Dressing My Truth: There's a New "Six" in Town!

Monday, March 14, 2011

There's a New "Six" in Town!

11:40 AM |

Posted by Mystic Comfort |

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Six items or Less…

Could you limit yourself to wearing only six items of clothing?

Just found out there’s going to be a new Six Items or Less challenge starting on March 28^th. Wanna get in on it? I had a great time during the last one and have signed up already for this next one. Join us!

During SIOL, you choose six items of clothing to wear for 30 days and only wear those pieces in as many different combinations as you can dream up.

The only thing I am not sure about is how to handle the fact that Easter will happen in the middle of it. I have an outfit planned for Easter, already, and I intend for all four pieces, a tank dress, a cardigan, a scarf and wedge shoes, to be a part of my 33 choices for Project 333.

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But I hadn’t planned for them to be two of my six pieces for Six items or Less!

My Current Plan for Project 333…

I had thought I would create a capsule of 12 items of clothing and that the rest would be accessories. But I’m pretty sure, now, that I am going to want to have more than 12. Maybe 18-20.

Which would then leave me 13-15 accessory possibilities, including shoes.

My Planned “Six”…

Cloud Cardigan

Cloud Tank

Brown Lace Cardigan

Grey Tank

Grey Pants

Brown Pants

But what about my Easter outfit?

Confession: I might just cheat, which Sixers refer to as a wobble. I did not wobble at all during the last challenge, but other people did, when they had special occasions come up. And I really felt like those types of things shouldn’t count.

In real life, even if I regularly limited myself to six items or less, I’d probably still own items or outfits that I might wear to a wedding or another special occasion that would not be part of the six.

What would you do?

Today’s Outfit...

Brown lace cardigan (the new one)

Sky blue tank top

Maplewood skirt

My "Thumbs-Up" Ratings: 1-10...

comfort - 6

wearability - 7

"love it" - 8

loves me back - 8

How I Felt In It...

I really LOVE the combination of colors! And love the way it feels to wear a skirt. But the wide band on the skirt is not as comfortable as a thinner one might be. I want to keep this outfit, but may not wear it to places or events that would require wearing it all day.

Pardon the beheading, BTW! I'm working at home today and just couldn't be bothered with hair and makeup. And my hair in its current state, has a bit of an Alfalfa look at the moment.

Unexpected Insight...

I knew, theoretically, that with more than 2 capsules of 12, I had enough clothes for over 150 outfits. But this weekend, as I reviewed and then, re-made my list of prospects for Project 333, I realized how many of those pieces I felt good about and looked forward to wearing.

And I began to feel like I had enough. For this season, and possibly the next, I don't feel like I need anymore shirts, pants, skirts or dresses. I feel kind of complete with what I've got.

Confession: I have started thinking about shoes, though! :)

Do you feel complete with what's in your closet?

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I help plus-sized women who don't feel beautiful in their clothes discover their perfect style & create a closet filled with clothes they love that love them back!

"I thought I didn't feel good in my clothes because I was not my ideal weight. I am still not my ideal weight, but since learning how to dress my truth I feel like I look good. I haven’t felt that way for years. And all thanks to this remarkable new way of seeing myself." –Michelle, posting on Carol Tuttle’s Facebook wall.

Labels: 30 Day Wardrobe Challenge, 30 for 30 Remix, Defining Personal Style, Project 333, Six Items or Less

31 comments:

Lori said...: uh oh - I might have to get off my butt and participate in this next 6 item challenge!! I said I was going to!

Time to start determining my 6.; March 14, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Jeanine said...: Hi, Lori!

Yay!! That would be wonderful.

Let me know when you pick your six. I had such a tough time choosing mine for the first go-round.

Jeanine; March 14, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Aurie said...: Wow - I think I'll follow your progress, adnd get up my nerve for the next one!; March 14, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Janet Callaway said...: Jeanine, aloha. What a fun idea! Though I had never heard of a Six challenge, I certainly see its possibilities.

My vote is that for special occasions, you wear special occasion clothes because that is part of what makes it special!

I do have a "rule" that whenever I buy something new, I have to get rid of something in my closet. Because I have been doing this for a while I think long and hard before making a purchase.

