January 31, 2011

Why I don't 30x30

I’m going to start with some disclaimers right up front!
  1. There is absolutely no judgment on fashion bloggers who do this challenge. These are solely my opinions and what I feel is best for my own blog. I do not advocate "boycotting" all fashion bloggers during the remix, nor is that my intent with this post.
  2. I am posting my opinion to: a. answer those who have asked if I am planning to do it and b. because I think it’s fun to think outside the box and not just go with what is popular, but to throw in some dissenting opinions too!
By now you have gathered that I will not be doing the 30x30 challenge. (The 30x30 is a challenge that hundreds of personal style bloggers participate in. They pick 30 pieces of clothing/shoes and in 30 days that’s all they can wear. They post pictures of the 30 outfits they came up with.) Here's why:
  1. The biggest reason - 30x30 does not fit in with my blog’s mission statement. My mission is to keep it real and represent real-life clothing situations at all times. The only time a real-life 30x30 situation happens is if you take a trip that lasts 30 days. I don’t feel this situation happens enough to warrant “practicing”. This also goes again some of the principles I teach on this blog, such as: use everything you have! Wear that blazer you haven’t worn in 5 years! Why leave out the rest of your clothes for a month? This doesn’t make good sense in real life.
  2. My mission is also to help people get creative and feel good about themselves with clothes. I'm writing for an audience of real people who are not pros (neither am I!) and I see the 30x30 as a potentially stressful situation: "what items do I choose?" "how do I put them together?" I can literally see someone crying in their closet over it, which takes all the FUN out of fashion! The challenge seems like it's better suited for a talented fashion blogger or stylist, not an everyday girl.
  3. I treasure the fact that my blog is unique and there isn’t another one out there like it. Blogs are such personal and specialized little slices of heaven – for the life of me I can’t figure out why everyone wants to be posting the same things at the same time for a month?
  4. From a reader perspective, if you do the 30x30 challenge I pretty much stop reading your blog for a month. Not because I'm a hater, but because I find it boring. (Again, I'm not advocating boycotting 30x30 bloggers here, I'm just stating my opinion as a reader. If it's boring to me, I certainly wouldn't want to post about it, right? My reasons for not being interested are the same as above, simply because it's not a realistic situation. I love the Biggest Loser and American Idol, which are competitions that make differences in people's lives. But 30x30 is like watching Minute to Win It - why are they trying to balance golf balls on their forehead again?)
  5. Last week I came up with these four challenges off the top of my head. I think they are better suited for the everyday girl, and these situations DO occur in real life:
  • When you are out of ideas: wear the same shirt or dress 4 times this month, in different ways.
  • When you need to do laundry: wear the same pants or skirt M-F, in different ways.
  • When you have no $: challenge yourself to not buy a single new item for 60 days, and use what you already have.
  • When you bored with your clothes: challenge yourself to wear 10 items this month that you haven't worn in 6+ months.
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts! Is the 30x30 something you would like to see on this blog? Or any of the other challenges I listed? How do you feel about doing the 30x30 on your blog and why? Please let me know what you think in the comments section!

163 comments:

  1. Good points, I totally get what you're saying! I apologize for my novel in advance. ;)

    I'm not a style/fashion blogger at all and plan on just posting photos from the week on the weekend, if I even decide to post them weekly. I may just do a post-challenge post. So, if you read my blog, please don't stop reading because I'm choosing to try this challenge out. It's not going to become the focus of my blog in any way since fashion is not the main focus of my blog!

    Here are some points on why I'm giving it a shot:

    -I really don't have that many items of clothing, so this isn't a huge stretch for me. I may not use everything in my closet, but I go through phases anyway with what I have.

    -I only have $50 a month to spend on anything on myself("fun money") with our budget, so this is really helpful for me to use what I have and see what I need/don't need and what I can do with what I have if I just put some thought into it.

    -I often get really comfortable in whatever I have and re-wear the same things anyway so, again, this isn't a huge stretch.

    -I never force myself to be creative when it comes to clothes, so I see this as a fun way to think outside of the box!

    -If it stress me out AT ALL, I'm going to stop doing it. When it stops being fun, I'll stop doing it. I know that may not be in line with "the rules" but that's how I look at it personally and I'll be the first to admit on my blog that it didn't work for me. I have enough stress going on day-to-day that I don't need to add more. ;)

    -I just started reading Kendi's blog and had no idea this was a huge trend among bloggers to do. I just see it as a fun challenge!

    -It's been a goal of mine for a while to really find my style and I'm slowly getting there. I think this is just a fun way to help push me to really hone in on my style using what I have, since I'm always thinking of what I need to buy.

    I love that you're choosing to go a different route, you don't have to write about what you don't want to write about! I don't think it's something you need to do unless you wanted to. I also appreciate you opening up the discussion. Just keep doing what you're doing or come up with new ideas of what you'd like to see on your blog. Either way, I'll be reading! :)

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  2. I love that you do what you know works best for your blog despite what is popular. :)

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  3. Love this post. I'm not entirely interested in the 30 pieces in 30 days either. Primarily because I've found such inspiration from your blog to do my OOTWW (outfit of the work week), and I often now wear a lot of clothes that I never thought that I would. Plus, posting it each week helps me not wear the same personal fav's every second day, like my over worn JCrew cashmere cardi that I bought and wore so much in one winter that it's nearly ruined lol. Thank goodness for the OOTWW posts!

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  4. Katy, I'm really glad that you thought out reasons for doing the 30x30 challenge! It sounds like it's a great fit for your lifestyle! My biggest beef is with the bloggers who just do it because it's popular without really thinking about why they are doing it. Or worse, someone who is just doing it to get the "free" mention on Kendi's blog.

    I do disagree about not writing about it, though. I've had lots of discussions with bloggers about the 30x30, and many of them feel the same way but I don't think anything has been published yet. I'm hoping to shake things up a little and give bloggers the courage to think for themselves! Please no more peer pressure to do the 30x30. :-)

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  5. Hi J

    I, for one, am very happy that your blog is a 30x30 free zone. Whilst I have enjoyed some other bloggers taking the challenge I do find that it gets tiresome after a while when all those you read are doing the same old thing. Good for you and keep on being different but accessible.

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  6. You disagree with me not posting about it? Sorry, I was a little confused on that point. I totally agree with you writing your point about it and opening the discussion if that's what you mean. Or I'm just having a brain freeze moment.

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  7. great responses!! i tried the 30x30 the last time it came around and actually felt the same way -- that it simply wasn't practical and i felt really bad for neglecting everything else in my closet. i actually much prefer wearing something that i haven't worn in 3-5 years or practicing no shopping for 60 days.

    thanks for putting this out there!

    cute and little

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  8. Oh, that's not what I meant at all. You asked if we thought you should do the remix and my point was don't write about what you don't want to write about! I wouldn't want to read something that felt forced. I'm glad you posted this and started a discussion. We should all stick to our thoughts and opinions and you made some great points. :)

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  9. I like your post!

    The reason I haven't done it?? Lazy, still shopping my closet, oh I don't know...I do see a lot of bloggers participating. It's cool and all but I do like shopping my closet. I never realized how much stuff I have until last year when my daughter and I were spring cleaning. Even after I had given away tons of items to charity...I still had closets full of things.

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  10. I thought you were saying I didn't need to write this post, lol. I was surprised you were saying that! :-) Makes total sense now.

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  11. I'm participating in the 30 for 30 Challenge (first time) and using nothing but Goodwill purchased items, shoes included. BCBG, Gucci, Via Spiga, Theory, Banana Republic, AG jeans are some of my choices thus far for my 30 items. I believe the challenge will help me be a bit more creative in my styling abilities, but we'll see how that works out. If nothing else, I hope people will learn that if they are strapped for money they can still shop WITHOUT sacrificing style, quality, fabulous labels, and a comfortable financial future. Thirty clothing items may be a reality for people who are less fortunate, so I like the idea. I know Goodwill, which is a charity helping lots of less fortunate people, will benefit from my 30 for 30 Challenge efforts, and my personal 365-Day Goodwill Challenge. Wish you were participating.

