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Original poster

Six Item or Less Challenge - What would you choose?

57 replies

AndiMac · 30/08/2012 15:49

Has anyone ever done it? A basic summary here for those who haven't heard of it.

I did it, more or less, a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. The simplicity of not having to decide what to wear was really liberating actually. I had a pair of good fitting jeans, some black trousers, a red vest top, a slouchy grey cardigan, a white button-up shirt and a black jumper.

I'm thinking about doing it again, but need a new wardrobe as in the past 2 years I either wore the above items to death and wore them out, am sick of them, or put on weight and they don't fit properly.

What would you choose for your six items? Links would be lovely, to give me some ideas for shopping for myself.

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libertychick · 31/08/2012 11:17

Have been mulling over this for the last hour (obviously v busy at work Grin) and have concluded that I really couldn't do it! I think the number of roles you have in life makes it harder - if I was a student or SAHM it might be possible but working where I have to look reasonably corporate at least 2/3 days a week makes it hard.

I read the links and I agree that quality and accessorises are often the thing that make an outfit stand out though. Black trousers w white shirt combo can look everything from 'waitress' through to 'paloma picasso' smart depending on quality and cut of garments and choice of accessories.

The 13 items, 31 days link is inspiring though - I was planning a wardrobe sort out this weekend so I am going to use that as an inspiration to see if I can put together a months worth of different outfits from limited number of items.

Original poster
AndiMac · 31/08/2012 17:00

And I've been mulling over whether maybe I should try a dress for my six items, just to push me a little more. Any dress suggestions for a busty, 5 foot 6, size 16? Only requirement is that it is versatile!

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scripsi · 31/08/2012 19:35

Watching this closely: I am very keen to know everyone's six items. I'm going to return to work after serious illness and have lost a lot of weight (the only positive side effect, but let's say no more about it). I can probably stretch to six good quality items. It can be high end casual or more formal - blazers, nice jeans or dresses - and I will work with a younger crowd who wear leather leggings and such as it's a creative-ish environment.

Original poster
AndiMac · 31/08/2012 19:52

Yay, a new convert! Welcome :)

Have you done a google on some of the items the others have mentioned? Because some of them might be appropriate to get you started on ideas. I'm going to use as much as I can from the wardrobe I already have, since I can better justify an expensive new purchase for something else if I need it (along with wearing it nearly every other day).

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GnocchiNineDoors · 31/08/2012 19:55

Oooh, Id love this.

-Dark blue skinny jeans
-Black leggings

-Black strappy long vest
-Black cotton and lace top
-Plain white tshirt

-Long grey cardigan

Done!

scripsi · 31/08/2012 21:31

thanks AndiMac. I am in the process of googling things. Could everyone provide links for the hard-of-fashioning? I am lucky in that I have some good boots and shoes so I just need to sort out the basics. I had thought of basing it around navy and grey/black, but looking at DonaAna's suggestions I think that colourful good quality things would be more my style: I feel a hundred per cent better in colour.

libertychick · 31/08/2012 22:28

Suggested 6 with links

2 trousers
berry trousers
Indigo or black skinny jeans

3 tops
white shirt
black and white stripe T
biba blouse

Cardi
black cardi

The rules linked by the OP say you can use any amount of shoes and accessories which is the only way to get through it.

This has been interesting as I simply cannot do it with my own stuff which says a lot about how versatile or not it is!

Original poster
AndiMac · 31/08/2012 22:42

I like that stripey T, libertychick, but I really like the berry trousers. They seem very versatile!

I think I'll probably do mainly neutrals with a splash of colour for one or two items. Perhaps a top like this one from Hobbs for colour. I have a long cardigan similar to this one from Mint Velvet that will work well for most things.

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Meiji · 31/08/2012 22:46

Fewer, not less. Six items or fewer.

libertychick · 31/08/2012 22:53

I saw the trousers in Gap the other day and they are lovely.
Hobbs top is a lovely colour. The Mint velvet cardi would work well but it's 100% synthetic material so might get a bit uncomfortable especially if you are wearing it all the time. The black cardi I linked to is silk and cotton mix so would feel lovely to wear which is why I chose it even though it's a bit boring.

