August 31, 2022
Tomorrow, I’m going to start the “1 Dress, 100 Days” project, sponsored by Wool&, and completed by hundreds of other women. I’m very excited…
My dress will be the Sierra Tank Dress – 100% wool and softer than you can imagine. Mine, of course, is black!
I plan to Instagram what I wear every day and put it here on The Vivienne Files. That means there will be posts here EVERY DAY for the next 100 days – although many of them will be pretty brief. On my normal “off days,” I will show you what I’m wearing and make any observations or comments about what I think about the whole process.
But what can one do with the same dress for 100 days?
- Wear it alone, with accessories, or
- wear it with something under it, like a blouse, shirt, tee shirt or lightweight turtleneck, or
- wear it with something over it – a sweatshirt, sweater, shirt, or jacket!
What ideas do I have about this dress?
(I thought up 14 things for the 14 weeks of the project; please note that these are NOT how I will be wearing my dress…)
Dress – Wool&; link hoop earrings – Kendra Scott; organic linen cardigan – Eileen Fisher; silver sandals – Dolce Vita
Dress – Wool&; oatmeal heather cotton cardigan – L.L.Bean; opaque tights – Nordstrom Rack; Vivienne ballet flats – Naturalizer
Dress – Wool&; red Syrah sweater – Treasure & Bond; dusted rose bandana – Madewell; red ginger sneakers – Olukai
Dress – Wool&; dahlia cashmere sweater – J.Crew; paisley mini scarf – Colettesilk; sneakers – Converse (sold out)
Dress – Wool&; blouse – Ann Taylor; hosiery – Wolford; suede pumps – Talbots
Dress – Wool&; earrings – Gemondo; flecked cashmere cardigan – Misty Cashmere; pumps – Talbots
Dress – Wool&; grey turtleneck – H&M; grey tights – New York & Company; loafers – Talbots
Dress – Wool&; barn owl earrings – Fable England; rich coffee cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; harvest moon scarf – Fable England
There’s a group on Facebook (you have to be approved to join, but I don’t think that’s a big deal) dedicated to this project. Many women do NOT choose a black dress for their 100 days, and many women don’t do a lot of accessorizing or layering.
But most of the participants seem really happy with what they’re trying…
We shall see!
love,
Janice
p.s. Seven years ago, our heroine set aside 9 pieces of clothing to be worn for NOTHING but travel for the next few months… She’s wearing the same outfit to work every other Friday – will anyone even notice?
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
Of COURSE the pink Converse high-tops are sold out. 😟 As inclined as I am to lean into understated classics, that bit of whimsical footwear appeals to me. I’m also pretty in love with the aqua top and scarf. It will be so fun to see what you come up with.
Google the shoes – they seem to show up in a handful of sizes every few hours… I couldn’t link to any of those places because the shoes kept coming and going so fast!
I’m considering purple Converse, maybe at the halfway point of my dress challenge. There’s a store on State Street that sells Converse in every color of the rainbow…
hugs,
Janice
Purple is the way to go!
This is going to be interesting. Plus, more posts!
A couple of days ago you asked if there were any ‘Start with Art’ stories you should revisit. I realize that today’s flashback link wasn’t SwA, but boy would I like to know what happened with that heroine! Did she find her dream job? Did anyone cotton on to what she was up to? Do tell! Good luck on your 100 day challenge – I’m looking forward to seeing you knock it out of the park.
I second the request! As someone who wore her black slacks to work every Monday for the whole spring semester, I feel so related to the look back post. Also, a revisit to the “Marguerite au chat noir” heroine would be a treat.
Blessings to all!
Forgot to say: yey for the extra posts the challenge will bring!!!
I’m excited to see your dress outfits for the 100 day challenge, Janice! Very inspiring.
Sorry, I will be taking a 100 day break, as I never and will never wear a dress.
You can stop by on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when I will also be doing “normal” posts. (well, as normal as anything is that comes out of my brain). I have a dear friend who never wears dresses – I respect that choice!
hugs,
Janice
I think you could do the same thing with a base outfit of black pants and a simple black tank – would be fun to follow the same principle even without the dress.
