Many people silently battle hidden anxieties like chromophobia, vestiphobia, decidophobia, and chrometophobia, which manifest in their closets as fears of color, outfit anxiety, indecision, or spending guilt. These rarely discussed “silent phobias” profoundly impact personal style and self-esteem.
Chromophobia, vestiphobia, decidophobia, chrometophobia. The names may sound complex, but their effects show up in many closets: fear of wearing vibrant colors, anxiety about getting an outfit wrong, difficulty deciding what to wear, or guilt when spending on fashion. Otherwise known as style anxiety.
These silent phobias, still rarely discussed outside therapy offices, are impacting the style and self-esteem of many people, including 40-year-old digital influencer Cléo Souza, who lives in Spain, a country known for its fashion. When asked why she never wore bolder clothes, Cléo faced a question that seemed simple but uncovered a deeper pattern: how much does fear influence what we choose to wear?
What is style anxiety?
Cléo’s case is more common than it seems. A study by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, in partnership with The Business of Fashion, revealed that 40% of consumers avoid fashion trends due to fear of social judgment. The data shows how personal insecurities and emotional factors influence consumer behavior and the way people perceive their clothing choices.
“In my case, I always chose black or beige, even though I liked colors. It was as if I were hiding in safe choices, trying not to be noticed. I would open my wardrobe and, even with plenty of pieces, feel like nothing worked — not on my body, but on my courage. I’d stand there, staring, not knowing what to wear, afraid of looking over-the-top, of making a mistake, of drawing attention. As much as it seemed like a stylistic preference, it was fear,” says Cléo, who now revisits each piece with greater emotional awareness and less judgment.
Read also: Find your vibe with our colour guide to mood-matching hues
Overcoming it
“It took me a while to understand that fear was making me appear more discreet than I am,” Cléo adds. “Today, I’m trying to deconstruct that pattern. Living in Spain, I realised there’s even more pressure on how you present yourself, especially as a woman, a Latina, and a communicator. Choosing a colorful outfit might seem simple, but for me, it’s an act of courage.”
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Discussing fear in fashion is also about consumption, expression, and identity. The avalanche of trends, the pressure to perform a particular image, and the constant bombardment of aesthetic references can turn dressing up into a space of anxiety, rather than pleasure.
“Today, fashion for me is a field of experimentation and self-knowledge. But I only got here after acknowledging my fears. And that made me realize that style isn’t just in the clothes — it’s also in what you wear them,” Cléo concludes.
