Why You Should Treat Your Closet like a Fridge (It’s Brilliant)

Most weekdays in my house start before the sun comes up. Between getting breakfast on the table, coaxing kids out of bed, and shuffling everyone out the door for early morning sports practices, carpools, and work commitments, I rely on systems to keep our mornings moving. Coffee is always in hand, but smooth routines are what make the difference. Over the years, I’ve learned that small organizational “hacks” can make or break a morning, things like hooks for backpacks, a designated shoe zone, or preplanned breakfasts. But one thing that consistently slows us down? Getting dressed.

On mornings when I’m racing the clock, locating the right clothes (or realizing too late that nothing quite works) can throw everything off. Some days, I’m out the door before 7 a.m., with little time to coordinate an outfit that feels comfortable, functional, and put-together. I’ve tried laying clothes out the night before, even planning outfits for the week, but real life (and unpredictable weather) often gets in the way. Too often, I end up grabbing whatever’s closest, leaving me feeling rushed and not my best before the day has even begun.

So when I recently came across a clever way to rethink how I organize my closet that also promised to save me space, time, and money — it was a true stop-scrolling moment.

In an Instagram Reel, creator and former fashion designer and stylist Tessa Hughes explains how “treating my closet like a fridge saves me thousands of dollars” and ultimately gets it so organized. The idea is simple: Treat each piece of clothing like an ingredient and build your wardrobe the way you’d build meals — around staples you actually use. Instead of filling your closet with one-off pieces that don’t work together, this approach focuses on identifying what you truly wear, fits your lifestyle, and mixes easily with the rest of your wardrobe. It’s essentially meal-prepping, but for clothes.

What stopped me in my tracks was how intuitive it felt. Just like keeping versatile basics stocked in your fridge makes meals easier to throw together, having a closet full of mix-and-match “ingredients” makes getting dressed faster — and far less stressful.

At its core, this mindset asks you to think about your favorite outfit and break it down into its components, aka the “ingredients,” that make it work. Maybe it’s a reliable pair of pants, a flattering top, and shoes you can walk in all day. Once you identify those pieces, the goal is to stock your closet with variations that work together seamlessly. 

For example, if your daily routine requires office-ready clothes, a small collection of neutral bottoms paired with a handful of tops you love can create dozens of outfits without overwhelming your space. When you shop, you’re encouraged to pause and ask: Does this new piece actually work with what I already own? Even if it’s on sale, if it doesn’t fit into your existing “ingredient list,” it’s probably not worth bringing home.

Over time, this approach can curb impulse purchases, reduce clutter, and help prevent the common cycle of owning plenty of clothes but feeling like you have nothing to wear. It also encourages you to wear the basics you already own, rather than constantly chasing new trends that don’t quite fit your life — which sounds just as satisfying as opening a fridge stocked with ingredients ready for the week ahead.