I set up my collapsible clothing rack (this very portable baby), and started pulling garments out of the closet, and onto the rack, in order to isolate the 33 that are going to be my wardrobe for the first three months of 2013. 
My priorities:
1. My favorite stuff must be here!
2. It could get cold… (I say this after being able to sleep with the window open most of this week)
3. I’ve got to look appropriate for work, probably a serious meeting or two, and my leisure time.
Here we go!
Oh, my closet desperately need this… I desperately need this! I do believe you may have motivated me!!!
Are you limiting accessories? I am waiting for the next post. Thanks for posting this now,it gives me time over the holidays to put this plan in action.
Karen xoxo's
No accessory limit! Accessory are long-term purchases – jewelry and scarves are lifetime buys, usually, and shoes have at least a 10-year life in my world. (okay, not athletic shoes, nor espadrilles…) My accessories are how I get the most mileage and variety out of what I wear.
I am so jealous that you can wear long-sleeves. With my 'power surges' I have to dress in layers daily or fry! All my tops are short or 3/4 sleeves with jackets.
Love your posts! Your ideas will form the foundation of my 23yo new, more conservative wardrobe now that she is maturing in her tastes (yay!) Thanks to your guidance, we are confident we will invest our wardrobe dollars wisely.
Meh – I just shimmer through my power surges. I view them as a cosmic phenomenon, bringing me closer to enlightenment… (and if you believe THAT…)
Shimmer? I wish I just shimmered — I soak!
Love overhearing your wardrobe-making process, Janice. Thanks so much for this. (My own wardrobe talk to self is usually about what I can still squeeze into this year, what camouflages or slenderizes best. Clearly, the first step of efficient, stylish wardrobe-making from my closet for the new year needs to be going to the gym!)
This is my favorite of your posts so far. Would love to see the accessories add-ons.
Oh, they'll be here. I think when I start this regime, I'm going to do a "once a week" post that shows the outfits that I wear, with accessories… If that's something people would want to see!
I would!
Oh yes please!!!! judy
I'm up for that. It's nice to see how theory translates into practice.
I'm interested too!
Would love to see that!
TOTALLY, MAJOR-LEAGUE INTERESTED!
Me too!!!
Great post! I enjoy seeing your process. Would love to see the weekly posts of how you wore your items. I am on a weight loss journey(60 pounds total) and am planning on using all these strategies once I get to my goal. I am going to try and make it with as few items as possible until I get there! Your ideas help a lot! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your thought process. I would be interested to know (if you are willing to share) approximately how many pieces of clothing total you own, or at the very least what goal you have. I ask because I notice that you have repeated a few items from your last 333 but added in new things. One of the ideas I am toying with is having seasonal capsules. I think I could satisfy my love of different colors if I could focus each season on different accent colors within the muted color palette suitable for my skintone. I had planned on having pieces that would lap over some seasons. For example, my navy suit could be used in spring with green and lavender accents instead of the purple/berry/burgundy pieces from winter. However, I realize that this could quickly get out of hand and result in an overstuffed closet if I did not focus. I love the idea of limiting the pieces in my closet but struggle with color limitation and clothing that remains appropriate for both the 100 degree Texas summer heat for days on end and the cooler winter weather.
Five skirts? Five? I see that I own – yes, OWN – zero skirts! Seriously. There is not one in my closet. Guess I know now where to spend a bit of time shopping. In defense … I work from home and would only wear one out to a party or for something "fancy".
Therwise, I shall take some time over the holidays to see what I can do… thanks so much!!
Well, if you don't wear skirts very often, there no reason to have them. I work in an office, I live 2 blocks from my work, and I find that layering up tights, boots, and a lined skirt is warmer than just pants, plus I don't have to worry about my hem getting soggy in the slush.
This is a pretty ideal wardrobe for me, but your mileage may vary.
I think I own three skirts, but I'm just fooling myself with them — I almost never wear them. I occasionally wear dresses, but mostly for parties and events. I wish they made tights with wider waistbands, I'd be able to wear skirts more often if I could find comfortable tights.
This is very enlightening, and the EF tweed cardigan is adorable. And so is the black cable knit, and the Levi's sweater… You have beautiful clothes.
I love this! The black and gray are heavenly. Too bad I moved to Northern California from the midwest last year. I'd love to copy the whole wardrobe. I'm still reconciling my wardrobe to fit with this climate and the aforementioned "power surges." Maybe someday you could do a winter wardrobe for those of us in warmer climes.
This is great. I can't wait to see these pieces in action. After my holiday gifts (two sweaters are waiting for me) I might do this exercise.
Curious — do you have a problem with grays not "matching"? I have trouble sometimes with grays that are too close together to be considered apart, but they are not a match. This limits the ability of the 33 items to be mixed. 🙁 Do you take items with you when you shop?
Hi Janice. I have a sort of off topic question, but since your red jeans are included it's a little on topic. I've admired them for a long time and want a similar look in cobalt. But, I'm unsure of the "skinny" look for me. Or maybe I haven't found the right ones for me.
I've tried on the cobalt skinny cords at Loft but they just aren't flattering. I'm 5'6", 127 pounds, not too bad, but with a bit of a flat butt and a bit of a muffin top. The Loft pants in size 4 are plenty fitted, but bag in the butt.
Overall, the skinny fit might be outside my comfort zone. So my real question…and sorry to take so long to get to it…is, are there pants you can tuck in tall riding boot type boots to get that trendy look but without being quite so form fitting?
I will watch your posts eagerly as I am trying to figure out how and if I could do this challenge.
You've got some great gems in your closet.
Janice,
I found your site very recently and have been knocked out by the thought and effort you bring to your postings. The combinations are wonderful, you have an amazing flair. I am very organized in most aspects of my life but my clothing has always been unsatisfactory, maybe because I've been been somewhat heavy all my life. Now that I'm retired my wardrobe is in transition – no need for the office clothes and shoes, things are much more casual. I'm 58, 155 lbs, 5'8", blonde, green eyes, pegged as a "summer" years ago. Love turquoises, corals, soft yellow, lime green. I wore a lot of black to work which I think is too harsh so am transitioning to navy and dark chocolate. Your posts have been inspirational – maybe I can finally pull my closet together.
Thanks.
Okay, now we're talk'in. I need the step-by-step, draw me a picture, lead me by the hand…from getting out the rack and doing the drill. This is VERY helpful, Janice. Thank you.