So last month I did something kind of insane.

I packed away 90% of my closet and committed to wearing only 10 pieces for an entire month. Yeah, you read that right - just 10 items.

My friends thought I'd lost it. My sister literally asked if I was okay. But honestly? It was the best fashion decision I've made all year.

Let me back up.

Why I Even Tried This

I was standing in front of my overflowing closet (we're talking clothes literally falling off hangers) having a full meltdown about having "nothing to wear." Classic, right?

That's when I stumbled across this TikTok about capsule wardrobes and something just clicked. Maybe having fewer options would actually make getting dressed... easier?

Wild concept, I know.

But here's the thing - I was spending way too much money on affordable fashion pieces that I wore maybe once. My credit card was crying and my closet looked like a tornado hit it.

Time for a change.

The Rules I Set (And Sometimes Broke)

Okay so I'm not a total masochist. I gave myself some guidelines:

10 main pieces only (not counting underwear, pajamas, or workout clothes - I'm not that hardcore)

Everything had to mix and match

Neutral colors mostly, with one or two statement pieces

No shopping for 30 days. At all. Even if there was a sale.

That last one almost killed me, not gonna lie.

What Made the Cut

Choosing my 10 pieces took forever. Like, embarrassingly long. I tried on probably 50 different combinations before landing on this:

A perfect white tee (the kind that's thick enough you don't need a special bra)

Black jeans that actually fit right

One good blazer - and honestly, you don't need to spend a fortune when there are amazing designer dupes out there

A simple black dress that works for everything

Grey sweater (oversized, cozy, lives on my body)

White button-up shirt

Camel trousers (very "I have my life together" vibes)

Denim jacket (my security blanket, basically)

Black midi skirt

One fun printed top for when I needed personality

I know what you're thinking - sounds boring, right?

Wrong.

Week One: The Panic Phase

Not gonna sugarcoat it - the first week was rough.

I kept reaching for things that weren't there. Had multiple moments of "but what if I need my sequin top for a spontaneous party?" (Spoiler: I did not need my sequin top.)

Getting dressed took like 5 minutes max though, which was... weird? In a good way? I wasn't trying on 47 different outfits before settling on the first thing I grabbed.

The video above really helped me figure out how to style the same pieces differently. Game changer.

Week Two: Finding My Rhythm

This is when things got interesting.

I started actually enjoying the challenge. Like, how many ways can you style a white tee? Turns out, a lot. Tucked in, half-tucked, knotted, layered under the blazer, tied around my waist with the denim jacket... I became a styling ninja.

My coworkers kept complimenting my outfits. Which was hilarious because I was literally wearing the same 10 things on repeat. But mixing them differently made each look feel fresh.

The black dress alone gave me like 8 different vibes depending on how I accessorized it. With the blazer for work. With the denim jacket for weekend brunch. With just the right jewelry for date night.

Week Three: The Revelation

Here's where I had my big aha moment.

I realized I have a style. Like, an actual consistent aesthetic that works for me. Before this challenge, I was just buying whatever caught my eye or looked cute on the mannequin. No wonder nothing in my closet worked together.

Now I could see what actually suited my lifestyle. Turns out, I don't need 15 going-out tops when I go out maybe twice a month. I need solid basics that I can dress up or down.

Also? I stopped caring what anyone else thought. When you wear your own daily uniform, you stop trying to impress people with your outfit choices. It's weirdly freeing.

Week Four: Never Going Back

By the final week, I was fully converted.

Getting dressed became automatic. No decision fatigue, no outfit regret, no standing in front of my closet for 20 minutes. Just easy, confident styling.

The best part? I saved SO much money. Not shopping for a month meant my bank account actually grew. Revolutionary concept, honestly.

What I Learned About My Shopping Habits

Okay real talk - this challenge exposed some uncomfortable truths about my relationship with clothes.

I was definitely using shopping as entertainment. Bored? Buy something. Stressed? Online shopping. Happy? Treat myself to a new outfit. It was a whole cycle.

I also realized how much I was influenced by trends I didn't even like. Just because everyone was wearing something didn't mean I needed it. Groundbreaking, I know, but actually living it was different.

The quality vs quantity thing finally clicked too. Those 10 pieces got worn constantly and held up perfectly because I'd chosen well-made items. Meanwhile, half my regular closet was falling apart after three wears.

The Rules I Broke (Confession Time)

Look, I'm human.

I definitely wore shoes that weren't part of my original 10 items. Sue me. I had different occasions that required different footwear and I wasn't about to wear sneakers to a wedding.

I also added a leather jacket halfway through because it got unexpectedly cold. But in my defense, that's just practical, right?

And okay, fine - I may have browsed some trending fashion inspiration online. But I didn't buy anything! That counts as a win.

How I'm Doing It Differently Now

The challenge officially ended but I'm not going back to my old ways.

I've expanded to about 20-25 core pieces now, which feels perfect. Everything still mixes and matches, but I have more variety for different seasons and occasions.

When I do shop now, I ask myself: "Does this work with at least three things I already own?" If not, it stays in the store. This one rule has saved me from so many impulse purchases.

I'm also way more intentional about quality. I'd rather save up for one really good piece than buy five mediocre ones. My wallet and closet both thank me.

The Unexpected Benefits

Besides the obvious money savings and easier mornings, this challenge gave me some surprising perks.

