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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wear the same outfit to work everyday

263 replies

Adamsants · 07/01/2022 13:50

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?

OP posts:
zingally · 07/01/2022 16:30

A woman I work with does this. Every day it's black trousers and a plain shirt in varying shades of blue.

I wouldn't be something I'd want to do personally, but I can see it's a great way to reduce some mental load by completely taking the decision making process out of it.

woodhill · 07/01/2022 16:30

I tend to wear long sleeved t-shirt tops with trousers or a skirt, I have 3 varying navy ones and some other colours then a cardigan of some description

I don't find dressing for work particularly easy

dudsville · 07/01/2022 16:31

I think if you enjoy clothes then that's great, and if you don't want a variety and prefer to wear the same things every day that's great too. It's a weird sign of modern affluence to have a huge wardrobe, but that in itself isn't cool or stylish. If you have an outfit you like then wear it with pride.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 07/01/2022 16:33

I have 5 pairs of the exact same trousers, they were £6 a pair in the Next Sale so I stocked up. I wear with different shirts and different blazers.

FrankGrillosWrist · 07/01/2022 16:35

Einstein did.

CaitoftheCantii · 07/01/2022 16:39

I do this (work in professional sector) no different to any other uniform, so don’t get why people would think you only had one set of clothes and didn’t wash. Makes life easier and most of us wear black anyway…

WonderfulYou · 07/01/2022 16:43

A few people I know do this and it is such a great idea!!

Their bottoms and tops are slightly different but they’re always the same colour and I honestly couldn’t tell you if they were wearing the same thing yesterday or not.

However I wear different clothes every day and the kids are quick to tell me that I’m wearing the same top as I did the other day.

When you wear different things people subconsciously take more notice and can tell how often you wear it but by wearing very similar things people don’t seem to notice at all.

WonderfulYou · 07/01/2022 16:46

Also ignore the posters saying they think you don’t wash - in RL no one would think this unless you were smelly or your clothes were dirty.

Annasgirl · 07/01/2022 16:49

Well Vera Wang does this and I’m sure no one thinks she is weird or has no interest in clothes or has autism 🙄🙄

Christmas1988 · 07/01/2022 16:50

My husband wears suit trousers and a white shirt everyday. You could do the same, black smart trousers and a clean blouse.

Divebar2021 · 07/01/2022 16:53

I enjoy planning all my clothes so I think it sounds practical but exceptionally boring. I think even a capsule work wardrobe sounds boring but would be a solution rather than identical / similar items.

IGoWalkingAfterMidnight · 07/01/2022 16:54

I always wanted to do this since I read this article:

www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a10441/why-i-wear-the-same-thing-to-work-everday/

EasyBreezy · 07/01/2022 16:56

I do this. I work mainly with men who i doubt notice/care and as long as i dont smell i dont really care. Such a stupid thing to judge someone by and anyone that judges me for it would probably be too shallow a person for me to give a monkeys about their opinion anyway.

StrongerOrWeaker · 07/01/2022 16:58

I can't see why not if you are happy with it. kids do it at school.
Will you get a uniform per season ( cold/ mild/ hot weather)?

FFSAllTheGoodNamesAreGone · 07/01/2022 17:09

I have 6 work tops that are all the exact same style just different colours so that you can see I have changed and washed, same with trousers. It's easy, they suit me and I'm comfortable. Works for me.

mumof2exhausted · 07/01/2022 17:14

This post is so frustrating/ my husband wears a navy suit and white shirt every day. No one assumes he doesn’t wear clean clothes everyday. But us women folk must obviously make an effort to look different every day. Absolutely ridiculous

housemaus · 07/01/2022 17:15

I'd pick 3-4 plain outfits I really liked and just wear them on rotation so it's not exactly the same each day (makes me think of Steve Jobs - or if it's a white shirt/black trousers, a school uniform).

There's a fine line between chic capsule wardrobe (love it, love a very plain capsule) and 'that's weird' unfortunately - if you mix it up a tiny, tiny bit, people won't notice in the same way.

