December 31, 2018
It becomes too clear this time of year – I don’t need anything, and when I see things that I want, about 5 minutes of intelligent self-talk reminds me that the purchase would be… wasteful, at best.
I’d rather travel! And I do travel a lot. When you become accustomed to living for a week or 10 days or longer with just the contents of a suitcase as your wardrobe, you learn that you can manage – happily – with relatively little.
So I’ve got a plan! (of COURSE I have a plan – you’re shocked, right?)
Clusters!
I’m going to be in Florida for part of January, but for the rest of January, I’m going to limit my wardrobe to 10 garments – 2 clusters of five…
This is my first cluster – these aren’t exactly my garments, but you could easily identify my cluster from these photographs!
I’m trying to strike a balance here between something that I could wear out to lunch with friends (the nice cardigan, and either the tee shirt or the turtleneck) or something more relaxed for grocery shopping or walking around the city. (the fleece top with either striped piece under it)
cardigan – Lands’ End; striped tee – BP. ; striped turtleneck – Lou & Grey; jeans – Lands’ End; red fleece – Lands’ End
My second cluster starts with my corduroy pants… My cardigan actually has reindeer on it – it’s very Nordic in feel! Some people wouldn’t wear it after Christmas because of the deer, but I think that’s a little bit silly – it’s not like it has a big picture of Santa on the front! I chose this cardigan because I really like it, and because it combines black, white and red just like my happy reindeer cardigan – it gives us exactly the same functionality as my old favorite…
red tee – BP.; white tee – BP.; cardigan – Kate Spade; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; sweatshirt – Uniqlo
So these are my 10 garments for the Chicago segment of January:
cardigan – Lands’ End; cardigan – Kate Spade; sweatshirt – Uniqlo; red fleece – Lands’ End; red tee – BP.; striped turtleneck – Lou & Grey; white tee – BP.; striped tee – BP. ; jeans – Lands’ End; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
I’m going to be in Florida for 13 days, so I really only need cold-weather clothing for 18 days. Factor in at least a few days in which I don’t get out of my gym clothes, and I should be in good shape!
How do I see 36 outfits from 10 garments? Methodically…
Just for fun, and to make it possible to show how these simple garments can be accessorized, here are a few accessories that are really important to me! The waterproof boots are GENIUS. No cheap, but worth every penny I spent…
scarf – Nordstrom; earrings – Sheryl Lowe; star scarf – KDK; waterproof boots – Blondo; loafers – Aquatalia
The printed scarf is actually a very stylized photograph of Dublin, with stars drawn in above the skyline! How cool is that?
Okay, so realistically, what outfits are you likely to see me wearing around town?
I’m considering taking photographs of my “outfit of the day” every day, just to keep myself honest. Maybe I can show them when I report back at the end of the month on my success?
love,
Janice
p.s. Yes, Wednesday we will see new Hermes scarves and the “January outfit” to start the “Year with a Scarf” posts! I’m excited…
p.p.s. My personal rules for “no shopping” means that I still get to spend gift cards that I receive, and that I am allowed to replace anything really critical that goes to pieces. (I’m thinking of socks and bras, most likely!)
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I did 11 months of a no buy year last year – the September sales were my downfall (I did need most of it in my defence) so will try again for 2019. I aim to have a small wardrobe of about 15-20 items to last 6-7 weeks, when I can then go shopping from my main wardrobe – I get dressed every day and have small children, so can’t really go smaller. I look forward to seeing how you cope too.
Question: what about laundry? I like red for an accent color, but the pieces tend to languish in their color basket for a very long time until I’ve got enough to make even a small load…and being in France I assure you my washing machine is a mini compared to those of my relatives in the U.S. In fact, one reason I stick to black and white is that it simplifies laundry. I want to reduce to as minimal a wardrobe as possible, without having to resort to handwashing things.
Once my black items have been through the wash a couple of times, I find it safe to launder strong colors with them.
