someone who can!”
I have been selling off on EBAY for over 1.5 years now.
I still own too much but it has been paired down by at least over 150 pieces. Unbelievable is how much I had spent on those pieces over the years, but selling off has brought in enough to live on for one full year ;-)
Although I’m just starting an intentional minimalist journey, I realize I’ve been preparing for it for over 50 years. I am a camper and can live in a tent in deep forest for weeks at a time. In South America, for two decades, I saw people who raised five kids in a one-room house with three walls. Those people would have looked at what I fit into 400 sq ft and thought I was a wealthy woman.
I’ve measured off 400 sq ft in my two-bedroom house. My goal is to fit everything I own into that space, and then move into a studio apartment. While weeding out my belongings, one of the first things I did was to limit my wardrobe to black/gray, white, and denim, with punches of color in a few tops and scarves.
I’ve been amazed at how many “extra” clothes I still have, and how easy it is to reach into my closet and whatever combination I pull out, goes together and looks good.
I too have a wardrobe based on black, white, and gray, with a few punches of color from tops, cardigans, and jewelry (I don’t wear scarves). I love how effortless it is to put together an outfit, and I don’t get tired of the many combinations available.
We are moving from a three bdrm house to a two bedroom town house in a retirement community. I have been downsizing for sometime, mostly kitchen stuff and clothing. I have neutral pants and capri pants, (navy, gray, khaki, no dresses or skirts, and several dress pants. Way too many tops yet, am sticking to blues, greens in solids. everything matches. Am not clothes shopping for awhile, staying out of stores. Group homes get most of it and church mission.