According to a poll by Marks & Spencer, American women spend an average of about 17 minutes each day deciding what to wear (men are not far behind, spending an average of 13 minutes on their daily outfit choices). This amounts to approximately four days per year and six months over a lifetime spent on this daily decision.
The study also found that this decision-making time increases significantly before special events, with women spending up to an hour selecting outfits for important work meetings, dates and social gatherings. Nearly 70% of respondents reported feelings of “wardrobe anxiety” at least once a week, with one in three women claiming they “have nothing to wear” despite having a full closet.
This phenomenon has prompted many to reconsider their relationship with fashion and seek ways to streamline their morning routines. Some have even adopted personal “uniforms” – signature looks worn with minimal variation – inspired by high-profile figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, and the late Steve Jobs, all known for their consistent clothing choices.
CEOs, presidents, and top performers don’t wear simple, consistent outfits because they lack style. They do it because they value their brain power too much to waste it on clothing decisions.
This made me purge my closet, keeping only 40 items that worked together. My morning routine shrank from 15 minutes of fashion stress to 2 minutes of getting dressed.
But the benefits went beyond time savings. My spending habits changed, and my mornings became calmer.
You don’t need a new wardrobe. You need to invest in quality over quantity.
Why less clothing makes you more productive
Do you open your closet every morning and stare at dozens of options, yet still feel like you have “nothing to wear”? What if getting dressed took less than a minute, and you always looked good?
The most successful people know a secret: your clothing choices drain your mental energy. Steve Jobs wore his black turtleneck and blue jeans daily, and Barack Obama stuck to grey or blue suits. They did this to save their brainpower for important decisions.
You don’t need to wear the same outfit daily to reclaim your time and mental space. The solution? A minimalist wardrobe.
What is a minimalist wardrobe?
A minimalist wardrobe contains 30-50 carefully selected items that mix and match perfectly. Everything works together, so you always look put-together without much thought.
Four ways a minimalist wardrobe will change your life
1. Your brain will thank you
Each decision you make throughout the day drains your mental battery. Scientists call this “decision fatigue.” When you cut down clothing choices, you save that mental energy for work that matters.
How many times have you changed outfits before leaving home? How much stress do you feel when nothing seems right? A minimalist wardrobe ends this struggle.
2. You get hours of your life back
Most people waste at least 10 minutes daily deciding what to wear. That adds up to over 60 hours yearly. More than a full workweek!
What could you do with an extra week each year? Learn a language? Start a side business? Spend more time with family?
3. Your space stays clean and simple
Too many clothes create physical and mental clutter. When you own fewer, higher-quality pieces, you:
4. You build a strong personal brand
People notice consistent style. With a minimalist wardrobe, you’ll develop a signature look that people remember. This works like a personal brand. You’ll become known for your put-together, thoughtful appearance.
How to build your minimalist wardrobe in five steps
Step 1: Take stock of what you have
Empty your closet. Look at each item and ask: “Do I love this? Does it fit well? Have I worn it in the past year?”
Be honest with yourself. Most people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time.
Step 2: Choose your colour palette
Pick colours that work well together and match your skin tone, hair, and eyes. Many people start with neutrals:
Add 1-3 accent colours that you love, and that complement the neutrals.
Step 3: List your essential items
Write down what you need for your lifestyle. Include clothes for:
Make sure everything works in multiple settings.
Step 4: Cut down to 30-50 items
This includes:
Don’t count undergarments, sleepwear, workout clothes, or accessories.
Step 5: Store or donate the rest
Put extra clothes in boxes. Donate or sell them if you don’t miss them after three months.
How to maintain your minimalist wardrobe
Follow the “one in, one out” rule: Remove an old item for each new item you buy.
Choose quality over quantity. Invest in well-made pieces that last years rather than cheap items that wear out quickly.
Is a minimalist wardrobe right for you?
If you love fashion and changing your look daily brings you joy, keep doing what makes you happy.
But if you want to:
A minimalist wardrobe will work wonders for you.
Cut out decisions that drain you so you can focus on what truly matters in your life. Start small. Build a minimalist wardrobe just for work clothes or weekend wear. You’ll feel the benefits right away.
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