I will probably launder the red things with our gym clothes – they’re plenty old enough that they won’t bleed dye onto anything…
But that’s a smart question! Thanks for asking!
hugs,
Janice
I always wash dark colours (mainly reds, purples and greens) with my black and navy clothes on a 40 degree wash with one or two ‘Dr Beckmann’s colour & dirt collector’ sheets and I never get any runs or dulling of bright colours.
I wear red, black, and white mostly. I have found it best to launder my reds and blacks together using a “Shout color catcher, dye-trapping sheet” that catches the excess dye…oddly sometimes it is more black, other times it is more red…but the reds are not dulled by the blacks using this product. (wwwshoutitout.com)
I also use a sheet when laundering a new item to catch its excess dye, and put vinegar in the rinse water (in fabric softener slot) to set the dye. Vinegar also insures a clean rinse leaving no detergent buildup to dull the colors.
I have been know to tear the sheets in half, when laundering things that have been washed several times, but it always catches some color that would have ended up on my clothes.
I wash whites only. I would not trust the sheets that far,even though the package make the claim you can wash whites and colors. (maybe pastel colors, but not red)
So, the only issue that I see is that you are wearing all those outfits with only 2 pairs of pants. It seems like there should be a couple more bottoms. No? And, by the way, I love your content and I can’t wait to see how the new year starts!
When I’m back from Florida, I will add in a couple more “clusters” to fill out this wardrobe more. I’m going to be in warm weather for 2 weeks in the middle of the month, and so my wardrobe for that will be entirely different. It’s a little bit confusing – I’ve started leaving some clothes in Florida just to simplify deciding what to pack!
hugs,
Janice
I can wholly recommend taking a daily photo which I did a couple of years ago when I worked abroad for 3 months and had just 1 suitcase with me. I created a photo album on iCloud, and have just had another look, I think I’ll do this again – thanks for the suggestion. and Happy New Year!
I did a year of no purchases in 2017 except for gift cards and essential replacements which consisted of a merino underlay. Now after a year of what seems like over indulging I too am making 2019 a no purchase year. Now all I need to do is master the smaller cluster wardrobe. Janice I would love to see some photos of your success and can’t wait for the Hermes scarves :-)
Thanks for another great post. This is something I really needed to see. I am challenging myself not to purchase anything but food & gas this coming month. I would love to see what you wear each day.
I’ve made a plan and am limiting myself to 12 key garments (eg a pair of classic navy jeans) over the next 2 years, plus around 12 other minor items such as tee shirts, but only if something falls apart. The 2-year plan also involves very slowly throwing away older items (I have way too much stuff, but big purges are always a mistake as they just trigger unnecessary purchases). Developing clusters is a great idea, it will really help with pruning down and identifying gaps.
Please keep us updated and do post your outfits.
And all the best for 2019!
Brilliantly organized – I like the idea of 1 purchase per month (or a 3-piece outfit quarterly…)
Maybe when I ease back into shopping I’ll adopt your system!
hugs,
Janice
I love Alice’s plan, but I think I will join you, Janice, for a year without shopping in 2019. I have gotten rid of tons, and still have too much. I am trying to switch over to navy and white, plus red/burgundy, kelly, and some shade of purple/periwinkle only. I have to have some black bottoms for work, but I pitched my black dresses. Happy New Year! And yay for two weeks in Florida in mid-January. -Sandi
It’s a good thing that I don’t really need to replace or add anything to my wardrobe as this year is going to be very tight financially. :-)
I have already limited my day-to-day pieces to 24 (pants, shirts/blouses and sweaters) – I have 3 pairs of shoes and 2 purses to use over the winter, plus winter boots, a dressy winter coat and my parka.
Accessories have also been reduced to 4 pairs of earrings, 2 necklaces and 2 brooches, along with 4 scarves.
I find it very freeing to be able to find things and to know that almost everything goes with everything else!
The only thing I’d find difficult about your 10 pieces is that I don’t think there are enough tops – I’d add 2 white shirts or 1 white & 1 black shirt in order to get through a week. I look forward to following your progress over this new year.
