Blogger Spotlight: Lesley Arfin for The Uniform Project

Wear one dress for a solid month? This fashionista's willing to try it on for charity.

By Amanda Hughes
Published: September 16th, 2010 | 12:35pm

"Closet diets" are the next big thing. The idea is one part green living, one part fashion adventure: Strip down your wardrobe to a few items, and wear only those clothes for the next month. Most popular closet diets include up to six items of clothing, but The Uniform Project isn't playing around: Last year, the blog's founder Sheena Matheiken wore one little black dress for an entire year.

Socially-conscious Matheiken took on the epic fashion feat to raise money for the Akanksha Foundation, a nonprofit that educates children living in Indian slums. She became the Macgyver of LBDs, using accessories, shoes, and a whole lot of creative thinking to keep her look fresh. By the end of the year, The Uniform Project had raised $100,000 for charity.

This year, Matheiken's handing over the reins to a new blogger "pilot" each month starting this past August. We caught up with The Uniform Project's September pilot, Lesley Arfin, author of Dear Diary and blogger at Cafe con Lesley, to find out what it's like to wear one dress for 30 days.

Venus Zine: Why'd you decide to get involved in The Uniform Project?

Lesley Arfin: It seemed like a cool challenge to do for charity! [Arfin's charity of choice is Phoenix House, a non-profit substance abuse treatment, education, and prevention organization].

VZ: How did you decide what dress to wear? It's a big decision!

LA: I asked my friend Judi Rosen to design the dress, but I really wanted a simple wrap. It was hard because I was in LA and the rest of the team was in NYC. It was important for me to get something cute as well as comfortable. I love the way the dress came out but I'm not thrilled about the material right now because it's not very comfortable (super thick stretch black denim). I didn't get to feel or chose the fabric beforehand, which I should have, but they are fixing it.

VZ: Before you started the UP, what was longest you'd gone wearing one outfit?

LA: Probably something like a few days in a row. I don't know, maybe five?

VZ: What is the toughest part of wearing the same dress every day?

LA: Having to be so stylish every day! I think people have a misconception about me—that I'm a big fashion-y, stylish person. The truth is that I mainly wear jeans and sneakers and sweatshirts a lot. I think it's good style, but I've found out the commenters [on the Uniform Project blog] don't! I've been called lazy, and I guess that's true. I thought the challenge was more about wearing the same dress every day, not so much about the 30 different ways someone can wear a dress.

VZ: Which has been your favorite look so far?

LA: Some looks are a lot better in the photos than in person. My favorite photo-look is the salmon colored chiffon dress. The most wearable look is just the dress with a little black skirt underneath, paired with some happy socks and sandals.

VZ: Finally: How do you keep that dress clean? Do you wash it constantly, or do you have any tricks?

LA: Perfume and silky undergarments!

Head over to The Uniform Project to see what Lesley's wearing today, and help fund raise for Phoenix House. Want to try the project out for yourself? Replicas of both Sheena Matheiken's and August pilot India Salvor Menuez's little black dresses are available for purchase online at The Uniform Project store. Lesley's dress will be available after her month is up!