Reader Question - 6 Items for a Month?

Hi Kimberly,
I've read your blog for a very long time and have actually written in once or twice. Over the weekend, I saw an article in the Tribune about a website (well, really a movement) to use six items of clothing or less for a month. Since you love clothes, I immediately thought of you, and while I don't think you will participate, I thought I would run it by you anyway. My current goal is to get six to ten items of clothing that I could wear and re-wear for an extended period of time...
And, really, I want to see which items you would pick for your six!

Hope all is well with you...talk soon,
Erica

Oh Erica, I do believe limiting myself to 6 clothing items would darn near kill me! Okay, perhaps I am being a bit overdramatic, but I was feeling a bit crazed after being limited to 15 items (including accessories and shoes) this past spring after only 4 DAYS (you can read all about it here)!!

For those you interested, here is a link to the official website and summary of the "project" (Google "six items or less" and you will find all sorts of posts and videos). I find the whole thing very interesting (and even tweeted about it over a month ago) and really have admiration for those that can complete something like this. However, clothes are too fun for me to limit myself like this. Not only do clothes cover my body, but shopping for them, coming up with outfits and more are almost like therapy to me.

If you are the type of person that doesn't care if you wear the same outfit week after week then this wouldn't be that bad. But, being the type of person I am and having only repeated less than a handful of outfits item-for-item in over 2 1/2 years it makes my head want to explode just thinking about it. However, I was up to the challenge of creating 30 unique looks with 6 clothing items and unlimited accessories just like the project calls for.

The goods (I have items in my closet that are very similar to these items):

6 Items by dddgirl79 featuring tunics

Dress, Cardigan, Striped Tunic Tee, Ankle-length Pants, Sheer Tunic with Pattern, and Patterned Skirt

6 Items - Accessories by dddgirl79 featuring cotton scarves

Now, I went a little crazy with accessories, but you know me - I ♥ my shoes, belts, scarves, necklaces and more! Total count - 1 cami/tank (I took liberties with this one - I figured since you need it as an "undergarmet" for the sheer tunic I could get by with it), 4 necklaces, 4 scarves, 9 pairs of shoes, and 4 belts. You could definitely do with less accessories, but you would be repeating exact outfits throughout the 30 days.

The looks:

Some of the key things to keep in mind when trying to get the most of your wardrobe:

~ Think of your dresses as not only dresses, but tops and skirts also.

~ Don't be afraid to layer under dresses even if the dress has sleeves - a little bit of color or print can add a lot (example).

~ Don't limit your skirts to be worn at the waist only - try it as a top as suggested in Week 3 (it can be done - see Megan accomplished it!) or dress (depending of the length of the skirt).

~ Vary up the look of your cardigans by wearing it buttoned-up, open and belted, tossed over your shoulders and more.

~ To make a longer tunic work with a skirt, belt it, and "blouse" it over the belt a bit to shorten the length.

~ A scarf can be worn a ton of ways - create a shrug, halter top, wear as a belt, loop around your neck, belt it, use to fill in the neckline of a cardigan or blazer, and more. Click here for more ideas or check out Loft's Facebook Page for some more neat ideas.

~ Use accessories to create impact. The Uniform Project showcased a woman wearing the same black dress every day for a year, yet no look is the same based on the power of accessories!

Erica, I hope this will help you create the capsule wardrobe you desire to create.

If you still need inspiration, CAbi does a great job coordinating 15 items into 30 looks every season on their blog (fall and spring). Also, you might want to check out this year's fall wardrobe capsule and last year's along with my Make the Most Series.