The part of this that I don’t think I made clear is that there are days when I don’t get “dressed” in real clothes at all – I just wear gym clothes! (the gym is in my building, so I don’t even have to go outdoors – it’s pretty sweet!)
Knowing that, this should be enough clothes to get me through the few days ’til I leave for Florida, and at least a few days after I’m back. 3rd and 4th clusters will be added later in January, to carry over into February and into ANOTHER trip. (Ireland, this time…)
hugs,
Janice
“methodically”… You crack me up! I adore the idea of interlocking clusters. I wish I had the courage to do the ‘no shopping’ things… But my me time is going to flea markets and thrift stores. Janice, you are my spirit animal. Happy 2019!
Hi Janice. I recently discovered your blog and spent the last week reading a whole bunch of your old posts. I really enjoy your blog. I love the 12 mth capsule wardrobe based on a scarf, looking forward to this year’s. My favourite posts were from a few years ago when you posted capsule wardrobes one piece at a time. I recently turned 40, I don’t have kids and I work from home. And with some weight loss due to illness, I’ve realized that I don’t really know what my style is. Reading your old posts helped me make some wardrobe and style decisions. Thank you.
I love this concept and will try to recreate the process using “warm” colors. Any suggestions, anyone? I can hardly wait for the 2019 scarves . . . Happy New Year!!
This is brilliant. My 2018 no shopping lasted until about the 3rd of February ? I’m game to try again…thank goodness I bought ANOTHER pair of black leggings yesterday ? My goal is also to spend 30 minutes to an hour each day purging the closet. ?
Waterproof shoes (never a bad idea) are a particularly good idea this year. We in Florida seem to be up to our ankles all the time this year. (It’s raining now, even.) Won’t join you on the shopping fast this year—my jeans started dying and my weight’s changing—but I wholeheartedly endorse clusters. Especially jeans-centered ones. Now if I could just stop festooning my wardrobe with extra dresses…
I would love to see your Nordic sweater with the reindeers! I have a Nordic sweater with snowflakes that I proudly wear all winter long! Just last night I was rearranging some items in my closet and I saw a couple of combinations I hadn’t considered before. I also have plenty of clothes and am saving money for a trip to Sweden this summer. Thanks for all the inspiration!
I need a wardrobe re-boot and I think I’ve been overthinking it… I can do 5 items new + used (I’m loving online consignment shops lately) and I love this. Thanks.
I am in awe of you! I love seeing all of your combinations. I come
To your blog for inspiration for getting dressed every day!
As far as no shopping goes – I wish I could do that. But I would definitely be setting myself up for failure!
Yes – please take daily pictures so we can see how it all turns out!
Janice,
This is a great idea to limit what’s in use, and tracking what you wear seems just your thing… With a tweak to include not just photos, but how many times you wore each piece, and maybe in what combination(s). Your mathematical brain combined with your sense of how things work together is one of the reasons I so appreciate your blog. I foresee a monthly update of the new clusters, and an end-of-month report. Pretty soon, you won’t have enough days in a month to post all of your already great ideas!
Happy New Year, and happy
I love this idea of clusters. I have wanted to do something like this to ensure that I wear all my clothes, particularly because I still have a number of different colours that don’t work together. I will use this to plan out what I am going to wear each week. Good luck with your year without shopping. It will be really interesting to follow your outfits through the seasons. I am looking forward to seeing the scarves for 2019.
PS I forgot to ask you – What were the women in Paris wearing on their feet? Were they still wearing sneakers with dresses or were they wearing boots?
Inspired! I’m going right up to my closet to create two January clusters. As a retiree, my wardrobe is casual BUT I will make sure there is one combination that can be my dressier look. And that’s that! Challenge accepted ?
Lizette,
This is my challenge – living a casual life (early retirement for medical reasons) but wanting to dress more formally for church on Sundays. My life consists of church, doctors appointments, casual dining. I have too many clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Lynn, I think that life in general is just becoming more casual. WIth that said, my mom is retired and has a doctor’s appointment ( for a treatment ) once a week. She bought herself 5 beautiful blouses, 2 cardigans and 3 pants for this purpose. It also gives her enough options for other appointments and so she doesn’t wear the same thing to her treatment for a few weeks. She feels good and looks great. Good luck …and I’m going to try 6 months of no shopping because a year for me sounds really overwhelming and I would feel defeated immediately.
