The Case for Uniform Dressing

I would never limit myself this way because I would find it boring. I thought some of you might find this WSJ article interesting:

The Case for Uniform Dressing - WSJ 5/26/16, 12:59 PM
http://www.wsj.com/articles/th.....38;mod=cx_ Page 1 of 7
Many of us have a morning dress routine. It involves moments of
doubt at a mirror, a last-minute shirt switcheroo, and a questionable
choice of footwear in the race out the door.
Imagine eliminating the hassle: Calmly slip on a simple outfit in the
morning. Tomorrow, repeat. The concept isn’t far-fetched. The
solution lies in defining a personal uniform that can be easily
maintained and infrequently updated.
Matilda Kahl discovered her formula soon after she arrived late for a
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LIFE STYLE & FASHION ON STYLE
The Case for Uniform Dressing
Some women simplify their lives by wearing the same look every day; ordering 15 blouses at
once

morning
meeting
after
dallying
over attire—
which still
felt all
wrong in the
end.
Longing for
the ease
with which
her male
colleagues
dressed, she
went
shopping
and defined
her own
work look: a
stylish
white silk
blouse,
black slacks
and a thin
leather
necktie.
“I love fashion. It’s a huge interest of mine,” says Ms. Kahl, a Sony
Music manager who recently moved to Stockholm. But thinking about
fashion every morning was too time-consuming. Four years later, she’s
preparing to refresh her wardrobe for only the second time. Having
worn short sleeves for two years, she may go with long sleeves this
time, buying 15 blouses so that she has a full two-week rotation. Ms.
Kahl wrote about her experience in an essay on HarpersBazaar.com
last year.
Uniforms don’t need to be as strict as Ms. Kahl’s. They can incorporate
the same silhouette in different fabrics or different pieces in the same
fabric, such as a group of matching skirts and pants. That simplifies
decisions without eliminating them entirely.
Uniformity, of course, is what the business suit was meant to
offer, and it worked for men for decades. But women’s versions of
the business suit are far from ideal. A woman’s daily choices of suit
cut, color, blouse and jewelry can be trying. Also, in many women’s
offices, a suit is unnecessary or sends the wrong message by projecting
too much formality.
Matilda Kahl in her work uniform. PHOTO: @LILLTRILL/INSTAGRAM
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Steve Jobs arrived at his own workwear solution, a look tailored to the
casual tech world. His black turtlenecks branded his image, proving
the truth in the words of musician David Byrne: “People remember
you better if you wear the same outfit.”
Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg wears his hoodies like a
uniform. Embattled Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is known for
her professional uniform of black turtlenecks under black pantsuits.
If you feel yourself rebelling against the uniform concept, consider the
approach of the late author Jackie Collins, who kept a closet full of
dozens of black tank tops in her Beverly Hills home. She rotated them
beneath jackets she had custom-made in varied colors and fabrics, but
always with the same sharp-shouldered silhouette.
Australian art curator Juliana Engberg, former director of the
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, has been wearing versions of
her uniform since the 1980s. Back then, she needed a look she could
wear to hang paintings by day and schmooze with collectors by night.
Her look came to life as a woven black Comme des Garçons shirt
paired with black linen slacks.
These days, she has shirts and pants made by a tailor she met on
vacation in Thailand. She orders up a new batch before the last one
fades (a particular problem with black apparel). “I have them made in
bulk because I can’t stand shopping,” says Ms. Engberg, who recently
moved to Aarhus, Denmark, to direct its efforts as a European culture
capital in 2017.
People who have settled on personal uniforms say their co-workers—
and even their families—rarely seem to notice them. The effect, much
as with school uniforms, is to bring the focus to the person rather than
the clothes. “No one ever talks about what I wear, except my shoes,
and that’s exactly how I want it,” says Ms. Engberg.
Ms. Kahl negotiates a discount for buying in bulk, 15 blouses at a time.
“You have to ask for the manager,” she says, noting that she spends
less in the long run by not shopping for work clothes for 18 to 24
months.
The most important rule of the personal work uniform: Know when to
fold it. Ms. Kahl didn’t wear her uniform when she interviewed for her
current job. Instead, she wore a white blazer and attention-getting TThe
Case for Uniform Dressing - WSJ 5/26/16, 12:59 PM
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shirt with a lion design on the front.
“I own the uniform,” she says. “It doesn’t own me.”
So how to assemble a work uniform? Seek brands that repeat looks
each season while rotating fabrics, colors and prints. You want to
replenish the wardrobe every 18 to 24 months without re-inventing
the wheel. Think of it as your two-year wardrobe.
For instance, California-based Equipment has a collection of blouses
in three primary silhouettes and a variety of office-ready silks,
cottons, and prints. “The Shirt” from designer Rochelle Behrens—
which has hidden buttons at the bust to prevent the fabric from gaping
open—is sold online in a variety of fabrics and colors.
J. Crew’s Paley pant has been around for five years, according to a J.
Crew spokeswoman. Its medium rise and sophisticated fabrics make it
an adroit office choice. For a longer length, try the Campbell. The
brand’s pencil skirts come in variety of fabrics, so you can have a
different look every day while wearing virtually the same thing.
Rotate several versions of the same thing, such as these Equipment silk blouses, which come in
a variety of colors and materials. $214 at Equipmentfr.com PHOTO: EQUIPMENT
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Invest in several pieces that will help transform your uniform for
more warmth—and power. An excellent tailored jacket is essential.
Don’t be stingy here. Try on terrific tailoring: Consider it an
educational exercise that will improve your shopping expertise. Then
work your way down to what you can afford. At the very least, you’ll
learn what $1,500 can buy.
Start with Alexander McQueen’s slash-pocket blazer, with its
feminine-but-not-girly curves, slimming edges and ice-sharp
shoulders. Or look to The Row for slightly softer tailoring and an
understated look of ease. For more edge, there’s Maison Margiela.
High-quality jackets will serve for years if cared for. Spot-clean, use
good hangers and dry-clean as rarely as possible. Look for firm, tight
shoulders, fine stitching and fabric that doesn’t wrinkle when you
grab a handful and squeeze. (Yes, squeeze that fabric!)
Shoes are an avenue for creativity and fun. Stock up with several styles
that will match your mood, travel and dress-up needs. Consider a lowheeled
pump for endless-meeting days, an Oxford loafer for kick-back
Swap out similar pants like J. Crew’s Campbell model, which comes in other colors. PHOTO: J.
CREW
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afternoons and a metallic power heel when the workday extends into
evening. Hey, if your office is loose, go for Puma Match-Lo sneakers on
Friday—and try them with that McQueen blazer.
Write to Christina Binkley at christina.binkley@wsj.com
Invest in a tailored jacket such as Alexander McQueen’s slash-pocket blazer, with feminine-butnot-
girly curves and ice-sharp shoulders. $1,995 at Saks Fifth Avenue. PHOTO: ALEXANDER
MCQUEEN
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Inject creativity with shoes, such as Chloé’s Mensy python loafers PHOTO: CHLOÉ/SAKS FIFTH
AVENUE

