A change of uniform...my thoughts

As some of you may know from a prior post, I am trying to incorporate dresses into my usual workweek "uniform," which generally consists of 1. Dark jeans, 2. Blouse 3. A blazer or sweater. Day after day.

Snoozeville, am I right?!

I have been finding it unexpectedly hard. First it took weeks to find any dresses I even like on me. Then I had to buy all new underthings and slips. Now I have to figure out toppers and shoes and leggings vs tights and such.

I was starting to lose hope this morning. Maybe wearing dresses is just HARDER than wearing jeans. After all when I wear my usual "uniform" I barely have to think about it at all.

Then I had a revelation. (Okay, it's really pretty obvious but to me it felt like a revelation.) Dresses are only hard FOR ME because they're not currently part of my uniform. Maybe my current uniform was hard at first too. I thought back to an earlier time...a time when I was struggling with PPL, the right height heels to wear with bootcuts....then back to my struggles with what shoes to wear with skinny jeans and how to balance my top and bottom halves with the more bodycon silhouette...and how to wear boyfriend jeans....etc, etc, etc.

Long story short, I overcame my earlier struggles...so I think I can do this.

7 years ago

Anonymous

You will do this. Sometimes it takes time for the eye to adjust to the look or body to the feel of a new type of garment like it takes time to get used to bangle bracelets, sandals after winter boots, or even rings. You will find your dress style.

With any change theres a lot of trial and error, and once you've figured out a formula styles change and you have to start over! That being said, theres not really any wrong or right per se, as were all so individual. There will be wrong for you, which you may find out in the fitting room or duringthe course of the day. There will be wrong for a situation or your climate, which can change when you move or have lifestyle changes.
But through the changes there will be overall patterns, those shapes, colors, patterns that feel harmonious and those that feel wrong. That goes beyond trends, climate or lifestyle. What were those characteristics in the old uniform that feel right as you move into dresses?

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Maybe it would be easier if you just try to figure out one style of dress at a time. Minidress vs midi fit and flare would need a different kind of shoe, topper, slip- it could get confusing.

Jane

I’m with Jessikams, one step at a time - I really struggle with big (to me) shifts in my wardrobe and can only really have space in my head for one shift at a time! I need to wear things abit (several days over a few weeks) to know if I really do like them. But when it’s resolved it is a good feeling!

Cardiff girl

I’m sure that you can but I concur with the two above ,prehaps pick one dress shape at a time to tackle.

rachylou

No really, that’s so true. And honestly, I find that just buying a new pair of pants or something can throw everything off. Because cuts have changed or the like. All of a sudden my tops will be too long or short or whatever!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

YOU CAN DO THIS.

Need a little adjustment - AND the right footwear.

Bijou

Yes, you can do this. Dresses are my uniform, I love them and it takes less time for me to dress in dresses than it does with jeans. It just requires the right support act.

Hopefully Angie's post on shoes to wear with midi skirts and dresses helps. I often look at Net-a-Porter to see how they style items that are not working for me.

cindysmith

Yes you can!

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