CHEAT CODES for when you don’t know WHAT TO WEAR
It’s not about having more clothes—it’s about having a few reliable tricks that get you from “ugh, what now?” to “okay, I look good” in five minutes flat.
How to Get Dressed When You Have No Idea What to Wear
We all have those mornings. You’re standing in front of your closet, coffee in hand, mentally scrolling through everything you own, and somehow nothing feels right. It’s not about having more clothes—it’s about having a few reliable tricks that get you from “ugh, what now?” to “okay, I look good” in five minutes flat.
These are my personal cheat codes—the quick fixes that always work when my brain hasn’t caught up to my day yet.
1. lean into your ELEVATED BASICS
When in doubt, start with your best foundation pieces. Think of them as your style constants—the good trousers, the sharp button-down, that on trend or well cut tee, the jeans that never let you down.
The trick is in the mix: 1. pair on of your fave classic tops with one of your fave classic bottoms (pic above for reference!) or 2. great time to grab that unique, don’t-know-what-to-wear-with-this piece (or even avant-garde piece!) & ground it with an elevated basic top or bottom (preferably in black). It’s easy math that somehow always adds up to put-together.
If you need to beef up your elevated basics collection, check out my ShopMy page for recommendations.
2. go MONOCHROME
L: Free People oversized tee, Madewell maxi skirt, Caddis sunnies, vintage bangles C: Mai cashmere vneck swtr, Dolce & Gabbana pencil skirt, Antipast socks, Dr Marten shoes, Fjälraven backpack R: vintage cotton cardi, Adidas trackpant, Caddis Mabuhay pink readers, vintage clear lucite cuff
Color matching is the fastest way to look intentional, even when you’re anything but. Choose one color—any color—and wear it head to toe. The effect is bold & intentional.
Don’t overthink the tones; slight variations actually make the outfit look richer. And yes, neutrals count. A lineup of charcoals, creams, or navies feels & looks quietly powerful and never dated…hello The Row!
3. The ONE & DONE
Sacai romper, fur sandals from CDMX, Gucci sunnies, vintage white cuff
Sometimes the answer is: stop trying. A jumpsuit, a dress—anything that’s a complete fit in one move—is your instant exit from the panic scramble or decision fatigue.
The key …
4. build your PERSONAL LOOKBOOK
Here’s the move that changed my mornings: start taking selfies when you do like your fits. Create a folder on your phone…mine’s called ‘feelin it’.
Next time you’re standing there blankly, open the folder and scroll through. You’ll find your answer in seconds—proof that you’ve already solved this problem before.
STYLE is just SYSTEMS
Style doesn’t have to be a daily reinvention. Once you know what works for you, it’s just about running the right system on the right day.
These cheat codes are the shortcuts—small, repeatable moves that take the stress out of getting dressed. Try them this week and see how much mental space you get back.