Inside: In this post learn how to simplify your closet and only keep clothes that you love.  There are many benefits of decluttering your closet, including having a realistic and rotating capsule wardrobe with clothes that you actually love to wear.  Keep reading to learn how to complete Project 333 and start dressing with less today!

Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

The other day I was standing in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. I tried on a few shirts and then changed my pants but nothing seemed right.  Before I knew it, I had a heap of clothes on the floor and I still wasn’t ready to leave the house.

Please tell me I am not alone in this! 

I recently read an article in the Huffington Post that discusses the idea that when given too many options people have a hard time making a decision at all. I think I was experiencing this problem because I had a closet full of clothes but I felt that I didn’t have anything to wear.  My problem was that I had way too many options.

This feeling is known as paralysis by analysis.  Maybe you have felt it too?

Although paralysis by analysis is a real thing and can cause us a lot of stress, there is another way.  A better way.  And I want to share that with you today!

ENTER >>> A Capsule Wardrobe

The idea of a capsule wardrobe is very popular today, even though it’s not a brand new concept.  The whole purpose behind a capsule wardrobe, whether you have 30 items, 10 items or 50 items, is to eliminate this feeling of overwhelm.

In other words, a capsule wardrobe is limiting our choices. In the same Huffington Post article the author explains that “limiting choice can improve our chances of actually making a decision and then staying committed to that decision.”

Having a capsule wardrobe limits the choices you have to get ready in the morning and will hopefully help you make the decision quicker.  And bonus, it saves you time getting ready in the morning and money on clothes you don’t need.

To develop my own capsule wardrobe I followed the advice of Courtney Carver and completed her Project 333 experiment.  I highly recommend you check our her site!

Pros of Project 333:

  • Simple rules to follow: Pick 33 items of clothes and accessories to wear for 3 months.
  • It’s flexible: You decide if you include shoes, jewelry, etc, or not!  It’s your challenge so you make the rules work for you.
  • There is an engaged community: Follow #project333 on social media for outfit ideas and encouragement.

Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

Simplify your closet and create your own capsule wardrobe by completing the steps that follow!

Simplify your closet in 9 Steps

1.  Pull out all of your clothes, even the clothes you have packed away in the basement and storage closets (I know they are there!)

If you don’t pull everything into one area then you don’t really know how much stuff you actually have.

2.  Try on everything.

I mean everything!  This will likely take a while, so set aside some time to go through your clothes.

3.  Sort your clothes into three piles: Yes in challenge, Not in challenge but keep (i.e. not the right season, needs altering, not ready to part with yet, etc), Do not keep (i.e. donate, trash, etc).

I know I said you don’t have to declutter anything to simplify your closet, and you don’t have to!  The beauty of the Project 333 challenge is that you pick 33 pieces to wear for one season and box up the rest.  After the season is through you can pull that box back out and decide if you want to swap out pieces for new pieces from your storage.  Or at that point you can decide to declutter some of your clothes.

However, I did want to mention that by reducing the clothes in your closet and storage in the first place you make it easier to decide which 33 pieces to use in your Project 333.  The first time I tried Project 333 I had a heck of a time deciding what to use for my 33 pieces.  After I decluttered some of my clothes I found it much easier to choose my favorites!

>>> Related Post: 8 steps to clear the clutter + free checklist 

4.  Look at your schedule for the next 3 months – do you have weddings or parties that require a more formal outfit?

Make sure to include something that will work for these events as well.

5. Decide on your 33 pieces: Think about what your absolute favorite pieces are from your “Yes in challenge” items.

Mix and match pieces and pick those that serve multiple purposes or fit with multiple outfits.  Do not stress about picking the exact right 33 pieces.  Just pick them and start the challenge.  And remember – it’s only 3 months long!  You can get the rest of the clothes back after 3 months is up!

>> Note: You can see my Fall pieces below and my Summer selections here.

6.  Hang up your 33 pieces in your closet or put them away in your dresser.

Sit down and have a glass of wine because you are amazing. 😃

Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

7.  Box up the rest of your clothes and put them out of sight.

This is a key step because you don’t want to be tempted to pull something out of the box.  This is your challenge, so it only works if you challenge yourself!

8. With that being said, do not be afraid to swap pieces out along the way.

You are not a failure if you swap something out or realize that shirt you picked, you really don’t like how it fits after all.  Do not let the fear of indecision stop you from starting the project.  It’s way more important to start with something than not starting at all.

9.  Give yourself heaps of grace.

I just read an email from Courtney about her Tiny Wardrobe Tour.  In the email, she mentions that people sometimes get overwhelmed by doing their first Project 333.  She recommends understanding your WHY first. Why are you wanting to do the Project 333 Challenge?  Yes, you want to own fewer clothes, but you will have many more additional benefits from doing Project 333.

“There are lessons to be learned in even the tiniest steps towards dressing with less.” -Courney Carver, Be More With Less

Thinking about this WHY and those benefits might help you to relax and not worry about failing or picking the exact right 33 items.