8 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Interesting read. I enjoy uniform dressing for work. ,it makes the day easier for me. So I do buy in multiples for this reason. I have multiple shoes boots jeans and tops. That is why I'm so varied in my personal time.

MsMaven

I read this article this morning and intended to post a link to it. Thanks for beating me to it.

I've been thinking a lot about uniform dressing lately and definitely want to find my own uniform. Generally I work at home, and don't need a variety of looks or clothes. When I go our or go to a meeting or conference, I tend to fall back on a uniform look in which I feel comfortable and don't have to worry or fuss about my clothes. I don't understand why business or professional women have to present a changing fashion show every day--as though we were still in Jr. High. (Still haven't gotten over the trauma of 8th grade at Irving Junior High school when I found out that real girls don't wear the same dress two or three days a week. No pants allowed in those days, but I digress.),

I'm just not sure how to go about it. The article does give me some ideas though.

annagybe

(website)

I think when it's by choice it's one thing. They still look different than their cohorts.
But when mandated I think most chafe at it. ie, me in scrubs.

Style Fan

It sounds great in theory but I like planning outfits. It is a creative outlet for me. A form of art. I wouldn't do it unless I had to. And then I would rebel.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Does that mean you don't love all the varieties of printed scrubs to express your individuality, Anna? Just look at these beauties <http://www.scrubsandbeyond.com.....-Tops.html>

BrieN

I think I fall somewhere near a uniform, but not exactly.
I like having planned FFBOs that I can choose from.
I don't care how many items in my closet a new purchase can go with - I only care if I can make one top-notch, best outfit from that item.

Muffin

My husband actually sent me that article this morning! He is something of a uniform dresser- blue or gray suit, blue shirt (sometimes white), tie. Definitely makes his mornings easier. I vacillate between loving the idea of a uniform (yes, please to Equipment silk shirt and perfect pants/jeans) and loving the creative side of putting outfits together.

heather.enhui

Active Member

@annagybe when I was a nurse in mandated-white I looked enviously at other hospitals who allowed printed scrubs. When in a new workplace and wore printed scrubs I looked enviously at the managers in their business casual. Now I'm a case manager and often think how easy it was to throw on those scrubs.

I love a uniform formula for like 80% of my work wear and 20% for creative surprises. My work colleagues, who are all fairly young and very into fashion, love to see the 20%.

Anonymous

I saw this post. It inspired me to make opaque white crew neck tee shirts the foundation of my casual and weekend uniform (all white, different cuts). It is working, but I have to admit after just a few weeks, I am bored.

The white tee shirts are purely an experiment born out of a curiosity as to whether I could make it work. I do like the idea, but the practice is limiting. It certainly takes resolve.

kimlee

When I first joined YLF (nearly 6 years ago), I quickly discovered that I was dressing in a uniform - trousers, a blouse and a cardigan of some sort. While I love having a uniform to fall back on, as my style has evolved, I find creating new looks fun and exciting. I do rely on a uniform for busy morning. However, that uniform has evolved as well - I swapped trousers for skirts, and cardigans for more fitted jackets.

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