'Let's change. Consume less. Slowly. Consciously. Your #ootd just isn't worth it,' says US-based teacher and mum of two Julia Mooney.
Julia Ranson aka Julia Mooney is an art teacher based out of Philadelphia.
In August 2018, she was inspired to take up a challenge that would question the current generation's 'culture of excess.'
Julia Mooney decided to wear the same outfit for 100 days to send a powerful message on how and why we need to curb unnecessary spending and contribute more to the environment.
The artist who loves designing, sewing, knitting and painting wanted to show the world that by making conscious choices, using our existing resources wisely and with a bit of innovation, we can truly change to a more sustainable way of life.
Let's take a look at some of the challenges she faced and the inspiring learnings she's learned so far.
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney1.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: Before starting her journey, Julia Mooney addressed all the queries people ever wanted to ask her.
'Not long ago Americans had only a few clothing sets. My house, built in the 30's, doesn't have any closets besides the one we added ourselves.
'What if I get a rip? I'll sew a patch with my sewing machine, an item that used to be as common a household item as the TV is today.
'How will I avoid the stains that come with being an art teacher? How did people once avoid the stains of housework? An apron,' Mooney wrote on her blog and Instagram. Photographs: Kind courtesy Julia Mooney/Instagram
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney2.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: One of the biggest challenges Mooney faced with the outfit made from sustainable fabric was wrinkles. At the same time, it helped her changed the way she made choices and took care of her clothes.
'I grew up with fast fashion...cheaply made clothes meant no stress about their care. I hate to admit it, but I'm definitely the type to put all the colors in the same load,' Mooney shared.
'It has occurred to me that having a smaller wardrobe is going to mean taking better care of my clothes and ... I'm going to have to learn how to do that!!'
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney3.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: 'I used to feel that less was a "bore" but I've come around to "less is more" and I feel so much more at peace,' Mooney added.
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney4.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: The art and design lover added embroidery and patch works to innovate the outfit.
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney5.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: She used her social media campaign to educate her followers about the damage we are causing to the environment by making poor choices.
![Julia Mooney One Outfit 100 days project](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney6.jpg?w=670&h=900)
IMAGE: In March 2019, she posted this image of piled up clothes which she'd planned to give away to various organisations and the needy. At the same time, she shared a very powerful message about why we need to be mindful of our choices.
'I'm going to sit here and wait for a truck to pick these up. They will go to eastern Europe and they'll try to resell what we couldn't give away. And then what? MUCH of this is acrylic and polyester,' Mooney pointed.
'Don't tell me about this organisation or that where they can "help" people with our waste. They can only take so much. And yes, I was very pleased to see many of our clothes go to new homes during this swap. But here lies the rest,' she continued.
'Let's prioritise our energy away from figuring out what to do with all of our mistakes so we can just keep making more. Let's look ahead. Let's change. Consume less. Slowly. Consciously. Your #ootd just isn't worth it,' Mooney appealed.
![](//im.rediff.com/getahead/2019/apr/17julia-mooney-lead.jpg?w=670&h=900)