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?

Anyone who gives a shit about it is not worth listening to.
But the OP asked for opinions - should she only listen to posters who agree with her wearing the same clothes every day? Or perhaps consider mixing things up a little?

I wore exactly the same clothes for two years- no-one cared
You can't actually know that for sure. We had someone at work who wore the same things every day, sometimes changed the jumper. Interestingly it was the guys who noticed and talked about it. She was blissfully unaware of those conversations thankfully. Should it have mattered? No. Did people talk about it? Yes. Very wrong but back to OP asking people's opinions and that is what she is getting.

@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 have 4 pairs of the same style of trousers in two different colours (2 pairs of same colour) and lots of same style with different print shirts - so easy. I also have the same style and cut if dress but again in slightly different colours and prints. Makes my life so much easier. I don't care what people think - I looks smart and always clean and non-smelly!!

At least buy different colours!

I doubt people will even notice what you're wearing.

Sexism in action.

Man wears black trousers and blue shirt every day. No one comments.

Woman wears black trousers and same style blue top every day “
She doesn’t wash “

Most men I know who have to be ‘smart’ wear the same version of black suit trousers and a pale coloured shirt every day

OP, when I went back to work after having my first DC (and so had limited time in the mornings) I worked 3 days a week and so bought 6 dresses and rotated them. I don’t think anyone noticed or cared.

If you can work from home even one day a week in your new job, won't need to wear a similar outfit then.

Nothing wrong with what you suggest and the point made about what some men wear is well made.

"People will think you don't wash". Err no, people will not even notice what you're wearing. If I saw a woman wearing a black skirt and a white blouse every day it wouldn't even occur to me that she was wearing the exact same one without washing it every single day. Do people really think that anyone gives anyone else this much thought?? Everyone else is thinking about themselves, just like you and I are.

Depending on your budget, and your decision on what you’ll be wearing, I can highly recommend charity shops for workwear. I have found really good quality back trousers and tops cheaper than Primark, and it also saves that clear ‘I went out and bought this brand new for work’ thing - maybe that’s just me though. Black trousers and basic work type wear is very common in charity shops and you’re almost guaranteed to find it, unlike anything else specific - which indicates also folk do go buying a ‘uniform’ of sorts.
Enjoy the job though and don’t worry too much - I could rarely tell you what someone has worn at my workplace.

For work I normally have 2/3 pairs of trousers and a few tops that I wear each week.

I did have a friend I used to see at festival who always had the same outfit on, she once pointed out that she had lots of the same tops and trousers. I had never even thought about it.

If it's good enough for Barack Obama.... www.fastcompany.com/3026265/always-wear-the-same-suit-obamas-presidential-productivity-secrets

[quote Livelifeinthebuslane]If it's good enough for Barack Obama.... www.fastcompany.com/3026265/always-wear-the-same-suit-obamas-presidential-productivity-secrets[/quote]
Didn't Steve Jobs also wear the same thing every day to use his creativity on something other than choosing what to wear each day too? Maybe I just made that up!

Just get the same thing in different colours. Have "work clothes" on rotation. Don't see how that's any more difficult than having the exact same clothes.

I do what it sounds like you are thinking of.
Pair of black shoes. 3 pairs of black or dark grey trouser (all straight cut, full length), and then maybe 10 tops - usually bought in multiples of matching style but different colours.
So, currently I'm cycling through 3 v necked jumpers (purple, blue, black), and any of my summer tops under a black cardi. In the summer I'll move to 3/4 length teeshirts - those are a bit more varied: some with patterns, some plain. A wrapped one, I think.

It makes it easy, as everything goes with everything and I know I've got the range of motion needed to do my job. Dont need to think at 6.30 when I'm getting dressed in the dark about what I'm doing! although I did get to mid morning before someone pointed out my cardigan was on inside out one day

@WorldAtlasOfTea

My boss does this - black trousers and white shirt. But he's male so no one bats an eyelid.

Until you get the man with the dirty grey-white over-washed shirt sat next to the man with the crisp white pressed shirt

I do this and I give no shits. I have better things to think about. I wash, I clean my clothes, and I smell good. If someone wishes to define me as ‘weird’ for doing exactly what many successful MEN do in order to reduce decision fatigue (look it up, Obama is one of the famous examples) then that’s on them.

Surely people will only think you don't wash yourself or your clothes if there is an unwashed smell or visibly dirty clothes?

I like your idea. Makes it easy. I had 2x black lingerie sleeve tops and 2x navy long leeve tops. Wore with either grey or purple cardigan. Necklace on top. And either black or grey trousers.

I wasn't public facing, I didn't have to spend time thinking about what to wear or what didn't match. Tops were clean each day, trousers got a few wears because they weren't dirty and didn't need washed every time I wore them.

Unless someone at my work wore something out of the ordinary for them (eg guy who wore t-shirt wore a shirt, or someone was in shorts) then nobody noticed clothes. Bobody talked about what people wore. It really wasn't talked about.

Just noticed someone else mentioned Obama (haven’t read the whole thread). The idea is that we have a limited capacity for decision making in our day before we get tired. Anything we can make habitual and remove decisions from, the better. I work full time, I have a hobby business, and I study. I have zero time to mess about worrying about minor things like competing in some sort of fashion parade at work. I’m there to do my job not to be a performing peacock. I think many women would do well to prioritise their life and stop spending so much time worrying about what other people think.

I do have a work wardrobe.
Black trousers and a variety of different tops

You’ll look like you don’t rate the job enough to get dressed in the morning. Ok for till work, not so much for most jobs.

I'd rotate the tops around (I have same tops in different colours) but no one notices or comments when I wear same jeans most days. Or if smarter, black trousers.

So only tops you need to rotate if bothered.

I think it probably depends on your job. In some jobs it matters more how you present yourself. In some jobs it is more practical to stick to certain clothing items. Do what works for you, OP. I'm surprised there has been so many posts against the idea.

I wear the same types of items for work daily (black jeans, polo shirt, jumper in winter, tough and sensible shoes) because of the nature and locations of my job (agriculture related). I suppose if anyone was keeping a daily eye on me, they might suspect I always wear the same 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I do change daily so who cares.

I find it hard to even imagine wanting to do this because lovely, interesting clothes make my life so much better. And no it has nothing to do with what other people think of me. I love choosing an outfit even on a day I won't see anyone.

All the men I've regularly seen in a work context wore a variety of things too. Even if you wear similar things like trousers and a shirt, there are so many colours and patterns, and then the addition of jumpers, jackets etc.

And would you not want to wear different clothes based on the weather and how cold it is? I wore much warmer clothes this week than last week for example.

Then again, if you really want to wear identical outfits every day then do and ignore what anyone else may think.

Mix up the colours and styles a bit or people will think you either don’t wash/change your clothes or have no imagination.

I think a capsule wardrobe is ideal if you want a sort of uniform; choose 3 colours that all go well together and styles that go together eg 3 pairs of black trousers, 2 navy trousers, 2 tan tops, 2 navy tops, 2 black tops, a tan cardigan, navy jacket, black poncho etc.

It’s good to find a style and colour that suits you but I’d vary it daily.

I think it's fine.

Does anyone really care so much about what others wear?

If so-why?