To wear the same outfit to work everyday

[Adamsants]

I am starting a new job soon..I need to buy new clothes as not worked for a few years as been a sahm. I was thinking wearing the same outfit everyday. Not the exact same....clean but the same Like a uniform. Is this weird? Does anyone else do this....or AIBU?

Men do it all the time.

Do people assume people who work in jobs where they wear uniforms smell? No. People won’t think you don’t wash, unless you smell. Go for it, most people won’t notice.

Work clothes are work clothes and serve that purpose only for me. So they are never worn anywhere else other than work.

Forget about anyone saying it is not a good idea, it is... it is terrific and I have done it forever.

I never ever wear skirts. Why should I? Men don't. So it is an investment to buy five good tailored trousers, two good jackets for meetings that I keep at work. 5 nice tops, and some nice cardigans.

Good leather shoes at a comfortably low heel, or flat. A few nice scarves and other accessories and like others, mix and match, but only from that supply of clothes.

I used to be upfront and call it my uniform, and over the years more and more women adopted the same thing.

@Jojobees

I think a staple work wardrobe of 3-5 bottoms ( skirts or trousers) and 3-5 tops is fine. But not the same outfit 5 times over. It will look like you are wearing the same clothes for 5 days.

I agree with this.

One of the best things about being retired is not having to think about “work” clothes, and especially shoes, any more!

It's just as easy to have a small number of trousers and tops in a few different neutral colours. If they all go together then you can still just pick a random combo each day. Just as easy as what you are considering, isn't it? Without the potential drawbacks of wearing the exact same outfit always.

I'd be so bored after 2 weeks

Do people assume people who work in jobs where they wear uniforms smell? No.

People who wear uniform don't get to choose what they wear, so of course they always wear the same colour shirt, or whatever. Nobody is going to assume anything about them based on that.

I have a sort of uniform for work - I have a pair of boots that I wear everyday with thick tights and a dress - when I'm buying work clothes I always buy dresses that go with the boots and tights - this means that in the morning I don't have to think about it I just grab a dress and I'm done. I also buy dresses that need minimal or no ironing. In winter I put a thermal top underneath because my work place is cold and in summer I have a few dresses that go with some flats - but I work in a school so only normally have a couple of warm weeks due to summer holidays.

I think lots of similar things is sensible - exactly the same is a bit odd, but men do it so should be reasonable.

@Tal45

I wouldn't think it was weird, possibly autistic but not weird.

Excuse me? What's autistic about it?

I also think it’s acceptable to only have 3 work tops and 2 pairs of trousers for the first month of a new job when you’ve not got much suitable clothing to start with. Then you add more the next month when you’ve been paid!

I think it's a great idea and YANBU but I think your colleagues will think you are weird. If you are fine with that, obviously go for it!

When I was in the office, I had a couple of pairs of dark trousers and around ten 'nice' tops - not identical, but all similar in that they were long sleeved, plain or muted pattern, classic. I have no idea whether people around me thought of them as a 'uniform' or not. I have very little interest in clothes, less than that in clothes for work. It was a case of wearing something comfortable and appropriate.

Now I'm WFH I guess my uniform is very similar but the black trousers have been replaced by black, blue or violet jeans

Don’t worry about fashion trends. When you have a small number of work clothes like this they wear out and need replacing perhaps every 3 ish years so you have new things coming in regularly enough that you don’t end up looking stuck in the wrong decade. Also basic works clothes fashion changes more slowly than trendy pieces. - there’s always some version of dark trousers and a coloured shirt or blouse available. Same with shoes. If you’ve only got a couple of pairs for work you’ll be replacing them every year or two.

Yes do it.

You know how much brain energy is wasted on working out what to wear when we go out? It’s a waste of our time.

Ideally, go for the same outfit but in different colours. Then where whatever everyday.

loads of clever people just have loads of the same basics and don’t waste precious brain activity on useless things like wardrobe.

@TheLovelinessOfDemons I would like to know too but doubt the poster will come back and explain.

Narrow minded comments like that really piss me off

@Im2022

Yes do it.

You know how much brain energy is wasted on working out what to wear when we go out? It’s a waste of our time.

Ideally, go for the same outfit but in different colours. Then where whatever everyday.

loads of clever people just have loads of the same basics and don’t waste precious brain activity on useless things like wardrobe.

Oh ffs. Don't be so patronising.

Loads of clever people manage to do their super important jobs, look after their families AND enjoy wearing different clothes, and finding nice outfits. Including me. Luckily I have such a massive brain that I can afford to waste of some of my brain power on such trivial issues.

I think it depends. If it's a fairly generic/neutral outfit - black trousers/skirt and black/white top/jacket, then you're on to a winner!

If you wore the same loud-print dress every day, that might be deemed strange :) I don't make the rules 😂

@IsDaveThere

I think it is a bit weird. Whilst you will know that you have 5 outfits all exactly the same, your colleagues will probably assume you wear the same one every day as you can't afford new clothes!

Men get away with it.

Worked for Steve Jobs! If you have no interest in fashion , that’s fine. You could look at booking a wardrobe refresh at John Lewis or you might be Lucky enough to have a very stylish mate who could help you out. Generally people do stick to a particular style , whether they care to admit it or not! Just buy 1 or 2 outfits until you figure out what your style is. And then invest. 5% of your take home pay is a reasonable clothes budget - if you can afford it.

Since the pandemic we have all been issued with scrubs at work having not had a uniform before and I love it
They are not the most flattering but the fact I no longer have to think at all about what to wear is really refreshing
They also look odd with smart shoes so now I can wear trainers every day too.
What's not to love

If we ever do go back to our own clothes then I can see me creating a 'uniform' eg black trousers, shirt, jumper as it just takes all the thinking and worries about being judged out of it.

[quote Autismandgin]@TheLovelinessOfDemons I would like to know too but doubt the poster will come back and explain.

Narrow minded comments like that really piss me off [/quote]
It's actually because you quoted it that I saw it. They really piss me off too.

Men do this all the time. No idea if they have lots of the same item or just one.

I am a big fan of a "work wardrobe" and (until lock down) only ever wore work clothes for work. Once a non-work item got worn to the office, it was demoted to work wear.

So, I can sort of see your logic for having set items of clothing for work but I don't think it should necessarily be the same things.
I don't think you've mentioned what you're intending to buy / how many of each item, but I would probably get a couple of pairs of black trousers and 5 tops - either all the same style but different colours, or a couple of different styles and colours, as well as a couple of plain black cardies that you can throw over the top of any of the tops if you get cold.
That way you know that those items are your work clothes, you don't need to think about them, but you're moving away from it being the exact same thing and people thinking you're not washing!

Depending on your personal preference for shopping, and sizing, I reckon you could kit yourself out in Primark on a fairly low budget.

Well done on the new job, and whatever you decide to do so long as you're comfortable and happy in what you're wearing, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Good luck!

I do this. Half a dozen pairs of M&S jeans in different bright colour and 10 shirts in different colours. I think the key is making sure you have different bright colours so all the weirdos on mumsnet can see that you have washed

I have about 7 or 8 different coloured shirts that I wear with the same black trousers at work. I used to have a uniform and I loved not having to think about what to wear!

I couldn't give a toss if other people think I'm boring.