I got asked a lot of the same questions going through my two years of not buying clothes. If people have asked me these questions multiple times I figured there are others that are wondering the same things So here you go, some of the most commonly asked questions and my answers!
Do you have a massive closet?
I actually do not have a massive closet. I don’t think it’s necessarily small, however, I do feel it is smaller than most people imagine. Below are pictures of my closet, dresser, and wardrobe. These three things hold everything of mine from clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, underwear, purses…everything.
I share the small walk-in closet with my husband (I have to give him some space!! haha) but the picture is of only my area/clothes in the closet.
How did you do it? Wasn’t it torture to go shopping with friends? Didn’t you always want to shop?
During my challenge I consistently worked on a few things:
- I wanted to expand my creative fashion abilities. Without buying new clothes it forces you to look deep within your closet to make some magic. When I went shopping, instead of buying, I was committed to looking at mannequins and in stores to be inspired. I switched my viewpoint from “I need that outfit” to “How can I create that outfit?” (I go more in-depth in the next question and answer below).
- Changing my mindset from thinking that “I need this dress to make me feel good” to “That dress isn’t the thing that is going to make me. It’s my creativity and my confidence in my outfits that make me.”
- And all of the other things I talked about in my last article. If you have not read it, read it HERE.
When focusing on the above, I didn’t feel tortured when I went shopping, I felt inspired and empowered!
Did you feel out of style?
Most of the time not. Your closet and clothing aren’t simply in or out…look at your clothing as building blocks… like LEGOS.
Just because LEGO comes out with a new Star Wars or Harry Potter LEGO build set doesn’t mean they reinvented each LEGO piece that came in the set. A lot of time they are using pieces they have had for years but in different combinations and for different outcomes. They might have made 1-2 new pieces for that set but they are essentially using the same blocks to create something new. That is your closet.
I have so much to say about this topic and if I were to do it all in this post it would be too overwhelming. So to learn more about that, this is the first time I am even mentioning this (eeek!), I have started a new fashion project called Wear JOY . Where I will talk about how to break down your closet into the building blocks and how to get inspiration from places like Pinterest to become more creative with your outfits. I will teach you about making the most out of your closet!
Follow here: @wearjoyproject
What was the first item you bought?
The first item was this GORGEOUS leather purse from 1.61 Soft Goods. Handmade in Japan, the leather is ridiculously beautiful, holds so much stuff, and helps support a small business. I can’t get enough of it. Find it HERE.
How much money did you save?
Hmmm… I used to spend an average of $200/month on clothes. So $200 x 24 = $4800! My main focus for the last couple of years has been building my business, SOCIAL CRAFTS, so that extra money definitely went all back into the business building.
Are you going to do another year? If no, then what?
I definitely considered doing another year however seeing that fashion is my art, I do feel it’s time to add some new pieces to my closet to make more magic. I am at the point that I got exactly what I wanted out of the challenge, actually more than I expected, where now I want to share all this magic I learned with you.
That is where my new project, Wear JOY, comes in.
It wasn’t until the end of this challenge when I felt my true voice in fashion erupted. All of a sudden I thought “Whoa, I have so much to say about fashion, and now is the time to say it! I have so much to share that will change people’s relationship with their closet!”
The Wear JOY project is just that, a project.
It is starting with an Instagram and will eventually have an online store.
It is a place where inspiration and teachings are at the forefront of what I do.
It is bridging the gap between self-love advocate and fashion blogger …because it’s rare that the same person talks about both.
It’s changing an “I have nothing to wear” attitude to an “I can’t wait to wear you” wardrobe.
The online store will be different than any boutique I have seen out there, pairing my Wear JOY teachings with pieces that help you be more adventurous in your clothing.
It is the goal to change the trajectory of fashion from a look to a feeling.
The Wear JOY project is my heart, my voice, and hopefully a place where you feel empowered. Please join me @wearjoyproject.
I hope I have answered all the questions! If you have any others shoot me an email at casey@iamcaseylum.com
THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for following this journey. I am grateful for you! Can’t wait to have you on the next.
xoxo, Casey Lum-Dautel
I am Casey Lum 