I Tried the Capsule Wardrobe Thing. Three Months Later, Here's What I Actually Wear

In January, I decided to try the capsule wardrobe thing.

You know the concept – pare down to a small, curated selection of versatile pieces that all work together. Every fashion blog and YouTube channel was talking about how liberating it is, how you'll never stand in front of your closet saying "I have nothing to wear" again.

I was skeptical but intrigued. So I did it. Reduced my entire wardrobe to 37 pieces (not counting underwear, socks, pajamas, or workout clothes).

That was three months ago. Here's what I actually wear, what was a waste, and what I wish I'd known before starting.

The Pieces I Wear Constantly

The black straight-leg jeans: These are on my body at least 4 days a week. I thought I needed three different styles of jeans. Nope. One good pair that fits well is all I needed. Wish I'd bought a second identical pair.

White t-shirts (I kept 3): Boring? Yes. Practical? Extremely. They go with everything, can be dressed up or down, and having multiple means I'm not constantly doing laundry. Honestly should have kept four.

The camel-colored wool coat: This was my "investment piece" (read: I spent way too much money). But I wear it every single time I leave the house. It goes with everything in my closet. Worth it.

Black ankle boots: These replaced three other pairs of shoes. Comfortable enough for all-day wear, nice enough for meetings. They're starting to show wear, which tells you how much use they're getting.

The oversized linen shirt: Bought this on a whim because it was on sale. Ended up being one of my most-worn pieces. Over jeans, tucked into skirts, tied at the waist, as a light jacket – this thing is shockingly versatile.

The Pieces Just Sitting There

The "statement" dress: Every capsule wardrobe guide says you need one fancy dress for special occasions. I've worn mine exactly once in three months. For one wedding. Could have just rented something for that.

White button-down shirt: This is supposed to be a wardrobe staple, right? Everyone says you need one. I hate wearing it. It never stays tucked in, it wrinkles if you look at it wrong, and it makes me feel like I'm trying too hard. Wish I'd trusted my gut and skipped it.

The blazer: I work from home. I don't know why I thought I'd suddenly start wearing blazers. I've put it on exactly twice, both times for video calls, and immediately took it off after.

Striped shirt: Looked cute in the store. In my actual life, I never reach for it. It doesn't really go with my jeans (too matchy), looks weird with my skirts, and I just... don't like it as much as I thought I would.

What I Wish I'd Known

Your capsule should reflect your actual life, not your aspirational life. I included business casual pieces because I thought I "should." But I work from home in comfortable clothes. I don't need office wear. I need nice jeans and sweaters.

Color matters less than you think. All the guides stress color coordination. But honestly? Black, white, gray, and one accent color (I chose camel/tan) works fine. You don't need a complex color palette. You need pieces you like wearing.

Comfort is non-negotiable. That trendy pair of jeans that's slightly too tight? I never wear them. That scratchy sweater that looks amazing? Unworn. If it's not comfortable, it doesn't matter how good it looks in your mental outfit board.

You'll still get bored sometimes. This isn't a magic solution. Some days I still look at my closet and feel uninspired. But it's way less stressful than when I had a closet full of clothes I didn't like.

Having fewer choices is genuinely easier. This was the most surprising part. I thought I'd feel limited. Instead, getting dressed takes like 3 minutes now. Everything goes together, so I just grab something and go.

The Things That Actually Mattered

Fit over everything else. I kept a trendy oversized blazer that didn't really fit. It hangs unworn. I got rid of a perfectly plain sweater that fit perfectly. I miss that sweater. Fit is everything.

Quality where it counts. My expensive coat and boots get worn constantly and still look good. My cheap t-shirts are pilling and stretched out after three months. I should have spent more on basics, less on trendy pieces.

One good pair of jeans beats three mediocre pairs. This applies to everything. Better to have fewer things you genuinely love than lots of things that are just okay.

What I'd Do Differently

If I were starting over:

• More basics, fewer "interesting" pieces
• Two pairs of identical black jeans
• Skip the blazer and dress
• More comfortable shoes (I only kept two pairs – needed three)
• Better quality t-shirts
• One more sweater (I underestimated how much I'd wear them)

The Real Question: Was It Worth It?

Yes, but not for the reasons I expected.

I didn't have some profound minimalist awakening. I still like clothes. I still buy new things occasionally (though way less than before). I didn't save a bunch of money or time.

What I did get: clarity on what I actually like wearing.

Before this, my closet was full of things I bought because they were on sale, or trendy, or "I should have one of these." Now everything in there is something I chose intentionally. And that feels good.

Also, getting dressed is so much less stressful. Everything works together. Nothing requires special washing or alterations. I'm not trying to figure out what goes with that one random patterned skirt I bought on vacation.

Should You Try It?

Maybe. Here's who it might work for:

• You're overwhelmed by too many choices
• You keep buying clothes but have "nothing to wear"
• You're willing to be honest about what you actually wear vs. what you think you should wear
• You're okay with wearing the same things regularly

It won't work if:

• You genuinely enjoy variety and fashion
• Your life requires lots of different types of clothing
• You get bored easily
• You're doing it because it sounds trendy (trust me, the novelty wears off)

For me, three months in, I'm keeping it. With some modifications – getting rid of pieces that don't get worn, adding a few more basics.

It's not perfect. It's not life-changing. But it's simpler, and sometimes simpler is exactly what you need.