One Year, No Repeats

I have finally gotten around to this monster of a post. I started this whole project with the idea that I had 260 posts ahead of me I was nervous about the number even more than the idea of not repeating an outfit. Now, 374+ posts later I am ready to try and wrap up this experience and all those posts in one potentially paltry (in comparison) collection of summations.

I won't put it all in pictures and links... In this past year I have worn 213 different outfits to work; 111 different tops, 10 blazer, 24 dresses, 37 skirts, 23 pairs of pant like things (slacks, bermudas, capris, gauchos, etc) and 6 pairs of jeans. Although I was not counting them in the outfit equation I have used 49 pairs of shoes, 23 necklaces, 38 pairs of earrings, 1 bracelet, and 16 handbags to spice up my outfits. That all being said, there are still things in my closet that you haven't seen! Here are some of my favorite outfits from each month but, I'll be honest there were some months where it was really hard to choose there were just so many good ones! Did you have any favorites? 


April 2010: 

May 2010:

June 2010:

July 2010:

August 2010 (toughest month to pick a favorite):

September 2010:

October 2010:

November 2010:

December 2010:

January 2011:

February 2011:

March 2011:

I continued to post weekend/night out outfits when I thought they were noteworthy. Someone had commented that they used the weekends to repeat all the outfits that they wore during the week but, as you can see that is not the case for me! To be honest some days during the weekend I spend the entire time in sweats because I don't go anywhere and no one really wants to see pictures of that, do you?

I participated in a number of challenges and theme weeks which really broke up the monotony of remixing from my existing wardrobe. I also started participating in other blogger projects which helped in a similar and more consistent way.

One of the main challenges of this whole experience was not shopping. Once I started getting into the groove of remixing from my closet it was easy to go to the mall and walk away from cute clothes and "good" deals. I am no longer a recovering drug addict dating crack! If you don't understand watch this video and laugh. Or not, your choice but, I digress... I learned alot about the things that triggered my urge to shop (boredom, unhappy feelings) and also learned that stores put everything on sale all the time! There is no limited time only offer, it's such a scam. Armed with this new knowledge there were some months that I didn't buy anything at all and in this past year I ended up spending (drumroll, please) $148.60!!! It is such an extreme difference but, only those who knew me before 260 Days, No Repeats would understand the stark contrast.

That being said there were times when my Mom or other generous people gifted me with clothes or store credits. I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and tell them to stop. The point of this experience was not to avoid increasing the size of my wardrobe, it was for me to stop spending so much money on clothes. Those two things are definitely linked but, are not synonymous. That being said, I think moving forward I will be a little clearer about new or new to me things that enter my wardrobe.

One of the biggest (and unforeseen) challenges that arose was that I gained some alot of weight. A moment of  honesty, probably about 30/35 pounds.It is a challenge on so many levels! Of course there is the natural unhappiness that one feels when gaining weight but, there is also the discomfort I felt when getting in front of the camera to take the pictures. I see the difference in how I look in older pictures compared to now and I feel how my clothes fits. The most difficult part of this is that since I am trying not to shop I can't pick up a pair of black "fat" pants so I need to work with what I have. I just need to get to the gym!

I wasn't sure when I started 260 Days, No Repeats that it would grow as much as it has. I couldn't be happier! In the past year I have had 18,971 visitors and there have been 40,258 page views. I know that is something that other more popular bloggers experience in a month or so but, I'll take what I can get. Either way, it has been good enough to get some fun free goodies and sponsored giveaways which I'm sure we have all enjoyed! I have been thinking about connecting with some affiliates/monetizing the blog but, all in good time I guess...

Moving forward, as you might have guessed I will keep things going with year two! Excited? I am... Here are the new(er) rules. We're still following the original rules but, with a caveat for dresses. I wore some really fantastic dresses last year but, wasn't sure how to remix them all according to the rules. Then I realized, I am writing the rules! Have I mentioned, 2 + 2 = 4? Revelations people... but, I digress. All dresses are fair game as they are! I will try to mix it up with snazzy accessories but, don't feel the need to go out of my way all the time using dresses as skirts and so on...

Lastly I just wanted to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading and following along. I wouldn't have stuck with this challenge as long if it wasn't for you! I appreciate everyone who has commented, collaborated with me, linked back to me, or just popped in. You are all fantastic!! I also want to say thank you to the people who are "behind the scenes" like BF and my family/friends. They help me with the everyday stuff  like pictures and outfit selection (ex: is this outfit too crazy?) but, also with the special situations that arise whether it's an event or just me stressing out! I love you all!!