Please post your outfits! I have similar wardrobe pieces and I’m trying very hard to have a ‘capsule’ wardrobe. I’ve been purging my closet- if I can’t wear an item at least 3 ways, out it goes.
Love this! I have been buying some sale items this past week and also today and have a few gift cards to use in 2019. Did another closet purge this week. Do need some undies but don’t count those as wardrobe items! No buying for 2019 otherwise….shop the closet! Janice, will look forward to seeing your outfit of the day photos! Thanks for all you do to keep us stylish and chic! Good luck everyone who is embracing the no shopping in 2019 and Happy New Year!
Oddly enough I was just revisiting my “commitments” from last year (more like strategies for life than resolutions) and tweaking them for this year. Because we have had a lot of expenses this year and are carrying more debt than we like, I too am making some no-buy commitments. For clothes, basically aim for nothing new unless it is to replace something that is no longer wearable (too worn, no longer fits etc.). And I already had planned out several wardrobe clusters … bigger than yours, though, sort of based on “whatever’s clean 13” but for me it is 15. Basically a week’s worth of clothes with no top or dress repeated more than once and no bottoms or outer layer (which I wear every day!) repeated more than twice. So kind of like three of yours I guess. ? So it was nice to see others thinking along the same lines.
It will be fun to see how this works out!
Love the Dublin scarf (sold out, BTW). Looking forward to being there myself a week from Sunday. In fact, a couple of months ago, I had looked back to your older posts of trips to Dublin to get some ideas. Plan to hit a few of your restaurant recommendations, too (e.g. Dunne and Crescenzi and Lemon)…just around the corner from where I’ll be staying. So thanks for the tips!
I just received a job assignment to a small city south of here – will be traveling back and forth weekly. A great opportunity to try clusters to get me through the week! I will be client facing, but I expect it to be very casual (university town), so colored denim, sweaters, turtles and button front shirts should work fine. Thank you for the nudge to skip the shopping…..yes, I have plenty too. Happy New Year!
This cluster idea is so fantastic that I have no choice but to try it out. I don’t really need anything either, but restricting myself to a small collection of items will make items not in rotation seem brand new when I cycle them back in. Brilliant!
I can’t wait for the new year scarves. It’s almost like a mini Christmas all over again. :)
I think you did this some years ago and I followed your example. I have bulked up the closet a tad since then but never went back to (yes) 14 pairs of black trousers and jeans. I know you will be fantastic at this.
For me, since I no longer buy very expensive clothes (but have been known to beg for a gift) it is not travel vs. clothes. Travel is way more expensive, at least once I get on a plane.
I did a no clothes shopping year in 2018 without even planning it. I just found nothing which really tempted me. It also helped that I lost some weight and could wear clothes I had not dared to put on for some time.
I followed that no-shopping rule in 2018 – same exception for gift cards – and it was so easy! What a relief to know I wasn’t going to buy anything. I have been thinking about a few things I’ve seen on your blog that were tempting, pondering on a January shopping time, but maybe I’ll just try to go another year! Thanks for the inspiration to really THINK about using what we have before adding and for the fun of your heroines too.
I love your site! I’m just completing a successful weight loss journey…down 45 pounds when all is done….may try for 50 but we’ll see..Anyway, I love the idea of focusing on a few quality pieces and simplifying my wardrobe and life. ? Thank you for all you inspiration….now if I could just settle on a color palette…..
My wardrobe has changed a lot over the past eight years (since I stopped working in an office). I began cutting back on purchases and buying only what I needed, so my wardrobe is now pretty minimal. This past year I started to update it with one purchase a month, so I’m in pretty good shape going into the New Year. BTW – I literally keep an inventory of my current capsule wardrobe on the back of my door and check off what I wear each day. If I don’t wear something for a month, it comes out of my closet and goes into storage. If I need something, I look at what I already have before I buy anything. I’ve been using this method for about three years, and it works really well for me.
