Swedish Designers & . ... What's After P333?

Ever since I stumbled upon the amazing Swedish designer, Ewa i. Walla, I have been totally obsessing. By now, I think I have the entire Spring/Summer 2013 line memorized (and the prices too. . OUCH!). Her line of clothing is inspired by 18th century Swedish farm culture. The vibe is ethereal and dreamy . . .and, at times, extreme fairy tale. Ewa creates the unexpected and extraordinary, simply by using ordinary, natural mediums (cotton, linen, silk, wool, organdy) adorned in traditional methods, such as hand embroidery, ruffle work and lace tatting. Ewa i. Walla clothing is so steeped in old European tradition, which in itself is unique. This is why her designs exude a sense of antiquity, while somehow achieving a modern edge, all at the same time.

Admittedly, full-on Ewa can be over-the-top. But I think in small doses, these pieces can mesh nicely, and add a bit of spark, to my current day-to-day wardrobe. Besides, I can only afford a few select pieces, and so I've started with some basics to build off, per suggestions from Ewa i. Walla's UK agents. You see, what makes this even trickier than just navigating the price point, is that you can't buy her clothing in the States, so there is no way for me to try on any of these pieces or even see them in person. And so I'm left to work closely with the UK agents, who have been more than willing to help. (If you ask me, since Ewa i. Walla garners such a cult following, the seasoned "Ewa Kids" sincerely enjoy helping the new fledglings find their Ewa wings; a mentorship of sorts, in an almost secret club.)

And now, what makes this all even MORE trickier, is that once my current Phase 3 of Project 333 concludes next week, I will begin transitioning into a new capsule wardrobe project. This time, I will be living with only 52 items (which includes outerwear, accessories, shoes) for an entire year! This is an idea my friend Bev had mentioned awhile back. I was immediately on board. I don't have a definitive start date for this new Project 5212, but I am aiming for mid-May. As you might imagine, I am in a planning frenzy right now trying to figure out how to make this all work, and how my new Ewa i. Walla pieces will play with the rest of my year-long wardrobe. Truth be told, her clothing will undoubtedly lend themselves perfectly to this new project, since it is all designed to be worn in layers and to be worn in a variety of ways. 

But enough of that. For now, just take a peek at some of the otherworldly designs of Ewa i. Walla. .  ..

 

” The feel of fabric is everything to me.   The tactile experience is what inspires me. My clothes are nothing but perception…”

- Swedish clothing designer 

Ewa i. Walla

Project 333, Phase 3: The Lookbook (In Front of the White Door)

Thanks to our camera's self-timer, and a handy little Joby, I was able to document 50 of my outfits during this current phase of my Project 333. Quick lil' snapshots "in front of the white door", these aren't the greatest photos (although I tried to mix things up with my poses, which are mildly entertaining, in and of themselves). Documenting this phase is key. I set out with one primary goal: to achieve maximum flexibility and style diversity, using ONLY my very limited 33 selections -- which include accessories, shoes and outerwear! (For a full list of my 33 items, see Project 333, Phase 3: The List.)

As I flip through this Lookbook, I am satisfied that I have compiled a complete visual summary, representing the breadth of styles/moods/looks this minimal wardrobe can achieve. And I think I was successful in doing what I set out to do. Take a look for yourself. 33 Items . . .countless possibilities!

                                                                          

.....Thanks for looking!

Project 333, Phase 3: The Rejects

What a slow, tedious process refining my final list has been! But I have put much thought into it, and I believe I am just about down to my final 33. I'm glad I took this time to rethink my items, and make a thoughtful selection that will support my main goals: achieving versatility and adding a bit of "pizzazz". I'm pulling together the final list for posting as I speak. But for now, the official "au revoir" to those items that made the cut. . .and then didn't make the cut:

Alasce Cardigan
(The North Face)
I ended up with too many cardigans.
While I like the length and warmth
this one offers, I think I can get the same perks
out of a couple others that are staying.

Cowlneck Sweater
(GAP)
Too warm! I can only wear this sweater
on super freezing days. Adore this
colour, but it just doesn't offer enough versatility.

Fitted Boyfriend Ruffle Shirt
(GAP)
I had two "Fitted Boyfriend" shirts
on my original list. I love them both,
but something HAD to go. I figured
this one might be too "wintery" given
the dark flannel plaid. In trying
to steer myself toward a "seasonless"
wardrobe, I chose the other (a blue check).

Drop Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Sweater
(French Connection)
The 3/4 sleeves don't make the cut! I often
need to rely on my down vest when the down
coat is too much insulation.
I need to make sure my arms are toasty!
Also afraid this colour washes me out.

Mini Polka Dot Yoke Front Blouse
(J.Crew)
A birthday gift from me, to me! Love this
colour on me, but it just doesn't play well with
the rest of my wardrobe. Too much
of a lone wolf.

Black Silk Neck-Tie Blouse
(Target)
Again, another blouse that doesn't
mesh well into the rest of my wardrobe.
Found I could only really get away
with this when worn with jeans.
Plus, with my blue-black hair, I don't
care too much for black tops.