I am really excited to hear about this 100 day challenge. Can I assume there is one dress and that the dress will need to be laundered? I am especially interested in how that will be handled. One of your most instructive posts addressed just how many items of clothing you actually need for the life you lead. This might be just as instructive.
That is my big question, too. I get my clothes dirty almost daily either cooking or eating or gardening or caring for my chickens or just plain sweating in this awful heat. Wearing the same piece of clothing every day sounds awful to me. I can’t imagine doing laundry nearly every night after I’m ready for bed. How are people not overwhelmed by this? The idea sounds fascinating but not practical unless I’m missing something or other people are not as messy as I am.
I did the 100 Day challenge with this same Wool& dress in the spring of 2022. I am also very messy so I wore an apron when I cooked (and ate actually). Wool is amazing! I sweat in it, gardened in it, and walked the dogs every day. I hung it up to air out every night and it did not smell. I spot cleaned small spots as needed. I laundered the dress about every 8-10 days. I’m still wearing the dress about once a week even after the challenge because it’s the easy choice and I have things to go with it. It is still in perfect condition. There are other people, whose 100 Day Challenge I followed on Instagram, who have done the challenge and gardened and took care of their chickens or other animals in the dress. I loved the challenge and discovered that I could be happy with a much smaller wardrobe and that most people didn’t even notice that I was wearing the same dress as a base every day.
Nobody noticing is the funny thing – there are people here in our building that I see every day, and I certainly know them well enough that we’ve discussed clothing. But (it’s only day 7!) not a peep from anyone yet!
hugs,
Janice
I am really looking forward to the 100 day dress challenge! I wear dresses a lot and I’m excited to see all the ways you will accessorize it. I have been tempted by the Wool& dresses before too,
If anyone is up to this challenge, YOU are, Janice! Can’t wait to see all the combos you come up with!
Good luck. Hope you don’t get bored!
It will ⁴be good to know how socially versatile wearing the same dress will be. Will you have to adapt your plans and activities to suit the dress or vice versa? Will there be occasions when you feel over or under-dressed wearing it? These are important considerations in trying to make the clothes in our wardrobes more adaptable to all situations and all weathers.
It is interesting that you will start the experiment ofvwearing a wool dress on 1 September when the weather is cooling down. Could you wear this dress in warmer months or would you switch to linen?
I’m looking forward to a daily post. I’m currently in hospital with post-op infections and minor complications. I’m quite relaxed, get three meals a day, my bed made and lots of attention. A daily post will keep me entertained and give me lots to think about. I’ve been here nine days so far, though I’m making steady progress in the right direction. I hope that I’m not still here at the end of your 100 days!
Beth, so sorry to hear you’re in the hospital. Wishing you a very speedy recovery. Keep us posted on how you’re doing. I love reading your posts in response to Janice’s post as much as her’s ☺️ Take care and enjoy the attention 🤣
Oh, no Beth T! I hope you are better soon!
Beth, get well soon! I always enjoy your posts, and I’m happy you will be able to read and post while in the hospital. Hugs.
Ditto what everyone else says – I missed you when you were “gone” a couple of days. Always enjoy your analysis, and best wishes to recover soon!
I noticed that you hadn’t commented in a while and was hoping you were on a happy excursion someplace. I’m sorry you’ve been having health challenges but am very relieved that you’re on the mend! Take care and keep us posted please!
Oh Beth! Prayers for your speedy recovery! Glad you are still here.
Oh do be well! I don’t post every time but do enjoy your comments.
Beth T, I’m glad you are in good hands as you recover. I hope that your progress continues to go well and that you will be able to check in to TVF often as you go!
Beth, long time lurker sending you healing thoughts. Remember to take deep breaths periodically, move your body as you are able, and keep eating and drinking.
Janice, absolutely love your creativity. I’d be honored to help edit your first novel. Your stories are a joy!
