“It’s about time,” I thought when I saw the media coverage late last year of style icons, First Lady, Michelle Obama, and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton each wearing the same dress more than once. Now that it’s deemed acceptable for the First Lady and royalty to get caught wearing the same thing twice, I guess I can keep wearing my skirt.
But since we are counting…I wore my black swing skirt 100 days last year.
This was an exercise in thoughtful consumption, where I practiced living with less clothing in my own closet. I wanted to demonstrate that by making focused choices, personal style doesn’t have to suffer. I didn’t wear the skirt 100 times with the tops and accessories to make 100 completely new and different outfits. Instead, I built a wardrobe that would work around my skirt. Throughout the year I introduced a few new interesting pieces, like my recent favorites, a vintage leather jacket from neighboring business, The Spotted Magpie, and a new pair of kicks from Cincinnati based, stylish, eco-shoe designer Alisha Budkie, but mostly with items I carry at Substance.
This challenge was to live the Substance tag line and wear the clothes I keep.
I’ll admit there were weeks here and there that I wanted nothing to do with that skirt but then inspiration would come my way, like an energizing conversation with a customer. One in particular is Meredith , who shared with me her own commitment to thoughtful consumption. She and her whole family had downsized their living space and were following Project 333, a much more extreme challenge than 100 days in my skirt. It involves an expertly edited closet, 33 items to be exact. I am overjoyed that Meredith has chosen Substance for many of the items in her wardrobe.
I learned a lot last year about what pieces in my wardrobe did the heavy lifting. Almost all of my go-tos were from sustainable designers and lines we’ve carried for years at Substance. I love sharing my honest experience with our product so feel free to email, call, or come visit me with questions or comments about anything from the store that you may own or want to add to your wardrobe.
We’d also like to hear from any of you who may have embarked on your own 100 Day Challenge last year. Let us know how it went for you.
Here are pics of me in five of my favorite and most frequently repeated swing skirt ensembles.
With sequin top Ya Los Angeles spring ’12, matte silver leather wrap bracelet www.shopsubstance.com $15, my own vintage leather jacket from The Spotted Magpie, Fiorentini & Baker ankle boot and lace tights
With organic cotton peplum jacket, Nicole zebra printed calf hair wedge both past season Substance, my own black skinny waist belt & lace tights & silver twig earrings.
Amour Vert Emily shirt dress $148 & chain link waist belt $28, Ornamental Things Willow earring $38 all from Substance, my own teal tights & Barney’s stud ankle boot
With Groceries Easy Tank $32, Ornamental Things earring $38 both at Substance, Levis Jacket, 49 Sq Miles carved heart necklace, my own maize tights & Frye boot
With Darling’s black polka dot cami, Chan Lu pendant both past season Substance and my own Fiorentini & Baker ankle boot, oxidize silver chandelier earrings.
Woo hoo! These outfits look fantastic. Thank you for spreading the word and for being an example of how easy, yet fun, fashion can be!
You have inspired me to do the Project 333 challenge starting in February. And my black swing skirt from Substance will be in my 33. This is going to be fascinating for me. Hope I can make it!