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  12. hee hee! I like your reasons for not doing it. I am at day 13 of doing it, and you are right, it's stressful! But I like it. Everyone has their own closet wake up calls, and this one helps me, but I also LOVE you additional ideas, and might have to try those, too.

    xox,
    Meggy from http://ChasingDavies.blogspot.com

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  13. Love your comments here, J. I like the concept of the 30x30 because there are still so many people that can't break out of the box of wearing their blue print top with their blue skirt over and over again, and I think it can be a good exercise for those types. However, I am confident in my remixing skills and enjoy using my closet and wearing the array of items in new and fun ways day after day without being so limited. Plus, 30 days of no shopping might make me a bit mental. :-)

    For the past 30x30 challenges I have totally ignored them, but this time around I am doing a "hypothetical 30x30". I have chosen 30 items and will show daily collages of outfits created with the items, but will continue to do my normal daily outfit posts too. I get a lot of questions about "must have" items and creating capsule wardrobes so I hope it will be a good visual for my readers.

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  14. I think the 30/30 is a really good idea, as it stretches MY idea of what I can/can't put together from my own closet. My biggest surprise in doing the 30/30, which I'll start tomorrow, on the first, is that, believe it or not, I don't have 30 GOOD pieces of clothing with which to do this!!! I've managed to come up with 26, plus four pairs of shoes, but I didn't want to count shoes. Looks like I might have to, tho. I don't have a blog, so therefore there will be nothing written about my attempt at doing this, and there won't be any photos. It just seemed like time to work on my own fashion statement, to "get creative and feel good about myself and my clothes," to wear some things I haven't worn in a long, long time, and to just enjoy my clothing. With your wardrobe, tho, I think you could do a 30/30 and knock the rest of us out, lol.

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  15. Hey J - I LOVE that you didn't jump on the bandwagon. And your explanation makes great sense. I think your challenges are similar, but actually a much better idea because you aren't limiting anything, but still encouraging new ways to try different pieces of clothing.

    So glad you posted this!

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  16. J- I love the whole idea behind your blog! I have been following you for a few months now and you have impacted my fashion/style in so many positive ways! I used to shop, shop, shop (not to mention toss, toss, toss from my closet) and you have inspired me to see my clothes in a new light and to find a new appreciation for old pieces. I even went through 3 huge bags that I was going to donate and put 75% back in my closet! Please stay true to what you do because those that follow you love it!!! Thanks for teaching me to be cute and thrifty all at the same time!

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  17. Ha, okay good! I would never tell you to not write this. I appreciate all view points and would never tell you not to share your opinion. :)

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  18. I love your thoughts on this. This'll be my third time doing the 30x30, and I have to say it pretty much takes the stress out of getting dressed for me. It has pushed me to be more creative with what I have, which is especially important now that I pretty much can't shop for fun due to economic reasons. I do love that you have really thought out why you're not participating, though. Every blogger has to do what works best for him or her.

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  19. I think a lot of people will be participating just for the fun in participating in something. If you don't have a popular blog like yourself, it's a nice way to get visitors to your blog. I'm not a fashion blogger but I have participated in baking groups and really have a lot of fun with that and enjoy the new visitors.
    I think your explanation is fine; if it's against what your blog is about that you shouldn't have to participate! :-)

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  20. Being new to reading the blogs I had no idea what 30X30 is. My only experience with the term is from mapmyrun.com's challenge to run 30 miles in 30 days. I fully intend to do it but not yet. Too much snow up here right now and I get too bored on the treadmill to do more than a mile or two at a time.

    Anyway, back to fashion. I can see your point that it just isn't practical for everyday life. Definitely wouldn't work for me; I swear I have ADD when it comes to my closet. I get bored waaaay too easily with my clothes which would explain why I spend way too much money shopping for new items. Your blog though has inspired me to use what I already have to come up with new ideas. I also liked the little mini-challenges you mentioned in your 30X30 post; especially pulling out things I haven't worn in months. Thanks!!

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  21. I appreciate this well thought out post. I wouldn't want to see anyone participate in something they don't feel is valuable for them. This will be my second 30x30m and I'm pretty excited about it. I wrote at length during the last challenge what I was learning as I went along. I think it really encouraged me to be myself and get creative w/my favorite pieces. It also prompted me to understand what I do and don't need in my closet. I think it was my best dressed month ever! I also love doing a challenge with the other bloggers because it facilitates a sense of comraderie, which is nice. I don't think you follow my blog now, but if you did, I'd hate to lose you as a reader!

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  22. Psychedforstyle.blogspot.comJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Hi J,
    I’m so glad you decided to write your post. Like I said in my tweet, we need open dialog about our differing ideas… otherwise this would be a boring world to live in.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I hadn’t thought about the 30 x 30 like that before I read your post, and you’ve given me something to think about.

    I will be participating in tomorrow’s 30 x 30 for the first time. Basically, I thought it would be a fun challenge and a new way to participate in the blogging community.

    I hear you on the artificiality of the challenge. I guess I think of it like taking a boot camp class at the gym: I’m not going into combat any time soon, and I’ll never do lunges across a wide open space in real life, but the boot camp is fun to do with friends, it accesses under-trained muscles, and it might make me a better runner/cyclist in the end.

    I also see your point about choosing items/excluding pieces from the daily rotation. I haven’t thought through all of my outfits yet, but I have pulled my items and have planned my first several outfits. Pulling items has given me a sense of how colors work together in my wardrobe… and what colors are missing. It has also made me realize that I underutilize shoes in my outfits tremendously! I have also pulled together some new favorite outfits that I may have never thought of without this challenge. I guess it’s given me a new lens for looking at my closet. (It’s also given me an appreciation of how much one really needs in one’s wardrobe. I’ll admit to being quite a ‘consumer,’ and I think I could cool off on that a bit.)

    I invite you to stop by to check out what I’m doing… but if not, I totally understand. I’ll be back to my regular schedule on March 4.

    Thanks for having the guts to share your thoughts with us!
    xoxo
    kiki

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  23. Please DO NOT do 30x30 on your blog J, or I'll have to stop reading it. Seriously.

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  24. I'm so glad you wrote this post, I completely agree with everything you said. I don't and will never understand why this so called challenge appeals to anyone. It is utterly boring, same clothes for a month, come on? ZzzZZzZzzzzz...

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  25. Great thoughts--by all means you should not participate in something you don't want to! I've done the 30x30 twice, but am not doing it this time because I'm just not feeling it. In the past, though, I've done it because it was fun--while you may be great at trying new things on a regular basis, some of us need that extra kick in the butt to get creative. :) Also, I respectfully disagree that fashion bloggers are not everyday girls. I've never posted an outfit on my blog that I haven't actually worn to do life in.

    Love your mini-challenges, though. Much more manageable, and a great alternative to the 30 for 30!

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  26. Lol Maya even with "seriously" I can't tell if you are being serious. :-)

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  27. Kris, the whole purpose of my blog is exactly what you said - helping people "learn that if they are strapped for money they can still shop WITHOUT sacrificing style, quality, fabulous labels, and a comfortable financial future." I do not think 30x30 fits in with that purpose at all!

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  28. Kiki, I love so many of the points you made here!! The boot camp example though, that's not really a challenge. I think it's more like if you were training to learn how to balance a golf ball on your head. When are you ever going to need that skill? The point is that even if you decide to only use 30 items out of your closet, the other items are STILL there and you will have to go back and face them eventually. Know what I mean?

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  29. Since I post outfits weekly, it's not practical to do a 30x30. I feel like the last one just ended & I will be skipping a lot of blogs bc of it. It's been done too often. Maybe once or twice a year would keep the idea fresh. I'm not a hater, just not a participator!

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  30. Don't mean to be a hater, but 30x30 annoys the living you know what out of me..

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  31. "Fashion bloggers" is such a HUGE group of people, it's really a hard thing to define these days. Some fashion bloggers are celebrities, some fashion bloggers focus on high fashion and creating inspiration, some fashion bloggers take pictures of other people, some fashion bloggers focus on their own person style. I really don't consider myself in any of these categories to tell you the truth - and by "everyday girl" I was referring to myself and my readers. Some fashion bloggers might be everyday girls, but there are so few we hardly have our own category at this point! I personally hope this changes some day!