Vicki-you and I are in the same boat and I keep buying things that are really for work out of habit! I like your idea of tracking outfits and figuring out what gets worn. 2019 will be a no purchase year for me too. (Unless I lose those 15 lbs I gained the last two years ;).
I did a no spend year in 2017 and found it incredibly freeing! I tossed catalogs as soon as they arrived, spent no time looking online, and no time in stores. I ended up buying bras, two t-shirts from my alma mater, which were really more souvenirs than clothes. In the fall I did purchase three t-shirts from Eddie Bauer, but that was it. I continued the trend into 2018 and purchased very little. My goal for 2019 is to reformulate my wardrobe as I retired last year and no longer need a professional wardrobe. Your blog is helping me to think about my options and establish a style/color palette that fits me. I’ll be purging my closet!
The cluster concept is great and I’m going to try it. The style of the items in your two clusters perfectly meets the requirements of my current life (retired and urban, mostly but not entirely casual). I’m going to try to duplicate the items in your clusters with pieces from my current winter wardrobe, and then I’m going shopping. The only significant difference is that my colors are navy, white and red.
I admire the idea of giving up shopping but am not trying it now. I have difficulty shopping and do not currently have enough clothes. Somehow I feel the cluster concept will make shopping much easier.
Janice, thank you so much for all of your hard work! It is much appreciated.
The cluster concept is great and I’m going to try it. The style of the items in your two clusters perfectly meets the requirements of my current life (retired and urban, mostly but not entirely casual). I’m going to try to duplicate the items in your clusters with pieces from my current winter wardrobe, and then I’m going shopping. The only significant difference is that my colors are navy, white and red.
I admire the idea of giving up shopping but am not trying it now. I have difficulty shopping and do not currently have enough clothes. Somehow I feel the cluster concept will make shopping much easier.
Janis, thank you so much for all of your hard work! It is much appreciated.
Excellent post and great comments! I hadn’t considered a “no-spending” year. My vision was much shorter, like two months! I love reading your blog, Janice. I find such inspiration in the scarf modules. I am working on a more minimal lifestyle with both home items and clothing. I’m learning so much from your blog about how to do that! Thanks.
After the deluge of rain we received today, my work-out shoes were soaking wet going from my work parking lot to my car. Working out for an hour with wet feet was not pleasant.
I was really glad to see the Blondo waterproof boots in this post. I got them! And they are on sale! They appear to be very stylish. I could wear them all day at work, change into work-out clothes and wear them to the car.
Seeing this post, I could put this together with what’s in my closet.
Thank you Janice!
I can’t wait for the next ‘Year with a Scarf’ post to see what you’ve dreamed up for 2019!
I wish I could organise my clothing a such fashion. My clothing spend is always minimal. Every season I buy some new t shirts as they are the main stay of my clothing. I really need to plan a decent wardrobe.
I, too, have been thinking about NO SHOPPING a lot lately, and I have to admit, the thought scares me… But I also did some analyzing and came to find that typically when I feel the need to “do something” and “get out of here”, for me that means going to town and browsing the stores. Mostly for entertainment only and not necessairily with the intention to buy anything – but of course when I happen to see something I like and I can afford it, it’s very hard to resist and I usually end up buying it. So my goal or resolution for this year is to think of some other activity when “the urge” strikes ;o) It’s so easy to just hopp in the car, drive downtown and be distracted (ok, I just LOVE looking at nice things nicely displayed, my star sign is gemini with libra…) – my hope is when I take a minute to think of some other way to entertain myself, I might find that this alternative seems like more fun, and then by not browsing the stores reduce my shopping automatically and in a way that doesn’t make me feel like I’m missing out on something. As for browsing the internet, my resolution is to first go and declutter some drawer for 5 minutes, and then if I still want to look what’s new online, I give myself permission to. This already proved to be VERY effective in the last couple of days, because I spent much more time with decluttering than 5 minutes, had fun doing it, got organized drawers, and didn’t feel a need to purchase anything or even look at things online after dealing with the stuff I already have. I highly recommend it! Happy New Year to everyone and good luck with the resolutions x
My goodness! So brave, so disciplined, so NOT ME!!! I will watch this intriguing concept develop…
Any chance of you posting the capsule for your Florida holiday, or pointing me to a relevant earlier post. I will be going to Florida in January, too, and not sure what to pack. Some ideas would be sooo helpful!
