Do you have what could be called a 'uniform'?

[ThePtarmiganIsSleeping]

I've been fed up with trends and what's in the stores for years, I don't suit most of it and don't much like it either. I don't want to be on trend exactly, but neither do I want to stick out like a sore thumb. I want to merge in, but have my own personal comfort and ease with what i wear.

I will be moving soon from a mountainous place to a comparatively flat place. There are hills but nothing like the strong winds and rain of Cumbria. I am so used to outdoor gear, waterproofs and leggings and have a good amount of high quality togs, but they will only be useful for hiking when I've moved.

I will be working in academia, museum related, 52 yrs old. And I will need to update some of my clothing as i have not bought anything in years. After pulling my head apart over this for a while, I came to the conclusion that I want to simplify in a huge way, so that I feel good in what I wear, and that it serves it's purpose, but does not involve a lot of fuss or thought.

I thought about Steve Jobs and how he only wore the black top and jeans throughout his career; mostly as a branding exercise admittedly (he chose Issey Miyake and I can't quite afford that!) but also as a solution for decision fatigue. And i kind of like this idea very much, scaled for a woman, and with a touch more variation.

Does anyone do this, like stick to a sort of uniform of reliable outfits? I would love to know more about it if so, and how you go about it! It doesn't matter what it is, I am just really interested in simplifying it all and choosing what works for me at a pricepoint i can afford.

Yes: Levi 725 and long sleeved slash necked tee shirts. Whe I have to dress up for meetings, black wide legged trousers and slash necked tee shirts.Addis trainers. That’s it. Works well :)

Yes i was thinking something simple like jeans and my favourite top type with a trouser style that works for more formal. I am good for footwear and coats, but still indecisive about the actual in betweens.

It works well for me :) just do it :)

I did when I worked. This was decades ago, though the principle hasn't changed. I had black stretch skirts, black stretch trousers and a variety of plain coloured stretch tops. The point was that everything was machine washable and didn't need ironing! The style would be a little different now (wide legged trousers, longer skirts) ... and there's an even wider choice of fabrics with lycra.

I decided I wanted 'trainers that look like work shoes'. They didn't really exist back then, but I found some. That part's much easier now, as normal trainers are acceptable in most workplaces and there's a huge selection of 'trainers' that aren't for sport.

I also had black stretch jackets. It's a winning formula.

Sort of. Plain cotton midi dresses with a waist, and pumas. DMs in the winter. Crisp fabric not clingy/drapey and often a shirt dress.

When I was working I did: black trousers and colourful patterned tops which conformed to my comfort and shape requirements. Black boots or sandals. Long cardigans in winter.

I don’t but I like the idea

Yes, I’m an academic and definitely have a uniform I default to. I walk or cycle everywhere so it needs to be suitable for that. In winter, wool wide-legged trousers and cashmere jumpers, sometimes over a shirt, biker boots, a parka. In summer, culottes and thin knits and some ridiculously expensive Italian flats. I like dark, smudging colours — green, rust, black. Everything is really old, though.

I’m well know for my maxi dresses and skirts ,many a time a friend has send me a photo of either one with “saw this and thought Happyd would love this “and if I’m in trousers which is very rare ,it’s always commented on

Definitely in summer, same pair of linen trousers, one black one navy. Six blouses from Uniqlo, same cut different colours.
Winter I might branch out into a skirt bit pressed blouse and smart trousers.
When I'm not working I basically wear pjs, or as close to.

My wardrobe is very plain/boring but I never really think about outfits because everything goes together. T-shirts and blouses are all plain, and mainly black, white, cream/beige, navy and dark green. Trousers and jeans are slim straight or wide leg, either black, beige, white or dark blue, denim, linen, wool or cotton blend (suit type trousers).
Jumpers, cardigans and jackets all follow the colour palette, as do bags and shoes. It makes life so easy and I always feel put together.
Gym gear/athleisure wear is slightly separate but I really only wear that for the gym or walks.

Yes, I definitely have a uniform. Black trousers and a shirt in summer, or a vest top with a jumper over in autumn/winter/spring.

Looks smart enough, and I don't have to think about it, and it's very comfortable - no hitching or fiddling or worrying about if my shoes go with my outfit.

That said, I have had a lifetime of being unable to buy clothes that actually fit me and complement my figure (my shirts are made to measure) so I really have given up on anything but looking presentable.

