Part 2: January 33 challenge

Feels and learns from getting dressed

Make sure to read part 1 here:

I made the following notes the Sunday of each week, and I´ve tried to keep it honest.

Week 1: Uh-oh, broke the rules already

Felt good returning to the office after the holidays, but the weather took a turn for the much colder and drier, leaving the ground almost bare and my cheeks very red. The Diemme boots which had served me so well in the wet, snowy conditions the week before, when I compiled the list, felt too heavy.

And as temperatures dropped to -10C, instead of lurking around 0C, I reached for my warmest piece of outerwear: A beat-up vintage, long sheepskin coat.

Which was not on the list, heh. Neither the black wool coat (not enough room underneath for layers) or the shorter, grey sheepskin jacket could quite measure up.

There´s been a shift in my thoughts and process of getting dressed the last year or so, since moving from the city to a more rural-ish suburbs.

I feel a need for a wider range of options, at least for outerwear and footwear, depending on the conditions and suited for walking at least 5km daily.

It may also have something to do with me getting older, and more comfortable choosing comfort.

Speaking of comfort: The weekend was spent at home, totally enjoying the luxury of NO PLANS! Just…lounging. Reading. Watching movies. Cleaning. Going to the gym. Not going anywhere where make-up would be needed.

After this, I feel ready to get dressed again. But as I am standing in front of the 33 item selection, I feel a bit un-inspired.

Something about getting dressed for the colder weather makes me feel a bit…dowdy? Un-sharp?

I realise I´ve missed out on providing some lightness, more colour, more edge.

Some contrast to the chunky and soft wool pieces, as well as the mostly darker neutrals. Something more crisp, more bright, like denims and a stark white shirt.

Hm.

Week 2: Already regretting

What to your wear when the pipes in the 1880s house you rent freeze and all of a sudden you have a leak and you spend a day with your local plumber learning about the sneaky ways of water?

This week felt extra un-glamourous. And having a limited wardrobe, by choice, somehow made this un-glamourous week feel even more dull? Irritation arose.

I use clothing to add some fun to my days. I actually like choosing what to wear.

In general I love making plans ahead, but maybe I´m more spontaneous than I thought when getting dressed?

Hm.

This week, as I spent yet a weekend at home, I also felt a sense of bitter-sweetness about my wardrobe.

Up until 2020, with Covid and later moving out of the city, I spent a lot more of my time dressing up for going out. Fancy drinks, great restaurants, travelling. Great fun, no regrets (maybe some).

My wardrobe reflects that, and I almost feel sorry for the occasionwear, now just…sitting there.

I also know that I have been shopping more for my “fantasy self”, than my Real Actual Lifestyle. Big time.

But I like my life now. I feel…content. Not as stylish, but at ease.

And I vow to make some more creative wear out of the silk blouses, the swoosh-y skirts, the sharp blazers and heeled boots, even if “just” for going to the office.

I just have to wait until this 33 challenge is over, and for the actual flood outside my window to calm.

Week 3: Comfort wins

This week was hectic, and I somewhat appreciated having limited options. Nice!

It was also a week of even more terrible weather, like the kind where you just have to reach for the big puffy parka and your ski pants and the Sorel boots just to manage to get to and back from work. Not so nice.

A good thing: I discovered that my Kavu jogger pant could be workplace-presentable, paired with my black pointy mules (“office-slippers”), while also being comfortable under the ski pants.

I still feel a bit annoyed at the whole 33 items situation. But I want to focus on gratitude instead.

Especially after spending the weekend in a cabin in the mountain with my dear friends, playing in the snow, cooking, hanging out with their kids. In relation to this, I feel grateful for having spent money last year on quality loungewear and/or activewear.

The heroes: The locally produced wool sweaters and the activewear-pants.

I have three chunky sweaters in rotation as some of my most worn items. They are sturdy, warm and true heritage items. I´m wearing one here (I actually “modelled” for the company in return for a sweater and a jacket, full disclosure):

I also bought two pairs of Houdini pants last year. They are made to fit climbers, but they are also perfect for me, who mostly climb stairs.

One beige, one black, they look like chinos (and could also be worn to the office as well), but are extremely suited for at-home life because of COMFORT. The Aerial pants, which magically repels dirt, are my favorite.

Week 4: From irritation to insight

Is it February yet? This week I told myself that I SHALL NEVER RESTRAIN MYSELF LIKE THIS AGAIN.

But as I am typing this, I suspect my feelings of not particularly enjoying this challenge are not fully related to the 33 items, some of them failed selections, and the challenge itself.

And it is not just affected by the very terrible January weather and frozen pipes, but also related to my No Buy:

When removing shopping and browsing and researching for fashion related items, I have removed a way of self-soothing.

Of keeping my mind occupied, of avoiding feeling the feels (there´s been a lot of feels related to loss and family).

This month, I have removed dopamine-inducing “me-time” (the shopping/researching), while “restricting” myself (with the challenge), all in relation to something that I care about and enjoy (getting dressed), resulting in occasional irritation and a lingering feeling of “unsatisfation”.

Well well well.

Insight, is what we have here.

Which makes me appreciate my choice of staying with the challenge. I give myself credit for not quitting.

I appreciate taking the time and having the space to reflect on how I feel about it, after completing a month of the 33 items challenge.

As I am wrapping up this long read, I suspect this challenge combined with a fashion related No Buy, has contributed to other recent changes as well.

Last week, I took the time to meal-prep my lunch for the whole work week, which really made me feel good and properly fueled, removing any stress and/or time spent buying good during hectic days.

I also subscribed to the Focus Lock app, now heavily restricting most of phone use/screen time after 8pm (Substack included), to remove “noise” and input in the hours before bedtime.

Some kind of habit-stacking going on, maybe?

I know one thing: I won´t be making a habit out of sticking to a smaller capsule wardrobe anytime soon.

I crave variation and spontaneity and I enjoy the small creative act of selecting a daily outfit, just for me.

Now, let´s move on, shall we? Or even better, tell me if you have any experience with a capsule wardrobe: