Why I'm Doing a Dress Challenge
I am of the demographic, according to Facebook, that is interested in minimalism and clothing made of natural fibers. I believe the encompassing term is "crunchy", and yes, yes I am though if I'm honest I'm actually crunchy-aspiring.
Because I am who I am, I have been eyeing a dress challenge from Wooland where you wear a merino wool dress for 100 days straight, documenting your progress through social media or uploading photos to a google drive. Actually, I did more than eyeing. In a weak moment, I tried to start the challenge a few months ago by which I mean I tried to buy the dress. Alas, they were sold out which disappointed me at the time but in hindsight saved me money and buyer's remorse.
I see that ad a lot, more so since I clicked through to try to buy the dress. And every time I've seen it, I have considered doing the challenge thinking about what adaptations I might want to make. The last few times I've mulled it over, I didn't come up with any new adaptations so I figured it's time to go for it. It's 2021, a New Year, a what the hell, why not go crazy kind of year. (But safely).
I realized early in my dress challenge mullings I did not need to buy new clothes to do a minimalist clothing challenge. I have clothes and I did not need more to live with fewer. I'm something of a uniform person as it is (plain knit tops, pants in neutral colors, sweater) so it was just a matter of deciding what one outfit would I wear. I considered and rejected various combinations (thinking through the practicalities made me appreciate the idea of a dress) and then I realized-I don't know how I missed this-I already owned a wool dress. It's black and my go to for fancier occasions. Just throw on a scarf and add a pair of boots and I'm ready.
Adaptation 1: I'm wearing a wool dress just not a Wooland wool dress. It's a Lands End.
When I look at the Instagram feed of women participating in the challenge (all have been women so far) I grow a little faint because apparently one of the things they do is to style the dress i.e. they add other pieces of clothing. Including skirts!
What? Why? I don't style now! My wardrobe is simple. Everything I own pretty much matches everything else so in the morning I pull out a top and a bottom and boom I'm good to go. My goal is less clothing fussery, not more.
Adaptation 2: No styling.
Now, no styling means I won't ever wear my other clothes. If I'm wearing this dress for long stretches I will need under layers and maybe over layers so I can swap them out and wash them. I will be wearing layers.
I should add that layers include the leggings. Because this is January and because this is South Dakota, I will wear not just leggings but plush-lined base layers.
Adaptation 3: Ok, maybe some styling, but it's actually layering.
Let's talk about this 100 days. I know myself. I have a pretty low need for variation in my routines. I was doing cognitive off loading long before Obama and his blue suits. But 100 days straight? That's a lot, even for me. How's about I start with 30 days. 30 work days, Mon - Fri 8 (ish) AM until late afternoon. If I start Jan 3, I finish Feb 12 right before Valentine's Day. In my off hours I can change into "play clothes". In addition to whatever lessons on minimalism I may learn I hope this "wear it on work day" adaptation will help set some demarcations between home and work. I'm working from home and will be until South Dakota gets below unchecked community spread of COVID19 per Global Epidemics.
Adaptation 4: 30 work day challenge, instead of a 100 days straight.
So there you have it. This is MY dress challenge. Below is my dress and a pair of leggings. I start on Monday. I'll keep you posted.
