In order to round things out seasonally speaking; I joined in with the next 10 x 10 challenge… I previously took part in the “spring” one, so this here is my “summer” one. I really did enjoy the last one in spite of a bit of whinging, hehe. The fact is that I simply cannot resist a wardrobe challenge! SO! 10×10; the brainchild of Lee Vosburgh of style bee and co-hosted by Caroline of Un-Fancy, the idea is that you pick 10 items of clothing, including shoes, but not including other accessories like scarves, tights and handbags, and you wear only those items for 10 days. The idea is to explore the mix and match-ability of your wardrobe? I gather? or to help yourself to discover what is really working for you, something like that. Whatever you get from the experience, it’s just a bit of fun, playing about with your clothing and your “look”.
What I chose:
3 tops, 3 skirts, 1 dress, 1 lightweight cardigan, 2 prs sandals… I made everything except for the caramel high heeled sandals. Yes, I could have chosen my own handmade clogs for a totally handmade 10×10, but I’m ok with wearing rtw shoes occasionally nowadays 🙂
from L to R, all items are linked back to their original construction post, with the exception of the white skirt which I made many many years pre my blog! I’ve linked to the first post it ever appeared in, instead… The number in brackets is the number of times each thing got worn during the challenge.
- paprika cardigan, my own design based upon the Closet Case nettie bodysuit … (3)
- blue split-back top, Vogue 8879, refashioning an old shirt of Craig’s … (2)
- white drapey top; from the Japanese pattern book drape drape … (3)
- clementine cotton blouse, Vogue 1247 … (3)
- blue roses skirt, Vogue 1247 … (3)
- kangaroo paw skirt, Vogue 8363 … (2)
- white skirt, Vogue 7303 … (3)
- floral dress, French Navy Forsythe pattern … (2)
- red thongs, made by me … (5)
- caramel leather heeled sandals, akiel, from an op shop many years ago … (5)
Les outfits:
So, I don’t have any fabulous new insights over and above those I came up with the last time, other than the obvious one that it’s a lot easier in the warmth of summer! When planning, I briefly considered choosing 8 little dresses and two pairs of shoes, because I just love wearing little dresses in the summer; but decided that would have been a bit cheeky, not in the spirit of the thing and also probably wouldn’t have made for a very interesting mixing/matching exercise. Which I suspect is the point of these things…
There are a coupla things I’m definitely getting rid of; that old white skirt for one; which I’ve nearly thrown out a few times but hung onto it at the last minute only to continue to never wear it… so I included it to help me make my mind up about it one way or the other. So now I have, yay. And that’s that it is reeeeally tired! The good thing is that I have no doubt it got its 30 wears in its day because this thing was my go-to for years. Which is why I kept it in the first place, obviously. Ironically, I find it much harder to get rid of things that I love, but are getting a bit shabby, than things that are un-loved, but in better condition! Aaaah, the dilemma!
So; will I do another 10×10? maybe I’ll take part in maybe two more seasonal challenges; autumn and winter, just personally, and to round the thing out for me in my own mind. Something I will not do is bombard instagram with a picture a day, because I can’t help but notice that the sewing community is not into this sort of thing at all and I guess it’s pretty boring for people to look at basically the same pieces of clothing day in day out! For all those who suffered through, I apologise! and thank you to those who stuck with me!
I love all the colours you picked in the 10×10 & have enjoyed reading about it. Seeing your Vogue 1247 top has reminded me I really need to try it!
thanks so much Kathryn! xx
What a wonderful line-up of outfits! This does seem like a very useful exercise, and probably makes you see combinations that you might not put together if you’re simply grabbing things from the closet in the morning.
thanks Irene! and yes that’s it exactly; it really does force you to think carefully about how things are working for you. Or not! 🙂
I liked your series, I actually thought it was a 10 items for 30 days challenge so was expecting more photos…
You say the sewing community is not into seeing a photo a day in Instagram, let alone seeing the same garments again and again. That may be the case but if it is of any help, those of us who make to address our environmental/ethical/sustainability concerns, love seeing the same items in different combinations so please do share future challenges on Instagram.
thanks Meg! oh, 10 items for 30 days, that WOULD be a challenge, I don’t think I am capable of going that long! The laundry issue alone is a bit of a juggle. I only mentioned that I don’t think the sewing community is interested because of the apparently low participation in the challenge by other people who sew … I could be wrong though 🙂
Personally, I LOVE seeing all the combinations. If you do it again I’d love to see them again. It’s also a great way to figure out a travel capsule. I think your white skirt would be a great place to try some fabric designs, fabric painting before you toss it.
thank you so much Barbara! you are so right about the white skirt, I should have known your artistic soul would think of something creative like that. I will give it some thought! xx
I don’t mind seeing the different combinations at all, actually. Since I’m much more into sewing separates than dresses overall, one thing I’ve been thinking for awhile that I need to get better at is mixing and matching into outfits. That and layering well. So I find it interesting to see the different ideas for how to remix the same pieces.
thank you Becky!
So I do hope that you at least post all your outfits on the blog the next time you do this! I know I commented on IG that I found the challenge too restricting but I do really enjoy watching other people do it (as I wear 30 different items over 10 days).
I also have more difficulty getting rid of tired old clothes that were once lived; it’s like I think they will refresh themselves in the drawer and I’ll magically want to wear them again one day.
thank you Masha! I will definitely post on the blog if I ever do it again 🙂 I personally find it a very interesting exercise, after the event 🙂
That is such a great versatile wardrobe!
thank you Rosemary! 🙂