I did the 75 Hard Style Challenge, here’s what it taught me

A complete wardrobe reset.

It has become something of a tradition for me to kick off each new year by imposing a test on myself, whether it’s Dry January or using only a flip phone for a month.

At the start of this year, with hopes of sparking some sartorial creativity and saving a bit of cash, I decided to try my hand at the 75 Hard Style Challenge. Created by fashion analyst Mandy Lee, it’s a styling spin on the finance bro-coded 75 Hard Challenge, where you can’t buy clothes for 75 straight days.

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The challenge promises to help you better understand your personal style, become more creative with your existing wardrobe, and take stock of any unsustainable overconsumption habits. 

After years of Depop haggling, thrift shop rummaging and sample sale bargain-hunting, my wardrobe was filled with clothes from my university days that I’d either physically or stylistically outgrown. I could barely close my overstuffed dresser drawers but I’d often find myself decrying I had nothing to wear. 

I needed a reset. Alongside the pieces I no longer reached for, I knew there were some gaps in my wardrobe and I wanted to be intentional about filling them. So, for 75 Days I would: Reorganise and clean out my wardrobe. Get dressed every day and take a photo of each outfit. Refrain from buying any new clothes (including secondhand shopping!).

I also set myself some personal intentions for the challenge which included; collect data on what I actually wear and identify any wardrobe gaps; experiment more with accessories, hair styles and makeup; and donate or resell at least 10 pieces I no longer wear.

Shopping my wardrobe

The encouragement to ‘shop my own wardrobe’ certainly urged me to get more creative. I was surprised by how much a bit of intentional styling made pieces I’d worn a hundred times feel new. I played with new hairstyles, colourful home manicures, scarves and brooches, buttoning shirts in different ways and wearing my ‘special occasion’ jewellery more often. 

Reorganising my closet at the start of the challenge was also a game-changer. I stored away my winter clothes in suitcases, meaning I could physically see all the weather appropriate clothes I had to work with, minimising the choice paralysis that often strikes right before I’m heading out for cocktails or to the office. 

The biggest challenge

I’m relatively camera shy and initially felt some pressure for the pictures I took of each day’s outfit to be gram-worthy. I reminded myself that the photos were a means of collecting data (how scientific!) and not about looking fabulous, and resorted to taking mirror selfies or quick videos on my way out the door.  

The data I collected

The big winner of the challenge for me was natural fabrics, particularly cotton, linen and silk. These pieces looked good, felt great on my body and were easy to wash.

By the end of the 75 days, basically any remaining polyester I had in my wardrobe was packed up and taken to my local consignment and charity stores, alongside a few other pieces I knew I never reached for and finally dared to part ways with.

Aside from fabrics, there were few other patterns that quickly emerged: I feel best in low- to mid-rise waists and exposed midriffs, mini and midi length bottoms, and low-profile sandals. I gravitate to pale pinks, blues, greens, white and red in particular, and I wear a lot of fun prints.

The importance of good bras and underwear was also a standout. I realised I’d been avoiding wearing so many pieces because I didn’t have the right undergarments. New bras and undies were first on my ‘to buy’ list once the challenge was over.

So, any slip ups?

I caved once and bought a $30 pair of rubber gumboots the morning of a music festival that happened to fall on a particularly rainy day. I viewed these as a practical, non-fashion purchase, but I’ve actually ended up integrating them into my everyday wardrobe, so I’d call that a win! 

The biggest takeaway?

In shocking news to no-one, impulse purchases generally aren’t the items that actually work with my wardrobe. 

Throughout the 75 days, I created a list of items I stumbled across and intended to buy once the challenge was over. I found that each time I went back to this list, I’d end up crossing off the last few things I’d put on there. Once the novelty wore off, I realised they weren’t pieces I really needed, or I’d since found a better version of something similar. 

As intended, the challenge really helped me to get a clear picture of the gaps I had in my wardrobe.

In the end, the list was made up entirely of wardrobe staples or basics I’d been missing. A new bra, a pair of navy leather ballet flats, cotton pointelle undies and a matching singlet top, and some big sporty black sunglasses. 

Setting goals at the start of the challenge also made me more willing to part with certain items in order to make room for new ones. By the end of the challenge, I felt more discerning and confident knowing the type of pieces I’d actually get a lot of wear out of. 

For more on the 75 Hard Style Challenge, try this.