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  32. i've never participated but i've been following some 30x30 bloggers before and didn't really see the point of this challenge. actually, i still don't really even see it as a real challenge, nor a real life situation. i'm really glad you are not participating J.:)

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  33. I think that the 30 for 30 challenge can be quite realistic. There are many people in this world that only have 30 items in their closet, and this is a way to show people that you can still be fashionable while living within your means. I think that's it's a great way to teach other people that in order to keep your outfits fresh you don't always have to buy new clothes, you just have to remix your clothes in combos that you wouldn't usually think to try. I did the Fall remix, and I'm also participating this time around. Last time I I learned soooo much from the challenge. Now when I go shopping for clothes I think every purchase over, and as a result I spend more wisely, which means less clothes in being wasted in my closet. Also the last time I did the challenge it caused me to step out of my little bubble a bit more, which is such a great thing because now I am so much more confident in what I wear, and I don't feel the need to copy looks, but rather create.
    I respect your reasons for not joining the challenge, but I don't think that you should stop reading the blogs of those who are participating. Everyone who participates isn't posting the same thing as everyone else...they are showing their outfits with their clothes...and you will see that most of the people who participate in the challenge have very different clothing items and very different styles.

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  34. I agree with you J., whoever is doing 30x30 I'm pretty much not going to read their blog for a month. Can't stand the mainstream bs.

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  35. I stop reading because I find it a little boring, and I also feel like it is almost poking fun at those people who only have 30 pieces of clothing. Seems a tad strange for a fashion blogger with hundreds of clothes to invent this silly situation don't you think?

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  36. Thank you for this post, nice to know you have decided to be original and not follow this 30x30 madness. Personally I think 30x30 is getting old and needs to go. There are not very many girls who only have 30 items in their closet, and so this challenge is really a 30 days imaginary trip to nowhere. That is the reason why some people have decided not to follow 30x30 bloggers for a month, myself included. Again, thanks for your post!

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  37. Yowza, lot's of hate in the comments! I'll be doing my first 30 for 30 this month. In defense of bloggers who have done it, I enjoy seeing how they're able to make completely different outfits out of the same pieces of clothing, and many you can hardly tell they're using the same clothes. I don't think anyone does the 30 for 30 challenge trying to act like it's a real life situation or to "poke fun" of people with only 30 items of clothing. I have always viewed it as an exercise to get you to think outside of the box. I often reach for the same pairings with my clothing and am participating in the challenge to stop myself from doing that.

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  38. Hey J.. girl you better be posting regularly in February, for the next month I'm only reading your blog!

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  39. Could definitely go for that 60 day challenge!

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  40. AMEN! I've never understood the 30/30 challenge either. I feel guilty not wearing all the items in my closet as it is! I do think it's AMAZING that these women are able to stick to it and come up with great outfits though!

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  41. This is not meant to be a hateful post or discussion in any way. But I do think it's okay if people don't like the 30x30 and want to voice that, the same way people are welcome to voice their support of 30x30!

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  42. Long time follower, never commented before. Just to add my 2 cents, I hate the whole idea of 30x30 challenge and will pretty much boycott any blog that is participating in it. Thank you for not participating yourself, love your blog ur absolutely gorgeous.

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  43. Actually, I was thinking a lot of these things while I was picking out clothes for this, I was putting sweaters in my closet and saying to myself "I guess I won't be wearing this until next winter." I agree, I have way to much stuff to participate, and this isn't the right challenge for me. Thanks for helping me think this over. I will, however, still not buying any new items until March and try to wear anything I haven't worn yet this month.

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  44. Oh, I wasn't saying it's not ok to voice their opinion at all! Just surprised how strongly some people feel against seeing the challenge on blogs :)

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  45. Yes, I love this!! Don't buy anything new until March and wear all sorts of stuff that never gets lovin'. Now that's a happy closet. :-)

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  46. Gotcha. And if it gets hateful or out of hand I'll be implementing my comment policy and deleting anything inappropriate! :-)

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  47. I think this is a great topic of conversation. It is unfortunate that a lot of people are turning the topic into an remixers and nonremixers conversation though. I don't feel like that is productive for the blogging community at all.

    I participated last time and I really enjoyed it. I didn't find it challenging because remixing is natural to me. It did however force me to try combinations and accessories that I wouldn't normally try, but that after trying I really loved and now wear more often. I think that's one part of it's beauty. It challenges each person in it's own way. I see it more as an opportunity to push yourself in your fashion or to create an environment for yourself fashionwise that helps you grow in your style choices. But in my opinion it is above all a community builder among bloggers. I met a lot of fantastic women throught the last 30for30. I might have discovered them eventually, but the challenge helped me find them faster. It brings bloggers together around a common thread.

    And I agree and disagree that it's not realistic. Who gets to decide what's realistic and what's not. Some people only have 30 items in their closet, so for them this is realistic. This is their every day life.

    I do get the boredom factor because when I was not invested in the challenge myself I did find it less intersting to look at certain blogs that were involved in the challenge, but it always depended on the blogger and not on the challenge itself. But that's anything. We all have reasons for liking one blogger over another or way we relate to a blogger better. I don't see why the 30for30 should make such a difference in whether you read a person's blog or not. It may be 20 items for a month, but its still their style and their voice... isn't that what you come for in the first place?

    I'm happy to see people talking about this and to hear how others view the challenge. I just hope that it stays more in the relm of discussion than picking sides. Because like I said, that aspect of discussion isn't productive.

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  48. I really don't mean to be "hateful", if this challenge helps someone be more creative then go for it, it's just that this whole mass euphoria all over blogosphere is really annoying, and the challenge itself is not that interesting. Clearly a lot of people feel that way, but not many of them voice their opinion. I'm glad that J. here for example is opiniated and has decided not to do what everyone else is doing and that makes her blog special and different from anyone elses. I don't think anyone here is being hateful on purpose, it's just different opinions. I honestly do not see the point in 30x30, but hey that's just me and I too have decided to not read 30x30 blogs for the next month.

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  49. I think this is a great topic of conversation. It is unfortunate that a lot of people are turning the topic into an remixers and nonremixers conversation though. I don't feel like that is productive for the blogging community at all.

    I participated last time and I really enjoyed it. I didn't find it challenging because remixing is natural to me. It did however force me to try combinations and accessories that I wouldn't normally try, but that after trying I really loved and now wear more often. I think that's one part of it's beauty. It challenges each person in it's own way. I see it more as an opportunity to push yourself in your fashion or to create an environment for yourself fashionwise that helps you grow in your style choices. But in my opinion it is above all a community builder among bloggers. I met a lot of fantastic women throught the last 30for30. I might have discovered them eventually, but the challenge helped me find them faster. It brings bloggers together around a common thread.

    And I agree and disagree that it's not realistic. Who gets to decide what's realistic and what's not. Some people only have 30 items in their closet, so for them this is realistic. This is their every day life.

    I do get the boredom factor because when I was not invested in the challenge myself I did find it less intersting to look at certain blogs that were involved in the challenge, but it always depended on the blogger and not on the challenge itself. But that's anything. We all have reasons for liking one blogger over another or why we relate to a blogger better. I don't see why the 30for30 should make such a difference in whether you read a person's blog or not. It may be 30 items for a month, but its still their style and their voice... isn't that what you come for in the first place?

    I'm happy to see people talking about this and to hear how others view the challenge. I just hope that it stays more in the relm of discussion than picking sides. Because like I said, that aspect of discussion isn't productive.

    (sorry if this posted twice... I clicked something funny)

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  50. I understand what you are saying, but it's really not avoidable to be in one category or the other - you either remix or you don't. Is it just that people are declaring themselves one or the other that bothers you?

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  51. tomoboyfashion.blogpost.comJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I understand your point of view, and the challenge examples you gave, but in my opinion the 30x30 is intended for the very same thing! With the 30x30 you are encouraged to dig things out you haven't worn in a while and make it work; you are encouraged to make several outfits out of one piece of clothing; you are limited to not shop and just use what you have. So I think the point is the same, but the practice is different. No biggie, thanks for sharing your honest opinion!

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  52. Great topic, it is refreshing to see a blogger voice their opinion, obviously a lot of people agree with you J. I don't follow 30x30 bloggers and always wonder if I'm the only one who doesn't get this challenge. Glad to hear I'm not.

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  53. but you don't either remix or you don't. I remixed during one challenge and I am not this time one because I don't feel like it's what I want to focus on right now. And there are plenty of others that do sometimes and don't other times. We're all bloggers whether we remix or not.

    What I think bothers me is that the comments are not in a way to say "i see why people do it, but it's not for me." they are more geared towards saying I don't like "those people". People join the remix for all kinds of reasons, and to me the tone of your post is incredibly negative and sort of created the environment to begin with. You disclaimer seems more like and "no offense" than a disclaimer.

    I am really intersted in understanding what it is about the challenge people don't like and I think that your post does a good job at explaining why YOU don't care for the challenge, but you did basically call all remixers unoriginal and imply they aren't concerned about what their readers like to see. Which isn't true for 99% of the people who do the remix.

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  54. "Some fashion bloggers might be everyday girls, but there are so few we hardly have our own category at this point! I personally hope this changes some day!" - J, I love your blog, and I visit every day, but I was surprised by this sentence in your response to Angeline (love your blog, too, btw!). Being the uber-organized super-nerd that I am, I love lists, and I have a list of "fashion bloggers" that I check out on a regular basis for outfit ideas. There are over 50 bloggers on my list, and none of them are "high fashion" folks within the "industry" - they're all "everyday girls" who shop at the mall (LOFT, Anthropologie, GAP, J.Crew, H&M, etc.) and post pictures of themselves. Is 50+ "a few"?

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  55. Very well written! I agree with you that the 30X30 challenge is a great way to encourage bloggers to try to work with items they sometimes ignore and try combinations of items that they don't usually think of. This can inspire people to see their closets in a new light and possibly come to embrace a few items they had forgotten about.

    As a few others have said as well, another important aspect of this challenge is the community it builds. Blogging can be a very isolated endeavor, and the 30x30 challenge often leads to us to discover and communicate with other bloggers for the first time.

    I am so impressed with Kendi for having put together this project! Of course, it's not for everyone, so there's no need for all bloggers to participate. I personally don't because it doesn't fit in the format of my blog, but I think that some of your challenge suggestions, J, are some fun alternatives for more challenges and community building among bloggers.

    - Meredith

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  56. Grrllll saw this on Twitter. What a can of worms! To be honest, I'm not an OOTD blogger. Last 30x30, I participated but didn't blog about it. This time around, I'm putting my own twist on it that I hope my readers will appreciate. I also don't plan on posting everyday, but just having one or two days for 30x30. I can see some of your points. I'm not crazy about 30x30 but I wouldn't unfollow a blog because of it.

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  57. Another anti 30x30 here.. thank you for being different J.... and yes you better update your blog a lot for the next month!!! lol

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  58. Well, I don't have a blog but I am of the same mindset as you J. I would get bored! I travel for work so I know what I can do with 5 garments in 5 days........uggggh....I love your blog because every day I get to see something different. Trust me, when I am wearing those pants for the 3rd day I want to see what YOU are wearing:-) Plus, I love all the pictures of you and the hubby- I love that you dress up and down........You are an everyday girl. I like your challenges better since they do occur in real life- I always need to do laundry! If I ever get a 30 day vacation somewhere (not!) then the 30X30 might have some relevance in my life......JMHO

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  59. I totally agree that saying I don't like "those people" is wrong. Let's not lump everyone into one category. But people are entitled to their opinion - if they find a certain POST boring, do they HAVE to read it and love it? Absolutely not.

    I also didn't intend to call remixers unoriginal or imply that they aren't concerned about what their readers like to see. Wasn't at all my intent or in any way my opinion. I'm a little surprised at how many people are saying they don't like following the remixes. My intent was just to put some new opinions out there! Everyone is so lovey-dovey about 30x30, don't you find it refreshing to talk about it from a new perspective?! :-)

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  60. Meredith, don't you think the challenge is actually creating divisions between bloggers? Because it sure feels like there is a lot of pressure in the blogging community to participate. And if I don't, I won't be one of the cool kids?

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  61. Hello....I thought I'd chime in here and join in on the discussion:) First and foremost, I am a firm believer in healthy and constructive conversations, so I'm happy to read the comments, both for and against the 30x30 in this thread.
    As a newer fashion blogger, to me, being involved in the community is forming friendships, getting/giving advice, reading blogger features and participating in challenges that I find interesting.
    I am participating in the 30x30 this go around. I missed out last time due to timing and I was really happy to see it come back around for a Winter Edition. My reasoning in joining in on this challenge is to NOT let myself get bored, and to be more creative with clothing/shoes that I already own. It's very easy for me to run to the store and pick up the latest and greatest items being shown in magazines and on internet sites, etc. I joined to challenge MYSELF, to see just how creative I can be under certain circumstances, and I'm very happy to be joining several hundred other fashion bloggers who feel the same.
    What's right for me, may not be right for you..."to each their own" is a wonderful motto.

    Everyone has the right to their own opinions. Your blog is YOURS, and the opinions you express on it soley belong to you.

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  62. Lol... had to laugh at this one... I unfollowed every single blog that declared participation in 30x30 today.. I guess ur staying on my list sweetie... thank you!

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  63. Amen chica! Love it!

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  64. Hi J!
    I completely agree with your reasons in your post. I enjoy reading your blog because it gives me great inspiration to pull deeper within my own closet. I feel like the 30x30 challenge is exactly what I am trying to avoid, especially since I teach fashion classes.
    Thank you for all of your hard work blogging :-)
    Best,
    K

    (Sorry if someone else wrote something identical to this, I'm at work and didn't have the opportunity to read all of the comments)

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  65. Interesting points here J - I never really thought of this from that point of view. As a reader though, I have read 30x30 blogs & I DO like seeing photos from outfits created using the same items - only bc it gets my mind working on similar items I have in my closet working in ways I wouldnt normally think of!

    To each blogger, their own, I guess :)

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  66. i love that your blog is ORIGINAL.

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  67. Jumping in to offer my thoughts here--I don't think that's the case, but I can see how the perception is there. I have participated in the 30 for 30 before but am not this time...and no one has made a single peep asking me "why not" or telling me they think I should. It's a very open community that supports bloggers regardless of their participation.

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  68. Absolutely. I think we all skip over posts we aren't engaged in. And I definitely respect your right to post about this (first amendment, baby!). I appricaite the discussion and side discussions it has created. (Just not so much the negativity) =)

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  69. I participate and still don't feel like one of the cool kids... but that's not really what blogging is about. I agree with Angeline. It's a very fluid community where you can participate if you want to, but no one pressures you to if you don't feel like it. I only got a few why's when I didn't particpate this time and those were from some of my closest blogger friends who were just curious for my reasons.

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  70. Very true. But it is a big enough group now that it's easy for a blogger to feel left out. I wrote my post to encourage bloggers to do what's best for THEM. Remix, don't remix - there is no right and wrong! Only what works for you. :-)

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  71. I fail to see how this challenge brings bloggers together. In fact, it feels a bit high-schoolish to me. Almost like a popularity contest, it's either you are cool and participate or not... So high school. I'm pretty poor and actually for real don't have much clothes to begin with so I find this challenge to be slightly offensive too. Still, I won't hang out with the "cool kids" and participate.

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  72. Definitely. No pressure either way. Just do what you want!

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  73. YES! This is what I was trying to say, thank you. It does feel high-school at times. I'm sure it was fun at first but now it's big enough and the blog-o-sphere tends to be cliquey anyway so it was bound to happen. :-(

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  74. Yes, yes and more yes. And I admire you for writing this post because I was beginning to think I was the only person in existence who was not interested in do the 30 for 30 because it seems so counter intuitive to ignore 90% of your closet for a month, and starting to get really bored of nearly every blogger I follow taking part in the challenges and letting it take the fun out of getting dressed.

    I will admit that I've seen some people get really creative and fun during the challenge, but now it just feels over done. Isn't four times a year too many?

