Uniform Dressing

UmmLila (Lisa)

I have never liked the idea of a style uniform, any more than I like the idea of a tattoo. It seems too defining, too permanent.

But here's an interesting article from W on all sorts of people who do the style uniform: https://www.wmagazine.com/fash.....-interview

2 years ago

General

31 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

This was a really cool read! I’ve always had this idea that uniform dressing meant “ten of this same shirt and five of these same pants”, but now I see where it can verge into a broader signature style.

I’ve been working to reshape these concepts in my own wardrobe this past year, as I’ve replaced so much of my black neutrals with color and lighter neutrals, and explored some new-to-me silhouettes.

I’ve bookmarked this article and plan to re-read it a few more times.

2 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting. I have no interest in restricting my dressing to a uniform — I enjoy variety and am too much of a mood dresser — but I enjoy seeing people’s reasons and approaches to it.

2 years ago

cat2

Veteran

I confess I have never understood the uniform dresser or the strict small capsule dresser. And I find all of the articles about the freedom of a small wardrobe tedious at best.

2 years ago

Anonymous

Can we first discuss the condition of the floors and bottom of the banquette in that restaurant Fran L is sitting in???

2 years ago

Anonymous

Interesting reading, thanks for sharing it Lisa. I have always loved the idea of having such a singular ,definable style and have admired Tonne Goodman's look for years. I imagine it takes solid confidence in ones appearance and body to let all of the inner critical chatter disappear and allow your clothing to just be part of you. I find it all very aspirational, and inspirational.

2 years ago

Star

Veteran

Great read.

2 years ago

Synne

Veteran

Thanks for this! Recently I have entertained the idea more and more, why don't I just wear a pair of fab light wash jeans and a merino wool sweater in a flattering colour all the time.

2 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I was searching for a clearer photo of Fran’s wingtip boots, and took a quick and delightful dive down this rabbit hole of an article...

https://www.elle.com/fashion/p.....interview/

Lisa P, I’m with you in my admiration of those folks who let the inner critical chat disappear.

I find that - quite honestly - a smaller wardrobe has always helped me keep my focus on more important, creative, relevant things. But I have a magpie spirit that always wants to bring home stuff that I think is amazing or pretty or distinctive. The best days are when I put on something that makes me feel like a million bucks - and then I don’t think about it again until bedtime. That’s why I’m always trying to set some sort of uniform parameters - otherwise I am distracted and drowning in a sea of possibilities.

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2 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

Great article - love it! I'm uniform dresser most of the time but not on that level - very inspiring!

2 years ago

Irina

Veteran

Thanks for the article!
I have a propensity to be the uniform dresser to a degree. There is not a lot of silhouette variations in my wardrobe. I tried to fight it and used to remind myself to add something different so I don’t look like a “one trick pony”. LOL In the past it bothered me that I wear the same pants & crew neck/turtleneck sweater combo from November to June.

I added a dress over pants, a couple of cardigans and a v neck sweater. It’s fine but I have to remind myself to wear it. I’m more OK with it now.

2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting array of uniforms! I think I’m a secret uniform dresser. I keep to the same silhouette quite a bit: skinnies and an apron skirt and tops with interesting sleeves

2 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It occurs to me that to truly be a uniform dresser, you need to live in a climate that’s pretty consistent or have a lifestyle that is not climate dependent (working in an office or retail, with consistent indoor temps, for example). That is so not me! I wonder I can’t relate!

2 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

You should add this to the Link Love thread- great article!

2 years ago

Anonymous

Janet - you're right about a consistent environment helping make a uniform wardrobe work. It's one reason I'm not as successful as I'd like to be.

2 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Without reading the article, none of the pictures are what I picture when I hear "uniform dressing". Signature style maybe? I would obviously have to read the article to understand the point though
I also have zero interest in tattoos, but I don't see a uniform as something that has to stay the same over time. It can evolve with the times and the wearer. As a smaller wardrobe person I do find sticking with a general silhouette/formula (per season) makes things much easier. Until you need to change it up, then it's hard again

2 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I am not built the right way to be a uniform dresser. My 19 year old son is though - although he has a summer and a winter look. When we went shopping to replace some salmon pink shorts that had worn out he was delighted to find an exact replacement.