My Own Fall Capsule Wardrobe

Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

To give you an idea of what a capsule wardrobe looks like I wanted to share what I chose for this season.  Keep in mind everyone has different styles and tastes so everyone’s capsule will be a little different, maybe even a LOT different. 😃

If it helps you to see what I chose then great!  If it doesn’t, then no hard feelings.  You do you and I’ll do me. 😃

8 – shirts
4 – pants
1 – skirt
2 – dresses
3 – boots
1 – ballet flats
1 – dress shoes
3 – pieces of jewelry (necklace, bracelet, earrings)
2 – scarves
2 – jackets
1 – vest
2 – tanks
3 – sweaters
———————-
Total = 33

Related Post: Project 333 Summer Capsule Wardrobe

I hope you have been inspired to dress with less.  Are you ready to create your own capsule wardrobe??  Click the image below to join now!

Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

>>>For capsule wardrobe inspiration follow my Pinterest Board: Simple Wardrobes

Have you ever created a capsule wardrobe or completed a challenge like Project 333?

The challenge officially starts at the beginning of every January, April, July, and October.  However, don’t let that stop you from starting wherever you are! It’s never too late to start dressing with less!  Are you ready to join in on the fun?  Share in the comments below!

Ready for more simple living inspiration?  Join our weekly-ish newsletter by clicking the button below.  You’ll also receive our FREE “8 Steps to Clear the Clutter” Checklist. 🙂

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Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

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Simplify your closet in 9 easy steps. Join the Project 333 Challenge today!

18 Comments on Simplify Your Closet in 9 Steps, Even When You Don’t Have Time to Declutter Your Clothes

    • Hi Vicky! Everyone seems to have a different idea of what “enough” is. I try to focus on decluttering my own stuff first and hope that others will follow suit. I hope this post was helpful. Thanks for stopping by!

  1. I’m a minimalist, so the less clutter, the better. I like this approach to decluttering, I might just need to give it a try with hubby’s side of the closet! 😁

    • Hi Amy! I hope you are successful! It’s better to at least try to get to 33 than keep living with an overwhelming amount of clothes. Good luck! Let me know how it goes!

  2. This is awesome! I’ve been thinking seriously about doing some major trimming of my wardrobe but wasn’t sure where to start! This is the perfect idea! Thank you!

    • Hi Heather! I am glad this post was helpful! Hopefully you have some luck creating your own capsule wardrobe. Let me know how it goes!

  3. I’ve always wondered how I would adapt this to my situation–I like to keep all my clothes for the entire year in the closet all the time. Working indoors, I pretty much wear the same clothes year round, just adding a heavy coat and boots for outdoors in winter. So would I make my wardrobe 132 pieces (4×33)? Maybe 99? Are some of one season’s 33 pieces used in other seasons?

    • Hi Jean! That is a great question!! Since you wear the same types of clothes all year it sounds like you could technically get away with 33 pieces for the whole year! Or perhaps have a few items that you swap out….maybe you have a couple long sleeve tops you wear in cooler months that you swap out for a pair of shorts and short sleeve tops you wear in the warmer months. I definitely have items that I wear year round….for example my jeans and short sleeve t’s. No need to have 4 completely separate wardrobes for the different seasons. I hope this helps! If you have any other questions just leave them here or feel free to send me an email at tara@idreamofsimple.com. Thanks so much and good luck with your capsule wardrobe!!

  4. Thanks, Tara! One more question: If someone is doing four seasonal wardrobes per year, keeping 33 items in their closet and keeping the other three seasons stored elsewhere, with some items being used in more than one season, how many items would they be likely to have altogether? In other words, what would be a “reasonable” estimate for a “maximum” number of items in a wardrobe that could still be considered “minimalist?”

    • Hi Jean! This is a tough question to answer because we are all different and have different tastes in clothes. I would try not to worry so much about the total number for all seasons and focus just on the current season. I have one tub where I keep out of season clothes and that works for me. I would, however, recommend sorting through all of your clothes each season to make sure you’re not keeping clothes that you’re not wearing during any season. Even though I can’t give a hard and fast number, I hope this helps! If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to reach out. 🙂

  5. I’ve heard this before but never really tried it. I can’t wait to do this tomorrow when I have a free day! Thanks so much for all your advice!!!💕
    PS. One question- I wear scarves every day! The thought of including them in the 33 items count seems overwhelming.
    Should I not count them?

    • Hi Ellie! I am glad the post inspired you to give P333 a try! Since this is your first time giving it a shot I wouldn’t worry about your scarves. No, you won’t be following the rules exactly, but the point is to make it work for you and for you to challenge yourself. Maybe the next time you do P333 you could tackle the scarves. One thing you could do this time is take a note of the scarves you actually wear during the three months. If there are some you don’t wear then maybe those can go. Just an idea! Let me know how it goes! Good luck! 🙂

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