Your thumbs up guide is great. Look forward to checking back on your progress. Love the photo. Aloha. Janet; March 14, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Ian Belanger said...: I really only wear a few different items of clothing, but I am a guy and I work from home, so it is much easier for me.; March 14, 2011 at 6:27 PM
Jon said...: Well I suppose I COULD pare down to just six items of clothing. I'm a fairly low-maintenance guy. This is an intriguing challenge; it amazes me to know that you have a known number of outfit configurations. Go you!

You could help others save money on some of their runaway spending!

Jon; March 14, 2011 at 7:43 PM
Jeanine said...: @Aurie, it would be great to have you join in whenever you’re ready! I think they are planning several more challenges this year.

@Janet, that is what I’m planning because I can’t bear to give up any of my six. And I know I’ll only wear that outfit once until after this "six" is over. That’s a great rule you have! If I followed it, I’d shop a LOT less :).

@Ian, it does seem to be easier for guys. We had a few participate in this last challenge and they never complained about getting bored or missing their other clothes. And one I remember had multiples of a lot of his six (meaning the exact same shirt three times, etc) so hardly ever had to do laundry.

@Jon, it’s interesting you say that because limiting my own runaway spending is part of what drew me to doing these challenges. My thinking was that if I got really clear about what I love & what loves me back, I would be so happy with what I have that I’d be less likely to buy, buy, buy.; March 14, 2011 at 8:19 PM
~ B. said...: Man, oh man! I have watched {and admired} people who do the 6 items or less challenge but I"m just not sure I could do it! But go you!!!; March 14, 2011 at 9:21 PM
Jeanine said...: Hi B! Thanks!!

It's not for the faint of heart but it is so much fun to share the experience with the community of people doing it with you, that it helps you stick with it during the times you feel like you can't stand your six for another day.; March 14, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Dahlia Valentine said...: Hi Jeanine... I saw this challenge on Good Morning America last year.

The woman in the story said that she wore the same 6 pieces for an entire month and her husband never noticed anything unusual. I thought that was hilarious!

Remember though, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!; March 15, 2011 at 1:21 AM
Paper Blessings said...: Jeanine...you are my hero for trying this challenge. If it had been a week, maybe....I agree, will follow your progress, and decide for the next round.

Hope you have a great month with it!

Always,
Tamara (your new buddy!)
http://apronstringsandholythings.blogspot.com; March 15, 2011 at 2:03 AM
Oliver Tausend said...: Hi Jeanine,

wow, just like Ian I am happy that I work from home. Makes choices a lot easier.

Thanks for sharing.

Take care

Oliver; March 15, 2011 at 7:02 AM
Emmanuel said...: Hi Jeanine,

Six Items or Less... For 30 days! Can't believe it. I don't know how well I would be able to cope with that.

I wish all you guys who have signed up Good luck. This is something worth sharing.

Thanks Jeanine; March 15, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Jeanine said...: @Dahlia, the first time I did this challenge, there were a lot of people whose spouses, friends, and coworkers never noticed! I told everyone, so they all knew. Yes, accessories are so important! I have more scarves this time (and maybe more shoes).

@Tamara, thanks!! It would be great if you joined in on the next round! And you’re right, it does take courage. But it’s so much fun, too. Especially if you like shared experiences or talking about clothes, in general.

@Oliver, well, me, too! Because if an outfit doesn’t work out or I am really tired of it, I don’t have to keep it on the whole day. Plus, it makes it easier to choose my six, because I won’t need to dress up very often.; March 15, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Jeanine said...: Hi Emmanuel! Well, I know what you mean, because I felt like I barely made it last time.

I'm hoping, though, that this time, my choices will be better, which will make it much less painful! :); March 15, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Heather C Stephens said...: Jeanie,

I'm busted...As a mom working from home, my "uniform" is a pair of jeans, bare feet and a sweater of some kind. In all honesty, "style" doesn't cross my mind although I do panic when things like Easter, weddings, and such come up.

I wish I had someone to dress me. :) LOL

You're an amazingly creative woman and I'm impressed!

