Six Items or Less--Wearing the Same Six Apparel Items for 30 Days

Are you consistently amazed about ideas and conversations people come up with on the internet? A recent website encountered is the Six Items or Less website. The website discusses the concept of choosing just six clothing items from your closet to wear for 30 days as an adventure. The women who came up with the Six Items or Less idea, Tamsin Davies and Heidi Hackemer wondered what life would be like if they didn't have to think and fuss about what they were going to wear every day. So, they decided to do an "experiment."

Six Items or Less-The Experiment

According to the Six Items or Less website, women all over the globe told Davies and Hackemer that they wanted to take part in the (original) experiment, which began on June 21, 2010. The "Sixers," those who took the Six Items or Less pledge, were required to stick to the rules of wearing the same 6 items of clothing for the month and to document their related experiences, thoughts, and feelings on the Six Items or Less blog. The Sixers were allowed to select any 6 items they wanted to wear for the 30 days.

Apparel like loungewear, nightwear, underwear, footwear, and accessories did not "count" as one of their 6 items. Participants could accessorize all they wanted during the 30 day Six Items or Less Challenge.

Sixers' Reactions to the Six Items or Less Experience and their Blog Comments

It's pretty enlightening to read some of the Sixers' comments regarding their Six Items or Less experiences. Probably the most revealing is from a person who said she realized from doing the Six Items or Less project that no one really cares what a person wears, except for the person herself. Interestingly, this same person also blogged that she had purchased more new apparel than usual during the 30 day experiment, looking forward to being able to wear something else besides the six items once the experiment was over.

Another Sixer, a man, also blogged about his Six Items or Less experience. He said that although he had several clothing items to choose from before beginning the project, he could actually only commit to five items as he didn't have a sixth item that he liked enough to wear repeatedly during the 30 days. And that in itself is pretty telling, don't you think? This Sixer realized he could actually get rid of over a third of his wardrobe and it wouldn't matter because he really didn't care to wear them anyway.

One blogger recognized the incredible importance of accessorizing when dressing. Many people (this writer included) throw on earrings and a necklace in the morning, almost as a afterthought. Yet it is obvious when you see someone who looks very well put together that they invested a lot of time into shopping and selecting accessories to complement their apparel. The Six Items or Less Challenge drives home the real necessity of accessorizing. See this link to read more Sixers' comments.

Interested in Taking the Six Items or Less Challenge?

Although technically, if you decide to take the Six Items or Less Challenge you can choose any six items from your closet, recommended pieces to include are a skirt, a blouse, a dress, a tee or casual top, and a jacket or blazer of some sort. You can still wear outer wear you need, based on the weather and remember, those items don't count (jackets, coats, and the like).

Accessorize to your heart's content. One of the obvious lessons from others who have already taken the Six Items or Less plunge is the importance of selecting from a variety of accessories every day when dressing. Scarves, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other accessories can really jazz up how you look and add different splashes of color to your outfit. But stay true to the six items of clothing you picked.

If you are interested in taking the Six Items or Less challenge, check out the Six Items or Less website, Facebook page or Twitter account. You can sign up for the next Six Items or Less Challenge and read all about it at the Six Items or Less website.

Sources

Good Morning America, July 23, 2010.

Six Items or Less website.