How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe (Via TikTok)
If you have a ton of clothes, you may want to think about downsizing from time to time to create a “capsule wardrobe” consisting of basics like cardigans, plain shirts and jeans that you can mix and match to create multiple outfits. But in reality, doing this is much more difficult than imagining what it would be like to have a pared-down closet. What if you got rid of something that would be perfect for some future outfit? What if you have to go buy a new one to replace it?
That’s where Project 333 comes in. This method will help you figure out what really belongs in your collection without forcing you to give anything up right away.
What is Project 333?
Project 333 comes from Courtney Carver, who published Project 333: A Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves That Less Is Actually Much More in 2020. The idea has since gained widespread traction on social media, especially on TikTok , where users are using it to scale. on your cabinets, to impressive effect.
The main idea behind Project 33 is that you need far fewer clothing items than you think, and you can create many matching outfits with just 33 different items.
How does Project 333 work?
When you start a round of Project 333, you set aside 33 items of clothing and pack everything else away from your closets and drawers. The 33 items you choose to keep include no lingerie or sentimental jewelry for everyday wear; instead, it’s pants, sweaters, shirts, dresses, statement jewelry and the like.
Anything you didn’t select for this round, place it somewhere else, such as a storage unit, attic, or closet away from your closet. You then wear only clothes mixed and matched from those 33 items, and plan to do so for three whole months.
When three months have passed, you can return to the packed articles and look at them with new eyes. Did you need anything there? Was there any piece of clothing you were particularly excited to return to? Anything you could easily do without, you can simply donate or throw away. You’ve already proven that you don’t need it to create great outfits.
Project 333 doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Project 333 can work in cycles. You don’t have to throw away or donate everything after you do it once. You can get rid of just a few items and then try again with 33 items for another three months or work seasonally. Ultimately, your goal is to create a capsule wardrobe full of essential pieces that you can wear and use on a regular basis, but it can take time to get that overloaded.
Where to begin
As you embark on your optimization journey, choose versatile pieces that can be worn multiple ways and over, such as cardigan and undershirt combinations, practical jeans, and no-frills dresses that can be paired with a variety of outerwear. Overall, these mix-and-match items have great long-term value and deserve more space in your closet than finicky pieces that you can only wear at certain times and in certain combinations.
The best part about Project 333 is that it allows you to leave room for some of those more luxurious items, but you’ll also have the opportunity to reflect on which ones you really love (and which ones you missed) while they were locked away .