Cowlneck Long Sleeve Tee
(GAP)
This shirt is just too big for me, to the
point of being frumpy. And as previously
stated, with dark tops, there's just
not enough contrast with my dark
hair color, and I tend to wash out.

Long Sleeve Puff Shoulder Tee
(GAP)
I found that I was only wearing this tee with
one thing. . .the grey jumper dress.
No room in my wardrobe for a
one-outfit-wonder. ..so it must go!

Pure Body Long Sleeve Tee
(GAP)
I think I can accomplish what this
tee did for me, with a couple other
options. Basically, it was a duplicate
effort!

Wool Miniskirt with Front Kick Pleat
(Ann Taylor LOFT)
This skirt was quite big on me, which
made the elimination decision quite easy!

Plaid Trousers
(Banana Republic)
These were too conservative for my
new wardrobe mission. Not to mention,
they required ironing.

Matchstick Cords
(J.Crew)
Two words:  Too. Big.

Stefanie Clogs
(Dansko)
These are so comfy, but I really only
wore them with one pair of pants.
And given how open they are,
they aren't exactly winter friendly.

Magenta Skinny Belt
(J.Crew)
This is such a darling belt, in a versatile, funky
pop of crazy color. But I couldn't
afford the luxury of it. I needed
to stick with workhorse accessories
that I could fully mix and match
into my wardrobe. This ended up
being somewhat limiting.

Project 333, Phase 3: Update!!

Well, my final list has been stalled. I had posted a preliminary list (Project 333, Phase 3: The List) a few weeks back, and as I was working to whittle away seven items, I discovered an error in my count! Luckily, it was to my favor and I only had to whittle down three items. But it got me thinking. As I was looking over my list again and again (. . .and again!), the overall style just felt wrong to me. It was far too conservative. My personal style has run the gamut through the years, from Ultra Preppy (I was voted EGHS Class of '90 Class Prep, afterall!) to Hippie Boho. Either I am a style schizophrenic or everyone morphs through stages in their personal style. Well either way, I decided that for this phase, my wardrobe should meld my two extreme styles, so that my creativity in dressing will not be hindered, and I may fulfill any style whimsy that comes my way.

Another thing that kept popping into my head, was something I had read from an interview with Nanette Lepore (check out the amazing stuff on Nanette Lepore's website). When asked about her upcoming line, she replied that "more and more, everyone wants their pieces to be seasonless". How about that?! I've said it before. . anyone that knows me, knows I love a challenge. My wheels started turning. The notion of putting together a core wardrobe that could carry me for 365 is very appealing, indeed. It won't happen with Phase 3, but perhaps with the future Phase 4. I believe I could make this work, with a new set of parameters; a set core with limited variables that are switched out between the seasons? I don't know, I will have to mediate on this one. My preliminary Phase 3 list was not that far off from being some sort of a resemblance of a seasonless core. Sure, I have some courduroy and one heavy sweater, but I think with some conscious effort, I can get it on track. Part of what I will be considering over the upcoming days.

So my final Project 333, Phase 3 list is currently being refined, in order to meet a new set of criteria:

1. It will consist of a balanced set of conservative 
    and bohemian pieces, that can easily intermix 
    and play well together

2. I will strive to include pieces that will support 
    and set the groundwork for a potential 
    "seasonless wardrobe" in the near future

3. No items that require ironing or dry-cleaning 
    will be considered (my rule from Phase 2, 
    that just makes a whole lot of sense!)

Can't wait to see what I come up with. This should be interesting. . .

i am an idiot but in this case it's a good thing.

As I am sitting here, reworking and eliminating items from my way-too-long "Project 333, Phase 3" list, I discovered something. A mistake. A simple jump in numbers, which has instantly made my task infinitely easier:

"...3, 4, 9, 10..."

WHAT??!!

What happened to items 5, 6, 7 and 8??  Well, It looks like all my pieces are accounted for in the list, so I have to assume I simply made an error in numbering. Which means. . instead of being over by the 7 items as I originally thought, I am only over by 3 things! This is very good news, indeed. And with all this wiggle room, I will consider a couple adjustments and might even keep an item or two that might have been on the chopping block.

What a luxurious error!

Take a look at the revised list, including some new eliminations:
Project 333, Phase 3: The List

33 for '13! (my project 333: phase 3)

Size 14 to Size 4...in 4 months!!

Since I have been somewhat remiss in my postings, I have a bit of catching up to do, for the record. In my last diet-related post, I had reported a weight loss of 19.6 pounds. (Boy, how out-dated that number is!) It's about five months later, and to date I have lost a total of 42.6 pounds! WOW! And while I am super pleased with my progress, I have 11 pounds to go to meet my initial weight loss goal.

(Incidentally, my goal weight was a somewhat arbitrary number that fell within my normal BMI range. Although, I have to admit that I have my doubts that I will be happy at that goal weight. I've never seen my body at this weight before, and I fear that much lighter will just be too skinny for me. But I'm not sure I want to give up before reaching the goal I set either. So, my plan is to hold steady my course, and just keep at it until my goal is reached. If I need to gain back any pounds, I'm sure that won't be a problem!)