Another lurker sending you many good thoughts for a speedy recovery. I too enjoy your clear and incisive comments.
Beth T.
You are one of my favorite commenters in this Blog…
Sometimes I literally speed through all the other comments to find yours. They are always interesting.
Get well soon and enjoy the pampering!
Gosh, hope you’re able to get back home soon! Thinking of you out here!
I’m so excited for you Janice! Thank you for including us on your 100-day journey. I’m really looking forward to it. Knowing you prefer to wear black, I’m especially interested to see what accent colours you might inject here and there.
I can sense your anticipation in today’s post. Enjoy!!!!
PS. I like how wearing sweaters and tops over the dress gives it the appearance of a skirt. It’s a little tricky to fully appreciate how the outfit would look when viewing the individual pieces but I get the general idea.
I sgree with bren as I adore the look back article so much it is the first article I ever saved. It reminds me that a few well chosen items are perfect. It reflects my own style and tan is always part of my colour palette – to me it goes with everything. I rarely wear dark colours let alone black.
The selection of 5 colours that work well together and the mix of dressy and casual clothes give a lovely variety of outfits. This made sense to me and the grouping looks elegant and classic.
If you choose to expand the Met stripped scarf article or show how that heroine dresses after moving on it would be a great idea.
Susan from Dublin, Ireland
This is going to be so much fun to experience vicariously through you, Janice! I think if I were to do this challenge I might have to cheat by getting 2 of the same dress. My mother’s philosophy was, one on your back and one on the line. Could be that’s why I have waaay too many clothes,
lol! I love the dress you chose, and can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Ps I have no idea where the picture that appeared on my comment came from- it definitely is not me!
I’ve worn wool& dresses, not part of the challenge but as a way of uncomplicating my days when my mind was filled with too many other things. I thought I would accessorize dramatically, but in my actual days, I kept it very simple. For times that I needed a space of “no decision making” in my day, the dress was a relief. Washed, rolled in a towel then set out to dry kept the dress fresh for the next day.
I look forward to reading of your perspective of the 100 days.
After my husband passed away last spring, I did not have the mental energy to make many decisions. In our culture, we do not wear black for a year. However, I got a wool& dress in slate gray and wore it every time I went out of the house that first 3 months. I found it very easy to do. Following their directions, the dress was very easy care. Like V, I did not try to accessorize in many different ways. The whole purpose for me was to eliminate decision-making. I had jewelry and layering pieces for different situations: church, business meetings, casual family affairs, grocery shopping, etc. The dress met my needs perfectly for that period of life. I’m looking forward to seeing how you wear are yours, Janice.
I am part of the wool& FB group even though I haven’t done the challenge yet and I am so impressed with how people change up the look of their dresses. I am tempted to try, but haven’t bitten the bullet yet. I am also very impressed by the way wool seems to keep away odor and stains. It seems as though folks don’t have to wash the dress very often and the wool seems to regulate temperature really well. Many wear the tank dresses throughout the summer. So excited to see your take on this Janice!!!
I am currently doing the 30-day challenge with this same dress. The wool has been very comfortable for me, even in 100 degree F temperatures. It’s remarkable, really. The fabric is fantastic, the pockets are perfect, and the color I chose makes me smile. The style, though, is a big tent and it looks like I’m wearing a big tent. When I care about this, I have belted it or worn a linen shirt over it, with that shirt tied in the front to define the waist. I’m very excited to see how you style yours. I am currently on day 22 or 23, and I can attest that the dress does not smell. I only washed it when I received it. Of course, this time of year I am mostly in air conditioning!
You really can wear it in high heat? The thought of wearing wool makes me cringe. I do like the versatility of the dress and I do know that Merino wool is wonderful but still….
What do desert Bedouins wear? Wool! It’s surprising how we’ve all mentally categorized wool as “only for cold weather” when it really, truly depends on the weight and the weave.
It’s supposed to be in the 80’s next week, so I will be able to give you a first-hand report!
hugs,
Janice
I wore this on a sunny walk in 100 degree heat, and was impressed with how breathable it is. And the wool is not scratchy, either.
