Materialistic? Drowning in Fashion Excess?

August 8, 2012 in Fashion, Finance, Human Rights, Lifestyle, Money, News, People, Self, Society, Style

Are you materialistic? Drowning in fashion excess? Here lies the cure.

I have stayed in touch with some of my former students after they have left school. I have done this with the aid of Facebook, and recently noticed something that interested me .

One of these students, a bright and thoughtful young woman was taking part in an activity called ‘Project 333’. I was intrigued and through chatting with her, I found out that ‘Project 333’ is exactly the kind of experiment our society needs.

For 3 months, you may wear 33 pieces of clothing, which includes shoes, hats, belts, jewellery, etc. Exempt from this list are the following: underwear, socks, pajamas, gym gear (to only be used for working out) and uniforms.

At the start of the 3 months, you make a careful selection of what you will wear, keeping in mind that there will be changes in temperature. The rest of your wardrobe is boxed up and dated.

The whole concept is challenging our society’s tendency to lean towards excess in all we do, especially our wardrobes. This is about ‘need’ vs. ‘want’, which has a huge difference.

At the end of the 3 months, if you haven’t missed anything in the boxes you packed and pre-dated, you pass them on to charity, and while you are able to purchase more clothes to re-stock your wardrobe, you are encouraged to buy key and timeless pieces, rather than buffeting on the winds of fashion.

Many people around the world are taking part in ‘Project 333’, which was created by an American woman named Courtney.

Many are not just participating for the first 3 months, but ongoing. They finish and start again, so it’s a new lifestyle, trimming the excess, gleaning what is needed out from what you simply have lying around.

As I sit here and type, I can see my wardrobe, overflowing, onto the floor. I look at the clothes and can say with confidence (and a pinch of shame) that I wear about 30% of what I own. Over the years I have made the excuses: “Oh, but I will fit that again one day” or “I may not have worn it yet but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to” or “It was so expensive, I can’t get rid of it” etc.

It’s this kind of mindset that has my room looking like an episode of Hoarders but for clothes. I have too much – in general. Too many clothes, too many CD’s (3000 and counting), too many DVD’s, books and other assorted bits and pieces.

Everywhere I look, there is ‘stuff’ and clutter. Although not brave enough to dive headfirst into ‘Project 333’, I bagged up and gave away several garbage bags of clothes to charity after being inspired by my former student who is talking this challenge by the horns with trademark tenacity. I will continue to examine how much excess and unnecessary belongings I have, and will continue to give them away and quit with my vapid excuses.

Could YOU participate in ‘Project 333’? Do you believe we live in a society that is focused on materialism rather than need? How much of your wardrobe do you really wear?

Images in this post courtesy of C. Brown

Author Info

Maree Talidu has written 46 posts.
Maree is a high school teacher who is first and foremost a child of God and values her faith, her family & her friendships. Maree has gypsy blood and music running through her veins. She is an advocate for 'Invisible Illnesses' and is passionate about helping her students realise their full potential. Maree collects sneakers, concert tickets and all things kitsch. Maree once broke up with someone who accused her of inventing the word 'cryptic' to confuse him. She loves video games and remains unbeaten on 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3'. Maree likes to write on behalf of those who may not feel they have a voice.

8 Comments »

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Monique Fischle

That sounds like such a good idea. I’m not sure if I think I could do that, but there are a few items of clothing that I rotate more than others. I would say I wear about 40-50% of my wardrobe at the moment, but I definitely have an excess of clothing that I don’t actually need.

I really think we live in a society that focuses on want rather than need, I know I tend to focus on want, with many of my purchases justified by saying “but it’s pretty”, it’s a really bad mindset to have.
- Maree Talidu
  
  I think we all do it, we live in a super materialistic world where the more you have, the better off you are, whether it be clothes, properties, cars or Jimmy Choos. We have become conditioned to need to ‘out-do’ each other with our purchases, almost like having a surplus of ‘stuff’ elevates your standing in society. I think of orphans in 3rd world countries or the thousands of homeless who would be grateful to have the most basic of items, but go without, while I have hundred of dollars (if not more) worth of clothes that I do NOT wear spilling out of the wardrobe, creating a ‘floor-drobe’.
  
  Not just any old stuff, but good quality clothes that I have worn once or twice and have found lame excuses to keep around, even though I know I will most likely not wear them again. The student who introduced me to Project 333 did a similar challenge last year with her book collection, culling hundreds of books and keeping maybe 20 of the classics and putting the rest on a kindle, it’s not just about the financial waste, it’s about the space that all this stuff occupies and creating an environment for yourself that is slightly more minimalist.
  - http://tamsinhowse.com/blog Tamsin Howse
    
    I’m the opposite with the floordrobe issue – that’s the clothes I *do* wear. All the stuff I don’t is hanging neatly in my closet!
    
    I have 3 boxes already to give away, and need to clear more. Just need to get them to St Vinnies. I have definitely moved to buying investment pieces, especially ones that are a bit forgiving so it doesn’t matter if my weight varies a little bit. But when I gained weight and started working out my body changed so much I have thrown out ALL the clothes from before, they’re never going to fit me again.
Rose Russo

Just as I read this post I put a few items up on eBay!

Thanks for the reminder!!

This is a great project.. might see if I can do it great post!
- Maree Talidu
  
  Thanks, she really inspired me to look around my room and evaluate my priorities. It’s time for change!
Valentina B

I think I could do it. However I wouldn’t box and give away everything I didn’t miss in those 3 months as alot of my clothes are cocktail dresses/coats and things for special occasions which I wouldn’t wear as everyday clothing.

I do a mass cleanout every 6 months and glad to say that the bags are getting smaller and smaller because I’m not replacing the stuff I gave away/threw out previously.

I think I’m going to try to take part! Also, is there a reason accessories make up part of the 33 or are they just the rules?
- Maree Talidu
  
  From what I can tell, accessories are part of the rules because they are something we also tend to over-indulge in. I have more scarves, bags, belts, hats etc lying around than I could ever use in this lifetime!
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