I’m so glad some of you want to join in on the fun. For the rest of you, don’t count yourself out just yet! If you start to feel left out feel free to join in at any time. Maybe for you it’s 25 for 25 or 15 for 15. Whatever works for you. Till then, I realize that I’ve picked up a few readers (Hello!) since the original 30 for 30, so for those of you who are new, here is what “30 for 30” means.
Last April, for the whole month I gave up shopping. To encourage myself to not shop I picked out 30 items and remixed them into 30 outfits, hence the name 30 for 30. It was tough, even grueling at times, but completely worth it. Worth it enough that I’m doing it again this summer, starting next Monday, July 5th. Along the way I learned a few things that might help you in your remixing, rather it be for this challenge or in your own closet everyday.
1. Be true to who you are. I’m not going to get all Dr. Suess on you, but I mean it. When I did my original challenge, I threw in more pants than skirts — which is not me at all. So I struggled wearing all of those pants, when I really wanted to wear skirts. If you really like wearing skirts, throw in a few more skirts than pants, or vice verse. If it’s cold where you are, throw in a few jackets or items to layer, etc.
2. Stay neutral towards neutrals. With the exception of a few things, most of my items in my last re-mix were neutral colors. I thought that it would be easiest to remix a more neutral based wardrobe, morever than a colorful one. This may be true to some extent but in the end all I wanted to wear was color. This time around, I’ve found it easier to pick out a few neutral tops and a few neutral bottoms but I also picked out a few wild cards with colors and patterns. (We’ll see how it goes)
3. Limit the shoes. I know, I know — what the what am I talking about? In my last challenge I had more shoes than I knew what to do with and I ended up only wearing a few of them. So pick your favorite heels, a pair of wedges, sandals, boots or flats and go with it. Trust me — you’ll need more tops and bottoms than shoes.
4. Plan ahead of time. I’m a bit of an over-planner and a list maker, which if you are a free spirit like my husband this aspect of me will drive you insane. BUT it’s really helpful when it comes to planning out 30 outfits out of 30 items. I made a spreadsheet (I know, I know) that lists out all of my items and what I will mix them with. A spreadsheet may not be the answer for you, but planning ahead will take out the sting of the remixing.
5. Workout clothes, pajamas, etc. are not included. 🙂 Of coures they are not forbidden either — if you want to rock your gym shorts with some heels, who am I to judge?
And to those of you who are on the fence, I have one pro that might just tip you over: The amount of laundry decreses by 50%. In fact, I don’t even remember doing laundry for the month of April. Who needs more of a prompt than that?
Now, there is one more thing that I’d forgotten when I started this challenge again for the summer: No shopping for 30 days. Conveniently, I forgot about that aspect of this challenge. But if you’re in, I’m in. Plus, we’ve got a few more days before June 5th, right? Right??
I haven’t posted my items yet due to an emergency trip to visit my parents. No worries — everyone is fine. My parents were just getting sick of not seeing me so they bought us last minute plane tickets to come see them. I’ll try to get my remix items posted early next week. Don’t blame me, blame my mother.
See a list of the remixers here. If you have joined in on the remix challenge feel free to place the banner below on your posts so others can play along as well.
63 Responses
Wow, it's SO exciting to see all these women deciding to take part in your challenge. I LOVED it the first time! I can't wait to see how it goes for everyone!
What an interesting idea, i can't wait to see how this turns out! Good luck with it, i'm sure you'll do great because your style is awesome.
http://www.fashionjjunkie.blogspot.com
Is it lame that when I read this, I was both inspired and terrified? Especially because it's summer, and summertime I feel like I can be free to do anything– like– shop. Oh geez.
I salute you and everyone (also in the spirit of Fourth of July!) for doing this challenge. Huzzah, onward Godspeed!
Toast with Charmalade
I'm so excited! Once laundry's done I'm up and ready to get the ball rolling! I just hope my new shoes actually arrive on the 5th like they're supposed to. Otherwise my plan may be hit with a wrench.
