How to Optimize Your Wardrobe

For most of us, getting dressed happens on autopilot. We reach for our closets using pure muscle memory, grabbing the same three pairs of pants and the same four shirts we know “work,” while the rest of our clothes quietly gather dust. This approach is far from optimal, both in terms of using what we own and presenting ourselves at our best.

I recently decided to confront this. Despite not being a massive problem, I could see that reducing the cognitive load of getting dressed while maximizing the utility of every single piece I own would offer undeniable benefits. I was tired of buying things that didn't quite fit into my daily rotation and of spending time trying to combine what I had to make myself look presentable.

The "Default" Trap

When you stand in front of your closet, your mind is usually elsewhere. You’re thinking about the day ahead, the meeting you’re already late for, or whether there’s time for breakfast. Your clothes are rarely the main focus of your attention. In that state, the brain seeks the path of least resistance, and that’s how defaults emerge.

The result is a stagnant personal style and a surprising amount of wasted capital. Ideally, every piece you own should help you express yourself and improve how you look. In reality, most of us throw something on without much thought, like poorly dressed NPCs in a game where we’re supposed to be the main character.

Don't be an NPC

The Way Out

I know this idea may sound like a nightmare, but stick with me for a moment. I tried on every clothing combination I owned and took a photo of each one in the hallway.

You might be asking yourself: Why not just look at the mirror, buddy? Psychologist Ethan Kross has the answer. His research shows that adopting a third-person perspective leads to a more objective evaluation. By looking at a photo, you see the silhouette and the proportions rather than the person. You can finally see without a doubt that those jeans are actually too baggy for that specific overshirt, or that the red flannel works surprisingly well under the brown chore coat.

The result you'll get from following my idea will be similar to the image you see below. With a curated grid of proven combinations, you will avoid choice overload. Instead of an abundance of options leading to paralysis and lower satisfaction, you will have a small, successful menu to choose from.

Photos are much better than the mirror

Final Thoughts

It might sound like too much work for little reward, but this process will do more than just save you time.

As the research on Enclothed Cognition suggests, what we wear can shape our performance and attention. By creating your optimal clothing grid, you are building a library of uniforms designed to increase confidence and clarity, improving the way others perceive you and your overall satisfaction with yourself.

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If you want to learn more about how to upgrade your t-shirt game, take a look at this post.