Fall 2018 Trimm Challenge

Finished up my first ever TRIMM CHALLENGE for Fall 2018 in September, and I wanted to take a moment to share in retrospect how it looked for me personally.

First of all my friends, I just want to say my vision for starting the Trimm Challenge was to have a more simple, very doable way of being thoughtful about my closet, purchases, and style each season, that didn’t feel like a total wardrobe overhaul. And most importantly, to encourage everyone, no matter what your time or financial situation looks like, no matter if you have few or hundreds of things in your closet, whether you have everything ethically made, or everything fast fashion, that it’s very simple and easy to take a few minutes to be thoughtful about your style, and that it can be so fun to do it in a community!

I have done capsule wardrobes and very intense wardrobe editing, for myself and for others, and I learned so many positive things from it, but this abbreviated wardrobe edit felt more like a small act of kindness towards myself, that will be completely sustainable to keep doing long term.

I hope that if you join in the first ever Trimm Challenge this December, you also experience this act of kindness, which is really a breath of fresh air in your closet, and how you feel about your style!

All are welcome here!

Now… let’s dive into my Fall Trimm Challenge test run, shall we?

MY FALL TRIMM

For the first Trimm Challenge, I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, so I went into my closet and pulled out 10 items within 20 minutes or less, opened Notes on my laptop, and typed out the exact bullet points that you can see below.

I tend to overthink things, so what I exercised with this challenge was making quick gut (or feeling) decisions before my brain kicked in with all of the rationals. And that helped me A TON!

STEP 1:

10 things I “trimmed” out of my wardrobe

2 pairs of jeans that were 100% cotton
A boyfriend button down
2 grey basics
A solid black wrap dress
A striped mini shirt dress
An off the shoulder top
An embroidered graphic tee
A lace-up pair of heels

STEP 2:

THE REASONS

I let go of two pairs of truly beautiful lightly used jeans because of a simple reason… they just weren’t comfortable. And Lord knows if something is really uncomfortable I just won’t wear it. What’s worse is that I will also be thinking about how I’m uncomfortable ALL day, and I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be thinking about other things!
The button-down I passed on because it just felt too boyish to me. I love menswear inspired clothing, but I think one of the mistakes I made when I downsized my wardrobe 2 years ago was going to masculine with my style, emphasizing jeans and button-downs and kicking most of my dresses to the curb. Since feeling feminine in my clothing is important to me moving forward, I just won’t be adding much of the button down look into my wardrobe (although I’m not letting go of all my button downs). Moderation is key, right?
Grey basics were the next items on my list that I’m moving on from purchasing more of because I find myself more drawn to warm neutrals as of late. I might add a grey piece here or there, but my focus is on cream, brown, beige’s, and even neutral pinks/orange’s moving into the winter.
The wrap dress is beautiful and sadly brand new, but I just don’t love how I feel in it in terms of the fabric and fit. My true size feels restricted in the arms and chest area, and the size up was a touch too much in the bust for me. Otherwise, I would be all about a classic LBD.
The striped mini shirt dress just doesn’t really feel like me anymore. It’s hard to explain, but it just doesn’t make feel the way I want to feel in a dress, (feminine, whimsical, maybe a hint of edge or sass). I would much rather be in a flowing dress with skate shoes, than a tight mini dress with ballet flats. Anybody else?
The off the shoulder top I let go of because it’s a “sit and look pretty shirt”, and that’s literally all I can do in it. If I slightly move my arm, it pops up on one shoulder, so I am constantly pulling at it, and I just don’t like feeling like a can’t move in my clothing.
The graphic tee is cute, but I let go of it because of the fit and style. I like to feel cool in my graphic tees and this one just makes me feel cutesy and restricted because of the arms.
And finally, the last item I pulled out of my closet was a beautiful pair of heals that I just can’t walk well in. When I initially bought them, I thought I would be able to wear them, but the straps didn’t stay secure enough to keep my feet in, and so I didn’t feel comfortable.

As one last side note – I could have also gotten rid of most of my skinny jeans (even though I didn’t list them above), just because I don’t feel put together or really like me anymore in them, but I don’t have the budget right now to revamp all of my pants. So here is what I am doing instead – I set a rule for myself that I am not buying any more skinny jeans (even though I will still be wearing the ones I own), and I am saving to gradually add straight and wide-leg jeans in as I can.

There’s something to be said for holding on to some things that work for you, but maybe aren’t crazy about, while you are saving for what excites you! You with me?

Now onto my items to stay away from, my tasks to focus on, and the overall style feelings I want to stick to this fall.

STEP 3:

THE DONT’S

Uncomfortable shoes
Denim that is 100% cotton
Items that are uncomfortable, or too classic
Skinny jeans
Items that are too boyish
Items that are grey or black without pattern

STEP 4:

THE OVERALL GOALS

Experiment with your colors: all the greens, all the browns/oranges/blushes, creams/beige/whites
Try more monochromatic looks
Comfortable statement shoes
Pants that are straight or wide leg
Statement earrings with minimal gold jewelry
Vintage/modern purses

STEP 5:

THE OVERALL STYLE FEELING

Romantic meets Modern
I want to feel a touch more of feminity and fun in my wardrobe moving forward!

And that’s it my friends! Those were the 10 items I trimmed, reasons why, the don’ts, the goals, and the overall style feeling I am working towards in my closet. And what’s even better? I decided all of that, and wrote those thoughts down in less than 2 hours – that’s it!

Hope you will join me in the winter Trimm Challenge, happening Saturday, December 8, 2018! All it takes is 1-2 hours of your time and a fun little post on Insta to be involved! Read all about it here!

So much love,

Mary Beth