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
Hooray! I'm so excited to start! I made my list and I'm already starting to think up outfits.
Oh and I linked to you on my blog. HOORAY!
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
wow okay, pressure now that I'm on the listing. I'M GONNA DO IT.
also, my link is broken. just thought I'd tell you.
oh god, what have I gotten myself into?
We are definitely going to do it! Two girls, one blog, one challenge: lots of fun!
I've been wanting to do it on my own since I heard about your initial challenge and now seems like the perfect timing. Especially since I live in Canada where the weather tends to be somewhat unpredictable, spring didn't seem so appropriate. Summer, however, should work out fine.
And there are two days left 'til July 5th… :)So many sales going on too!
Ohhh the pressure… And my clothes are all black! Is that easier or MORE difficult, I don't even know. OK. Dang it. I'm in.
http://parkandvivianne.blogspot.com
This is such a neat idea!! Seeing as I've already gone almost 3 weeks without shopping (with the exception of putting one gorgeous dress on layaway, since it was the last one and I figured layaway still meant I wasn't bringing anything home with me…) I don't know if I want to jump on another 30 days of not shopping, but this is such a fun challenge! Excited to see your remixes!!
i haven't blogged in over a month, and this is JUST what i need to get myself going again!!! i'm really excited to get started!!
Mallory
seekingmystle@blogspot.com
this is so weird to me.
i probably own 40 items of clothing tops and normally rotate about 20 and the others are for special occasions and different seasons.
I think I might be joining in on this challenge! It sounds like a lot of fun…
I'll have to pick out my items. I'll check back in soon 🙂
Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with 😀
Sal xXx
Wow this looks like a great challenge! I can't wait to see… I'm not that brave to do that because I'm afraid I start wearing the same thing everyday… Maybe next time 🙂
Meliasarus, then this challenge is perfect for you! What i'm trying to get across is that you don't need a lot of clothing to be fashion forward. With a little creativity, you can make a small bit of clothing (on a small budget) go a long way. Feel free to join in on the remixing.
Ok so, this sounds like a great idea for many reasons, however, I've decided to only list the top 3 so, I don't write a novel for a comment 🙂
1. No shopping for 30 days will help me save money for my new (and incredibly scary) jump from the world of Computers to Fashion (quitting my job and starting school in Oct), which requires a lot of $$ 🙂
2. Posting an outfit everyday will help me in really getting me into blogging more .. I tend to overthink what I should and should not blog so this will, I think, help me come out of my shell and posts more often (yahoo!) 🙂
3. I have clothes in my closet that I've never worn and this is the prime opportunity to be creative with all those brand new pieces hanging in there that are just waiting for me to put them on! 🙂
I'm new to following your blog but, this whole 30 for 30 thing has me hooked .. sign me up please! .. and I wish everyone doing the challenge (including myself 'cause this is going to be scary!) the best of luck! …
~Rosie
http://thetrickleeffect.blogspot.com
how about if i VISIT your blog for 30 days straight?
whom am i kidding? i'm here everyday like clockwork!
welp after 2hrs of standing in my closet..i finally came up with my 30 pieces of clothing! lol…cant wait to start! its up on the blog! xoxo
I want to do it but I'm scared!!!! 🙂
I'd love to participate, but this month is going to be total chaos. We're going on our honeymoon to Italy (and I want to be able to shop here and there then) and we're moving from one end of the Midwest to the other, so I fully anticipate that I will just be frantically chucking shit into boxes when I get back from Italy.
Please do this again sometime and I'll join in then!
Hey Kendi, I'm trying the 30 for 30 challenge as well! Hopefully this works out…
http://20somethingcouture.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for the inspiration!
-Karmen
Meg — Your link is fixed 🙂
Also, please DO NOT feel pressure! Let me know if you aren't up to it and I can take you off!
I would really really love to join in the challenge Kendi, I've already put myself on a shopping ban. Although I wouldn't be able to get a photo of my outfit everyday and I should be moving house during that time which would be so stressful without having to worry about only wearing these 30 clothes.
