Thinking of adopting a uniform - YouLookFab Forum

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Thinking of adopting a uniform

Aziraphale

Veteran

Don't worry, I'm not joining the armed forces or anything. But the more I look in my closet, the more I feel like I want to pare down my options. If I'm honest with myself, I'm most comfortable in one of two "uniforms":

1. jeans, shirt or tee, maybe a sweater, and jacket and/or coat
2. skirt and fitted top

I don't think it needs to be quite as restrictive as Steve Jobs's uniform of black mock turtleneck and jeans, or Carolina Herrera's unvarying white shirt and full skirt. But I'm having this incredibly strong urge to simplify my style, and I've already limited my colours and it's still not simple enough. Maybe limiting the formulas is the next logical step. Those two formulas are mostly what I wear anyway.

I would still have an awful lot of leeway with footwear.

What do you think?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hmm, I too could also cut-out, say- dresses- completely and consider that I will be happy with what is left.
But, I am not sure that I want to. Something about wearing items infrequently that creates a specialness to the occasion- think Wedding attire etc.
Agreed that footwear can make a big difference to the feel of a simple formula, but I somehow find the idea of a massive simplification of outfits is like dieting- can lead to a swing in the opposite direction and more dissatisfaction?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Why don't you try it for awhile? Perhaps you could move other items to the back of your closet, or into bins or another room. I think I would make a couple of nice "formula capsule," and then a "occasion capsule," so you would have outlying items ready to go if you needed to dress up.

I think a trial of 8 weeks or so might give you a good idea of what you'd like to tweak.

Me? I'm a variety junkie, although I am finding my style simplifying quite a bit this season.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

There must be something in the air (I don't have the excuse of spring). I feel the same way. I'm thinking of trying to do this for our winter - as you say it's basically what gets worn anyway.

Rather than purging the other clothing I think I will make a holding spot for the things I like but are not compatible with the uniform.

jenanded

Veteran

Interesting I am ADDING to my uniform. After years of wide leg pants slim tops and jackets I have rediscovered dresses and skirts - and feeling good about it BUt I probably will go to similar simplified uniform approach. You can change it up with coloure or fabrics in the uniform...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

The more hectic my life gets the more I wish to simplify the things which are within my control.

The idea of uniform dressing is appealing and in your instance still allows for a range of diversity and appropriate clothes for most occasions. In real terms you would be omitting dress trousers, shorts and dresses, do you have many of these in your wardrobe?

Deborah

Veteran

The idea of uniform dressing is very appealing and I feel that I may be headed more in this direction also. Footwear and accessories can definitely help to 'vary' a more uniformed look as you suggest. I think you can certainly give it a try. I would't discard clothing but certainly see how this works and then you can add or discard as you go along.

Molly L-R

I like the idea of adopting a "uniform" in the way of often wearing the same silhouette. For instance, my favourite "uniform" is an A-line or full skirt paired with a short sleeved button up blouse.

lyn67

Veteran

I think I am few years addicted to my only TWO(!) go to formulas for work:
-1. pencil, top, blazer or vest(sometimes a cardi)
-2. dress with same toppers like in nr. 1.
Casuals is similar+jeans, of course.
Still not easy enough:-).

rute

Veteran

to many persons that works very well, my advice is go for that uniform, but add at least 1 acessorie to make the difference: a scarf, a neckalce or a bracelet!

Sarah A

Veteran

I like the idea of uniforms. While I have never been intentional about it previously I fall to it by default as you noted you do as well. I think the holding zone to try it for awhile is a wise idea. That way if you become tired of it after a spell the items with more variety are not gone forever. And if you love it ... well donate away those unworn items!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

One of the most stylish people I've ever known wore a uniform of black and white. He changed the garments, but realistically, we are talking about trousers, jackets, shirts, coats, sweaters. All in black, with white shirts. He has white hair. He always looked amazing. And always distinctive.

I find it appealing -- but I don't think I could live with it, at least not completely. I like a small wardrobe, but I would miss colour, and I would miss changes for seasons. What I need to wear in summer differs from winter.

bj1111

Veteran

i think there are two considerations...there is style/silhouette fidelity re your two "uniforms". there is also the aspect of limiting the number of items within those "uniforms"--this might be best executed within a capsule.

the uniform is the theory, the capsule is the implementation, at least in my mind.

Julie

Veteran

I have a uniform style of boot cut jeans, tall boots, with a short dress over top; but I don't find it restricting at all. My closet is full of dresses to pick from, I have drawers full of jeans, and over 30 pairs of boots. While my silhouette may be the same, I can go quite some time before duplicating an outfit, unless I want to, of course.

As a bonus, my friends and family can find me from a long way off. LOL!!

