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AIBU?

to want a uniform?

65 replies

manateeandcake · 15/06/2016 19:46

I don't mean medic/police officer/flight attendant uniform. I mean stylish clothes that suit me that I can wear most days without really thinking about it. I briefly fixated on this idea 5 years ago after reading a magazine interview with Charlotte Gainsbourg and saw how great she looked in a really well cut plain white shirt and trousers. OK, she's Charlotte Gainsbourg, but you get the idea.

So then my uniform was going to be well-cut trousers and white Tshirt (not Gap). I didn't wear it every day, but within a few weeks the Tshirt had a tomato sauce stain that wouldn't come out and the trousers were baggy round the bum area. I know this doesn't happen to Charlotte!! But WHY NOT?

Fast forward 5 years: I now have 2 DC, including an 8 month old in the midst of BLW. White Tshirts are Jackson Pollocks waiting to happen. But I still crave a "look" that I can put together quickly every morning without thinking and look reasonably good, instead of a wardrobe full of mismatched shite from H&M etc.

Anyone with me? And/or any suggestions for said uniform?

OP posts:
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Nataleejah · 15/06/2016 20:31

YABU
You don't need to buy random mismatched or unfitting clothes. Buy what suits you and makes you comfortable
(Personally i hate colour white)

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MrsTerryPratchett · 15/06/2016 20:36

I'm living in stretchy tube skirts at the moment. Charlotte Gainsbourg I am not.

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OTheHugeManatee · 15/06/2016 20:40

I think the trick with a 'uniform' is to have enough of each item that if one garment gets tomato stains on you have several others that basically look the same.

IME the trick is when you find an item you like and that fits, buy several of it. Then buy more in slightly different colours but still basically the same.

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LaurieFairyCake · 15/06/2016 20:42

Yeah, you need 10 trousers and ten shirts

I buy the same thing every time - a stretchy jersey dress. All different colours and patterns. I wear it with leggings or tights.

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redexpat · 15/06/2016 20:42

Do you have an idea what suits you? If you're not sure I'd really recommend getting your colours and/or style analysed with house of colour. It costs a lot but honestly you save so much by only buying what suits. They do take lifestyle and personality into account, so you end up with the best version of your self.

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acasualobserver · 15/06/2016 20:46

I know this doesn't happen to Charlotte!!

Grin

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LoudBatPerson · 15/06/2016 20:49

I echo what many others say. Find something that you feel comfy in / you like and makes you feel nice and get lots of almost the same.

For me it is checked/ striped loose shorts and slim trousers. Wear a version of that most days, sometimes mixing it up by having the shirt unbuttoned with a vest under.

I think it suits me and it makes me few good.

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LoudBatPerson · 15/06/2016 20:49

Mine should say loose shirts not shorts. Shorts and trouser would be a strange look.

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londonmummy1966 · 15/06/2016 20:50

Gym kit? Seems to be acceptable at the school gate at any time of day and given the splodgy patterns that are so popular these days it will hide anything any DC chooses to imprint upon you....

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toots111 · 15/06/2016 20:50

I wear black dresses to work and a jacket. I have 5 dresses and 5 jackets. Job done.

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toots111 · 15/06/2016 20:51

Outside of work I wear jeans and apparently am obsessed with stripes tops as that is all I seem to have.

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TheGirlOnTheLanding · 15/06/2016 20:51

I seem to have done this by accident. I thought it was hitting middle age and nit being bothered about looking trendy - very glad to know I can explain it in a positive way as you style uniform! Mine is black or navy wide-leg trousers, Bretons, in a variety of colours, and brogues. I am nothing like Charlotte Gainsbourg either (sadly) but I feel comfortable and don't have to think when I get ready for work in the morning. Works for me.

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OnceMoreIntoTheBleach · 15/06/2016 20:51

I know what you mean OP. It take away the decision making!

Navy is a nice alternative to white I think, still has that sort of crispness to it IMO.

Good jeans that don't bag for me are gap and fat face.

Also yy to buying multiples.

Finally a great trick someone I know uses of sticking to a key colour or two (black and grey in my friend's case) and no patterns but subtle embellishments like an asymmetric cut, puff sleeves or an interesting neckline so it's not plain but not fussy, and repeating colours mean they all match.

I have bought several v neck t shirts from fruit of the loom via Amazon, only about £3 each so several white and several navy and they are great. Nice cotton that stays crisp and they aren't tight/stretchy so they look quite smart.

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RubbleBubble00 · 15/06/2016 20:53

I have long tunic tops/shorts wrap dresses - look smart and can be teamed with leggings for casual look or trousers.

I'm podgy, I avoid jeans at all costs

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paxillin · 15/06/2016 20:54

I have 2 versions: straight dress (got 4 cotton for most year and 2 wool for winter) or chinos with Breton top (3 of each). Takes 0 thought process. I like to keep the thinking and decision making for job/kids etc.

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GeoffreysGoat · 15/06/2016 20:56

I have a preschooler and a baby. I live in skinny jeans, converse type trainers or ballet flats and breastfeeding tops. I also own a denim dungaree dress that I wear with leggings if I want to pretend I'm cool. But mostly it's denim and stretch cotton and shoes I can run in Hmm

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SaucyJack · 15/06/2016 20:59

I'm very fond of black skater dresses and leggings.

It might be mumsy, but it's my "uniform" and it suits me.

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LadyAntonella · 15/06/2016 21:08

I'm a SAHM and tend to wear a lot of jeans with loose tops. I'd love a uniform though, as my wardrobe is packed full of so much random stuff! I'd love to be more minimalist. I did make a real effort to cull things and create a capsule wardrobe - sticking to a few colours as a pp suggested. But I kept seeing nice things in the 'wrong' colours and eventually regressed to having loads of random colours. It's annoying as I always end up not knowing what to wear. If and when I go back to work I might decide on a work 'uniform'. Maybe skirts and wrap / peplum tops as those tend to suit me.

So, in brief, yanbu!

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Dailyfuckingsnail · 15/06/2016 21:38

Skinny blue jeans and a variety of well cut black tops. Me, nearly every day. Various shoes; some trainers, black ballet pumps and a couple of 'out there' colours.

Black large square handbag and a black backpack - can suit various work events (I wrk outdoors often). Tan heels in the boot of the car, in case of last minute posher event.

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museumum · 15/06/2016 21:48

You need to buy multiples of whatever works. I have chinos in two colours (navy and beige) and skinnies in three colours (navy black and maroon), a load of similar tops and cardis. They pretty much all go with each other (almost) but some combinations are colourful and others monochrome.

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gunsandbanjos · 15/06/2016 22:14

My uniform of late is navy chinos, a cashmere jumper and a pair of flat leather shoes or toms.

Comfy and semi smart.

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GeoffreysGoat · 15/06/2016 22:25

Cashmere 😂😂😂😂😂

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manateeandcake · 16/06/2016 09:23

OK, multiples it is! I think I was BU in adopting Charlotte Gainsbourg as an ideal Grin In terms of colours, butternut squash and porridge are probably the ones to go for at the moment.

OP posts:
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GeoffreysGoat · 16/06/2016 10:51

Blueberry rice cake colour is quite pretty

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BathshebaDarkstone · 16/06/2016 10:52

My uniform is jeans and a poncho.

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