Over the past few months (years?), a thought has occurred to me with increasing frequency: I spend a LOT of time, mental energy, and money on what I wear.  From reading fashion blogs, to planning the next day’s outfit, to trying to find the perfect companion for that unique item I bought, to online shopping, to trying on and returning purchases, clothes and accessories have claimed too much of my life.  So I’m ready to say enough.  It’s time to refocus all that energy and money on more important things.

When I first started thinking about doing this, I thought 33 items sounded pretty generous.  I’m used to traveling for a week or two at a time with only a carry-on, so how hard could this be?  But as I began to assemble my list of items, I recognized the challenge of dressing for all occasions and varying weather conditions, for three whole months, with only 33 pieces.  This is especially tricky for me because I frequently have to dress in formal business attire for work, which has limited crossover potential.  I have no desire to wear a full skirt suit and heels to Sunday brunch.  The process also highlighted how many accessories I have.  Selecting just two pairs of earrings is tough!

Because part of the appeal of this project is to wear the things I already own and curb my shopping habit, I insisted on creating my capsule wardrobe from the items currently hanging in my closet rather than buying a bunch of new things that will work perfectly together.  I did decide to replace my gray skirt suit because I’m overdue for a new one and I wasn’t sure whether the old one would hold up to three months of frequent wear.  Aside from that, I already owned everything I chose.  I think the pieces will be pretty mix-and-matchable, and most of them can be worn to work and in more casual settings.

A few things I did not count toward my 33 items, in addition to those noted above:

1. Glasses and sunglasses.  I don’t wear contacts and I need these I see. While I own three pairs of glasses, I’m limiting myself to wearing the same pair for three months. Carver includes sunglasses in her 33 items, but I decided against that because I view them more as a necessity than an accessory.  I only own one pair of prescription sunglasses and I haven’t replaced them in about 5 years.
2. Diaper bag.  I suppose this would be considered an accessory, but it goes with the baby.  Whoever happens to be caring for him carries it — sometimes that’s me, sometimes it’s my husband, sometimes it’s his grandmother or a child care worker.  Because this item isn’t for my exclusive use, I decided to consider it a freebie.
3. Lunch bag, laptop bag, reusable shopping totes, etc.  These  special-purpose bags really aren’t part of my wardrobe in my mind.  They serve purely practical purposes, and I don’t consider them when assembling an outfit, so I’m not including them in my 33 items.

Here are the things I have decided to include:

1. Suit blazer – black
2. Suit pants – black
3. Suit blazer – charcoal gray
4. Suit skirt – charcoal gray
5. Light gray tweed blazer
6. Navy ankle pants
7. Black and white houndstooth skirt
8. Burgundy short-sleeve dress
9. Red short-sleeve top
10. Black sleeveless blouse
11. Peach sleeveless blouse
12. Long-sleeve floral blouse
13. Sleeveless floral blouse
14. Dark purple open-front cardigan
15. Oatmeal waterfall cable-knit cardigan
16. Tan hooded trench coat (with removable fleece lining for extra warmth when it gets cold)
17. Beige long-sleeve jersey top
18. Purple-gray short-sleeve t-shirt
19. Light gray lightweight sweater
20. Ivory lightweight sweater
21. Black turtleneck
22. Dark wash trouser jeans
23. Cobalt blue skinny jeans
24. Nude pumps
25. Black dressy flats
26. White and black faux-snakeskin smoking flats
27. Charcoal gray wedge loafers
28. Red large purse
29. Red small purse/clutch
30. Gold sparkly globe earrings
31. Gold dangling earrings
32. Black belt
33. Multi-colored scarf