Once again, we're knocked out by the way science columnist John Tierney introduces us to...ourselves. We've been thinking about his latest all week, especially when pondering our choices of what to make for dinner, when to work out and how to spend the last days of summer. In an article about decision-making fatigue in last weekend's New York Times Magazine, Tierney explained that constantly having to choose between options can have a debilitating effect on our willpower, mood and energy levels. "Decision fatigue helps explain why ordinarily sensible people get angry at colleagues and families, splurge on clothes, buy junk food at the supermarket and can’t resist the dealer’s offer to rustproof their new car," Tierney wrote. "No matter how rational and high-minded you try to be, you can’t make decision after decision without paying a biological price." (By the way, can you guess what common ritual is "the decision-fatigue equivalent of Hell Week"?).  

Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D.

This fall's hot bag borrows its structured shape from the classic doctor's satchel. Flexible and roomy—and designed to sit comfortably on your shoulder or in the crook of your arm—these styles are as practical as they are polished.
Clockwise starting from the top left:

A Python-Print purse in versatile dove gray is a smart look for every day.
$88, oliviaandjoy.com.

From the designer of Oprah's finale-show dress, this luxurious calfskin style has an iPad compartment.
L'Wren Scott, $2,700, Barneys New York, 888-822-7639.

Gold-Plated hardware and a deep Bordeaux shade give this roomy bag a Grace Kelly feel.
Mark Cross, $695, select Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 877-612-7257.

Ask Adam your fashion questions or follow @TheRealAdamSays on Twitter

Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant and Banana Republic creative director Simon Kneen are collaborators behind a sharp, new retro-inspired line.

Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D.

It wasn't a three-martini lunch, but I still got the scoop from these two style forces, who teamed up to create a Mad Men-inspired fall collection for Banana Republic: dresses, separates, and accessories that marry the brand's modern sensibility with 1960s-era sophistication. Sharp pieces like this sheath—with feminine yet fitted cuts—make it easy to look chic at the office. But the collection gets its real panache from accessories:
           
Animal-Print Extras
A cheetah-print scarf or leopard-print clutch gives basics instant drama. And yes, you can mix them with florals and geometrics.
           
Belts
For a surprisingly dressy effect, nip the waist of a classic trenchcoat with a wide leather belt, and finish it with a jeweled brooch.

Multi-Strand Pearls
A chunky, collar-grazing necklace is great for framing the face.

Dress, Mad Men Collection, $150, bananarepublic.com.

Ask Adam a fashion question or follow him on twitter @TheRealAdamSays

Alexander McQueen has been on everyone's mind since the wedding dress of the year (designed by his successor, Sarah Burton) made its way down the aisle on Catherine Middleton. In addition to the dress, however, McQueen has long been known for his theatrical runway shows and signature, teetering armadillo shoes that made an appearance in Lady Gaga's music video—all of which are celebrated in the recent exhibit (Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty) dedicated to the late designer's work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Met even stayed open until midnight for the first time in its history during the exhibition's last weekend so that the overwhelming number of visitors could get a last look.

While I waited in the two-hour long line that snaked around the museum to see his extraordinary creations up close and personal, you can take a private virtual tour—led by none other than the Costume Institute's curator, Andrew Bolton. You won't even have to weave around other patrons to see McQueen's dress made of razor clam shells or headpiece comprised of butterflies—this video makes you feel as if you're spending the night in the museum alone. (Although seeing as the designer dubbed himself the Edgar Allen Poe of fashion, it may feel more as if you're having a sleepover in a haunted house—complete with a ghost-like hologram of Kate Moss).

Go ahead, skip to the head of the line—then let us know what you think.

Photo: Getty

I've always regarded Eloise (the fictional star of the successful children's book series) as the sassiest and most revered New York City hotel guest—running around The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue like she owns the place. That is until I discovered Matilda, the fancy feline who has greeted guests from the lobby of yet another famous Manhattan hotel, the Algonquin, since 1930. Not only does she have her own email, Twitter and Facebook accounts, but she's got stories to rival those of Eloise. At one point her collar was stolen, as reported by the hotel, during which news of the "Algonquin Cat-Burglary" buzzed around town. Or in 2002 when celebrating her birthday (with 150 of her closest kitty friends), she jumped on to her cake and ran out of the room, leaving a trail of frosted paw prints.

There have been many similar-looking Matilda cats since the original made her debut, but last week the hotel celebrated its latest "Algonqueen," Matilda III [left] with a cat fashion show.

To see some of the best looks from the runway alongside witticisms from the hotel's cattiest human guests, keep reading.

Men! What are they thinking? We can't always answer that, but we'll be posting our favorite glimpses into their world in this space every Thursday.

Aaron Biber Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

* Earlier this month, an 89-year-old barber named Aaron Biber, found the shop he'd owned for 41 years destroyed by London's rioters. Last Wednesday, a group of advertising interns set up a website to help him repair the shop. Within a week, visitors to the site had contributed nearly $60,000—enough to keep Aaron cutting. The kindness of strangers really never gets old. (Keep Aaron Cutting)

* Put this On, a web fashion series for men, visits the corduroy appreciation club and checks in with Gay Talese, one of the few dandies so dandy he has his own style of lapel. (Put this On)

* Relive the crushes of your youth in this slideshow of '80s athletes with their girlfriends and wives. For every Mike Tyson and Robin Givens, there's a couple that reminds us true love can span several decades—and survive the worst of mullets. (Sports Illustrated)

* Male superheroes get Wonder Woman-ized. (Bleeding Cool)

* "Fear only has as much power as we give it space."—Bright's Passage author Josh Ritter tells us what he knows for sure. (Oprah.com)

Photo: Gregor Halenda

...And it sure feels like one when you toss sunscreen and a juicy novel into this ultraplush Turkish-cotton terry tote.

Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D.

Q: Could you recommend a can't-go-wrong summer hat and sunglasses?

A: This neutral fedora looks sophisticated whether you're on the beach or walking to work. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection; crushable organic cotton and raffia means it travels well; and its hidden drawstring provides the perfect fit. 

Photo: Courtesy of nOir

We recently reminisced about  friendship bracelets and how this simple accessory can link us to those we love most in our now grown-up worlds. So when we spotted O's fashion department wearing nOir's Shaka Lanyard Bracelets ($25) we couldn't wait to share yet another fashion throwback find with you. While we recall rainbow piles of plastic string and hours spent making keychains with our bunk mates, the gold toggle clasp and sleek design of this bracelet take this arts and crafts activity to a new level. Brighten up a friend's day with one of these colorful bangles—all without having to re-learn the lanyard box stitch. Bonus: These bracelets are water-friendly, meaning the recipient won't have to worry about getting them wet while she's washing dishes or enjoying the remaining days of summer at the beach.

Would you wear this bracelet? Give it to a friend? What's your favorite summer camp memory?

Keep reading for more stylish ideas:

7 turquoise accessories to rock this summer
Get a necklace that supports your favorite charity
Check out a charity project turned big (sparkly) business

Photo: Thinkstock

As a child, I used to collect all my mom's old catalogs (my favorite: Spiegel) and leaf through the photographs, decorating my dream grown-up house and dressing my dream grown-up self. Today, not much has changed. I pour over the pages of J.Crew, Crate & Barrel and Sephora, imagining myself with glamorous new shoes, chairs and lipsticks—and then proceed to the Internet with my credit card in hand.