When doing the uniform, do you chuck the rest?

ironkurtin

http://www.goop.com/journal/get/3/my-uniform

There are definitely days when I am very drawn to a uniform idea. My question is, what do you do with items you own that don't fit the uniform? Must I chuck, uniform purists? Or may I store?

12 years ago

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Anonymous

Wow, it she looks good and it looks super easy but I would get a little bored with just gray and black. I think she has an outlet from that because she gets to play "dress-up" at work.
I think you could decide on a trial period and store your stuff. If it works out then purge away, if not bring it all back.

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Eh, I chalk it up to needing something different from the usual today... like ice cream and pizza for breakfast. Not that I ever have or anything... Or like shocking the barista with an order of full-fat latte with whipped cream and sprinkles from an inveterate drinker of espresso doppio, taken straight. Just a bit of fun for the day.

12 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Absolutely do not chuck non- uniform stuff! Have a uniform capsule, if you must, for those days when you want to put the brain in neutral, but keep the other stuff for occasions when you want to break out of the routine (and they will occur).

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ok, I get the appeal of a uniform, but chucking everything that doesn't fit into a uniform formula just sounds a bit drastic to me. Uniforms are great for FFBO options, but as an everyday routine, it would bore me to tears. I do not want to look the same everyday. Of course, YMMV.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I guess it depends on why you want a uniform. If you want fewer clothes & simplicity then you probably wouldn't keep much else. If you want FFBOs for the busy days then you would have these plus your other stuff

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Caro said.

Personally, I'd get bored. It's not that I really wear all that many more silhouettes. But I would crave colour.

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

IIRC, your pre-fitness/weight loss work wardrobe was based on a limited color palette and much more interesting cuts/lines/fabrics/styles and shoes than this woman has. But it had inner coherence, so wasn't it a uniform of sorts?

I imagine as you plan a life and wardrobe in a different climate that your new stuff might be along the same lines (dark solids, white, textures, drape) but warmer?

FFBO probably makes people more comfortable than saying *uniform* which to me suggests a Team Minimal highly curated wardrobe. If stuff doesn't fit within the vision, are they orphans or do they make capsules?

Just have fun!!!

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I think I may have developed a uniform - tapered trousers, blouse, sweater - BUT I haven't defined it down to colours or materials. The "tapered trousers" could be skinnies, or leggings, or crops. The sweater could be a fitted jumper or drapey.

It's more an outline that I fill in, if that makes sense. GP's uniform is really... uniform. Like a school uniform. It sounds like literally the same skirt, top, and coat every day, with a change of shoes...

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I read once that Jamie Lee Curtis only buys clothes in black, white and grey too because they were flattering colours on her and everything could mix and match. She felt it totally simplified her life. I thought at the time that this was nothing short of brilliant. But I honestly don't think I could do that. It requires too much discipline and I'm too easily distracted.

I like Runcarla's idea of having a uniform capsule but keeping a few other pieces on the side for when you crave them.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I'll be the weird one here and say, if you are going to embrace the uniform, then store the rest. To me the appeal of a uniform is being appropriately dressed for your daily activities without having to think about outfits or what goes with what. You put your focus on other aspects of your life.

I did something like this when I travelled for six weeks with a black skirt, black pants, and a few tops (same style but in black, grey and white). It felt oddly liberating to not have to think very much about my clothes for the duration. The other odd part was that it was the one time when I always felt quite appropriately dressed whether I was climbing over ruins, riding a bike, dining at a restaurant, or going to the theatre. Strange, but true.

12 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I like the idea of a uniform for the cooler weather. Basics can more easily be dressed up or down with shoes and jackets.
During warmer weather I crave more colour, and am more likely to wear a skirt or dress or shorts instead of pants and leggings.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I'd not want to be so conformed to a uniform that three wasn't room for a variety of shapes and styles.

12 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

I suggest you store those items that don't fit the uniform. You may tire of a restricted palette, especially as the seasons change.
And you may find that the colours you have chosen don't sing for you as time goes by.
I wear a uniform of sorts these days in that my 60+ skin and hair looks best in whites, greys and neutrals. I am glad that I wore a range of colours in the past when they suited me.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I don't see a reason to toss unless space is an issue. Store stuff while you try out the uniform. Maybe in 6 months you'll be dying for other options and glad they are in a box somewhere to be brought back out.

12 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I like the idea, but it doesn't work for me in practice. I personally couldn't imagine trying a uniform while switching climates. . . until your living there you really never know what will work or you'll need, so I would store, not toss for the first year, maybe two unless you have way more things than your new home can hold.

12 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I get the uniform thing but then when your party clothes are borrowed haute couture gowns it really doesn't count right? I don't think it is realistic for most of us.
I think of Angie's closet (or yours really IK) as a well curated group of capsules. You can definitely see a similar vein of style running through all the outfits yet not technically a uniform as there is variation in color, structure, etc.

Having actually had to wear a uniform (with slight variations in shirts) for two years - I hated it.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I rather love it! I have been exploring colours since joining YLF but I fond myself going back to my neutrals. I bought a coral jacket a few months back which I just sold on Ebay with the tags still on..had the jacket been black or grey it would have been a workhorse! I do crave variety but not necessarily colour so I think that is where accessories come into play. Having said that, it is nice to have options that are completely different to your "uniform" forward the mood strikes:)

12 years ago

stefani

Active Member

I'm really drawn to this idea. And I already don't have much variety in my wardrobe simply because I feel like only a handful of styles/colors really flatter me and/or are ones I'll actually wear. On top of that, I don't like visual clutter, so getting rid of the rest wouldn't pain me (and I've actually been slowly working on this very thing.)

I think it depends on your own style whether this will work for you and what you would do with those items that aren't part of the uniform. It would probably be best to store the items away until you know if you can live without them or not!

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Well judging by the Google images search I did, she does not follow her own edict. Although I have a very low tolerance for her so I am biased.

Although if my basics were from The Row, I'd wear them all the freaking time.

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I like the idea of a uniform, and I do wear common formulas in a season. But I do crave variety. I think it is all about personal tolerance level how much variety a person's wardrobe needs to make them happy.

12 years ago

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