can we appreciate the remix?

so as part of my “new years resolutions” i wanted to learn more and expand my horizons if you will. to explore areas of my life and how to live more simply. well, you need to start somewhere, right? so a friend is doing this style experiment called the 30×30 challenge. the purpose in doing this is to appreciate your wardrobe and have a better understanding of what you own so that when you shop you know more of what you have and such. i thought it was kind of silly at first, but then every morning after she explained her challenge i found myself (i am ashamed to say) sulking in my closet complaining that i have nothing to wear. how ridiculous. i have never been one for style (i got my first book this christmas on the topic – in my interest of becoming “more girly” in my old age and yet ironically enough, a coworker dubbed me of all people the girliest one at work just today). amidst all these thoughts on looking cute in what i have and playing my closet to it’s strengths, i began to wonder if this challenge could really mean more than simply depriving yourself for 30 days so you can splurge in the mall & fill your closet with meaningless fads yet again that will soon lay dormant once the season has passed and the tragedy repeats itself.

that’s when i thought of how refreshing this really could be. in an attempt to live more simply, why not start in the realm of materialism we so viciously lie tied to? appreciate the clothes we have rather than envy that of those around us? yes please. appreciate that we have clothes at all? indeed. so here’s the challenge & how it works. in addition to the remix, i add an extra challenge to myself. i have held on to too much over the years that never sees the light of day & it’s time to put it to good use. For are we not told, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

we’ll get to the food part later…but for now…here’s the challenge:

Rules:

1. Pick 30 items or less from your closet. (Shoes are included, but accessories & jewelry are not.)
2. Remix the 30 items into 30 different outfits. It might take 30 days or 3 years. It doesn’t matter. Just do it.
3. Don’t shop for 30 days.
4. (My rule). Donate the excess in your closet that you never wear to someone who needs it!Excerpt from the blog {kendi everyday} this idea came from. Check it out:

The whole point of the remix is that with a little bit of creativity, you can make what you have work for you.

This is a challenge to help you learn to shop your closet and to shop smartly. By being well-versed in what you already have, you will become a better shopper. Why? Two reasons: 1) so you’ll learn to shop your own closet and 2) so you’ll appreciate it.

Do you have questions? I have answers.
Do camisoles or tanks count as a part of the 30 for 30? It’s of course up to you, but if you are using it the same way as you would undies, then don’t count it.
Do workout clothes count? Unless you work at a gym and that’s what you are going to be remixing, I don’t count work out clothes. If you don’t wear them as a part of your every day wear, then don’t count it along with your items.
What counts as an accessory? Scarves, jewelry, purses, tights, etc. You get the picture. If you can’t wear it alone, then it’s an accessory. Also while we are at it, please don’t only only wear a necklace. You will not be received well in most public places.
What about coats!? DO they count? Again, if you can’t wear an item by itself (i.e. you’d never wear a coat as a part of your outfit) then it doesn’t count. I have to wear a coat because it’s cold out, but I can’t actually remix it. Oh and Blazers, cardigans, sweaters are not outerwear, they count. 😉

once the remixing begins…the pictures will come as evidence. i’m pretty exited to simplify the closet!