Also, if things are patterned it's more obvious so go for good, well-cut plain things.

So, like:

  1. Black trousers
  2. Fitted jumper
  3. Nice skirt
  4. White shirt
  5. Good all-round dress, plain
  6. Boots
  7. Flats
(8. Comfy heel if you wear them)

That's a fair few outfit choices there from 7 (or 8) items. Give me a budget and I'll find you the capsule wardrobe of your dreams, I bloody love shopping for people!

Twinkleylight · 07/01/2022 17:15

I've got 4 identical blouses in different colours, ditto trousers and skirts. I find what suits me and lifestyle and then buy similar. It's obvious that I've changed but I'm wearing similar style clothing. I also have a few smart jackets that I wear over a casual outfit or jeans to make it semi smart for work. Add jewellery and accessories and you are done.

It might be worth booking a free stylist session at John Lewis to find out which styles and colours suit you. Once you know, you can shop around different shops for affordable pieces.

Adamsants · 07/01/2022 17:17

I have now ordered a few clothes......but basically I am going to do it..same trousers...not sure abothe tops..have a few on order and will decide then..get the one I like best in different colours....black loafers..hopefully sorted

OP posts:
ThePlumVan · 07/01/2022 17:21

So you mean like Barry B. Benson ??

I worked with a lady who had a baggy short sleeved jumper in 5 different colours - she worn one a day with black pants.

I suspect she had 4 pairs of black pants to wash and iron per month and nothing else Envy

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 07/01/2022 17:21

5 different tops which mix and match with say 3 different bottoms and a couple of jackets would be just as easy and would stop people thinking you've not washed them. Whilst some people may not notice I wouldn't be able to bear the thought of even one person thinking that.

ThePlumVan · 07/01/2022 17:22

Envy = definitely envy !!

UniversalAunt · 07/01/2022 17:24

Aim for a capsule wardrobe, a few neutral basics & swap out a clutch of tops/plain fitted tee shirts until you can afford more. No need for suits or expensive dresses.

Keep everything pristine, polished & well pressed, you’ll look like a minimalist professional.

A pair or two of plain black or navy trousers with a bit of Lycra so they don’t bag or crease, & can go in the machine once/twice a week.
Plain black ankle ankle boots, bit of a heel, polished every morning.
Plain neutral wool mix (so machine washable) thin jumper & a cardi -black/grey/navy & another shade for colour pop.
Several white/neutral tee shirts that fit & flatter.
Couple of plain fitted shirts - bit of Lycra to keep shape - to match trousers & another for pop of colour.

Thin black ankle socks/trouser pop socks - everyday socks are a giveaway when trouser legs ride up.

Pick out & treat yourself to a lightweight flattering scarf that you can wear during the day for style & warmth.

All this you can get as a co-ordinated shop at Next/M&S/JohnLewis/Gap etc.

You can wear this collection, circulating the trousers & tops, for a few months until the spring/summer colours come in & you can afford more. If you need a work bag, keep it plain & simple, some mock leather bags are very stylish & not ££.

An easy update is to work out which seasonal new colour suits you & grab a few items from M&S to ‘refresh’ your look. M&S usually has a simple button up cardi/linen shirt/tee & shirts in most of the new colours.

Less is more.

Itonlytakesonetree · 07/01/2022 17:25

@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?
I do this although it sort of varies itself over time. I wear black jeans and a plain black jumper everyday with black trainers. I buy 5 of the same jumper, but if one has to be replaced, I obviously don't buy 5 new and get rid of the other 4. However, the new ones are usually the same ish in terms of style/length and obviously colour.
BoredZelda · 07/01/2022 17:26

People will think you don’t wash.

Do they think this of men who wear the same looking shirt and tie every day?

Or school kids who wear the same uniform every day?

Or is it just yet another standard applied to women.

I have a dozen very similar tops that I wear with the several pairs of black trousers every day. I couldn’t care less if people think I don’t wash. That’s their stupidity.