This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Italy for 6 weeks, and travel afterwards for 2. While I of course learned a lot about the arts, architecture, and culture of Italy & Europe, I also learned a lot about living with a smaller wardrobe. You see many bloggers taking challenges like the "30 Pieces in 30 Days," where you create outfits around only 30 items for a whole month. I always thought these people were crazy... What if you wake up one morning and realize the one thing you really want to wear isn't one of your 30?! Well, little did I know that I'd be putting myself through essentially the same challenge, but for nearly the whole summer, the months of May, June, and July. The funny thing is, I didn't even realize I had done this until just the other night, when I was putting away my clean clothes in my closet at my parents house.
When I packed for my trip to Italy, I knew I needed a lot of room to come back with souvenirs and extra things I bought while there. Keeping in mind possible weather changes depending on where we travelled in Europe, I paired down my clothes as much as possible. I focused on taking items that worked well with each other, with nearly every top going with every bottom, with a few exceptions of course. I brought a lot of simple sundresses, one-piece-wonders that make getting dressed a breeze. Funny enough, limiting the clothes wasn't as hard as limiting what jewelry to bring! More on that later.
I brought clothes within a similar color palette: navy, white, tan, black & grey, with pops of cobalt, coral, and blush. Once I got to Italy, I added a few key pieces, including a olive green pair of shorts, medium wash skinny jeans, and a flowy tan top. These additions brought my total to about 30, again, completely not planned.
What is interesting is that I never really got tired of what I brought. Sure, there were days I craved something new, but I made it work through accessorizing, despite my limited jewelry collection. At my Premier shows, I always tell my customers how one outfit can be many more just by changing up the jewelry & accessories, but I never felt that statement to be as true as it was this summer!!
By the time I got home to my parents in Colorado, I was certainly excited to have a few more options. With the stash of clothes I had at home, and a few extra purchases, my wardrobe here is up to about 40. But what I was most looking forward to was raiding my moms extensive Premier jewelry collection for some of the statement pieces I missed! My simple necklaces and earrings were not cutting it any longer.
Aside from the art and history lessons, I learned a great deal about personal style this summer. One does not need an entire wardrobe to be a stylish, fashion-forward woman. Classic, timeless style is about sticking to basics that don't seem basic (think a navy maxi dress with a high-low hemline or a flowy blouse in a bold color). It's about understanding what colors you love and can rock like nobodies business. It's about understanding what your comfortable in, and knowing that you don't have to have every "trending" piece to look stylish. I learned how to be true to myself a bit this summer, something I didn't think I needed to learn.
Having a minimal wardrobe doesn't have to be defined by a number; it's more about making sure that everything you own has a purpose, and provides cohesion in your closet. Once I get back to Tallahssee and all my clothes are in the same place, I plan on keeping this limited wardrobe going. When I think about all my favorite clothing items, I realize they are all with me, because I know what to wear them with, how to style them fabulously. Heck, most of them traveled with me around Europe! We are bonded now!
After living (surviving) so long with a limited wardrobe, I am now a firm believer in the 30-in-30 challenge. Limited your wardrobe frees up your mornings, your mind, and your soul. Besides, fun jewelry can make up for the lost clothing items! And who doesn't love jewelry? :)
--Caroline
