Nearly 3 weeks

 Today is day 20. Which is further than I thought I’d get.

Things I’ve learned so far 

1. You don’t need to wash things every day. Underwear, yes. Socks, yes. Everything else, not a chance. 

I washed my dress for the first time after 10 days. Not because it needed it, but because I was going away for a sewing weekend, so thought it the ideal opportunity.

It didn’t need washing, I’d spot washed any spills, and generally it was ok.

2. People either don’t notice, or are too polite to comment. Admittedly, I work from home and have been wearing the same 4 tops in rotation for eighteen months, but people genuinely don’t remember what you wore yesterday.

I went on a sewing retreat and wore my dress each day., I just swapped out scarves and jewellery.

3. I like not having to think about what to wear. Fancy dress party? Add a black scarf and a witches hat.

If I stick with it, I’ll still be doing this challenge at Christmas. And combining it with a fun exercise challenge, so elf and sparkly headbands will probably be worn.

4. Why did we go to mass manufactured synthetic fabrics? Probably because having a few items that were worn in rotation didn’t help big business.

End of week 1

 A whole week of wearing the same dress.

I’ve started to think about the logistics of washing/drying it and have had some great advice. But, actually, one of the things that struck me was thinking about it in a historical context. Even as recently as the 50’s and 60’s most people didn’t constantly wash clothes. They were generally made of natural fibres and were worn more than once. Cotton shirts etc were washed and dried at the weekend, and woollen clothing was probably just pressed.

My school skirt was wool, and I’m fairly certain it never got washed. It was hung out on the line, and the pleats pressed every Sunday night.

There’s a Facebook group for this challenge and lots of people are really imaginative, but I think I’m #teambasic. Just put the dress on, and figure the rest out.

So far, I’m liking not having to make choices, and the amount of washing has definitely shrunk.

Some photos from this week.

Challenge Day 2

 One of the things I’ve realised is that I’ve got a lot of rubbish in my wardrobe. But at least I only have ONE wardrobe, I’ve got friends with 3 or 4. They can’t possibly wear all those clothes. Even if one is for your ‘posh’ outfits; formal dinners, cruises etc.

For work I used to wear the same trousers/tops in rotation, and had other things for casual wear; now I’m more likely to wear stretch jeans and long tops. Or I had a couple of more formal dresses if the occasion needed them.

So wearing the same dress isn’t that different (maybe, who knows how I’ll feel in a week/month?)

Today was a gym day, so at the gym 6:30am and bought a bacon butty on the way home. Life’s little pleasures!

After a shower it was just straight on with the dress. This time with amazing turquoise tights and my beautiful shoes Hot chocolate shoes

A whole new challenge

 I’ve been slacking on the sewing front lately. Unless I’m with other people I rarely sew.

But other habits I’ve managed to keep up with; going to the gym regularly, eating healthy, trying to live more simply.

As part of that I’ve reduced the rubbish in my wardrobe; the things I used to wear to work, and now probably won’t wear again. The cheap trousers I bought because nothing fitted.

Now I’ve gone completely the other way and am going to attempt to wear the same dress for as long as possible. Washing it in between wears,obviously! But not washing it every day, as it’s wool and cost a fortune.

I need to learn how to take better photos. I don’t think the ‘mirror selfie’ is the way forward.

But the hall is the place that has the least clutter, so generally it’s easier.

The dress is 75% merino wool, and is really soft and comfortable. It’s the Sierra Tank, in a lovely washed navy, so will be easy to mix up with other things I’ve got, and can probably be worn like a pinafore.

Today is Day 1.