15:30 – the ultimate closet-editing challenge.

I wake up at 4:30am Mondays through Thursdays. To shave off time in the mornings (and so I won’t wake Doug up), I lay out my clothes the night before. Almost every night I set in front of my closet, staring at my choices, and I usually mumble something about not having anything to wear. I pick over all of my choices and dismiss them all – too hot, too tight, too low-cut, too casual. I almost always end up going with the pieces that are tried-and-true – black wide-leg trousers, a loose blouson top, a cami and cardigan combo, my straight-leg dark wash jeans. More than once I’ve wondered – why do I have all of these clothes if I’m not going to use them all?

Then, while perusing my Google Reader yesterday, I saw the challenge issued by Felicia – choose 15 pieces out of your closet and use them as your only wardrobe for 30 days. That’s it. I started thinking about those tried-and-true pieces, and realized that it was possible to do. I’d have to get a bit creative, and maybe mix up some pieces I don’t usually wear or maybe pair them with accessories that are sitting around, but otherwise? Very possible.

Here are the rules that Felicia dictated:

1. Select 15 items from your closet: These can include shirts, trousers, jeans, cardigans, dresses, etc —in short, clothing. Make your final selections by August 30th.

2. Use unlimited accessories: Remix your outfits relying on all of your jewelry, shoes, scarves, outerwear (blazers/suit jackets do not equal outerwear!), and belts.

3. Captain Obvious: your pajamas and lounge-at-home clothing do not count, undergarments do not count, gym clothes do not count.

4. Make the COMMIT LIST: Document your list on your blog, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, loose-leaf paper, etc. Feel free to snap photographs of the items, list them —get creative! This is your commit list, and you can’t stray from it. Stain on shirt? DEAL WITH IT. Cat ripped your pants? Get a SEWING KIT.

5. Keep a diary: Document your outfits each day, whether it be via an “outfit of the day” photo or a log of what you’ve worn and how you’ve mixed it up.

6. Ask for help!: Call your friends, pen a blog. Don’t be afraid to ask friends for help on creative ideas on keeping your wardrobe fresh!

In anticipation of the challenge, I went on a closet-cleaning spree. Anything relatively new or in good condition was posted on the Fatshion Exchange community to sell – no harm from trying to make a bit of money, right? Anything well-worn, but without holes or blemishes, got shoved in trash bags to donate to Habitat For Humanity. A few items I held for a friend who wears around the same size as me. Anything not sold or taken will be donated. I even cleaned some of Doug’s clothes out (with his approval, of course).

Stack of empty hangers.

Piles of clothes to sort through.

Three bags of clothes (and some shoes) that will be donated.

What is left.

I’ve whittled down my closet to about 20 pieces – I need to decide what will be on my Commit List this week. Some items I won’t be wearing, but I will be keeping (mostly cold-weather clothes).

Now, to go through my accessories and shoes and see what I’ve got, and also see if I can pick up any accessories to go with what I have.