RoboHoward Wardrobe Protocol

I use clothes to project different alter egos that bring out my best possible aura tailored to different scenarios to maximize whatever I am doing. I accomplish this while strictly maintaining a simple minimalist uniform system. I can continue thinking deeply about whatever I’m working on while I mindlessly get dressed without any decision making fatigue. What follows is a blueprint for my wardrobe system, which is optimized to maximize efficiency and aura for various scenarios.

Every clothing decision optimizes for (1) reduced cognitive load, (2) projection of the correct alter ego. My closet is designed to trigger a maximum, instant belief in myself every time I step into it. The exciting possibilities of who I am going to be for that part of the way are right in front of me. This helps jumpstart things. For example, I don’t wait for motivation to work out. I force myself to put on my gym clothes and then I assume gym Howard alter ego. Or, rarely, when I don my purple tux for a Roam presentation, I turn into the Greatest Showman Howard. But, most of the time I aim for subtraction. I wear the same minimal uniform to minimize decision making so I can think deeply about my work. Just a black turtleneck and black slacks.

Below I detail the composition and presentation of my wardrobe.

Composition

My wardrobe consists of gym outfits, work outfits, casual wear, show pieces, summer, footwear and winter wear. No accessories like belts, or ties, or other jewelry. I don’t wear a watch or any jewelry. I have some nostalgic shirts from TJHHST, Duke and the companies I’ve built.

I own no clothes outside of this protocol.

Gym Outfits

I work out a lot, often twice a day, so I go through a lot of gym clothes. I try different things over the years but at present like Gymshark. Items I like from gymshark:

Shirt

Ribbed Tank

• This is the workhorse. I wear these nearly every day. I like new ones. They wear down pretty fast. You can get a pack of three for $28, which is $9.33 per shirt.
• Color is almost always black, it’s OK to throw in a few white or striped.
• Refresh Cycle: TBD

Shorts

5 inch Two in one Shorts

• I like 2 in 1 shorts because I don’t need to wear an extra pair of underwear each day. 2 in 1 shorts save a lot of time and energy and are efficient.
• I like shorter shorts for the gym, 5 inches instead of 7. Gymshark used to make a 2 in 1 5 inch short, but I haven’t seen it in a long time. They have not offered it a long time, but I saw they now have a 4 inch 2 in 1 but the pant is longer. I am purchasing one to see how I like it.
• I am unhappy with my current shorts composition. It’s a few 5 inch 2 in 1s (i like) then a bunch of 5 inch shorts without a 2 in 1, which is a bit too breezy…
• Shorts should always be black.
• Refresh Cycle: Bi-Annually

Uniform for Work

I have found that a fresh black turtleneck can flex up to formal or down when paired with black pants.

Shirt

Lands End Turteneck

• This has been my bread and butter for many years. They fit really well, nice and snug. It’s not too hot, which many turtlenecks are. The neck isn’t itchy or loose, another common turtleneck pitfall.
• Color: Black
• Refresh Cycle: 6 months

Pants

• John Varvatos Slacks
• This has been a staple for a long time.
• Color: Black
• Size: 32
• Cost: $500
• Refresh Cycle: annually

Socks

I have two pools of socks - gym and dress. It is imperative to purchase the same type and color of sock so you can just pool them together and never need to find specifc sock matches.

Gym Socks: Under Armor

Dress Socks: Argyle Socks

I love putting on new socks, especially dress socks. I’m often gearing up to do something hard or with agency, and the feeling of new socks helps me feel like a million bucks and be at the top of my game.

• Color: Black Argyle

Shoes

Gym Shoes

OnCloud Cloudmonster. These are a staple. I have 16 pairs, two for each day of the week, two for travel, one for my weekly run. I number them accordingly with a sharpie in three places and organize my closet by number.

• Color: Black
• Size: 12
• Cost: $135 per pair
• Refresh Cycle: BiAnnually

Dress Boots

I wear dress boats with my work outfit. My preferred brand in Christian Louboutin Chelsea boots, black with red bottoms. I need rubber bottoms and no laces.

• Color: Black
• Size: (double check)
• Cost: $1500
• Refresh Cycle: 2 per year

Additional Shoes

I keep a few pairs of All Birds and a pair of Nikes to occasionally wear post run. This is if my feet are feeling kind of beat up, I want to give them a shoe with a different fit in order to change the pressure points.

EuroShoes

I keep a pair of shoes to wear on a boat, I think they are leather prada boatshoes.

• Color: Brown

Show Pieces

From time to time, I make appearances which require a high fashion level. I’ll go to Tom Ford to purchase something for an event. These pieces almost always are for a particular function. I don’t just “go shopping” for the sake of shopping. If I have an upcoming appearance that requires a new show piece, I go out and purchase something with intention. Examples:

• Tom Ford Purple Tux for an Roam !nvention Launch
• Black Leather outfit for events

Casual Wear

Like my fellow humans, I like lounge around and accumulate favorite t-shirts or pants which are extra comfortable. T-shirts are just accumulated, as gifts, or for some occasion like being in Athens or visiting a famous store. But sweatpants are bought intentionally from Gymshark.

• Sweats
• Pumper Pants
• Size: Medium
• Color: Black
• Cost: $56

Underwear

I wear Hanes boxer briefs.

Jacket

My Tom Ford leather jacket with ribbed shoulders just works. I love that jacket like Han Solo loves his brown leather jacket. I got the idea for it from Jensen Huang who I’ve seen wear the same jacket. I also have some branded hoodie sweatshirts I like from VCs and tech companies like Yext

EuroWear

I need boat type clothes to wear for my European summer holiday. I buy some matching shorts and pants from cheap brands I find on Instagram before I go over there. Then I throw them away when I get back, or just shed them behind as I leave Europe.

Travel

My wardrobe protocol makes traveling simple. If I need a showpiece, I will bring it. I usually don’t, so I just bring interchangeable gym outfits and work outfits with a few sweatgear. For Europe, I’ll bring my Eurowear.

Closet Organization

There are eight sections in my closet - summer, winter, fancy dress, casual (sweats), gym, uniform, dress shoes, and gym shoes. Summer and winter are rarely touched. Casual, gym, and uniform form the three main workstreams.

Annual Closet Purge

I purge my closet once a year in February, mercilessly removing all items I don’t use. Less is more. Eliminate the clutter to arrive at clarity.

I’ve built this wardrobe protocol over years and I realize it’s not for everyone. It can take the joy out of fashion. But it works for me, I love executing within it, and I feel like a million bucks when I don whatever threads I need to and transform myself with maximized aura into the alter ego for whatever I’m attacking.