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  75. PLEASE SEND ME THIS LIST!!! The sad fact is that these bloggers rarely get the same attention that "high-fashion" bloggers get, so I probably just don't know about them! Email me at jseverydayfashion@gmail.com

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  76. I'm glad I stumbled upon this post. I'm not a fan of the 30x30 simply because I am an everyday remixer. I have a lot of clothing to choose from and by only choosing 30 items for one month kind of seems like a waste of all the other clothing waiting to be worn. I made a comment a few months ago on twitter about not "getting" the challenge and it got back to Kendi. She said it best when she said that the challenge is for girls that wouldn't usually remix but are more of a shopaholic nature. People that aren't already in the habit of remixing what they've got but going out and buying new items as fillers.

    As much as I do loathe the challenge and am not particularly fond of following blogs that are doing the challenge, I'm just trying to remind myself that not everybody can be naturally creative with fashion and sometimes need a little push. I'm enjoying reading the feedback you've received and hearing that i'm not alone in the anti 30x30 group.

    Mel
    www.ideegeniale.blogspot.com

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  77. I agree with you Natasha! 30 for 30 doesn't mean your blog becomes "boring" or the same as anyone else's because you are still posting in your own unique voice. What keeps me coming back to a blog more than anything else is the writing style, not the clothes, anyways. Take Kendi, or Sydney Poulton from The Daybook, for example. They both post beautiful photos with clothing combinations that I usually love. But what got me hooked was their funny, down to earth and oh so relateable writing. That doesn't disappear just because the photos they post have a theme to them. I respect your right to speak your mind J but couldn't disagree with you more! I am proud to be doing this challenge and can't wait to follow many new fantastic remixing blogs.

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  78. I love this! "Everyday remixer" is a great term! My whole blog is dedicated to remixing what you already have and NOT spending tons of $, so I definitely fall into this category. A great reminder that 30x30 is good for some people but not others.

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  79. Psychedforstyle.blogspot.comJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Ooo! I'd love to see your list, too! I love reading blogs! Would you mind emailing it? I'm psychedforstyleblog@gmail.com. Thank you! :) Kiki

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  80. To each their own. I find the whole thing incredible boring (clearly so do lots of other people), and I think it's important that there is a space where we can voice our individual opinions rather than just always going along with the "I love 30x30 bandwagon". I'm welcoming people to do that right here! :-) (in a respectful way of course)

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  81. Psychedforstyle.blogspot.comJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Thanks, J! (And aren't you glad you posted this?! There is a lot of good dialog going on here!) Hmmm, I'm not sure if I'm getting the golf ball analogy. I used my boot camp analogy because the drills in a boot camp class are making me stronger for my other sports... cross training, if you will. Football players often do conditioning drills in addition to playing scrimmages. (Okay, I'm dying as I write this because I sound like a huge sports junkie, which I am sooo not!) Anyway, I agree that balancing a golf ball on your head really doesn't generalize and is a waste of time, but I think of the 30 x 30 as a conditioning drill that {hopefully] will generalize. :) Kiki

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  82. J-I like your blog just the way it is and I can say as a reader (not much of a blogger) the 30for30 doesn't interest me...especially if everyone is doing it too. I have no interest in reading about someone picking ONLY 30 items to wear for 30 days and mixing them up. Its just plain boring. I appreciate what you post and how you post it. I think you do enough remixing as it is with your fantastic blog.

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  83. I thought 30x30 was fun the 1st time but now it's just seriously overdone and old. I'm all for doing whatever pleases you, participate or not, however unfortunately the whole thing does have a high school popularity contest feel to it now, and seems like too many bloggers have decided to suck up to the cool kids. Sorry, I think I'll pass :(

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  84. Stumbled on your post via twitter, and I like that there's some healthy discussion about it. I did the #30x30 during the fall. While it was fun for the most part and I met some new blog friends, I felt like I had to keep one-upping myself in outfit creativity, which took some of the fun away from getting dressed. Plus I am a big dress collector, and ignoring most of my closet seemed pretty counter-intuitive. I live in Georgia, so my dominant season here is spring/summer, so if I did participate this time-around, the clothes I choose will not really be relevant two or three weeks from now as the weather changes.

    Kudos to the ones who do participate this go-around.

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  85. Honestly (without reading ALL of the comments on here) I think the whole thing is silly and I don't mean the 30X30, I just mean the fact that anyone would feel pressure to participate or not to participate. I understand blogging is a community but why do you feel pressure? Just do your thing. J, I think you are being too sensitive and the only division is created in your mind. Please don't take it the wrong way, I'm not being critical about you, I'm just saying that it's really no big deal and you shouldn't take it to heart.

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  86. I'm so glad you said something about this! I've seen the 30x30 spring up on various blogs, and I have never felt compelled to participate in that kind of a challenge. There are so many factors involved with outfit selection: my mood, the weather, what is clean, the activities I am participating in that day...telling myself I can only select from 30 pieces is so limiting! I know that it can get you to think creatively...but I would much rather rifle through my entire closet and resurrect something old in lieu of picking from a pre-selected group of items. I know that some people really enjoy the challenge, but I just feel like I'd get frustrated. So, I totally hear you on this one!

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  87. Oh I really like this. Maybe I'm just a bitch but I don't completely 'get it'. Tho I have respect for those willing to challenge themselves. After seeing an article about a girl who wore 6 items for a mont (basics. Didn't include shoes) I thought it would be a really good thing for me to do because I spend too much money on clothes and I'm never happy with my closet. I did 13 items for 30 days and stopped shopping too. Tho taking an outfit picture every effin day was such a bitch, by the end I was not even bothered by it. And I cheated for my bfs bday party (bcuz its my life, ill do what I want) it really made me realize I have too many clothes and an addiction to thrifted items. Anyhoo I'm commenting on my phone on the bus and this is not quite so easy on a shitty blackberry so let's leave it at this. This challenge might help some be more aware of how they can pair items together differently and work with what they have but I feel like its better to do things for yourself not because 100 others were doing it. I like being unique personally.

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  88. I completely agree with you! I would be the most interested in seeing how you would solve your own challenges, especially the last 2 - not buying anything new for 2 months, and reworking something old. I would also love to see a blog about packing for travel (which you kind of alluded to in this 30x30 post). Maybe in the upcoming months when vacation season starts you may have more readers who need packing advice. I have 2 weeks in Italy coming up this summer and my dilemma is not looking like a schlump while also being practical. Thanks for all of your great work, J! Your blog's uniqueness and practicality for real life is why all of your readers love it so much!!!

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  89. I am also not for the whole 30 x 30 thing. I wouldn't do it on my blog because I don't think it would be fun---I agree, it would just be stressful! I also tend to lose interest when people do the 30 x 30 challenge.

    I have nothing against anyone who wants to do it, but it's not for me. Great post!

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  90. Tracey, I totally don't understand this comment at all. Where in my post do I mention being pressured to participate? I have never once felt that way! I do think it is a big topic of conversation, however bloggers SHOULDN'T feel pressured. My whole point of this post: do what's best for you and don't listen to anyone else! :-)

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  91. Wowzers! That is definitely the voice of someone who doesn't love 30x30. Any particular reasons Anna? I would love to hear your point of view! :-)

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  92. I am planning to take a trip to Europe sometime in the next year and promise to do a HUGE post on what to pack and how to use the same items over and over. Until then I don't think I will be practicing. I hate packing. :-)

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  93. Thank you so much! :-) I am planning to take a trip to Europe sometime in the next year and promise to do a HUGE post on what to pack and how to use the same items over and over! (until then, I don't think I will be practicing)

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  94. J, I'm glad you don't feel pressure. It was the comment about how you felt like if you didn't do 30X30 that you would not be in the cool group. I took that as you felt pressure to do it. Like I said, do your thing. You're doing a great job.

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  95. Gotcha. I think there is some pressure out there. I don't experience myself but I'm a pretty strong personality so it might be different for others. In general, the blog-o-sphere can be cliquey, and "challenges" like the 30x30 can feel that way too. But really at the end of the day it's all about what works for you! Remix or no remix I still love ya. :-)

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  96. I guess I can understand where this feeling comes from and why it seems that way. But to be honest as someone has never felt like I was on the in crowd of anything, but less in this big universe of blogging I don't see it as a clique because no one decides if you participate but you. And i don't only read remixer blogs in fact there are more bloggers in my bloglovin' that DON'T participate than do. So I guess for me I never saw it as more than an adventure for me and a way to bond with other bloggers over a common topic.

