I was recently reading an article in The New York Times that mentioned “Decision Fatigue.” It was an interesting article because it talked about very busy people who wear the same type of clothes every day to avoid making one more decision. One example is the late Steve Jobs, who always wore a black turtleneck and jeans. As an Indianapolis Wardrobe Stylist, I’ve met many clients who followed suit during COVID when we all worked at home and just wore the same comfy clothes every day, clean or not.
Fast forward to today. Most of us who worked at home during that time are now back in the office, many up to four days a week. That may be very stressful for people who don’t like to think about their clothes and what they wear. If that’s you, read on for some tips!
Explanation of Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue happens when your brain gets tired from making too many choices throughout the day. Research has shown that the more decisions we make, the harder it becomes to make good ones later. By the time you’re choosing what to wear in the morning, you may already feel overwhelmed by your schedule, responsibilities, and endless to-do list.
A cluttered wardrobe can make this even worse.
When your closet is packed with pieces that don’t fit, don’t flatter, don’t match, or don’t reflect your current lifestyle, getting dressed becomes a daily exercise in frustration. Instead of quickly choosing an outfit, you’re forced to sort through dozens of possibilities, many of which aren’t really options at all.
The result? Stress, wasted time, and often settling for the same few outfits over and over.
Photo by Mizuno K
Signs Your Wardrobe Is Creating Decision Fatigue
- You regularly stare into your closet without knowing what to wear.
- You buy new clothes but continue wearing the same favorites.
- You frequently change outfits multiple times before leaving the house.
- You feel overwhelmed when shopping.
- Getting dressed feels like work rather than something enjoyable.
- The good news is that a few simple changes can make a huge difference.
Indianapolis Wardrobe Stylist Tips for Reducing Decision Fatigue
Simplify Your Choices – I do many closet cleanses, and everyone says they are very helpful! Consider booking this appointment with Beth Divine Style by emailing me at beth@bethdivinestyle.com.
Create Easy Outfit Formulas – Many stylish people don’t reinvent the wheel every morning. Instead, they rely on outfit formulas.
First, identify the heroes in your closet — the types you love and reach for. (If you don’t know this, contact me for a style appointment where we identify the best pieces according to your coloring, style, and shape. Then we shop online or live.
For example:
- Dark jeans + blouse + statement necklace
- Tailored pants + knit top + blazer
- Dress + denim jacket + sandals
Having a few reliable combinations eliminates dozens of daily decisions.
Use Color to Your Advantage – One of the easiest ways to reduce wardrobe stress is through color analysis. When most of your wardrobe coordinates, creating outfits becomes much easier. Of course, color analysis is one of the basic services I offer, and I recommend it for everyone. In the end, it saves money because the pieces you buy flatter you.
Build A Personal Uniform – A personal uniform doesn’t mean dressing exactly the same every day. It simply means identifying the silhouettes and combinations that consistently work for you.
Think of it as your signature style. When you know your best necklines, pant styles, jacket cuts, and colors, shopping becomes easier and getting dressed becomes faster.
Improve Your Selection Process with Indianapolis Wardrobe Stylist Help
A well-organized wardrobe isn’t just about fashion—it’s about reducing mental load. Every unnecessary decision you eliminate frees up energy for more important parts of your day.
If getting dressed feels exhausting, the answer may not be buying more clothes. It may be simplifying what you already own, creating outfit formulas, and building a wardrobe that works together effortlessly.
Your closet should make your mornings easier, not harder. When your wardrobe supports you instead of overwhelming you, confidence often follows naturally.
Need more info about working with an Indianapolis Wardrobe Stylist — reach out for a discovery call by emailing me at beth@bethdivinestyle.com.
Keep it sassy, Indy.
Beth Divine, MA, AICI-CIC, Personal Image Consultant