Original poster
AndiMac · 31/08/2012 23:13

Meiji, I was waiting for the first grammar correction! Yes, I agree, it's grammatically wrong. I didn't come up with the name.

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Original poster
AndiMac · 31/08/2012 23:14

Libertychick, good point about the fabric, I'll have to check mine and see from what it's made.

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Original poster
AndiMac · 01/09/2012 10:37

Having decided I don't believe myself what I wrote about a dress in my six items, I'm looking at this dress from Monsoon. Any opinions? It looks like I could vary that up with a long-sleeve top underneath or possibly a jumper over top.

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scripsi · 01/09/2012 16:43

I quite like it but I am bigger on top too and shirt dresses make me look like a sack of spuds: I think you would be better off with something that shows off your figure. I wouldn't be able to put a jumper over that as it would just add more bulk. Having said that, you're considerably taller than me! How about a flatteringly ruched dress eg the Davina from LK Bennett (can't link atm). That could have a blazer or jumper over the top/dressed up with heels for weddings/celebrations or dressed down with biker boots? I am considering it for my long-procrastinated list of six items!

Original poster
AndiMac · 01/09/2012 19:28

That dress is lovely, but it requires dry cleaning, which is not on the cards for a six items challenge. I had been considering a similar one from Monsoon as well, but wasn't sure how flexible I could be with it. You've given me some ideas scripsi, thanks!

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scripsi · 01/09/2012 21:10

that monsoon one is nice (one footnote - if I got the LK Bennett dress, I would not be drycleaning it! I have cashmere laundry liquid and it would get a cold wash in that!)

Original poster
AndiMac · 01/09/2012 21:29

With little kids and the washing machine already in fairly constant use, I'm still not sure I would get it washed often enough. But that's a good tip for my other dry clean items.

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scripsi · 01/09/2012 22:15

I so begrudge my old dry cleaning bills!
So far I think my list of 6 would include the Davina dress, a pair of JBrand jeggings, zara shirt like this one: www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-W2012/269186/827271/BLOUSE%20WITH%20LACE%20AND%20THREADED%20RIBBON
zara jacket like this one www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-W2012/269184/902136/MILITARY%20JACKET
Saint James long sleeve breton (this is a hand me down but lovely soft and slouchy)
some kind of leather-look pencil skirt which I don't yet own

Iamgiulietta · 01/09/2012 22:59

Has anyone managed to do this with cheaper clothes eg George, new look tesco lol?? It appeals but am skint and unrmployedSad

Original poster
AndiMac · 02/09/2012 00:07

You certainly don't have to go out and buy six new items. In fact, the idea of only wearing six base pieces has a bit of philosophy in less consumerism. When I did it before, half the stuff I already had, the other half I bought.

You can of course do it with cheaper clothes and the clothes you already have. Just try and get something that looks and feels like quality. Because by wearing it so much and of course also washing it, you'll soon see if it isn't!

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Original poster
AndiMac · 02/09/2012 00:08

And I like that military jacket! Not sure how well I could carry it off as a regular item vs a statement piece, but I do like it.

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scripsi · 02/09/2012 02:56

Iamgiulietta yes I am sure - my wardrobe at present is mainly supermarket/ebay and high street but none of it fits and none of it is work appropriate: that's the only reason I'm going Zara/LKB (I need stuff that will last years).
I was in tesco tonight and they've got some good stuff atm. I am also looking on ebay for various bits of zara and LKB I've linked to: it's amazing how much new stock gets dumped on ebay.

TellMeLater · 02/09/2012 08:22

Last year I didn't buy any new clothes, we were saving like mad for an extension, I got my shopping fix by buying house stuff but a year of not buying seriously depleted my clothing stock and it was truly depressing wearing the same stuff all the time, the joy of having new clothes in my wardrobe again is not to be underestimated.

Original poster
AndiMac · 02/09/2012 08:48

Oh, I don't think I'd want to do it for a year with six items!

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