I hope you do this challenge again though, I would really like to participate next time (if there is a next time)
i am definitely participating, but i hesitate to link my blog. reason being, i am not a "fashion blogger" in any sense of the world. i just post REALLY bad cell phone photos of my outfits on a blog that no one knows about except my sister-in-law. it started out because i always come up with interesting outfit ideas in the middle of the night, and then i'm too sleepy to find anything put a t-shirt and jeans once morning comes. i thought maybe posting them on a blog would give me a place to record my late-night inspiration. it'd be really embarrassing for any of you real fashion bloggers to look at honestly…
BUT…the rules state that you have to post the remixes for other bloggers to see. and i'm a rule follower.
so…
deep breath…
whatmomwore.blogspot.com
even if everyone is laughing at my crappy blog, i'm pumped for the challenge! 🙂
I'm so excited for this!
At first I wasn't going to try it because right now I don't have a camera to post pictures, but I decided to participate anyways.
It's not about the pictures, it's about challenging ourselves..and I'm totally up for that!
Good luck everybody!!
Kendi, I'm in! I was on the fence for a while, but I've decided to do it. It should be fun…and especially challenging since I have a beach vacation & a wedding event during the 30 days (& work in a conservative corporate office)! So, before I chicken out, here's the link to my (somewhat new) blog:
thirdfloorcloset.tumblr.com
I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Jeanna
This challenge terrifies me but I'm gonna do it! I haven't blogged in two weeks and I'm hoping this will get me back on track.
I loved your last 30 for 30 and I can't wait to see what outfits you come up with this time.
And my blog is: The Sweet Roads
i picked my 30! i can't even wait to start and see what everyone else comes up with!
http://www.twostylesonecity.blogspot.com
Hey there! I plan on picking my 30 tomorrow. 🙂 Can't wait for the challenge & everyone's pics!
http://kyddesigns.tumblr.com/
I am super excited about this. I haven't picked out my items yet so we'll see if I am still so excited after I do that… haha jk. My husband is very excited that I am not going to shop for 30 days (but he doesn't believe that I can do it), and I'm sure my bank account will thank me. Thanks for the tips – they are all great! 😀 I love your blog!
I'm in! I'll be challenging myself to wear everything I pick out. Anyone who sees me on a daily basis probably thinks I own about 5 items of clothing.
I'm a new teen blogger, but I lurk on a ton of fashion blogs and I think I'm definitely going to give the 30 by 30 Challenge a try. 😀
The not shopping for 30 days might be a little (okay, a lot) challenging for me, but what's life without a few challenges?
Dani
http://rosebudinbloom.blogspot.com/
I am so excited for another 30 for 30! I can't wait to see what you come up with this time around!!
http://minimalinfluence.blogspot.com/
I'm in!! Thanks for tons of style inspiration and a serious challenge!
Angie
http://www.gospelofstyle.blogspot.com
I Loved it the first time!!!
And now have more blogs participating. Very cool! I'll try to monitor all, since I only visited your blog there in that list. Good luck!
Kendi, you're a brave girl. I don't know if I'd have the follow through to last through the whole challenge. But, I'm really excited to see how you do it (if uou couldn't aready tell, I'm one of those new readers you picked up since the last challenge.)
wow, if I wasn't in limbo with living arrangements, I would totally do this…maybe next challenge!
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
You will post the pictures of people who are in the challenge here?
I'm going to do it! Some changes in my schedule will allow me to join in!
lizzypunch.blogspot.com
Are you going to make a button?
Wow! This really sounds exciting and makes me nervous. I am not sure I would be able to do it but really looking forward to see how others do it 🙂
i'm so in.
p.s. hi, i have a blog now.
dash dot dotty
Hello darling. I know you are crazy busy and you had to post like a zillion links to different blogs (so many people are participating! crazy!), but I noticed that the link to my blog doesn't work, so if you have time to fix it that'd be amazing.. otherwise, it'll just prevent people from seeing my awful remixes which may be for the better 😉 xo
Alright, I'm in!
ashleygettingdressed.blogspot.com
Wow! What an interesting challenge! I will give it a shot!