I'm way more creative with styling now. Before, I'd just wear things the way they looked on the hanger. Now I'm tucking, layering, belting, mixing textures - actually having fun with fashion instead of just consuming it.

My laundry situation is so much better. Fewer clothes means I actually wash and put away everything regularly instead of living out of my laundry basket for weeks. Adult points for me.

I also feel more confident? Which sounds weird but when you're not constantly second-guessing your outfit, you just feel more... yourself. Like you're not trying to be someone else every day.

Tips If You Want To Try This

Start smaller if 30 days sounds terrifying. Try a week or even just a weekend.

Choose pieces you genuinely love wearing, not what you think you "should" wear. This isn't about suffering, it's about simplifying.

Take photos of your outfits! I used my phone to document each look so I could see what combinations worked best. Plus it's fun to look back.

Don't stress about the number. Some people do 10 pieces, some do 15, some do 30. Whatever feels right for your lifestyle is the right number.

Give yourself grace. If you need to add something or swap something out, that's totally fine. This isn't fashion jail.

The Shopping Fast Was Actually The Hardest Part

Can we talk about how hard it is to not shop for a month?

I never realized how much of my free time involved browsing online stores. It was my default boredom activity. Suddenly I had all this extra time and didn't know what to do with it.

The targeted ads were brutal too. Instagram knew I was on a shopping ban and decided to show me every cute outfit in existence. Rude.

But pushing through that was actually really valuable. I learned to find other ways to entertain myself and realized I don't need constant newness to feel good about my style.

What About Special Occasions?

This was my biggest worry going in - what if something came up where I needed a specific outfit?

Here's what happened: I had a wedding, two work events, and a birthday dinner during my 30 days. And you know what? I made it work with what I had.

The black dress got me through the wedding (with different accessories, no one knew I'd worn it before). The blazer and trousers handled the work stuff. The challenge actually forced me to be more creative instead of panic-buying something new for every event.

Revolutionary thought: you don't need a brand new outfit for everything. People care way less about what you're wearing than you think they do.

My Closet Clean-Out After

Once the 30 days ended, I went through my entire closet with fresh eyes.

So. Much. Stuff. Got donated.

If I hadn't reached for it in a month, I probably didn't need it. If it didn't fit my actual lifestyle (looking at you, 12 going-out tops), it had to go. If it didn't make me feel good wearing it, bye.

I ended up keeping maybe 40% of my original wardrobe. Sounds dramatic but my closet has never been more functional. Everything in there gets worn regularly now.

Some pieces I kept even though they didn't make the capsule cut - seasonal items, workout clothes, special occasion stuff. But the everyday core is solid now.

The Money Talk

Let's get real about the financial impact.

In the month before my challenge, I spent probably $400 on clothes I didn't need. Random tops, sale items, impulse purchases. Most of it barely got worn.

During the challenge month? $0 on clothes. That money went to savings instead.

But here's the really interesting part - in the months since, my clothing budget has dropped by like 70%. I'm not constantly buying stuff because I actually like what I already have.

When I do shop now, I invest in better quality pieces that last longer. It feels way better than constantly buying cheap stuff that falls apart.

How This Changed My Relationship With Fashion

Before this challenge, I thought I loved fashion. And I did - but I loved the idea of it more than the reality.

I was chasing trends, trying to keep up with what everyone else was wearing, constantly feeling behind. It was exhausting and expensive and honestly? Not that fun.

Now I actually enjoy getting dressed. It's not a stressful decision anymore, it's just... easy. I know what works for me, I wear what I love, and I don't waste energy worrying about it.

I've also become way more interested in sustainable fashion and being intentional with purchases. When you realize how little you actually need, it changes how you think about consumption.

The Comparison Game Stopped

This might sound dramatic but doing this challenge helped me stop comparing myself to other people's style.

When you're working with a limited wardrobe, you can't try to copy every outfit you see online. You have to develop your own thing. And that's actually really empowering.

I stopped scrolling through fashion content feeling inadequate. Instead, I'd see outfits and think "oh that's a cool way to style a blazer" and then adapt it to my own pieces.

My style became mine instead of a mishmash of what I thought I should be wearing. Big difference.

Would I Recommend This?

Honestly? Yes.

But not for everyone, and not necessarily in the same way I did it.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your closet, stressed about getting dressed, or spending too much on clothes you don't wear - this challenge might really help. It's like a reset button for your wardrobe and your shopping habits.

But if you genuinely love fashion, have a closet that works for you, and aren't struggling with any of that - you probably don't need to do this. There's no one right way to approach your wardrobe.

For me though? Total game changer. I'm never going back to having a overstuffed closet full of clothes I don't love.

Final Thoughts

Look, I'm not saying everyone needs to live with 10 pieces forever.

But I am saying that taking a step back and really evaluating what you own, what you actually wear, and what makes you feel good - that's valuable for everyone.

This challenge taught me that I don't need more clothes to have better style. I just needed to be more intentional with what I already had.

Plus, my mornings are so much easier now. That alone was worth it.

If you're thinking about trying this - do it. Start small if you need to, bend the rules if necessary, make it work for your life. There's no perfect way to do a capsule wardrobe challenge.

Just see what happens when you simplify. You might surprise yourself.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go put on one of my 10 favorite pieces and actually enjoy getting dressed for once.