We’re on a Mission!
"Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It's not about brands. It's about something else that comes from within you." - Ralph Lauren
The first post I published was “This is Not Another Fashion Blog…It’s a Project” but I never gave the details of this project. In that post I touched on my motivation, and some basic details but not the nitty gritty details of the what. So this post will be all about the details.
To give you a little background information I’m a business analyst. This requires me to work within a project framework so it’s familiar plus it offers guardrails, constraints and deadlines. Those are things that activate me and keep me moving forward with purpose. So I’m approaching the re-building of my wardrobe as a project. So without further ado here are the details of the 1 Piece At A Time project.
My first step was identifying what I considered as my problems before creating my project plan. Putting pen to paper and documenting my problems keeps them top of mind so I won’t slip back into the bad habits that created the problems to begin with.
The Problems:
I have a wardrobe full of work clothes
I don’t love any of my clothes
I don’t have clothes for a variety of occasions ( work, weekend, concerts, dinners, travel, parties)
I have a lot of throw away clothes (clothes that didn’t cost a lot and lack quality)
Getting dressed is difficult & not fun
I am discouraged by my clothing options to go out and enjoy life
I am wearing workout clothes as casual, around the house and errand clothes
Now for the solution. Like I mentioned before in my very first issue the pandemic presented the perfect opportunity to clean out my closet of nearly all my clothes and shoes and start over. I started listening to the advice of fashion influencers and it re-ignited the joy in shopping and getting dressed again. The only thing that was missing was structure. This project is creating the structure to consider different items I never would have thought of trying using the expertise of style experts.
Finally getting down to the nitty gritty. The second step was to fill in the details of the project plan.
Project Description:
This project is the 1 Piece At a Time Project. It is designed to build the ultimate wardrobe that works for me. It will discourage impulse and trend driven purchases of items I don’t need, love or suit my evolving personal style.
Project Goals:
Build the ultimate wardrobe that serves me all year long without having to constantly purchase new clothes for events/ special occasions/ trips.
Purchase pieces that I love and reflects my personal style & my body right now.
To look good effortlessly.
Project Scope:
Explore 200 items that includes clothes, shoes, accessories, undergarments and fashion concepts and analyze if I need that item and purchase it if I do. Simple, right?
To shake it up and add a little fun I’m presenting the acquisition of each piece as a mission to be completed.
Project Assumptions (factors that are known to be certain or true):
My body will change. I will gain weight and lose weight and my purchases will reflect this. I will purchase pieces to flatter my current size. If I have to repurchase anything due to weight gain or lose so be it.
I will be respecting my current closet. I’m not shopping for the sake for shopping. I’m taking to account items that are missing from my closet and also the clothes that are already there. Meaning, I want my purchases to work with items that I already possess increasing the odds the items will be worn soon after purchasing.
Project Constraints:
Purchases will follow the seasons. I will likely purchase fall and winter items before and during their respective seasons. If I spot an opportunity to buy a piece out of season I will try my best to take advantage of it.
Cost matters. Kind of. I don’t have a limit for how much each piece should cost. I anticipate splurging on some pieces, thrifting some and searching for affordable versions of others.
Retailers matter. I’m looking to purchase through retailers that offer discounts, coupons, and cash back on my purchases. This will require me to do research to find not only the best version of a piece for me but also the best deal from the retailer selling the piece.
No more work only clothing. I will not buy clothes that are labeled as “work clothes”. If a piece screams business casual I’m not buying it.
Subject Matter Experts:
Every successful project has subject matter experts and mine are style experts. I’m using Nina Garcia and Lloyd Boston to guide me through the pieces that are essential to a complete wardrobe.
Timelines:
I’m calling the first year Phase 1. If I haven’t covered all items in the course of a year we will continue and call it Phase 2.
Budget:
I’m setting the budget for $5,000. And we’ll see how far that gets me. I will be tracking every purchase and of course sharing with each mission.
Everything that I learn on this journey I’m documenting and sharing. So if you love fashion, love product reviews and are looking to add some pieces to your wardrobe or starting over like me. Join by subscribing.
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