Glad to know you’ll be in Florida. live in Destin and love it here. Thanks for The Vivienne Files! You make life more beautiful and fun. Happy 2019.
Hi Janice,
I love the concept of capsules, being able to wear everything with everything. However, I do wonder about some of the choices featured in your blog being very similar to each other in style, texture, or colour. Could you clarify what the thinking is behind this? Thanks.
I love your cluster idea, Janice, and I can’t wait to see the new year of scarves you’ve chosen. I am going to join you in your 2019 No Buy. The only exceptions I’m allowing would be if something wears out and I don’t already have a replacement or if my weight changes drastically and what I already own won’t work. I already have plenty of clothes and like you, sometimes I never leave the house and just wear gym clothes all day.
I find that travel clarifies what is essential in a wardrobe and what is superfluous. I’m in Puerto Vallarta with carryon-size bag and I can easily visit Paris with the same amount. I’ve a goal of reducing my personal belongings by 10% this year. I’m looking forward to your capsules.
I like the idea of a 10% reduction- it seems doable but will make a noticeable difference. Maybe I’ll join you!
I’m intrigued by the cluster idea. What a great way to plan a travel wardrobe. I always travel with “interlocking” outfits (so to speak) with a combination of pieces that work when I have to layer up for warmth of peel off to be cool. On a trip to Italy last fall, I loved all my travel outfits and felt great wearing them… but couldn’t wait to shove then into the back of my closet when I got home because I was royally sick to death of them.
P.S. What about outerwear? Especially in Chicago, I guess you need a winter coat to go over your outfits. Up here in Ottawa, where it’s pretty cold, most people will only see my coat when I’m out and about in the winter. Sometimes that can make outfit planning seem futile. I could wear my pyjamas underneath and no one would know but me:)
OH MY… Outerwear, in Chicago. Yesterday, I wore 2 different jackets – 1 was a lighter-weight rain jacket, when I went out for lunch, but then when I was getting ready to head out late afternoon, I switched to my parka. It’s impossible to know, sometimes, what the right choice is! So I’m not going to include outerwear in this whole project until and unless I get a better sense of what will work for my changing temperature sensitivity, and for the changing Chicago weather!
A whole new cluster, probably!
hugs,
Janice
Hi Sue – I remember being very impressed by at least one blog that Janice posted on accessorising basic winter coats. The only one I can find is Michigan Avenue Style Lab: Classic Coats, Vibrant Accessories on 2/11/12. I was a bit jealous as this is something we rarely get to do in the subtropics. But it seems to me that if you live in a cold climate it would be very justifiable to have several winter accessory groupings.
I am inspired by your approach! I will need to buy some clothes this year. I have several items that I have worn to death! When I do need to shop, I do try to shop the thrift, charity and consignment stores.
I love the idea of clustering and I’m kind of doing it now because we live in three very different environments throughout the year: Boston area (summer); Atlanta area (spring and fall) and Mexico (winter). I use small wardrobes (maybe 20 pieces each) that I leave in each location and each wardrobe “clusters” around a different basic neutral. I only move my undies, etc. between locations which makes travel packing insanely easy. I have found that I need more than two pants/bottoms (more like 4 or 5) for each of the locations. I also need hiking boots in each location. These are also used for rain/snow, yuckie weather. Good luck and I look forward to following you in 2019!
