When it comes to getting dressed, having lots of clothes can be a hindrance rather than a help.

More clothes mean more choices to make. And sometimes it can be paralysing. You end up staring into your wardrobe, or with all your clothes on the floor, thinking you have nothing to wear.

Roy Baumeister, Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland, says skipping the decision about what to wear each morning can bring cognitive benefits.

"Many studies have shown that self-control and decision-making take a certain amount of energy, especially when one puts a lot of effort into them," he says.

"It does make sense to conserve your energy, especially if you have a lot of decisions to make and not expend it on things like what to wear."

Building a capsule wardrobe or "personal uniform" — clothes that you can wear often, and which will always work together — can help you conserve that energy.

It will also save you time, money and reduce waste.

We spoke to two people who have developed their own uniforms to find out more.

'I'm most comfortable wearing these outfits'

Sigrid McCarthy's uniform is built around classic block colours like black and white. ( ABC Life: Patrick Wright )

Sigrid McCarthy doesn't have to spend a lot of time thinking about what to wear in the morning. She doesn't own many clothes — and they're mostly black.

Her personal uniform has developed over many years. At first it happened unconsciously, but a few years ago, it became clear to her it was how she wanted to dress.

"Everything I buy now, I bring into my life with the intention that it will complement my personal uniform," she says.

It's not that Sigrid wears the same clothes every day. In summer, for instance, she will often opt for lighter tones — creams, whites and greys — over her usual black.

But you won't see many colourful patterns or bright colours in her wardrobe.

"I'm not advocating for everyone else to dress as though they're living in Copenhagen, but for me this style reflects my taste. I feel most confident when I wear these types of outfits," she says.

Sigrid's wardrobe is coherent: everything has been carefully selected and works well with the other items she owns.

Nearly all of Sigrid's wardrobe fits on a single clothes rack. ( Supplied: Sigrid McCarthy )

Besides saving time, she feels good about what she wears. Her clothes are bought second-hand or from brands with ethical business practices and a commitment to sustainability.

Key items in Sigrid's uniform: Black boots

Black boots White shirts

White shirts Black fitted vest

Black fitted vest Black skivvy (second-hand)

Black skivvy (second-hand) Black jeans

Black jeans Black dress

She knows everything in her wardrobe fits well and looks good — and she's also saving money.

"I have no qualms wearing the same garments regularly," she says.

"It's better to wear something that looks good and feels good — and is good in terms of impact — rather than having a disjointed wardrobe, where I'm madly trying to find something that may not suit any existing pieces in my wardrobe."

Why so much black? Sigrid says black is flattering and versatile. "It make me feel the most confident and capable," Sigrid says. Chris is also a huge fan. "If you're wearing all black with no logos, you can't go wrong," Chris says.

If Sigrid's going to an event or has a job interview, she looks to borrow something or visits an op-shop, rather than buying something brand new.

"You do feel nice wearing something new — even if it's new for you for a short period of time. If there's an important event and my dad, for example, happens to have a lovely shirt, I'll borrow that," she says.

Having a confident sense of her style means Sigrid isn't fazed when she's asked — as she often is — "Oh you're wearing that again," or "Why don't you wear something different?"

"I'm comfortable and confident in replying that this is how I live, and this how I choose to dress."

Sigrid's uniform-building tips:

Be discerning about the new clothes you bring into your life. Try something on a couple of times before purchasing it and avoid impulse purchases. You'll have a clearer head when you're not in the shop.

Be discerning about the new clothes you bring into your life. Try something on a couple of times before purchasing it and avoid impulse purchases. You'll have a clearer head when you're not in the shop. Do the ground work. Spend the time initially to find brands and products that resonate with you and your values, and fit well. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of it.

Do the ground work. Spend the time initially to find brands and products that resonate with you and your values, and fit well. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. Buy quality. Think about price per wear rather than the immediate price tag. Something that is going to last for years might be more expensive initially, but chances are it'll be cheaper in the long-run.

Buy quality. Think about price per wear rather than the immediate price tag. Something that is going to last for years might be more expensive initially, but chances are it'll be cheaper in the long-run. If you're going to an event that requires something outside your wardrobe, borrow, rent or visit an op-shop.

If you're going to an event that requires something outside your wardrobe, borrow, rent or visit an op-shop. Focus less on whether someone has worn something regularly, and more on how you feel in your own clothes. Having a capsule wardrobe is an opportunity for someone to refine their taste and focus on other things rather than stressing about what to wear.

'You can't go wrong wearing all black'

Chris Smith says wearing black jeans and a black shirt every day has been empowering. ( ABC Life: Patrick Wright )

Chris Smith's core capsule wardrobe consists of six black shirts, two grey shirts, one pair of black jeans, one pair of black chinos and two pairs of sneakers.

Chris is busy. He runs a start-up in the burgeoning eSports industry and was inspired to pare back his wardrobe after reading a blog post by a mentor in the Melbourne tech scene.

In the tech world, where function trumps form, the personal uniform is well established.

Apple founder Steve Jobs was instantly recognisable in his black turtleneck and blue jeans. And Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg made headlines after revealing he wore the same type of T-shirt each day.

Whether it's a big meeting, presenting at a conference, or just a regular day at work, Chris dons his uniform — and says it's been empowering.

"I presented a tour last week. I did four states in four days presenting in a black T-shirt and black jeans and the same pair of shoes the whole time," he says.

"There's a bit of anxiety around how people are going to perceive you through what you're wearing. But, ultimately, if you're confident and you know what you're talking about … it doesn't matter too much."

He still has a blazer and some dress shirts in his wardrobe, but hasn't worn them in months. Besides being extremely practical, Chris's minimalist wardrobe is great for travelling and makes shopping a breeze.

Like Sigrid, Chris is passionate about sustainability and chooses his suppliers carefully.

The three key items in Chris's uniform: black T-shirts, black jeans and sneakers. ( ABC Life: Patrick Wright )

"I don't have to spend time deciding what to wear or deciding where to buy things form. I have a few trusted suppliers," he says.

"The other practicality about a pair of well-fitting jeans and a black T-shirt is it never really goes out of fashion. If you're wearing all black with no logos, you can't go wrong."

Chris's rather militant approach to wearing his uniform has led to some interesting situations. When he turned up to a corporate box at a football stadium wearing a T-shirt, he nearly wasn't let in.

But, for Chris, inconveniences like this are a worthwhile trade-off — it makes sense to him, even if others don't understand.

"If you eat the same thing for lunch every day, people will go crazy. But most people eat the same thing for breakfast all the time," he says.

Chris's uniform-building tips: