I tried the popular 'capsule wardrobe' and whittled my closet down to just 30 items - here's why I'm never looking back

It saved time and energy in the morning

I quickly found that choosing what to wear to work each day became infinitely easier, simply because I had so few clothes to choose from. It was also nice knowing that I couldn't really go wrong with my decision — after all, I filled my capsule with my favorite, highest-quality items.

What's more, simplifying the "What do I wear today?" conundrum meant I was expending less energy on mundane decisions.

After all, there's a scientific reason some of the most successful people wear the same outfit day in and day out (think: Mark Zuckerberg and his signature gray tee-shirt, or Barack Obama and his blue or gray suit). It helps them avoid decision fatigue.

As Obama told Vanity Fair in 2012, "You'll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I'm trying to pare down decisions. I don't want to make decisions about what I'm eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make."

I dressed better

I'm not a slob, but I don't take much more than 10 minutes to get ready in the morning — and that can sometimes translate into questionable ensembles.

When downsizing, I didn't just choose necessities — I chose my favorite and best necessities, meaning I was "limited" to high-quality clothes that fit me well. The entire experience reminded me of that feeling you have post-shopping spree, when you're irrationally excited to wear your new favorite purchases and consequently, end up wearing them day after day.

Plus, "Dress for success" is more than a catchy motto. As Business Insider's Dennis Green writes, "Studies have shown that wearing nice clothes in the office can affect the way people perceive you, how confident you're feeling, and even how you're able to think abstractly."

In one study, "Those dressed poorly (in sweatpants and plastic sandals) averaged a theoretical profit of $680,000, while the group dressed in suits amassed an average profit of $2.1 million. The group dressed neutrally averaged a $1.58 million profit," Green reports.

I didn't see an immediate financial return on my clothes, but it was nice to have an arsenal of "power outfits" at the ready. As Faux notes, "Your capsule wardrobe is designed to make you feel confident."

It forced me to get creative

Style is not my strong suit. It's improved since moving to Manhattan 14 months ago out of necessity, but I'm far from what New Yorkers would call "trendy."

I'm still not turning heads when I walk down Fifth Avenue, but I did learn a thing or two about layering, pairing, and accessorizing. Paradoxically, the fewer choices I have in my closet, the more liberated I feel when it comes to choosing outfits. Not once have I thought, I have nothing to wear, which crossed my mind all the time when I had a much bigger closet — rather, I'm learning to appreciate my quality items and am challenging myself to repurpose them in creative ways.

It saved money

I'm not much of a shopper, but the capsule wardrobe does completely eliminate the option of spending on clothes (Faux, Rector, and other capsule advocates recommend shopping only before each new season to populate your capsule). While it may not have saved me significantly this past month, it will likely save me money in the long run. At the very least, I'll get much more wear out of what I do buy.

Moving forward, I will be much more intentional when buying clothes — I will not only shop for quality, but I will shop for versatility. Before making any clothing purchases, I will ask myself a few questions: Is there room for it in the capsule wardrobe? If not, am I willing to replace an existing item? And, how well will it mix and match with other capsule items?

As an added bonus, I now have a hefty pile of clothes I realized I don't need or even want — and I can make extra cash by selling them online.

It saved space

In New York City, space is a commodity (you may have noticed that I don't have a closet). There's barely enough room for essentials like food and cookware, let alone gratuitous clothing.

I packed my non-capsule clothes — about 75% of my wardrobe — in empty suitcases stored under my roommate's bed. Decluttering was mentally and physically refreshing. It opened up my tiny room, exposed the crisp white walls, and gave me a newfound sense of control over my space.

Whether you're living in a crammed apartment in New York or an open town house in North Carolina, I think you'll find that when it comes to clothing, less, does indeed, mean more.