The Roundup: 9 Months, 3 Months Left

Wow, today is a day of revelations! I just realized that I am nearing the end of my one year of wearing no repeated outfits to work, time flies... With everything that has happened in recent weeks I don't have a cool summary for you of the past nine months like I did at three months or six months but, I will say this: there were no purchases, no repeats, and February is shaping up to be a month of surprises/good things for everyone, including you!

The Roundup: 6 Months

As I mentioned before October is the sixth month of my personal style challenge so far and it's not slowing down! I am having a blast making my wardrobe work for myself while continuing to save money! In the past three months I have worn an additional 54 outfits to work utilizing 29 never before seen tops, 9 new to you dresses, 4 pairs of pant like things, 9 not worn yet skirts, 2 new pairs of jeans. I also utilized 4 additional pairs of shoes, 12 pairs of earrings, and 4 new handbags. I think it will get more difficult as the weather starts to cool down, I feel like I don't have as much clothes that is suited for this type of weather. At the same time, I'm pretty sure I said something like that when I finished my first three months...

In the past three months I have spent $79.60 on clothing and accessories. The number is a little high because it was my birthday and I treated myself but, I don't think it is unreasonable at all. There was even one month of no purchases! The grand total for the past 6 months is $125.60. I can't imagine that I have spent that little on clothes in quite some time and I'm ok with that. Hopefully I can stick with it!

I also participated in an additional three challenges (two of my own design.) I welcome all those that have joined me and shopped their own closet for fall trends, as well as, completing their products. I hope that more people continue to do so with the latter, I appreciate the company and there is a good reason to participate in that one. I also did my first closet makeover for a friend, it was so much fun!

Thank you so much for all the comments and support, it totally keeps me going as I move closer to the end of this year. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

The Roundup: 3 Months

Having completed the first three months of this personal style challenge I am in a mood to reflect on what has transpired so far. I feel that I have been (and will continue to be) successful in my initial goals of not repeating outfits but, also showing myself and others that you can make great things with what you already have not just "make-do." In the past three months I have worn 57 different outfits to work; 49 different tops, 6 dresses, 14 skirts, 14 pairs of pant like things (slacks, bermudas, capris, gauchos, etc) and 3 pairs of jeans. Although I'm not really counting them in the outfit as a whole I have used 26 pairs of shoes, 10 necklaces, 19 pairs of earrings, 1 bracelet, and 11 handbags to spice up my outfits. If you do the math you might ascertain that here are some individual pieces that I have worn more than once and that is ok! In fact, that is kind of the point...


I've answered a few reader questions. Please feel free to ask more! I have also shared a few choice weekend looks with you! Is that something that you would like to see more of moving forward?

260 Days, No Repeats has helped me see the potential in my wardrobe and being part of this "blog-o-sphere" has inspired me tremendously. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to check out what I wear, read what I write, and leave me comments! I'm like a kid a Christmas when my BB beeps with an email and I see it's something from one of you! I am also inspired by the challenges that people undertake themselves, as well as, pose to this blogging community. In the first three months I participated in 3 style challenges and even tried for one of my own. Many thanks to Frances Joy of Mad Dress Game for joining me!

This challenge has also helped me curb my spending! I was not a crazy shopaholic but, I had my moments... I found it most difficult to turn down a great deal only to get home and realize that I had something exactly like what I had purchased in my closet or that even though it was a great deal I didn't really love it and therefore didn't use it. That was all money (which is tight for everyone these days) down the drain. In the past three months I have spent $46.00 on clothes and accessories and each one of those things is something I really wanted, still really like, and have used.

One thing that I feel I haven't done a great job of demonstrating as I had wanted to is the use value of my clothing. I would have loved to keep track like some other bloggers do but, to be honest some of my clothes are so old I don't remember when I bought them or how much they were. I will say though you can see that some items (especially the accessories) are used very frequently and naturally have higher use value.

Overall, I am so happy with how things are going to far and really hope that I can keep it up heading twoards the 6 month mark! If there is anything new you would like see please let me know. Again thanks so much for supporting and motivating me, you're the best!!

Summer Black-Out 2010 Round Up

Remember the Summer Black-Out Challenge that I did a couple of weeks ago? I know, how could you forget?!? We can all relive each of my fabulous black free outfits here. You can also check out the other participants at Already Pretty. I'm about halfway down the list in my most commented on outfit, thanks for the help picking a fav! I had so much fun participating in this challenge with the 37 other fabulous ladies and I can't wait to do it again next year!