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  97. Jumping in late, but I'm curious... J - did/do you feel pressured to participate because your readers specifically asked you to? I don't understand where else that pressure would come from, other than from within...?

    I view the 30/30 as sort of a blogverse microcosm of the fashion vs. style debate. "Fashion" is the overabundance of couture and cotton blend and crap that's shoved in our faces season after season. "Style", on the refreshing other hand, is what you personally select, how you edit, and how you interpret the trends. There are plenty of blogs out there that focus on abundance (and in many cases, excess and waste), but what I think is particularly brilliant about Kendi's 30/30 challenge is that is really does provide the opportunity you wouldn't necessarily give yourself to express your personal style, MINUS the volume of superfluous inventory in your closet - the filler, the only goes with one other thing, the in every color because they were on sale, etc etc. I feel it's also quite socially relevant, and could not be LESS high school, in that it asks the simple question, "What can you do with less?" How many of us teen fashion devotees honestly thought about dressing and approached our closets that way in high school? I know I didn't.

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  98. I never felt pressured to do it. I had a couple fans inquire, but mostly I just wanted to get a discussion going.

    My entire blog is focused on this idea - to use what you have and spend less. I am on a set, monthly budget (was $250, since October it is $100/month) and every single post on my blog is meant to further this mission statement and to teach women that we don't need to spend tons to look great. I do not agree that 30x30 furthers this mission statement though!!

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  99. Gotcha.

    I think it's just a different approach to the same end, and I'm sure there are as many paths to frugal, attainable style as there are style bloggers. I did a somewhat unintentional 30/30 when we moved this fall and decided to store the vast majority of my clothes and shoes in lockdown 30 miles away. It frustrated the crap out of an inpatient, attention-deficit plagued me, but it did give some clarity on the colors, shapes, and fabrics that do the best favors for my body and lifestyle. (EX: trying to work satin, scalloped shorts into an everyday fall wardrobe, not so much... discovering that you can totally wear khaki linen pants after labor day with chunky knit sweaters and bangles and look totally apple orchard chic... yes please.) It helped re-focus my shopping, eliminated wasteful spending, and made the weeding out process that much easier when I did finally bring the majority of my clothes home to stay.

    I do applaud your speaking out and offering the forum for others to do the same, and I have also very much enjoyed being a new reader on your blog.

    Kristen

    PS - Three woots for neon yellow. woot woot woot!

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  100. Hi J-

    This blog is something I check everyday because I simply like the clothes, like the style, and like how "real" the blog is. As a person who has never written a comment on here or even read the comments, I must say this blog post caught my eye (probably because it didn't have any pictures :)). I have only one simple but very important thing to say in response and that is... please just keep doing what you are doing and how you want to do it- because I love it and so do your fans.

    -Jackie

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  101. Jackie, that is so sweet, thank you! I will definitely take your advice. :-)

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  102. Hi J, i dont too much think i could do the 30X30. I like the sound of the challenges you mentioned last in your post. All four challenges sound good too me.

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  103. I would agree with Ashley. If you've got your own "thing goin' on," then why bother with what other people are doing? You're blog is obviously successful in it's own right, and in my opinion, you and Kendi have two different aesthetics so to, in some ways, post negatively about her challenge isn't even relevant to your blog. Shouldn't you also support your readers in whatever their endeavors are since they're the ones that have made you successful in the first place? Maybe you should enact one of your own challenges before you become a critic of someone else's. Who knows, it could be as popular as Kendi's and then you would be the "cool" one. I think this post should've focused more on support for bloggers' endeavors than negativity about just one blogger. I understand you don't want to be part of the crowd and trend, but as a fashion blogger that's a little hyprocritical since you dress in trends daily. I feel like some of these questions and concerns would've been more appropriate if you had conversed with Kendi directly and had an open conversation about it, preferably when she's not away from her blog like right now. I feel like this may have created a more positive and open conversation about why some people remix during the 30x30 and others don't, or remix all the time.

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  104. Oh, I'd like that list, too! I'm a brand-new "everyday" fashion blogger, so I'm very interested in seeing others like me! So far I follow about 5 others and they're all "everyday" girls.

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  105. Should have mentioned: send the list to erincappel@yahoo.com if you have the chance. Thanks!

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  106. haha! J- as soon as I read your post before I even looked at the comments I was like "uh oh! she's in for it" ;) Anyway, I did the past 30 for 30 and I will say that I think part of the point of it are the same points you mention in your post today. It is not to pretend you are going on a 30 day vacation, (although I would love that) but to come up with outfits that you otherwise might not have, because you usually have 300 choices instead of a limited amount. I definitely wore outfits that I probably would not have if not for having my choice limited to 30 items. It allows you to concentrate on ONLY those 30 items and think a bit more creatively about them, because you kind of have to due to the challenge. Then, when the challenge is over, you can get even more out of your items because now you have the rest of your closet back :) I also think that some of the followers that never follow a particular fashion blogger again because they participate in the 30 for 30 could be missing out. It only lasts 30 days, and honestly, some of the creativity that people came up with (maybe out of desperation) was really good/interesting.
    Anyway, I do like how you honestly state your opinion and can appreciate "agreeing to disagree" about something.

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  107. 90% of the comments are agreeing with this post, so I'm not in for it at all. :-) Only a couple people had concerns about what was being said in the comment section.

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  108. Poking fun at those people who only have 30 pieces of clothing? I don't see that at all. If anything, I think it's inspiring to see just how much can do with 30 pieces of clothing. Not everyone has a huge Carrie Bradshaw closet. Learning to style what you have means opening the doors to quality over quantity in your closet, and I don't find that strange or silly at all. Especially if you read Kendi's original reasons for remixing anyway.

    Besides, for me, it's a fun project. It's a project for my closet, my blog and my style. I thoroughly enjoy spending a few weeks focusing on a challenge that has nothing to do with work or the gym -- maybe that's silly, but again, I don't find it strange or boring or offensive. It's supposed to be fun.

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  109. If it's fun for you then you SHOULD do 30x30!! That's my whole point. People need to do what's best for their blog, not what is popular or what they feel pressured to do.

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  110. You are like a breath of fresh air J., I'm so glad you are not doing this silly challenge.

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  111. Wow.. look at the response you got lol. I always felt weird, like am I the one only one who doesn't really like 30x30 challenge? Clearly that is not the case. I deleted like 50 blogs from my list today, I can't stand to hear about 30 for 30 one more time haha.

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  112. Over 100 comments, mostly anti 30 for 30. This shows a lot of people are annoyed with it but don't say anything, because if they did it would be going against the cool cheerleader crowd, eh? Anyways, I personally am not participating and I'm not reading those who are. Thank you for being original J.!

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  113. Hey J. I was wondering if ur gonna participate, so SOOO glad to hear ur not:-)

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  114. Will do, girls! I'll e-mail it to y'all later today (it's saved on my other computer). :)

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  115. Interesting comments to say the least. I don't care for 30/30 so I'm not participating.. it's just too cheesy for my taste. So I guess I will just wait for it to pass or something.. won't delete 30/30 blogs but won't read them either.. oh well

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  116. Thank you for your honesty. I was just about to do a post today regarding why I'm not participating in the 30x30. I am a relatively new blogger and felt conflicted between the desire to be more of a part of the blogger community, and my aversion to jumping on the bandwagon. Since my blog is new, I am not even close to showing the world what hangs in my closet. I have too many great clothes to limit my outfits to 30 items. And I would hate to feel restricted by that. I like getting dressed in the morning. I enjoy putting together outfits. I like to remix. But I love having lots and lots of options.

    I don't judge those bloggers who are participating in the 30x30. More power to them. I'll continue to read them, but I don't feel pressure to join. Yes, it would be nice to be included in the community and network (isn't that what it's all about...networking and increasing traffic to your blog?) But I'm perfectly fine sitting it out.

