Because one clothing challenge is apparently not enough, I’m throwing another one into the mix – the Summer 10×10 challenge.

My first experience doing this type of challenge was back in the spring, with the Spring 10×10 challenge. It was actually the first time I had done any type of clothing challenge.

I did find it difficult to dress for a few of the days during the spring challenge, which was mostly due to the weather. But overall, I really enjoyed the experience and it opened me up to the idea of trying other clothing challenges.

What is the Summer 10×10 Challenge?

The 10×10 Challenge was thought up by Lee Vosburgh of Style Bee as a way to cope with a month-long shopping ban. Over the past 3 years, the challenge has grown to include Caroline Joy of Un-Fancy as a co-host and a large number of participants. To see the magnitude of the community and to find outfit inspiration, check out #summer10x10, #stylebee10x10, #unfancyremix, #10x10friends and #10x10challenge.

The following items are included in the challenge:

Tops

Bottoms

Dresses

Jumpsuits / Overalls

Shoes

Coats

Activewear (check out @leevosburgh for an activewear 10×10)

The challenge excludes the following items:

Accessories (such as purses, jewelry, hats or scarfs)

Pajamas

Underwear

What are the rules?

1. Choose 10 items of clothing

2. Make 10 different outfits

3. Wear any combination of the 10 items into 10 different outfits for 10 days

Use the word “rules” pretty loosely here. I think the idea of the rules is to use it more as a guideline and to enjoy yourself.

The idea of the challenge is to have fun and to not be too restrictive. It’s important to do what feels right to you.

If you’re struggling with the idea of a 10×10 challenge or if you’re in the middle of one and you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that sometime the “rules” are meant to be broken. Here are some examples that I’ve seen:

You can start the challenge at any time

Take the weekend off

Switch out an item that doesn’t end up working for you with something else that you think would be better

Don’t include your shoes

Do a specific 10×10 such as workwear or activewear

My 10×10 Items

Now that the specifics are out of the way, these are the 10 items that I have decided to include:

3 tank tops

2 tops

2 pants

2 pairs of shoes

1 jumpsuit

Top row (left to right):

1. Jamie + the Jones Canvas Top, natural, xs

2. World Market embroidered top, blue/white check, s/m

3. Ozma of California cami, natural silk noil, s

4. Gypsy silk tank top, pink/purple tie-dye, xs

5. Banana Republic tank top, blush, s

Bottom row (left to right):

6. Linenfox Evelyn jumpsuit, natural grey stripes, xs

7. Tahari ballet flats, leopard print, 6.5

8. Everlane Wide Leg Crop Utility pants, golden brown, 2

9. Børn Jakob oxfords, Brown, 7

10. Flax Pocketed Ankle pants, grey, petite

I settled on these items after checking the weather for the next week. The temperature will be on the upper 70s to low 80s.

I thought this would be a perfect time to try out some closed toe shoes that I haven’t been wearing. I included tops with sleeves for the cooler days and tank tops for the warmer days. The weather should also be agreeable for wearing my Everlane wide leg crop pants as they are a little heavier than my linen pants.

My Reasons for the Challenge

1. I am currently in the midst of doing a Project 333 clothing challenge in which I wear 33 items of clothing (shoes and accessories included) for 3 months.

I am looking at this challenge as a way to reinvigorate my outfits by incorporating 4 new items while the other 6 are pulled from my Project 333 Capsule Wardrobe. I am also allowing full access to my accessories.

2. I very much enjoyed my first 10×10 challenge (#spring10x10) and had fully intended to do the next one that was announced.

3. I really enjoy the community that forms around this challenge. The last challenge connected me with a lot of wonderful, and stylish, people. And it is due to this exposure that I have felt renewed inspiration in my own wardrobe.

4. I like being introduced to ethical and sustainable fashion brands that I am not aware of. I think this challenge is a good way to do this because I find a lot of new brands in the outfits that people wear. It was during the spring challenge that I learned about a few of my current favorite brands and I am looking forward to finding a few more.

Follow along @uncomplicatedspaces to see what outfits I make with these clothing items.

Would you participate in a clothing challenge like the summer 10×10? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

– xG