I have been participating in Project 333 since last fall, and I look forward to the beginning of each new cycle. It is starting to feel like one more indicator that the seasons are changing and a great reminder that I need to re-evaluate my life. 

I have edited my closet again for the cycle that started on July 1, but rather than list those items here (boring), I want to explain why I love Project 333 and my minimalist wardrobe.

1) My wardrobe costs less money.

I have been buying higher quality clothes lately, but I buy less items now. I love my clothes that I already own. They coordinate with each other. I feel that I have enough clothes, and I don’t need that many more. Usually the things that I decide to buy are based on the seasons For example,  only had one pair of shorts when the summer started, so I bought another pair of shorts and a pair of capris. I recently bought a rain jacket. For the fall, I will buy a pair of boots.

But the days of running to the mall to entertain myself on a Saturday – ostensibly because I ”needed” a pair of coral pumps – are over. 

2) I know where everything is.

I misplaced my denim skirt last week. I knew it wasn’t there and was able to find it pretty quickly in my relatively clean closet. Before Project 333, I wouldn’t even have known that something was missing.

I also know when something is in the laundry, or if I took it off and didn’t put it away properly. It is surprisingly liberating to know where things are. I don’t spend nearly as much time thinking about and digging for my clothes; it’s usually a five second process of “Hey where did that go?” – “Oh, right. It’s in the laundry” rather than a panicked fit leading to the closet being dumped on the bed.  

3) I have more to wear.

It seems counter-intuitive, but designing an intentional wardrobe really has improved the way I dress. Owning the proper amount of basics is key to any wardrobe, really, but it’s essential in the minimalist wardrobe. Probably 70% of my clothes are “basics”. However, that means that I can wear them through multiple seasons. And they all complement each other, as well as many of my fun, trendy items.

I stick to a basic color palette (browns, creams, purple, dark pink, green & navy blue). I am constantly amazed at the new combinations that I can put together, usually just when I am getting sick of all my clothes and want to replace them all.

Bonus: You know what you need.

As summer is coming to a close, I know that I am going to need a new blazer or cardigan for the fall as well as a new pair of boots. That’s it. Since I know exactly what I have, I know what is lacking and how I can fill in the gaps. Pretty awesome, huh? Also, I can keep an eye out for any great specials or sales and focus my shopping (and $$$) on the things that I am missing.

Do you have any great tips and tricks for designing an amazing wardrobe? Don’t keep them to yourself. Share!