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  117. Oops, my email is tamarajean@gmail.com

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  118. There are many reasons why I deleted all 30x30 blogs off my list, firstly this "challenge" bores me to death to begin with. Even if at some point it was interesting to some, it is now simply overdone and judging by comments here many would agree. Second, for the love of life I cannot understand the mass suck up high school histeria happening around 30x30. I guess it's a matter of taste and choice, and I choose to delete 30x30 blogs. I can understand how some perhaps fashionably challenged would want to practice remixing and that's ok, but having hundrends of blogs do the exact same thing for a whole month is simply boring. I would love fashion bloggers to come up with their own equally (if not more) interesting ORIGINAL ideas, not just blindly follow someone's "challenge", you know? It gets old... and fast.
    Anyway, this is just my point of view and I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. In the end everyone has the right to post whatever they want on their blog, but like someone said it is also follower's right to.. stop following.
    Thanks for this post btw, it sure started a very interesting conversation.

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  119. Thank you for adding these comments! Makes total sense and YES we are entitled to not participate in or no love 30x30 just as anyone is entitled to do or love 30x30. I experienced that high school hysteria yesterday- I received some pretty nasty Tweets about this post, even though I don't think they even read it. Still glad I voiced my opinion though! :-)

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  120. Sorry to hear about those nasty tweets J.. Look at all these people who left comments on your page though? The majority of them agrees with you and that alone shows that voicing your opinion was not a waist of time. This whole issue is NOT a matter of being right or wrong, but more a matter of a personal taste, so no one should feel threatened or offended by any of this.
    Again, sorry to hear you received nasty tweets... you've a got a bunch of bloggers here loving and supporting you babe:-)

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  121. Thanks Bianca! I really don't think they read the post - I'm not advocating for or against 30x30 but I am allowed to state what works for me. Pretty crazy that some people got that upset just b/c I don't want to participate? I had a great time discussing this though! Lots of people felt the same way so I'm glad I brought it up. ;-)

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  122. Hi J. first time commenter here... I just had to stop by and tell you YOU MADE MY DAY WITH YOUR POST GIRL. This is the reason why I love your blog... I totaly appreciate your honesty!! You are such a no nonsense straightforward type of a person, thank you it is.. oh sooo damn refreshing to see a fashion blogger be original and have an opinion and not be afraid to voice it!!! As for 30-30.. everyone should do whatever they feel like doing.. sorry about tweets some people are just mean?? don't worry about it

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  123. Fashionista_Next_DoorFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Hey J! I am doing it for the first time and I am actually very excited about it. I have mountains of clothes in my closet... I mean mountains, but I am not very good and remixing at all. I get the feeling that I don't have anything to wear and I just run out and buy more (spoken like a true shopaholic, right!) For me personally, this challenge present an opportunity to get the creative juices flowing in the remixing department... starting with these 30 items and hopefully incorporating the same principles to the rest of my closet. I am hoping to make remixing a "habit." This is also a great way for me to get an idea of what I really need. I figure as I am limited over the next 30 days, I will have a realization of the things that I already have in my closet that I want to wear, and the things that I don't have that I REALLY WANT! It's really all just an exercise and for me personally, I think it will be fun. I am a realistic person, and I am going to be traveling to Vegas this month so I am taking that week "off." After all, like you said Fashion is supposed to be fun not stressful

    Now for my blog personally, I am hoping to keep it from getting boring by talking about how you can use what you've already got in your closet to recreate the trends, which is what I do on my blog anyway so if someone didn't think my blog was boring before, they probably won't think it's boring now... I hope! Hopefully, they will be intrigued to see how on earth I'm gonna pull this off. Lol!

    Anyway, it is definitely not for everyone, and I definitely would have said it was not for me until now... I just thought it might be a fun challenge for a serious shopaholic!

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  124. Daniella Florence ITFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    My english is bad sorry, must say only i love your text & agree 110% !!

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  125. OK where do i start lol... personally im annoyed by the whole 30/30 thing myself but after reading all the comments i realized its not so much the 30/30 challenge itself that i dont like, it really is the hysteria behind it that annoys me the most.. i have long ago decided not to read any of it..

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  126. YES! Totally agree Jenny. I don't understand why everyone gets so pumped up. I couldn't believe the Twitter drama over one person (me) saying they don't want to do 30x30.

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  127. 30x30 sounds like the perfect challenge for you! More power to ya and good luck! :-)

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  128. Thank you for your support!! I totally agree, everyone should do what they want.

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  129. Totally agree. :-)

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  130. I am very glad you wrote this post.

    Personally, I don’t like 30X30, in fact the most influential, interesting bloggers are the ones who do their own thing. I can’t quite put my finger on what is off putting about the #30x30 but maybe it’s the same thing that caused me to pare down my fashion blog reading list and add blogs that were from different niches. I don’t care that much about what people where everyday… I do like outfit posts but you can only look at so much of the same thing over and over. It gets repetitive and dull.

    The other thing that confuses me to no end is how the 30x30 is a challenge to remix your wardrobe. I would think if you are a fashion blogger "remixing" should be natural to you!!!

    ~ Em K

    Ps. I liked your neon dress post, I loved the dress!

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  131. Thank you Em! Great points, and I'm glad you liked my neon post. :-)

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  132. Got it, Tamara! I'll send it out tonight. :)

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  133. Wow! Had no idea this was creating so much drama. Sometimes you think the things you do are in a vacuum and then you realize that a bunch of people are tweeting about it online. I agree that for the most part I just want to blog about what is currently a trend at the time, and I had a hard time deciding that for a month I wouldn't really be blogging about anything new. That kind of struck me as counter intuitive, but then I thought this could really open up some opportunities for me to evaluate my closet. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of clothes I have that I forget what I have sometimes and I honestly don't rewear things or remix things that often because I don't really force myself to do that I just wear what I feel like. Sometimes by placing restrictions on yourself you are able to look at things differently with a different perspective, and I can already feel myself thinking about my wardrobe in a different way, which is exciting for me. But I certainly don't care if someone doesn't find this as exciting. It's just a blog and these are just clothes. However, your 4 challenges for yourself do sound awfully similar to the 30 for 30 except you haven't restricted yourself to 30 items and you changed the saving period to 60 days instead of 30. It doesn't seem that different to me.

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  134. Exactly! I don't get why it's called a "challenge". Not only it shouldn't be that hard for a fashion blogger to remix, but I honestly don't even see how it challenges anyone at all? 30 is too many items to be calling it a true challenge... one could in fact easily create at least 50 outfits, and with some combinatorial math even hundred outfits.
    Pick 15 or less for 30 days and THEN call it a challenge.. ? That's my reason for boycotting it. It's just not a CHALLENGE (scratching my head).. but I don't mind if people are participating

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  135. Wow J... Can you believe the overwhelming response you received?
    A lot of people backing you up here, you must be doing something right:) keep it up ur awesome

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  136. The challenges are different because they occur in real life. You never run into 30x30 in real life. :-) Doesn't mean you shouldn't do the 30x30 challenge if it works for you though! That's my whole point of this post - to each their own!

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  137. Thank you Barbara! I'm actually surprised at how many people agree/feel the same way! Glad I spoke up. ;-)

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  138. Thanks for understanding! But I don't agree with the argument that the situation has to exist in real life for someone to partake in it. People don't participate in a marathon because they will actually have to run for their lives for 26 miles. What real-life situation requires you to run 26 miles? It is a human-made challenge that forces you to push yourself to your limits just like the 30 for 30. It is just something to break up the humdrum. Sure for one month things will be the same. But for the rest of the year I can dress how I want.

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  139. My best analogy is that 30x30 is like learning to balance a golf-ball on your head. You might need to run 26 miles in your life, because you might want to run a marathon. But there are no situations that call for golf-ball balancing. :-) Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it if you think it's fun? Absolutely not! And maybe you have some factors in your life that having this might actually help! But for most of us we will never need to balance a golf ball. And again that is the point of my post - it's my prerogative to not participate, just as it's yours to participate! :-)

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  140. Hey... I rarely comment but after reading your post and all the comments I have to add my 2 cents. First thing first 30 for 30 challenge doesn't bother me, but i personally don't participate or even like it that much. See I follow many fashion blogs, some well known and some not so much, and there is something else that bothers me personally that no one here has mentioned.

    I believe that what makes a good blog be GOOD are people who follow it, and that is something every blogger should always keep in mind. However I've noticed that some blogs have become so popular that the blogger(s) became cocky to the point where there is a noticable tendency for ppl to basically worship them with excessively over the top sugary comments. Now don't get me wrong, I despise haters, they are sad bitter creatures that have nothing else to do but send mean comments.