Of course I was hot, but I can’t blame the dress. I’m always hot at that temperature. When I’m done the challenge I am going to have the dress shortened. I need it to reach just above my knee, rather than just below. I’m 5’2″.
I love the style of the dress but it could definitely not be wool where I live. I do have a similar one that’s cotton so the replication wouldn’t be hard. I like the mix and match a lot.
Just love this idea! You go Janice! looking forward to reading all about it :)
More posts, yay! How brave to do the Challenge…I would fail after a week between boredom with the same dress and wanting it laundered every other day. Beth T, so sorry for your health issues & hope you mend soon.
By the way Janice I’m sure you could wear all of the examples you showed!
As V & Carole mentioned it would be an uncomplicated stress free outfit when other things are a priority. Rather like the Stress Dressing mini capsule all rolled up in one garment. If I wore dresses the one Janice chose would be perfect- the style and basic black.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the updates. This could pull me back into a dress again. I have those exact same Teva sandals & they’re THE most comfy things ever. Barefoot on a cloud.
After reading the website on Janice’s dress and contemplating all the different ways to do the 100 day challenge, I decided to do this on my own, starting tomorrow. I have three new black dresses that I bought this Summer and haven’t worn yet, due to the heat waves. I decided to use one of these dresses that haven’t ever been worn yet. I won’t take part in the official challenge like Janice, but do this privately on my own. I hope this is okay. I have so many new dresses this Summer, I can’t justify the beautiful wool one right now.
Wish me luck. It won’t be quite the same.
Dear Raj,
It doesn’t have to be the same – it just should be something that you want to try, to see how you feel about your clothes and what might change if you shake up your routine!
Keep us informed of how it’s going for you – I’m interested in anybody’s experiments with shaking up their relationship with their wardrobe.
hugs,
Janice
I’m trying the 21 garments for 30 days (again). That being said, I had a co-worker tell me last year that she’d never seen me in the same thing twice. I don’t have a huge wardrobe and wear some items at least once a week, sometimes several weeks in a row, so clearly not everyone pays THAT much attention to what others are wearing. I’ve already worn my yellow sweater twice the week…. I do mix up the tops and toppers and scarves. In fact, one of my other coworkers and I have similar taste and have shown up wearing the same top on more than one occasion but her style is so much different than mine and what we combine with the top it seems as if no one notices. I did notice last year we had a long term sub that only wore black. It was impossible to tell if it was different items or not, because all you saw was a column of black, no accent colors.
I bought the Brooklyn dress recently and plan to pack it for an upcoming river cruise. I normally don’t wear dresses so this will be it’s own challenge.
I look forward to your daily posts.
I am wondering, in the spirit of the thing, if something similar could be done with pants and a top. Not necessarily the whole wool concept. More the minimalist uniform concept. And what could it consist of? Something to ponder as I stare into my closet..
Absolutely! That would be a brilliant idea…
hugs,
Janice
I Remember seeing post (maybe a video on youtube?) about someone who did a similar challenge wearing only black jeans and a Grey merino t shirt for a month (with varied shoes, sweaters and jackets). I think she worked in tech. Nobody noticed.
I’m excited to see how you style the dress! I am disappointed though because according to the Wool& website the Sierra dress is not 100% wool, but a wool nylon spandex blend. All of their dresses seem to be in this sort of blend. If they offered 100% wool dresses I’d be all over them. I find knee length dresses vary versatile across the seasons in the PNW, since I can throw them on with tights and boots during the rainy season.
Sierra isn’t 100% wool but a lot of their things are – I have 3 tee shirts that are, and at least a handful of dresses come in all wool. I agree that blends with synthetics aren’t optimal for the planet!
hugs,
Janice
The beginning of your post describes it as being 100% wool which is why I was a bit disappointed when I clicked through. I could only find one dress that’s 100% wool on their website, but the wool tops look nice. For me it’s a fabric feel thing, wool synthetic blends just tend to bother me and in my past experience they’ve seemed harder to de-pill – like the nylon creates much more resilient pills lol. But I’ve occasionally found 100% wool dresses from Eileen Fisher on ebay and poshmark.
