Why I'm Ditching My Clothes

Read the Full Newsletter Issue 2602

Sure, I joined a gym in January, like millions of others. But that's too ordinary to bother you with.

Far more enjoyable than my daily gym visits have been the changes in my closet.

As I get older, I'm finished choosing between well put together and comfortable. After half my lifetime dressing professionally, my interest in being comfortable now has me fighting myself to put on anything but pajamas or athleisure. Unfortunately, those hardly embody the respected professional persona that I want to portray.

A few months ago, I stumbled across an ad for a very nice AND comfortable outfit—a top and pants. Plus, pockets! (I'm still flabbergasted most women's clothing lacks pockets. But I digress.) Online photos showed it could be dressed up or down. There is evidence tan is subconsciously perceived as a color of wealth and success, so I ordered the tan set.

The fabric is butter soft, ultra comfortable, breathes well, and drapes nicely without looking frumpy. True to the pics, I could dress it up or down. After wearing it several times, my husband encouraged me to purchase additional sets, so I got olive green and navy. The really important part: I no longer debate what to wear daily. Most days, I just choose tan, olive, or navy. If I'm going out, I kick it up a notch. I am comfortable AND confident.

As humans in this modern world with a constant barrage of information, many of us feel like we're drowning in micro-decisions. These lead to decision fatigue and burnout, sacrificing precious mental energy on choosing what to wear. The juice is simply not worth the squeeze, as they say.

Take Steve Jobs, dressed daily in a black turtleneck and jeans, eliminating trivial choices. Or Anna Wintour, Vogue's Editor in Chief, consistently in her patterned dress and statement necklace. Former President Barack Obama preferred grey or navy suits to "pare down decisions...because I have too many other decisions to make."

This intentional reduction of options preserves mental energy for more impactful matters. Studies show that when we wear clothes we feel good in, confidence and performance naturally increase. Further, evidence also reveals that "well-dressed" individuals unconsciously receive greater respect, professionalism, and deference. Ensuring we feel good and put together supports our business efforts in multiple ways.

For myself, after experiencing the undeniable comfort and confidence of my new, easily chosen outfits, I realized the potential to apply this principle to my entire wardrobe. I'm now pruning virtually all of it. I no longer want to choose between feeling comfortable or looking "nice." Unless it's pajamas or workout clothes for those dreadful daily gym visits, I aim to purge all but seven to ten outfits to cycle through without much decision-making. It may seem overly simplified, but strong indicators show decision fatigue rapidly rising, and I don't want to use my mental energy or time this way.

Now, I'm simply optimistic I'll soon reorder my clothes in a smaller size because of those dreaded trips to the gym.