    But why so much sucking up to the "cool kids"? This is the high-school popularity contest hysteria a few ppl have mentioned in this commmens section. A truly GOOD blogger should remember that it is the followers who make the blog successful, and they should make effort to communicate with them in comments section, not just sit there and be passively worshipped..... Btw kudos to you J, I'm impressed with the fact that you actually take the time to read comments and REPLY to your readers. That to me shows your respect for them, and that is why I keep coming back here. Well, that and your amazing sense of style. Ur faaahhbulous daahhling;-)

    Now, back to 30 for 30. If girls want to participate to practice their remixing skills that's fine, but I hope maybe in the future this cliche popularity syndrom ends and we see some fresh original ideas from all fashion bloggers out there. I mean why do 30 for 30 five times in a row.. Let's do something else now?
    I'm sorry for the long novel... now let's just all get along shall we? :-)

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  141. Very well said! Your 2-3 paragraphs are exactly why I spend so much time and effort on my Facebook page (it's really easy for people to upload photos and ask questions there). I make an effort to answer every single question and style advice inquiry that I can. In my mission statement, I say that this blog is a two-way street and I really mean that! I always tell people that I won't let their positive (aka sugary) comments on outfit posts get to my head. Instead, I use them to measure how much people liked a certain post or outfit type, and then use that feedback to make this blog even better! :-)

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  142. Haha well that's not the analogy I would have used. It's quite patronizing. Doesn't look like this discussion has made any progress. It was interesting to read your opinion. Thanks for the feedback.

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  143. Michelle_S San FranciscoFebruary 1, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    This is by far THE.BEST.COMMENT. I have ever read. Period.

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  144. Wow, that was interesting! I'm fairly new to blogging and signed up to do the 30X30 not knowing how many bloggers participated in it! Boy was I surprised to see that list. I'm still participating BUT my 30 items are items that are on their way to Goodwill, sort of as a last hurrah. It was good to read your opinion about it, though. :-)

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  145. Hey girl -- I haven't been reading your blog for very long, but I have to say, you have my utmost respect for this post. In so many blogospheres, there are certain things that are just expected of you, and anyone who goes against that gets ripped apart (and usually passive-aggressively on Twitter, never to your face). I think it's fantastic that you stated why you aren't doing 30 x 30 and were frank about how boring you find it -- while a lot of people are clearly offended by this, I'm sure TONS of other bloggers (especially new ones) are inspired to do their own thing when they aren't into what the majority is doing! Major props.

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  146. I'm doing the 30x30, but I really see what you're saying. Personally, I'm doing it because for the next 30 days, it's going to be a lot easier for me to dress myself. :) Ha... yep, it's just easier in the morning. For me, it's fun to remix, but I see what you mean - you remix everyday and don't limit yourself to 30 items. Great points! I'm glad I was pointed to your blog! :)

    Better Than a Milk Mustache

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  147. Hey girl -- I haven't been reading your blog for very long but I have to say, you have my utmost respect for this post. In so many bloggospheres there are certain things that are just expected of you, and anyone who goes against that gets ripped apart (and usually passive-aggressively on Twitter, never to your face). I think it's fantastic that you stated why you aren't doing 30x30 and were frank about how boring you find it -- while a lot of people were clearly offended by this, I'm sure TONS of other bloggers (especially new ones) are inspired to do their own thing when they aren't into what the majority is doing! Major props.

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  148. Could NOT have said it better myself! You nailed my reasons for writing this post. Thanks for the props. :-)

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  149. This is actually a great point I haven't heard before! Less choices could be easier in some instances. Sounds like this a great challenge for you, have FUN and good luck! :-)

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  150. Awesome! I am doing the 30 for 30 because I like the challenge. But, I am totally going to try your ideas in the months to follow. Especially the wearing items you haven't worn in 6mo or more. Thanks! :)

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  151. I have had a blog for only a small time, but never knew how to really get involved. I stumbled across Kendi's blog and I love the idea. I have doubled my followers on my page (to only 20 but who's counting lol!) I also have had more people leave comments than before.

    I personally like the challenge it poses...to keep you from spending and to use what you have to be creative. I personally am very excited to pick outfits and try things I haven't before.

    It is rather sad to me that this kind of challenge or topic gets this much heat and discussion to begin with. I teach 5th graders, and for some reason, some posters on here seem like that's what they are...5th graders.

    If you don't want to participate. People feel "pressured"? How old are we? Can you not make a choice for yourself

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  152. Sarah, I think it's less that we feel "pressured" and more that we feel it creates a division among bloggers, one that feels a bit like high school... or 5th grade. :-) Any group of people that big are at risk for exhibiting signs of exclusivity and groupthink - it's not the challenge itself, or any one person, but the group as a whole can feel a bit like a monster at times. There is a sense that if you are not a 30x30 blogger, you aren't worthy, or some sort of reject. The fact that I received some serious backlash (mostly nasty tweets on Twitter) just b/c I don't want to participate, is proof of how serious some bloggers take 30x30. My point with this post: lighten up about the whole thing please, I respect your desire to do 30x30, can I please get the same respect for doing my own thing too?

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  153. for me it is a challenge...it challenges ME to see my closet in a different way. I am a teacher, not a fashion blogger, so it is a challenge for me and remixing to this extent isnt what I normally do.

    I do it because it's fun for me and challenges me.

    If you don't like it, then don't do it. It seems pretty simple to me.

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  154. I really like the challenge to wear the neglected items in my closet. That would be way more useful than to just keep remixing stuff that I already wear all the time.

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  155. Hey J, If you could do this blog soon it would help me out so much. I'm doing a 2 week euro trip August 18, 2011 and i have no idea how i'm going to fit my life in 1 suitcase! I've never been away for longer than 10 days. I'm kind freaking out lol

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  156. Amanda, check out this blog post I did for a friend "What to pack for a trip to Europe!" It takes you step by step: http://www.pbfingers.com/2011/05/09/what-to-pack-for-a-trip-to-europe/
     

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  157. I'm jumping in late, but had to comment on this part: "Who gets to decide what's realistic and what's not. Some people only have 30 items in their closet, so for them this is realistic. This is their every day life." 

    Yes, for some people that is reality. But it seems totally contrived to me to do a challenge with 30 pieces of clothing when that  is NOT your own reality. Just like the super-rich girl who started a blog about only shopping at Walmart. Why is she putting herself in that situation? Why would people who shop at Walmart want to read about some rich woman forcing herself to come down to their level? Definitely not realistic (and a little insulting) unless that is truly your reality.

    That said - the 30x30 is not evil. Please feel free to do the challenge if you please and I will keep reading! :-) To each their own is the point of my post here. 

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  158. This post is definitely not the cause of the negativity - it just gave it a platform. I think the negativity comes from the 30x30 being in existence, and some people taking the whole thing way too far. I wrote this post to battle that negativity! Someone saying "I don't want to participate in 30x30" should NOT be a big deal!! But after posting this and getting the backlash I did on Twitter, that pretty much proved my point - if you really don't care if other bloggers don't 30x30, why all the negative attention? I'd prefer if I can be allowed to not 30x30 and I will give you all the freedom you want to 30x30 all day long. That's the beauty of blogs - to each their own! I'm advocating that we give each other that freedom.

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  159. This is awesome advice! Funny enough, I just posted the inaugural post for my blog's Fashion Challenge segment. Basically, I figure out ways to style anything in my closet that I may have previously been too intimidated to try.

    It's all in an effort to stop buying new stuff, and use what I already have, while also proving that anything can be styled in a fun and personal way. I just discovered your blog, and I am so impressed with the usefulness of your advice that I'm subscribing. You are awesome!

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  160. I love the challenges you came up with. I think I may take your "when you're bored with your clothes" challenge. That sounds awesome! This happens to me all the time.

    Btw, I found your blog through a Google search for 30x30, because I had no idea what it was! I thought it was a challenge to not repeat a single item for 30 days, not to choose 30 pieces ahead of time and only wear those pieces. Anyway, thanks for the definition, your valid opinions, and those great challenge ideas! So glad I clicked on that Google link.

    xo,
    -Nathy
    http://earnestyle.blogspot.com/

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  161. Thanks so much Nathy! Welcome to the blog!

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