I try but I do find my preferred styles and shapes change over the years, influenced by trends even though I'm not exactly fashion forward. My staples start to feel tired and dated and I move onto something else.

But I'm happily settled for now, back in my 90s uniform of wide leg high rise pants, fitted top and sneakers. A dressier version of the same principle for work.

Yes. Trousers and tops, range of colours, tend to wear in a cycle.
Takes no time, looks smart, no hassle.

Thank you! I love that so many of us strive to do this but in so many different ways. It goes to show that there is no 'ideal' or prescribed way to do it. The freedom from fuss is the main thing.

I sort of have a uniform, but it's more that most of my tops go with most of my bottoms. I also stick to a palette of about 5 colours and only buy things that will make at least 3 outfits. That eases lot decision fatigue as there will always be something ready to wear. Simplifying footwear is pretty liberating - apart from occasion shoes, I just have a couple of pairs of white trainers, black boots and a pair of summer sandals.

A pair of black trousers and several tops. You can never go wrong with just shoving ob a pair of gooß quality black trousers

Black trousers, shirt in men’s cuts (usually muted colours, but I have some bright ones), brogues or Dr Martens.
When its really hit, wide legged linen trousers, black t-shirt, converse.
I need to be comfortable, and dresses are a no-go if you occasionally have to crawl under desks

Yes I’m an inveterate dress wearer. Winter - wool jumper dresses, some slouchy, some slim fit, some roll neck, some v neck - but all super comfy. Summer I wear - linen shifts, tea dresses, pure cotton print tunics etc.

I used to have a uniform. I loved it, it suited me and was so easy to put together.

Baby cord fitted trousers in blue, black, grey and brown. Mine were all from Eddie Bauer, as my uniform was started after a US trip and then I was able to find them cheap here. Great quality, so comfortable.

Button down collared tops from TW.... Something or other. Thin and light with nice patters.

Merino jumpers in navy and grey, I think they were from Gap.

Brogues.

I wore that for about a decade!

Yep, I have one style/cut of shirt from fat face in different colours that I wear for work with two of one pair of trousers and one pair of leggings, plus one style of bamboo strappy top from BAM. it makes getting ready much easier in the mornings.
normal clothing I have one m and a slash neck top in different colours and one style of jeans, and one style/brand of leggings plus any baggy T-shirt. This has evolved over a few years but I now just pick the same each time in different colours

Yup!

Autumn/winter/spring: cashmere jumper + trousers.

Summer: t shirt and linen blend trousers.

Throw on a little jewellery = done.

I own multiples of the same top/bottoms. But I also have different colours for variety. Now and then I’ll wear a skirt/jeans/dress, cardigan/blazer.

It’s cut down the time angsting what to wear. No one has commented that I wear a similar outfit each day. When I try buying something else, it sits unworn in my wardrobe, or I spend the day fussing as it ends up not looking right as day passes. It’s a waste of money for me. I appreciate it’s not for everyone.

I do love people watching and seeing/admiring everyone’s outfits. Even if I can’t do that level of variety.

In some ways. If I don't want to think about it, I wear whatever shape of jean I like (at the moment it's mostly barrel leg but I just bought some flared Levi's) with a tucked in block colour or stripy t-shirt and colourful trainers. That's probably 3 days a week. But I need a bit of variety and, of course, it's been much too hot for jeans for weeks in large parts of the country. I've had to branch out into denim shorts, light and floaty wide-leg trousers and dig out some old dresses.

Today for example I'm wearing thin rolled-up straight leg jeans, a Uniqlo Marimekko navy stripe t shirt and pale pink Converse. I just swap out the different items a lot like those outfit-builder dolls from the 80s and 90s.

Yes.

In winter, it’s dark, wide-leg jeans, a blouse or shirt and a tank top. Lambswool, crew neck jumper (usually Community clothing - washes brilliantly), if really cold. Chunky heeled boots or ballet pumps. Long classic coat or short puffa

In summer, wide, linen trousers in white, navy or beige. Linen shirt, Breton (boring, but I don’t care) top or ribbed vest. Birkies or heeled, wedge sandals. Unstructured, linen dress, if it’s really hot.
I don’t think any of these outfits are on trend, but they are classic and they suit my lifestyle.

All black, all the time.