During this period of weight loss, my Project 333 has been put completely on hold. With a steady drop in sizes, selecting a core 33 proved to be a nearly impossible challenge for me. I was trying to keep track of my wardrobe in my mind, and stick to a minimalist approach, but I'm afraid I did not do a very good job. You see, in all honesty it's pretty fun to buy clothes in the smallest size you've ever worn, and then dress up a body that is brand new to you. Initially, I was trying to thrift new pieces as my sizes were diminishing, since the clothing inside my armoire was nothing short of transient. But it hasn't always worked out that way. I'm afraid my emotions got the best of me, and I might have strayed from some of the P333 philosophies I truly endorse.

And so with a New Year right around the corner (and along with it, a spending moratorium in our house!)...the party's over and it's time to get my minimalist wardrobe back on track. Not to mention that my size fluctuation has just about tapered off. So it's the right time to crack down on my 33 for '13!

I have my preliminary list of those 33 items that will carry me through the first three months of 2013. Unfortunately, it is coming in at about 39 items, which means I need to shave off 6 things! Ugh! This is the truly difficult part. I'll be ironing that out over the next few days and will post my Project 333, Phase 3 list soon. I also have to reiterate what a lovely surprise it has been, having so many people check-in with me on my P333 status over the past few months. I'm always surprised at how genuinely interested people seem to be with this endeavor. This is a great project, with a strong message, and I appreciate the interest and support it generates.

. . . until 2013, everyone!

Weight Loss, Safety Pins & Thrift Shops

I am writing this blog post, wearing jeans secured with a safety pin.

Left unbuttoned, I can wrap the fabric over on itself and secure tightly with a pin. Throw a longer shirt or a dress on top, and nobody will even know. These used to be my skinny jeans, but now they fall off me. Very good news for a dieter, indeed.

I have lost precisely 19.6 lbs to date since I started my calorie-counting diet back in May (see my post, "Confessions of a Dieter", for more information on my weight loss agenda). Within the past couple of weeks, many of my clothes have become ridiculously big, to the point of looking silly. I've already had to retire a few items. It is a bitter-sweet feeling, and kind of a weird predicament. You see, I have about 30 lbs to go (almost four months) before I reach my weight loss goal, assuming I continue on the current trajectory. But no matter how you look at it, it's quite a long ways to go.

So what to do about my clothes in the meantime? Trust me, I want the weight to keep rolling off. I hate to put any negative energy out into the universe that might prevent that from happening. I don't want clothes to be a stumbling block (mentally or otherwise), which is why this dilemma needs resolution now.

I have participated in the Project 333 (see my post, "Project 333...Perhaps?", for more information on Project 333) for two phases. I love this Project and what it does for my life. I had planned on starting my next phase on July 1, which did not happen. I mean, how can I formulate a proper list when I have an armoire full of ill-fitting clothes? Safety pins can only take me so far....right?

About three weeks ago, the family and I headed over to the Goodwill. I actually snagged up two pairs of great summer pants that juuuuuust fit. Believe it or not, they are already getting loose on me. Not such a huge deal, since I think I paid less than $5.00 for the lot. I am typically a person who will save up for several weeks to afford a special piece of clothing. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, especially with clothing. So lately, especially as Fall lines are coming out, I'm having to curb myself from scouring websites and catalogs, planning what will be added to my wardrobe this coming season. But alas, I am coming to accept that this just isn't realistic and won't be happening.

My friend Beverly has gone through a similar weight loss in her life. When I asked her how she handled it, she mentioned having clothing tailored. Of course!! Why didn't I think of this before? I mean, one of the best seamstresses I know actually lives with me....my mother! There are some things (like my skinny jeans) that just won't be ideal candidates to be "taken in". But dresses and skirts are simple to alter; darts can even be added if the alteration is drastic. I've already asked for my mother's help. When I first started shedding pounds, I purchased an adorable navy dress from Free People. (Linda, really dumb move!) I almost instantly "under-grew" the thing to the point where it looked like a tent on me. But I love that dress, with it's bias seams and black ribbon cross straps! Mom just finished the alteration, and it's 100x better. She really is the best.

And so I believe I have my plan. I will continue this course of making-do with what I have, altering those items that make sense, and even safety pinning here and there, as required. I will supplement other items as needed from the Goodwill or my local thrift shop, with minimal investment. As I get closer to my goal, probably in early fall, I will reassess how well this is still working for me, and go from there. I will also participate in Project 333. I will make my list based on the current state of my wardrobe, and allow for switches as clothing needs to be swapped out for smaller thrift shop finds (similar items swapped for similar items, of course). And I think that going the thrift shop route also preserves the integrity of Project 333, since I am simply recycling goods and not over-consuming, putting more "stuff" out into the world.

Although I must confess. Emma and I just got back from a trip to New York City. We visited several lovely clothing shops, but I held steady my course and refrained from buying. However, Urban Outfitters was having a sale on their Cigarette Fit skinny jeans. I tried on a pair in my appropriate size, and fell in love with them! With an extra discount on sale items, how could I resist? The deal was sealed!

Finally, I can retire my old skinny jeans, and say goodbye to one safety pin!