Cheers

Julie

Adelfa

Veteran

I love the idea of a uniform, too. (Julie, yours sounds so cool!) I would be fascinated to hear how it goes.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I don't love the idea of a "uniform" because I am creative by nature and can't live with something that boxes me in. I have a "style" that is pretty simple, classic but I would not call it a uniform. I wore a uniform mostly for about 5-6 years when I worked in the office more and I got SO bored with it. That said, I still love navy, even though it was the color of my polo shirts for those 5-6 years -- I just love navy in many different incarnations now.

jayne

Veteran

Absolutely! I fully support the uniform. After finding mine I find it easier to dress, easier to shop and easier to purge!

Kalli

I also support this idea. I have a uniform of sorts and it definitely makes getting dressed easy when you have fewer choices. It also depends on personality, I'm not sure my method works as well for other people. My tolerance for wearing the same clothing item is much higher than others --- either that or I just enjoy punishing myself. I also can eat the same breakfast for months without getting tired of it. Sometimes there is comfort in familiarity.

catgirl

Veteran

I go through periods of wearing certain things as a uniform, then switch to something else. So I'd store away the things that don't fit a uniform capsule, but have them around for a while in case you find yourself bored or craving a change. I am in a maintenance mode right now as far as not adding too many variables to my closet - I find they just confuse me, as I don't really enjoy working out new formulas all the time.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oops, sorry, talk about post-and-run. More like post and disappear for 24 hours. (Some days are like that).

Lyn D. -- interesting reference to dieting. If we're going to use that analogy, then I think I'm safe. I've never been on a diet, but I always exert some control over myself when it comes to eating. I rarely overindulge. So if I can apply that to food, I think I'll have some luck applying it to clothing, too.

Beth Ann -- good idea about the formula capsules and special occasion capsules! Because you're right, I don't want to get rid of my special occasion clothes.

Caro -- yes, I think making a "holding spot" for stuff that doesn't fit into the capsule is a good idea. I think I'll just put everything that doesn't fit into my capsules onto the top shelf of my closet. It's not like it would be all that much stuff. I mostly wear those two formulas anyway.

jenanded -- haha, we're going opposite!

RoseandJoan: you've hit the nail on the head. I have one pair of shorts, no trousers and only a handful of dresses which get worn infrequently (but which I like). So I'm already pretty much wearing one of two uniforms anyway!

Deborah, Molly, Lyn67, Rute, Sarah A, Adelfa, Jayne -- thanks for the votes of support! You guys are the best.

Suz -- you have a point. In Vancouver, we have mild winters and cool summers. There are four seasons, but not quite the dramatic difference you get in most parts of North America. I can wear jeans and a shirt for most of the year, if I vary the footwear and the jacket/coat.

bj1111 -- Ah, that makes sense -- "the uniform is the theory, the capsule is the implementation". I think I need to spend some time thinking about how many items are in each capsule. I might need to cull a few, and flesh out others. But overall, I'm looking for simplicity.

Julie -- do you wear your tall boots under your bootcuts? or do you stuff the bootcuts in? Just curious.

Texstyle -- I'm sure this is not what you intended, but when you say you don't love the idea of a uniform because you are creative by nature, you are implying that I am not. Which, of course, is not the case. Often, the opposite is true -- restrictions can actually fuel creativity. I have no doubt that you are creative too, but being creative and being a lover of variety are not the same thing. You can be one without the other. (Note all the smiley emoticons to show that I'm trying not to be antagonistic!).

Kalli -- I can eat the same thing over and over, too. Maybe not for months, but certainly for weeks. Until I'm well and truly sick of it. I'm occasionally guilty of playing an album to death, too.

Una -- yes, exactly! Too many variables confuse me too. And I am craving simplicity, without being boring. If that makes sense.

Thistle

Veteran

I like the idea of storing what is not part of your current uniform and see how not having those pieces works for you. It's a big step to take, so nice to be able to back track if you find it is not as much to your liking in a few months.

Anonymous

I think a uniform is a great idea for exploration. Looking back over the winter, I wore an over-sized silk blouse or button front shirt with jeans or slim trousers and a blazer or jacket on top most days. Oh, and my striped sweater too. My summer uniform is shaping up to be a pencil skirt, a sleeveless or capped sleeve shell and a denim or safari jacket with ballet flats or sandals. Whenever I try to get fancy and throw a curve ball into my closet I find I need a bunch of other new items to make the new silhouette work.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thistle -- Storing stuff is not something I usually do (I'm usually desperate to get rid of stuff that I'm done with), but I think you're right, it's probably the sensible thing to do.

Claire -- "whenever I try to get fancy and throw a curve ball into my closet I find I need a bunch of other new items to make the new silhouette work" -- SO true. Any departure from my regular silhouettes means new wardrobe holes. Skirts are bad offenders. Once I started wearing skirts a little below my knee, rather than a little above, I discovered that I needed more heels. Flats won't work. And lower vamp heels for that matter. Short boots + midi skirt + petite woman = holy stumpy legs, Batman.