Heather; March 15, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Linda said...: Brava! for taking this challenge. I'm in between sizes right now so I feel like I only have six things to wear and I'm none to happy about it.;D I'm your newest Blogging Buddy and will be sure to watch your progress. Have a great day!; March 15, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Mavis Nong said...: Hi Jeanine,

Well done for participating in the challenge. I guess it would be easier for people working from home.

Please keep us posted :)

All the best,
Mavis; March 15, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Jeanine said...: @Heather, well that is a uniform. And I’m not sure style matters when you’re at home with small children who could spit on them at any moment. It’s only when you’re planning to leave the house, as you said, that panic could set in. If it doesn’t matter to you, it certainly won’t matter to your wee ones.

But to be honest, even during the breastfeeding-and-burping days, it did matter to me! I just tried to avoid the mirrors :).

Thank you so much for your kind words! "Amazingly creative woman" will be my go-to phrase today whenever I need a pick-me-up.

@Linda, thanks! I have been there, with only a few things that fit, and hanging onto the things that didn’t, hoping for a miracle that never came.

I finally decided that change would come slowly enough for me to get enough wear out of anything new I bought that fit. Once I decided that, I never let my weight stop me from buying something that would look good on me.

However, if you really have only six things that fit, consider the Six items or Less challenge and find out how many different ways you can make yourself look fabulous with just those six pieces.

@Mavis, thanks! I'm excited to get started. I will definitely keep you posted.; March 15, 2011 at 1:14 PM
April said...: Girl you are so creative!!! You take wardrobe to a whole new meaning! Lots of great ideas! If I did this with my closet my outfits would not look much different! I wear pretty much black and white, that's it. Love your creativity!!
April; March 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Jeanine said...: Hi, April!

Thanks!! Can I just say I am loving this word "creative" that keeps being thrown around next to my name?

Black and white? So if you added several different colors, you'd revolutionize your wardrobe.

Not many people can wear black or white successfully (that everyone can is one of the big fashion myths), so adding color near your face might be a good idea, anyway.; March 15, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Leanne Chesser said...: I love the idea of six items or less, Jeanine! I might have to join you on this :).; March 15, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Jeanine said...: OMG, Leanne, that would be SO exciting! Please do!!; March 15, 2011 at 3:38 PM
Devesh said...: I'm like oliver and Ian.

I work from home and it is very much easier. I really don't focus much on clothing.

Anyways, Thanks for sharing this great post.

~Dev; March 15, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Jeanine said...: Hi Dev! You guys do have it easier, I'm sure.; March 15, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Rowena Bolo said...: Hi Jeanine,

A very interesting challenge. Looks like you're having so much fun! I agree with Dahlia, accessories would definitely do the trick ;)...I would love to see your next few photos, and I'd like to get more wardrobe ideas from you. Thanks for sharing, it's something new to most of us.

- Rowena; March 16, 2011 at 8:38 AM
Jeanine said...: Hi Rowena!

You're right, I am having fun. And we all agree, when you're paring down your wardrobe, better get out the accessories :).

Thanks for visiting!

Jeanine; March 16, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Jane | Find All Answers said...: This challenge is quite new for me. Let me try next time, it's fun.

Jane.; March 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Jeanine said...: Hi Jane! They are planning several more this year, so whenever you're ready to jump in, Six Items or Less will be ready for you.

You're right, it's great fun!

Jeanine; March 16, 2011 at 12:40 PM
a.eye said...: I'll see you on the SIOL site. I will be doing it again.

I started my 333 at the start of March and will be using 6 of those things for the SIOL. It may be harder this time, because I am restricted to less accessories due to the 333. But I am up for the challenge.

Good luck!! And I don't see a problem with an Easter wobble.; March 25, 2011 at 9:42 PM
Jeanine said...: Hey a.eye!!

So glad to hear you'll be doing it again and thx for your support for the Easter wobble. I am definitely going to do that.

I am feeling the pinch, too, with regard to accessories, but I guess I will just have to live with it. One thing that does, though, is force me to think through which accessories are my absolute favorites!

Jeanine; March 25, 2011 at 9:55 PM