https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:50:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1434006 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 20:20:42 +0000 cjh 1434006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another very interesting and informative viewpoint:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.utne.com/mind-and-body/the-uniform-zm0z14jfzlin.aspx?PageId=1">http://www.utne.com/mind-and-b.....x?PageId=1</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433920 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:47:51 +0000 Helena 1433920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anna, what a tremendous example of how a uniform can be anything but, and certainly not boring! cjh, couldn't have said it better! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433913 Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:37:13 +0000 cjh 1433913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great reading here, and the original article. Thanks for the link. Just a few thoughts - the paragraph that spoke most to me:<br /><span><br />"You save a lot of money by relinquishing trial-and-error shopping—those items you buy and never wear, try and fail to return. Gone is the mental math that goes into calculating how much you “paid per wear” for that sweater you only put on three times. And nobody thinks of a person who wears the same thing every day as unstylish. Rather, it’s simply a classification that does not apply."</p> <p></span>This is a biggie for me, as the most frustrating thing to me in the past few years is buying stuff that eventually does not work - either fit, color, combination possibilities, quality, etc. The mantra "buy quality rather than quantity" helps, but there is this other element... the "me" part of it. Is it the silhouette? color palette? style genre? all or none of these?</p> <p>Other musings, somewhat random:</p> <p>I think her uniform is beautiful, and a big&nbsp;part of it is that her simple clothing plays up her natural physical beauty. People look at HER, rather than her clothes so much, and that gives her the power.</p> <p>So how can we apply that? Can I ask myself - what is beautiful about me? My hair, smile, skin, figure? Each of us has our own answer, even if it's not what another observer would say about us.</p> <p>As to saving on shopping, it might or might not save time, money or closet space to have a uniform, thinking of her friend's mom's large collection of striped shirts. If one owns&nbsp;20 striped button up blouses, 15 boxy pullovers and 7 pairs of stretchy jeans, the uniform may be&nbsp;pretty much the same as a person's who has 3 striped blouses, 2 sweaters and 2 pairs of jeans. However, what appeals to me here&nbsp;is the potential huge&nbsp;savings on decision making - both when shopping and when dressing.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433408 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 23:47:54 +0000 annagybe 1433408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2010/12/what-wendy-wore-a-collection-of-casual-looks/">http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2.....ual-looks/</a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2011/10/wendybs-team-colors-black-and-denim/">http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2.....and-denim/</a><br />Though she pulls out all the stops when going out to dinner, events and shows.</p> <p></p> <p>ETA</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2008/03/basic-wardrobe-part-iii/">http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2.....-part-iii/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433402 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 23:36:39 +0000 Helena 1433402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oldchic, I like your style!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433372 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:38:37 +0000 old chic 1433372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't get me wrong, torontogirl, I agree with you! I have been wearing black turtlenecks and black bottoms since the 60s -- first with minis and crocheted black stockings (we couldn't wear jeans, or even pants, in high school); later, black cashmere with black or navy jackets. Only problem now is that a black t-neck really emphasizes my jowls.lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433340 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:33:47 +0000 Helena 1433340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha, Janet, I hope you won't have anything thrown at you! </p> <p>That is just what I was talking about when I said I didn't initially pick up on a tone, but on a re-read, I do see how that could come across. I hope there is no implication in this thread that uniform dressing is any better than any other type of dressing, or that expression through clothing is somehow less than any other form of expression. I would hate to see everyone on this forum, for example, wearing a uniform - what an absolute bore! I love and admire people who really express themselves, their originality, etc. through their clothes. I'm just not one of them - perhaps it's because I feel the pressure from the other side sometimes that I related to this - the pressure TO be expressive and show personality and fly your colors, etc. etc. when this is not for me. To each his own, and the world is better for it imo!!</p> <p>Old Chic, fair points; the one thing I did not pick up on though was the implication that her uniform is original. For myself, originality in clothing does not appeal to me; the fact that a black t-neck and jeans has been around in various forms since the 50s is precisely why it is so appealing to me (although I get that would be off-putting for others).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433323 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:42:47 +0000 Janet 1433323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I'm giving a little side-eye to this piece. I'm sorry, but I get a hint of that "I'm too cool for you and I've got it all figured out" vibe. Part of it might be the cultivated bored expression in her photos and the over-justification of this choice of dressing. I get that uniform dressing is very appealing to many people, but there is a slight condescending tone, as though those who prefer variety in self-expression through clothing are somehow less self-confident or more needy of approval, or something. Also, she says her hair is her main accessory, but (I'm trying not to be mean here, but probably failing) I'm not really seeing that in the photos. </p> <p>OK, I'll duck while things get thrown at me now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433321 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:36:14 +0000 old chic 1433321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For 30 years, I hid my then-youthful form under a uniform of sharp business suiting, most frequently in black or navy, and only let my fashionista flag fly in my off-work hours. Now retired, I find that the subset of suit jackets that still fit look a lot cooler with black skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots than they did with skirts or trousers and pumps. Still a uniform, but more comfortable and somehow "younger." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433319 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:28:54 +0000 old chic 1433319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, did you really mean to imply that people in NYC don't expect "a nod to fashion"? Although I live just outside of the city, I am in Manhattan and Brooklyn all the time, and I think that implication is far from the truth. That said, I do think that the combination of black turtleneck/slim jeans/boots has been perhaps the biggest cliche in "cool dressing" since at least the 1950s and the beats. You'd have to be very young like this girl to think you'd come up with something unique.<br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1433020 Wed, 28 Jan 2015 05:48:02 +0000 AM 1433020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a new member and I really appreciate you sharing this article. And I love the idea of a uniform. Working from home and being in a creative profession really lends itself to a uniform. My personal sensibilities and comfort is also within a narrow range of colors and silhouettes. So it makes sense that I like a uniform. I'm also of the belief that honing style that is recognizable needs restraints. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432606 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:11:45 +0000 unfrumped 1432606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Gaylene said, is aspiration/inspiration.</p> <p>I would not do the Steve Jobs single uniform thing, but I'm moving closer to having 4-5 silhouttes, and maybe only about 3 for workdays,&nbsp; though the larger number allows for special occasion&nbsp; and smart casual outfits for which I may have more time to prepare and experiment. </p> <p>My biggest time-waster is achieving the right top+ bottom proportions, and these are easily upset by not-well thought-out purchases or trying too many new things at once or even just having too much stuff , because at some point it becomes more likely things <u>won't</u> match up than that they <u>will</u>. Outfits with poor proportions are not happy outfits, and so&nbsp;pushing too much&nbsp;variety there does not help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432604 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:10:09 +0000 judy 1432604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoyed reading this article the other day. &nbsp;Thanks for sharing it</p> <p>I think it's great...why not experiment? &nbsp;Why not try this or that? &nbsp;What is the harm? &nbsp;There's no loss. &nbsp;She's experimenting with restriction, she's playing. &nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, we think Steve Jobs, but also, David Lynch does a white shirt and khakis and I think a cardigan...and Tone Goodman of Vogue does a uniform too. &nbsp;They never have to think about what you are going to wear...and can think about other things. &nbsp;Maybe I have an iPhone right now&nbsp;because Steve Jobs had his go to uniform and therefore&nbsp;didn't have to spend any energy thinking about his wardrobe ?&nbsp;</p> <p>Though my components are more interchangeable I do wear a uniform in a way. But since I get bored with my clothes when I have to live out of a suitcase, her version&nbsp;might be too restrictive for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432593 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:00:40 +0000 Helena 1432593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Adelfa ... as you note, I'm not familiar with the style culture in California ... but I still think that was quite cheeky of them to comment on!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432585 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:51:13 +0000 Adelfa 1432585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They didn't like all the black! Clients in particular thought it was depressing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432576 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:35:55 +0000 Helena 1432576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, what are they criticizing? Short of being completely unprofessional or inappropriate, I can't imagine why anyone would feel it their right to criticize what someone else wears! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432531 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 15:49:00 +0000 K.M. 1432531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Torontogirl, here's the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Why-Do-Architects-Wear-Black/dp/3211791914" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Why-Do-A.....3211791914</a> </p> <p>I actually haven't read it so I still don't know why architects wear black! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432510 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:59:15 +0000 Adelfa 1432510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yes, I've always wanted to dress like this! I have in fact veered towards it and when I do, I get criticized at work, not just by colleagues but by clients. Then I veer away because I don't want my clothes to be a distraction. This winter my uniform has been straight or skinny jeans in a dark neutral or dark color, fluid long top in toning dark neutral or color, big cardi in black or gray, and booties or boots in black or a shade of brown. There's just enough variety with the dark colors (and a couple of dark print tops) that people seem to be okay with the uniformity. I think NYC is different from California. Here people expect some color and at least a tiny nod to fashion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432500 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:48:42 +0000 Suz 1432500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a lot of people involved in design (including clothing designers) wear a very simple uniform themselves. This makes perfect sense. They don't want to be distracted by visual noise. Their eyes need a rest. They themselves are the eye of the creative storm.&nbsp;</p> <p>Because my creative work is with words, I feel differently, yet I understand the urge and the appeal.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am also with those who say a turtleneck and jeans would not be magically appropriate to any setting. But is she really saying that? I think her real claim is that it works for most situations that <b>she&nbsp;</b>encounters on a regular basis. Which is probably correct if she is a writer living a casual lifestyle and not working in an office.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;That uniform could work for me pretty much all the time from October to April&nbsp;(with modifications, e.g. layers for warmth, etc.) I would then have to change the top and footwear. And in high summer, ditch the jeans for another bottom.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432488 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:24:06 +0000 Helena 1432488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KM, yes, it is certainly not original - I think for me that is appealing - it's tried and true, it works in a lot of settings, it's generally NOT going to get much of a reaction ... to me these are all appealing; however, for a different type of person, or someone at a different stage of life, as Shevia points out,&nbsp;this might be completely off-putting. Funny about architects; haven't heard of that one!