This is so intriguing – you really have figured it out! Several years ago we lived part time in California for 2 years (and the rest of the time in Atlanta) and I did leave a bunch of stuff in the CA closet. Definitely simplified my travel, which was regularly back and forth. – nancyo
In regard to the Hermes scarves, please consider choosing one that suits folks with fading warm skin tones and gray hair. I think we are a very underserved segment of the fashion world! Nowadays I find I have to choose warm overtones with cool undertones and vice versa, cool overtones with warm undertones (warm grays, dusty pinks). I think this palette is often described as smokey. I’ve found this to be VERY challenging, especially in the spring and summer and would love some help!
I love your blog and have mined it extensively. Thank you for your help in making getting dressed fun again. I deeply appreciate what you do and am grateful for all that I have learned here.
Dear Janice,
Happy New Year! I discovered your blog in 2018 and have been an admirer ever since.
I really appreciate your thoughtful approach to style and the lovely, generous spirit which I see in all your writing.
This particular post made me think about a purchase I was considering. I’ve decided to pass on this expenditure and felt very positive about the decision. I’m not embracing “no shopping” for the whole year – perhaps a shorter period? But I want to make sure my purchases are either based on a genuine wardrobe gap – or a case of true love.
And Happy New Year to the Vivienne Files community – the comments on this blog are truly worth reading!
Tina in Florida
Really looking forward to these posts.
I do a “no spend” every year for 6.5 weeks in Lent, and it’s always rewarding. I’m contemplating a no spend year – I certainly have a full closet! Hmm, we’ll see. – nancyo
I love it when you do photos of your day by day outfits! That would be fun to see!
Dear Janice
I did not buy any new clothes in 2017, because I have so much. In 2018 I bought only some, mainly Dresses which I love for their simplicity or because I can wear them with the Uniqlo Basic Long sleeve Shirts I have in my wardrobe.
One of the pitfalls I recognise is the travelling, which I seem to do as much as you. I find it very difficult not to complete my wardrobe with pieces when I am somewhere abroad and see classic but unusual pieces. This results of course in a variety of colours in my wardrobe, I just discovered ice blue (I let the dark colouring end in my hair, and am pretty much white at 56) that suddenly fits me.
Less red, more ice blue (with grey and black) for me, until everything is full of stains, and I might go back to red, but more blue tinted, even fuchsia.
I wish you all the best with your 2019 Experiment, and am looking forward to following you further.
PS I travelled through London Heathrow this week, and had a peek at the Hermes scarves. I am curious to see which ones you picked – that leopard head looked gorgeous!
Janice, I love your cluster idea. I live in the Chicagoland area and appreciate your red white and black outfit ideas. I too am committed to not spending any money on myself in 2019. This includes jewelry and all clothing with the exception of underwear and socks. This is the third year I’ve attempted to do this. I lived up to the resolution twice before. This year, I’ve included no purchases of new furniture or new decor for the home. 2018 was a re-decorating season and I got a bit out of control. ( I love resale and vintage finds so those are excluded from my resolution). I look forward to saving a lot of money in 2019 and your wardrobe suggestions. Thank you.
Count me in, after I replace a couple of worn out white long-sleeved all-cotton T-shirts. I have enough clothing.
Awesome! Leaning towards cluster idea and just finished power point with 7 clusters (instead of 6×5 for total of 30) LOL I allways have something more to add! 3 neutrals, 3 accent colors, and 7th is red and jeans cluster.
But what about the outer, 3rd layer, I would love to see that, too!
What about coat/jacket, hats, scarves, mittens, bags, boots, and trousers are visible, too. I added an accesory cluster to some of those clusters. And I am knitting the scarf that have 4 of these colors (hunter green, burgundy, grey and off white – it is the single thread that is dyed in those colors) as if I don’t have more than enough woll scarves LOL. (Other 2 clusters are blush, and black and white print with some black items – during the winter it is simply impossible to leave the black).
And a year withoug shopping? I already have everything, it will be my 4th year following TVF, so when I visit the store I don’t want to shop (without any decision, it just happens that I leave the store without even trying something), unless it is something really special.
So please Janice it you could mention 3rd layer since during the winter it consists of plenty of items.
So how many total pieces of clothing do you have for creating all of your “clusters” for the entire year? Did I miss that? Or is it yet to be determined? Thank you!