I honestly thought it was all wool, because my tee shirts from Wool& are all wool. They do have a handful of dresses that are 100% wool:
https://wooland.com/collections/100-merino-wool-jersey
hugs,
Janice
Looking forward to reading about this. This challenge sounds made for you : ) .
I followed a woman who did this challenge and it was fun to see how she wore her dress…I will be excited to see how you style yours!
Have fun!
I will be living out of my suitcase for 10 weeks over spring/summer. I’m decamping from Sydney to Perth (Australia) as live-in help as my daughter and husband welcome their 3rd child. I’m enjoying trawling through past VF posts for “mix and match on a theme” ideas.
I don’t wear dresses all that often, but wondered if the weight was light enough to tuck into pants and wear as a shirt (I’m tall so that might be easier for me than for others) or belt up to wear as a tunic.
Some women on the Facebook group DO tuck them in – I don’t think I could manage it! They do all SORTS of interesting things, including wearing the dresses as a wrap, a skirt etc… it’s impressive how creative they are!
hugs,
Janice
Wow! How brave of you to record doing this challenge on your blog. I know I’ll be following with great interest. Good Luck! Bet you’ll be great.
Cheering you on!
I do like a simple dress with versatility. I am so looking forward to what you come up with. I would love to order this dress in navy, but the tent-like structure is holding me back. I looked on their website for something more fitted and sleeveless, but to no avail. I plan to try to find a navy dress that will fit the bill and incorporate some of your ideas.
I’m allergic to wool, and dont wear dresses often (can’t for work). But i love the idea and look forward to seeing your progress! And i loved someone’s suggestion of doing the same with a shirt-and-pants … that would be another excellent way to run this challenge! (Basically, its wear the same “base” for a 100 days, right?) I bet I could do it in Jan/Feb/March with trousers and a sweater or long-sleeve tee – so easy to change up cardigans, scarves, jewelry etc. Actually, that matches my packing style too – in the summer, more tops because they have pattern and get sweat-through; in winter very few basics and lots of accessories.
PS. hope you recover soon Beth T!
That’s a great idea – I may do that after January…
hugs,
Janice
Good luck Janice! For many who think wearing the same garment EVERYDAY goes unnoticed well, I think it depends on your colleagues. I remember a rather stylish manager who wore a pair of equally stylish suede trousers to work on Fridays….and Mondays! I remembering following her down the hall when a ‘Judge Judy’ type commented “Hope she packs a couple pairs of clean underwear in her purse”!! The manager would often wear the same Chanel style suit two or three days in a row and catty comments were often forthcoming about ‘ don’t they pay her enough to buy clothing?’ She was department head with an income of over 100,000.00/year and that was twenty years ago! I might add that all comments came from women…we were all female. Eventually she was let go ( no, not for wearing the same outfit for days…at least I hope not!) A friend’s daughter works as an engineer with only one other woman in an otherwise male company. She reports wearing the same jeans on a remote site for two weeks, laundered once. Nobody commented and as the young engineer says…”the guys wore the same jeans for two weeks, at least mine were washed once!!” She did have multiple Tshirts to wear. I wore scrubs in my final years working and invested in three $$ bottoms and three $$ tops. With Covid daily laundering was mandatory but all tops worked with all the pants so I mixed and matched a lot just to relieve the boredom of black, navy and grey.
I think we give too much value to having abundant clothing but usually wear the same six or eight items on the regular. I would need a bit of a change up so one dress would not work for me but I could accept a capsule wardrobe of limited proportions. I do it when I travel for a month to six weeks at a time. It’s the shoes though…..they have their own suitcase!!!
Good luck and loads of inspiration!
I did my 100 day challenge this summer in a lapis blue Camellia.
Looking forward to many interesting outfits.