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432481 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:06:04 +0000 Jaime 1432481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been thinking about this, and although the idea appeals on some level, it is not relevant to my relationship with clothing at this stage of my life. Right now dressing for me is an act of improv, using props I have collected from my wanderings, and I enjoy seeing how many different ways I can go while still adhering to some sense of myself. This approach is totally useless for many (most?) people for lots of reasons of course. In another life context I could see doing some version of this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432444 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 12:04:06 +0000 Anonymous 1432444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe people (like Steve Jobs) wear the same outfit everyday like to have instant recognition. We certainly have no trouble recognizing superheroes because they always wear the same thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432384 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 07:02:28 +0000 deb 1432384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for sharing this. What a good read. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform/page/2#post-1432338 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:21:03 +0000 K.M. 1432338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Torontogirl, thanks for sharing this link, it was so interesting to read it (and everyone's take here). I also thought of the Seinfeld episode with the girl wearing the same dress!<br />I've had periods of my life when I repeated an outfit many times if I really liked it. Not coincidentally, one of my recurrent outfits was a black turtleneck with dark jeans or black slim pants. Oh yes, that was in my 20s. And mostly, I repeated the outfit because it is seriously flattering (Alice Gregory notes that in her piece.) And oh yes, I can picture more than half of my friends at the time wearing this same combo. <br />Which perhaps means that, while it might be Alice Gregory's choice of uniform, it's certainly not an outfit of her original creation or a unique badge of identity, but rather a very common, very ubiquitous, very... uniform... kind of look! And I suppose uniforms also imply sameness? <br />I went to a school where I had to wear a uniform. It was simple and modern, not the cool-looking plaid skirts and button-downs of elite schools. I found that boring. We were always trying to circumvent it. <br />And, to Gregory's point on superheroes and children's literary characters: I was always peeved that characters always wore the same thing. I didn't crave continuity, I wanted them to change.<br />OK, let's ask her in 10 year from now! <br />(PS. This also made me think of architects, you know, who always wear black. There's even a book about it.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432186 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:45:58 +0000 shipskitty 1432186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting link. I don't have a work uniform but I do have a formula which is fitted dress, statement necklace, pumps, cropped cardi or jacket. Sometimes a scarf when it is cooler. Most of my dresses, cardis, jackets and pumps work with each other so it removes most of the decision making. Although sometimes I try on 3 different necklaces before I find the one that matches my mood. The variety comes from the combinations and mostly from the choice of shoe and necklace.</p> <p>I like Suz's idea of creating a similar formula (or perhaps a couple) for my casual looks (and casual Fridays) for each season. That would help me a lot both in making my capsules coherent and keeping me on the straight and narrow when I shop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432171 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:30:45 +0000 Anonymous 1432171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have various combinations, if you will, that work well for me and that I repeat over and over. However, I switch up my boots, my jewelry, the shape of my pants, etc. so that the overall look is not the same.&nbsp;I also have toppers--vests, jackets and cardigans--and belts at my disposal.&nbsp;So you could say I wear a&nbsp;top or blouse, a pair of pants, and boots to work and call it a uniform. Yes, but not in the Steve Jobs sense of the word. But then again, I'm not so busy that I don't have time to think about what I'm going to wear tomorrow. And I have time to do laundry.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432114 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:13:20 +0000 Helena 1432114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so interesting - cool to see how different people read and interpret the same things ... thanks all for chiming in!</p> <p>Aziraphale, yes, I think you nailed it - as others have mentioned, I think wearing the exact same thing every day would read quirky at best - but having a tight template within which a person works seems very appealing to me.</p> <p>FWIW, I didn't get a prescriptive tone from her at all; however, having re-read it in the light of everyone's comments, I do see how some of her comments might come across that way. A bit "know it all", in a way.</p> <p>I do feel she had a fair point about how versatile her uniform is (given what I can glean of her circumstances, a 20-something Brooklynite). I know I've worn the same black turtleneck to both the cottage under a hoodie, and to&nbsp;high-end downtown restaurants with dress pants and heels. However, yes, of course, a uniform as strict as her is not going to work in every circumstance.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432108 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:51:49 +0000 annagybe 1432108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Um..she really doesn't hold to her own tenants. She wears it from September to May. Not in the deep of winter, nor in the heat of summer.<br />And she strikes me as one of those types, particularly prevalent of some in their 20's, who "Have it all figured out" and you should follow her lead.<br />Not accounting for peoples' differences in life and experience.</p> <p>I wear a uniform 40 + hours a week, they're called scrubs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432102 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:44:06 +0000 Vildy 1432102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm charmed by the idea of wearing a uniform like a cartoon character. <br />I'd love to know, though, what she wears in New York in July. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-wearing-a-uniform#post-1432090 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:17:46 +0000 Mita 1432090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I have recently concluded that I need a uniform for work, where I have a&nbsp; perfect time-saving, always appropriate capsule. I think its great to save the variety for the days when one has mental space and real time to play but to have great fall-backs for the rushed mornings. Thanks for the article </p>