2 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Interesting read.

I think I tend to be a bit of a uniform dresser in the same way as Irina. I don’t do a lot of variation in silhouette, especially in warmer weather. I’ve spent years trying to find shorts, cropped pants and dresses that suit me, and are comfortable for outdoor wear, to no avail. It’s frustrating and a huge waste of time. So now that I’ve hit on a formula that works for me, I’m going to stick with it.

2 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I am SO drawn to uniform dressing and really enjoy how this article expands the definition beyond just "I have ten of the same turtleneck and jeans."

The idea of reducing choices (and consequently decision fatigue) resonates with me, but I also enjoy creative dressing and know I'd get bored wearing the same thing all the time. I've landed on a hybrid approach with FFBOs that are really more like FFBUs (fast fall-back uniforms!) I'd say I'm a uniform dresser about 75% of the time, wearing all black or jeans and a black top, and a creative dresser the other 25% of the time, mixing in bold statement pieces.

2 years ago

Sloper

Veteran

Thanks for sharing.

A very enjoyable read. I adore reading and seeing the ways individuals adapt fashion to themselves. It's all good to me.

2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Make sure you put this in Inge's link love thread! Good read, thank you

Steve Jobs = THE uniform dresser of them all.

I think that there is uniform dressing, and formula dressing, which Irina and Brooklyn mentioned. Not dissimilar to FFBO's. All three are related, but quite different. The latter two offer more variety.

2 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I've read lots about Lebowitz' specific pieces but this is the first time I've seen anything about her owning Geoffrey Beene's jackets he made for himself.

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Very interesting read! As I've been pondering how to rebuild to a functional core wardrobe in the coming year, I've been thinking of starting with almost a uniform of sorts that I can build on in subsequent years. Not quite so limited as the daily breton top, but simple, and VERY mix and match.

I have to say I find 'dressing' a bit exhausting after the last few years of living in the same black pieces day after day. And I'm not talking interesting and cool black pieces like Jenn's -- I'm talking blah pieces chosen simply because they covered me. Ugh.

2 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I will read the article later with pleasure. Although my first reaction is no, there some aspects of my style that define it. Where is the line between uniform and signature style?

2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That’s a good point Angie makes: I’m really a formula dresser. I follow a pattern but don’t triplicate…

2 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Jenn, I'm really intrigued by your 75% uniform/formula, 25% creative idea. That resonates with me as something that would be practical for my lifestyle and also satisfying...I feel like you've articulated something that I've been dancing around for a while but never able to make happen bc I didn't have the words for it? I'd love to hear more about how this works for you, how it feeds into your wardrobe planning/management, etc.

2 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Fun article, and the all green wardrobe is a scream! I loved my boarding school experience, which included wearing a uniform - so no bad feels around a certain sameness worn on the regular. That said, I am firmly team formula dresser

2 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Uniform dressing appeals to me when I want to focus on other parts of my life. Much as I enjoy fashion, there are periods of time when I don’t want to DO fashion, if that makes sense.

For example, when I travel, I choose to travel with small, light bag so I can easily move around on crowded public transportation. I also want be able to easily walk 10-15K carrying my bag. The price I pay for this kind of freedom is to wear more or less the same outfit day after day. As long as my outfit is functional and appropriate, I’m fine with it.

Oddly, it’s when I’m in my uniform—black cashmere sweater, white T-shirt, black pants, and black leather boots—when I really enjoy fashion on others. Not thinking about my clothes seems to sharpen my interest in paying much closer attention to the smaller details of what others are wearing.

2 years ago

phoebe

Active Member

I thought I had a six part seasonal rotation of "uniforms" but reading Angie's comment I realize that I'm actually more of a committed formula dresser.

I especially liked Fran Lebowitz's description of the evolution of her uniform, and how changes might be subtle. Even if the uniform doesn't change at all, the wearer will!

2 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sarahd8, that discussion might be worth its own thread! If you start one about it, I’ll chime in. Otherwise, I’ll think on it for a bit and write something in a few days.

2 years ago

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