musings on uniform and reflections on 2023

This is an old article but I found it interesting the extremes some will go to to develop their own uniform. The writer purged her wardrobe and found she has 24 pairs of jeans, 50 shirts and 8 pairs of sneakers so decided that was all she was going to wear. Also interesting was the person who only wore white and the photographer who purchased a jump suit for a uniform and her reasons for it.
https://www.glamour.com/galler.....;mbid=soci I guess a person's lifestyle restricts how much a person can do this because a lot of jobs wouldn't allow you to wear sneakers and jeans.
I thought I would try a hiatus from shopping myself (even a ban on thrift shopping) as I have 20 pairs of jeans....skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, bootcut jeans, straight jeans both dark for work and faded for other times, slim boyfriend jeans. This is an 8 month ban until the end of September as a few financial commitments will be finishing then. I do have enough clothes even underclothes and workout clothes to do this, and a solid base of stuff to wear to work. I had two events last week and I knew there would be no overlap of people so I just wore the same thing. I did change up the shoes to the dressier event but it was a bit of a revelation. I have also found if I think differently about what I have I can use things in a myriad of ways. like the formal dress that Angie told me to dress down....I've worn it 3 times already and will start wearing it to work. Will see how I go.

1 year ago

Vildy

Veteran

There's a couple of books I used to own Cheap Chic and the sequel, I think they were, that had features of people who had idiosyncratically narrow wardrobes like you describe. It made them sound so assured.

https://anuschkarees.com/blog/.....cheap-chic

Scroll down for Ingeborg Day. In the winter she wears all black, in the summer white. And, googling her, turns out she is the memoirist behind 9 1/2 weeks. Who knows what these minimalist wardrobes lead to?
ahahaha

jussie

Haha Vildy is right, I think it takes a certain amount of confidence to commit to a narrow “personal uniform”. It really wouldn’t leave any room for mood dressing, and I would so miss that!
However I’m very keen on versatility, and I do get quite cross with clothing items that only work with one other item, my graffiti print pleated chiffon skirt namely.
There’s nothing so wonderful as a good ffbo, sounds like you have found a couple of those lately Sally!

Sally

Sounds an interesting book. I must see if my local library has it.

Tanya

I have always admired people who take uniform approach and like to reading about them, but it wouldn't work for me - I crave variety and would get bored easily.

Good luck with the shopping break!

Sal

Good luck Sally - I agree most of us could go a long time without shopping and still get dressed appropriately every day. I surely could bar one or two exceptions (eg walking shoes - only have one pair, raincoat where I only have one) but with denim (I have three), dresses (lots) and even blazers I would be fine.

Firecracker (Sharan)

It sounds like a useful experiment to avoid shopping for several months. It's great that you've already gained some insights from it.

Jaime

(website)

Definitely depends on your personality whether it sound like a wonderful relief or a stifling killjoy.

@Vildy - I guess that is why people have uniforms or wear the same thing- because they don't want to think about clothes and spend more time on work or other creative pursuits. I"m a little bit the same with cooking as I hate the planning and preparation etc involved. That was an interesting article thank you. There were some great ideas and one paragraph reminded me of LJP's thread about bifurcation.

“There are really only six areas in life you have to dress for. I’ve managed to get it down to three. The six areas are: bed, work, play casual, play elegant, sports, and social obligations. I’ve combined social obligations with play elegant. Sports, work and play casual have become the second category. Bed remains the third."
@Jussie - that skirt would be a great item for versatility. I can see it with sneakers or casual sandals or dressed up with heels.
@Tanya - yes I don't crave variety as much as some people but don't think I could stick to just all white or a jumpsuit every day.
@Sal - Yes I know people who never buy new clothes and have been using what is in their wardrobe for years. They must save a significant amount of money.
@firecracker - yeah I need to write it down and have a set date so I am not tempted to go into a shop. I will share my insights if I make it to 8 months without shopping.
@Jaime - I find it easier when I'm busy not to go shopping so this is a perfect time to do it as my busy year starts.

Star

Thanks Sally, interesting article! In a way I guess I do have a winter uniform; jeans/cords, tissue turtleneck, wool turtleneck, puffer coat, beanie, gloves. Just change up the colours with my mood for that day. Born out of total necessity - cold, like I had never experienced until 8 years ago, when I relocated from South Africa to the Black Sea.

Anonymous

Gotta say, the person that wears only white must be past childbearing age!

I like a uniform for my sleepwear- catburglar black- no exceptions. Otherwise no- as I have such a wide variety of things to dress for and a wide range of temperature to contend with. I do like the idea of formulas for the different activities though.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Sally, personally I love wardrobe items you can dress up or down and I do a lot of that! It sounds like you've successfully caught the bug, which will prevent outfit boredom and help you focus your goals. Good luck!

Thank you Star, Suntiger and Angie
@Star - I had to look up tissue turtleneck. Yes I think it is important to have a good dependable outerwear capsule for cold weather.
@Suntiger - Yes about the white wear. I am also careful where I wear white because of my lifestyle of sitting on the grass and my work environment is not a sterile office.
@Angie - thank you for all your ideas. I would never have considered wearing those dresses in such a casual way or all the ideas on making pants more dressier.

Cardiff girl

Sounds like an interesting thing to do.l bet that you will find it a really valuable exercise,not sure about an all white wardrobe though!

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