October Dress Project, Part II

So - now that I'm a week into the October Dress Project, here are some of my thoughts.

First - yeah, the point was to simplify, and I've gone and bought some more stuff (oh, yeah, I forgot in my last post, I bought a third pair of shoes - on clearance for $1 at Gabriel Brothers).  Having said that - some of it is stuff I needed to replace, some of it is stuff I should have added to my wardrobe years ago.  And I think that, until my sneakers blow out, I'm done with buying clothes for a long time.

And here's the thing - I am much more comfortable in a dress every day than I thought I would be.  Granted, I love my jeans, tees, and sweats (and when I'm not in the dress - like now - I'm in my sweats).  But you know what?  I really like being in a dress.  It makes me feel more like doing something.  Like going somewhere.  Like putting on jewelry (don't worry, hon, that does not mean you need to buy me more jewelry - I have plenty).  Still resisting the idea of makeup.

It has cut down on my laundry.  My initial intention was the dress and one pair of sweats all month, but that went out the window when I gave the cats a bath, because I needed to change out of wet jammies and the dress was in the wash.

"The Dress" - yeah, the first night I laid in bed and thought, "Oh, crap, I have to wear THE DRESS again tomorrow" - and it was just the first day.  But then I thought of all the different things I can do with it.  And planned for the next day.

Then I realized, days 4 & 5 were very similar - not planned, but that's how it went.  Oh well.  I'm new to this.  It'll get better...or not.  Remember, I'm used to jeans and a top every day.

I have thoroughly enjoyed going to the ODP Facebook page and seeing the creativity in the other participants' choices.  They've given me some great ideas, and inspiration.

I've not made a big deal about this - there are some people at church who know, and anyone who follows me on Facebook.  As the month goes on, more people will be brought up to speed on what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

So there you have it.  Simplification is complicated.  But it's fun.  And we'll see if I think the same next week!

The October Dress Project

The October Dress Project - a call to simplicity.  One dress, 31 days, 31 looks.

Ok, so...I usually don't like things called projects.  Because, well, they usually require work.  And planning.

And a project about clothes?!?!  You all KNOW how much I LOVE clothes shopping (if not, refer back to ""New Bathing Suits and Other Horrors" or "Clothes Shopping")

But here I am.  Excited about wearing THE SAME DRESS for 31 days straight.  And, I've been excited about shopping for the last couple of months for this.  Yup.  Me.  Excited about CLOTHES SHOPPING!!!

Here's the breakdown:  Dress:   $6 at Salvation Army.  It's originally from The Gap.  Gap no longer has this particular dress, but its similar dresses currently sell for $59.95.  I have bought 3 cardigans ($2-4 each), one blazer ($4), one velveteen overshirt($4), one necklace($0.99), 3 pairs of leggings (one new, $7; two "new to me", $2 each), 4 belts (ranging from $0.50 to $1.50) and a bunch of scarves (some of which can double as belts) (ranging from $0.25 to $2.50, most under $1), and a dicky ($0.99).  Aside from the one pair of leggings, and a scarf on clearance at Family Dollar, the only things I've bought absolutely new were 2 pairs of shoes; on sale, buy one get one 1/2 off, to replace a pair of blue pumps that died 2 years ago and a pair of black pumps that died earlier this year.  Do you KNOW how HARD it is to find plain pumps?  No bows, no "jewels", no spike heels, no flowers?  Just plain pumps?  So yeah, when I found 2, on sale, I snatched them up.  A little higher than I usually wear...but this dress is a little shorter than I usually wear, so hey, why not?!

And yeah, I had shoes/blazers/sweaters/scarves/jewelry that I already owned that I will wear as well.  I probably bought more than I will actually need or use.  But here's the thing:  when October is done - I have other skirts, suits, slacks, and dresses that these accessories will go with.  And that's the point.

I have clothes in my closet that I have not worn since Hal and I moved to Pennsylvania over 3 years ago.  Why?  I don't know.  But I know this:  I now have a base wardrobe.  Things that I can mix and match.  And I'll be going through the rest of my closet soon.  What I haven't worn/don't fit/don't like anymore will be going to the thrift store. 

Except for the dress I wore on my first day of school in Kindergarten.  Yes, I still have it.  And yes, it's hanging in my closet.  And no, I'm not giving that one away.