Our Shared Shelf discussion

Hello OSS!

I am challenging YOU to a 30 day, 30 pieces capsule wardrobe event in honor of our Member Selected Book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.


It’s super easy, especially today.

Gather 30 items of clothing from your closet: tops, bottoms, and shoes. (PJs, underwear, gym clothes hats scarves, jackets, bags you get a pass on.) Count again to make sure you have 30 pieces total.

Bag up or place every other item into your closet or out of reach. They are there if you need it but out of the way so you can't easily be tempted to use it.

For the next 30 days, you get creative and make outfits out of those 30 pieces!

Share your experience down below. What was it like to pack up all your clothes? Have you done something similar in the past?

Inspiration:
A big thanks to MeerderWörter for telling me about this

https://emilywrecker.com/blog/2018/3/...

That's a nice challenge.

Actually, I realized I was already doing it. Indeed, I have been using the same 3 pants/trousers, 6-7 T-shirts/underwears/socks and 3 "sweaters", 1 jacket, 1 bag since March 14th. So if I'm not wrong added up it gives around 26-29 pieces.

I can tell that because I did not put my trousers/sweater in my closet in Paris since I unpacked my small luggage.

However, if I take pyjama into account I might go over 30 :(

I think, I'll do it officially for 30 days starting today!

=> https://www.instagram.com/p/B_hf5hUIJwA/

Funny challenge, that is a really good idea.

i read the blurb about the book on goodreads, and i guess i just can't relate. i've never been one for fashion trends, have been chided for wearing 'outdated' clothes and shoes. i have my own style, have had it for a very long time - it's what suits me, my personality, and it's what i feel good wearing.

i'm not trying to sound superior, snarky, or anything else. i watch 'project runway' and enjoy the creativity i see there. i've shopped tj maxx, outlet malls, etc. but always for what i like rather than the fashion du jour. i've long thought that the fashion industry hooks people in by shaming them if they're wearing last season's styles.

i've often made my own clothes, still have some from 20 yrs. ago, and am saving up for a new sewing machine. some of us are still out there, doing our thing. we just might not be seen or heard cuz we aren't at the mall all the time, replenishing our closets with seasonal fashions.

if it's important for someone to be 'fashionable', that's up to them. i had a friend who was always trying to get me to be more so. my daughter has had the same experience. to each their own.

I'm reminded of Marie Kondo's question "does this spark joy?" While I'm packing up my none 30 day stuff.

It really just puts into perspective why do I have this piece of clothing, why do I give it value, and do I really need it.

Super helpful to see all of this stuff and how I can get by without shopping or using all of this. Especially while my budget needs to be reserved for more essential items.

Also... Now that I've parsed through all of my cotten t-shirts or dress shirts that I won't wear or don't necessarily love... I have extra fabric for non medical face masks! Win win!

@Sandra:

Technically, it's a good thing you can't relate :) Making your own clothes... I've always been fascinated by people who are able to do that. I don't know it's a knowledge I really look at with delight, I've tried starting crochet but I fail at practicing... shame on me!

@Annie:

Haha! I like what you are saying! Extra fabric for non medical face masks! A quite pragmatic and insightful perception!

I noticed an important point: washing machine. Let me clarify my words. Currently I'm "lockdown" in Paris and it turns out we have a washing machine in our place but in my apartment (which is not in Paris) I do not have one by choice.
As a result, I go to laundromat once a week, this takes around 1 to 1.5 h. It is ok for me to do that one time per week.
Right now, this challenge is duable for me because of the washing machine ability in the place I am and because I work from home, I don't have to commute.
However, I my apartment I know that this would be quite difficult to hold for several reason:
1) A week of clothe is suitable for 1 washing machine and I would like to maintain my 30 clothes as a routine then I would need to do 2 washing machine per week.

2) Like many people, I communte everyday but I do grocery every other day (walking distance) because I want to limit the use the storage in freezer and refrigerator. I don't have dishwasher and microwave.

3) I prepare my dish on a daily basis. Since I'm vegan for environmental reasons, I take cautious of my consumption and of the balance. I made the choice to buy loose food which implies organization and preparation, but it is ok.

Adding up all of those life choice and the associated constraints I know that I would not be able to have 30 clothes only and I assume I would need an amount around 40-50.

I was wondering whether some of you have faced similar observations. At one point, it's difficult to really optimize and to reduce our carbon/ecological footprints :)

florian,

you point out the specificity of these kinds of challenges in your own situation. there just isn't a 'one way works for everyone' in most anything we do.

good for you for your choices. you do your part for the world in the way you are able. being conscious of our choices goes a long way to making this planet a better place to live!

Florian wrote: "I noticed an important point: washing machine. Let me clarify my words. Currently I'm "lockdown" in Paris and it turns out we have a washing machine in our place but in my apartment (which is not i..."

As atletic wear isn't part of the 30 items you can keep (nor PJs) I assumed wash day would be you in pj bottoms and a tank top.

But I love what you wrote Sandra... There is never truly a one size fits all.

Oooh... I see. I literally took 30 piece of clothes actually 😂

That's true Sandra, as often you have the right words.

Alright! How did everyone do?

I encourage everyone to add a post below answering these prompts:

- What did you think of the challenge?
- Share an anecdote of your experience living with 30 pieces of clothing
- How were you able to incorporate creativity into the challenge?
- What will you take with you now that the challenge is over?

As I mentioned earlier I really counted 30 pieces but literally (except for pairs of socks/shoes).

context
I was being able to keep up until May 22nd. At first I was lockdown in Paris where we have a washing machine. Then France started to unlock progressively and I moved back to the city near I work and there no whasing machine (I have only the essential in my place), I made the choice to not have one and to go the laundromat.

How did it impact me?

Except that, I did not really meet any difficulties, actually it did not really impacted on my daily life probably because I'm some kind of minimalist whenever it comes to material thing (quite the opposite when it's about humans). Of course, I compared to the life style of my country, compared to other regions I could be consider far from being minimalist I suppose.

What did I think of the challenge?

I liked it a lot, I hope we'll have other type of challenges that will question.

Share an anecdote of your experience living with 30 pieces of clothing

I don't really have an anecdote in my mind.

How were you able to incorporate creativity into the challenge?

I did not even think to be creative haha! My mind was focused on how working from home and how to be efficient and keep the mental health of my intern ok.

What will you take with you now that the challenge is over?

No idea, I don't have many clothes, my family is having the same position regarding that and most of my relatives/friends are having similar perception so I don't think I can influence that much my surrounding, at least no on that topic.