Ady
http://growingupanthro.blogspot.com/
Since I'm on summer vacation, and it's all I can do to shower on a regular basis, I think this might make sure that that my husband doesn't have to deal with a wife who spends all day lounging in pajamas watching the World Cup (and suffering withdrawal symptoms after the 11th).
What I'm saying is, I'm in.
http://maddressgame.blogspot.com/
Hey Kendi, I hate to say this, but I think I'm going to hold off on participating in the challenge for now. I'm currently in New York City interning, so I just really don't think its the best time to be trying this out. On the bright side, I will most definitely be participating starting the first week of August. So just a month late 🙂
what am I doing?
…….ugh. asdfjkl; rethinking decision to do thisss. ALRIGHT I'LL SLEEP ON IT AND LEAVE YET ANOTHER COMMENT TOMORROW TELLING YOU IF I'M DOING IT OR NOT.
Perfect timing! I just got yelled at by my husband for single-handedly supporting my favorite Etsy shops 🙂 Count me in please!!
~ megan
http://transmissionme.blogspot.com/
I will be doing this challenge! I started a blog just for it, lol. hopefully this will help me save up some of my money!
http://fashionablylategenie.blogspot.com/
hi! count me in! i just started a blog and so i think this is a great opportunity!
cheers!
~pie (http://refcake.onsugar.com/)
thanks for doing this, kendi!
i'm so excited. i'm almost there with picking out the 30 – i have way more than i need right now, but hopefully i'll get some help with deciding what to go with. can't wait to see your choices and what outfits you come up with too!! 🙂
anthrobakery.blogspot.com
I'm in! I've been meaning to start 30 for 30 since you last did it, and this is the perfect chance! I foud your outfits and comments super inspiring last time, I can't wait to see what all these lovely ladies come up with.
x
laurafaymarie.wordpress.com
Okay… I'm in! My blog is more of a craft & (amateur) photography blog at the moment, but I've been experimenting with posting outfit shots and this seems like a great way to jump into the deep end of this whole style blogging thing!
http://www.oneroomschoolhousecrafts.blogspot.com
I am going to have to bow out 🙁 Just looked at my calendar and it's just nuts this month… I will def do it next time! 🙂 Can't wait to watch from the sidelines…
I have decided to take part in the challenge. I'm not sure how well this is goign to go, but I figure that I can do anything once.
http://www.kindofdiva.blogspot.com
I'm in!!!
Let see if I can take this challenge…
http://laundryfashion.blogspot.com
This has definitely inspired me! I'm in for the 30 for 30 challenge! I'm going to start on Tuesday 🙂
Whoo hoo! Count me in, too!
http://carrie-asimplelife.blogspot.com/
funny thing, I did this exact same challenge in April without any knowledge of your challenge or blog! right on down to the the no shopping until it was over.
It great to see you back at it! I was going to wait until Octber.
Anyway, great blog! I'm glad I found it!
I think I'll join in!
Sasha, from asparkleintime.blogspot.com
This is BRILLIANT! I just stumbled on your blog seemingly by mistake, but there are no mistakes in this world. I'm doing something I rarely do which is adding you to my daily reads blog roll soon as I post this. I really like the way you think, Kendi.
I've been fretting about this very subject because in a few days I'm flying – without my husband – first to the Dominican Republic to stay with a friend, then straight to the end of Long Island, where I'll meet said husband. Which means I've got to pack light, and I've got to make it work in two very different holidays.
Your advice on the shoes alone is ace. I just don't know why it took me so long to find your brilliant blog!!
I love this remix idea! You've inspired a little remix theme on my blog. . . but with food and on a much smaller scale. I hope you don't mind! And of course, I've credited your blog. Happy Mixing! 🙂