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.

Absolutely. I have a whole wardrobe of Ralph Lauren boat neck cotton midi dresses. The varying patterns go in the sale all the time. I am autistic and the irony is not lost on me that I dress exactly the same every day.

For me its Coast, Laura Ashley and Boden Pinafore dresses all in dark colours, either velvet or fine cord and a choice of tops and shirts that work with most of the dresses. DM boots and thick black tights. I then have black, red, and navy cardigans, all wool and only in colours that compliment the dresses. That said, that is for Mon-Fri.

For summer- dresses all similar shape but different colours

I like vintage clothes and have far too many things I could choose to wear in my spare time. Used to enjoy thinking about it, but getting lazy with this so contemplating how to simplify.

I would say in summer I’m usually found in a me & em midi dress now, sleeveless, fit and flare, type, so easy, cool to wear and don’t need to wear a bra.

in spring and autumn I’m more jeans or wide leg trousers and either sleeveless shell tops or long sleeve fitted fops. As the harsher weather comes in the tops get switched out for slouchy cashmere jumpers. Jeans tend to me H&M, Reiss or me and em.

so id say yes a uniform of sorts, but season dependent.

I wear jeans. Blue and black. White trainers or black boots. Uniqlo skipper blouses in dark colours ( green/navy/grey) for about 90% of the working week.

Not in the slightest, my wardrobe is totally chaotic!

Jeans - usually Levi’s. Bootcut, straight and some wide leg. Cashmere jumpers. Woollens ( and woollen dresses ) from sezane. Long sleeve thermal tops from Uniqlo.
I don’t do so well in summer.But I live in Scotland so don’t need so much summer stuff

I’ve had my colours done and I’m a bright winter. I have a selection of wide leg trousers, blazers and camisoles/T-shirts and cardigans in the neutral end of my pallet for work, and T-shirts, vests, cardigans and jeans in the brighter end for casual.
My job is quite formal and my personality lends itself to cheery outfits so it works for me.
Some things cross the divide though, like my silver trainers or my grey angora cardigan.
I find knowing my colours means most things go with each other and I tend to feel good in them.

I’ve just been sorting out to do this for autumn. I found some really comfy tops that will go with either jeans or leggings. I got five, all different colours - 3 plain for daily use and two that look suitable for evenings out. I will get some ankle boots for when the weather changes. I just need a couple of nice cardigans for colder days to go with them and then I’m pretty much set. I already have jumpers for winter that go with jeans or leggings for when it gets really cold.

I have an actual uniform for my job so this will just be for weekends and days out. It should make life much easier than having to think too much about the clothes for the day.

Yes! Black trousers and normally a M&S tshirt. I prefer slash neck in green or burgandy but black or white also do. I go for linen trousers in the summer. I also have an M&S blazer I can throw over if needed for super smart meetings. Levi 90s style mom jeans if I’m not at work.

Yep! Crisp white boxy t-shirts, dark blue mom/boyfriend jeans (still rolled up at the bottom because Gen Z aren’t right about everything), Nike TNs 😁

When I have to look a bit smarter: same t-shirts, trousers… plain black or white AF1s (depending on season)

always have my nails and eyebrows done to try to suggest I’m less of a scruff than I really am 🤣

Yes, thinking about it I do generally always do the same thing. I refuse to go black trousers for work as it's just what we ' have ' to do. So work is short skirt dark tights and vests in summer jumper in winter. Weekend tends to be short dress, or denim mini and tights or leggings and t-shirts. All sorts in the wardrobe but always wear the same, it's a comfort thing maybe

Jeans, long sleeve T-shirt and a fleece.
very boring
very functional

I have a uniform for work so those days are even easier.

What’s a “shell top”?

Yes, sort off. Only because I have a limited number of items. So for example, I only have 4 pairs of trousers (jeans, navy wool, joggers, linen), 3 jumpers, 2 cardies, 5 t shirts, 3 summer dresses. The limited amount means that I don’t have decision fatigue at all and I only have clothes that I love to wear. It’s kind of freeing tbh.

It helps that I only go to work one day a week and I wear the same outfit week in, week out. No one has commented (except my mum!) on how I always wear the same clothes.

Yes and it’s quite boring. Wide legged jeans or trousers, leather belt, a striped, boat neck t shirt and a cropped round neck cardigan. Trainers. Sometimes a scarf.

I have loads of other clothes but this is what I wear 90% of the time so I’m trying not to buy other stuff. Just better quality.

I like, and feel I look good in white tops and blouses. Just feel it makes my face look brighter. I don’t own anything black but have a range of jeans and trousers - all blue. No stripes or much pattern and am a bit overweight. Splashes of colour with small cotton scarves or sometimes waistcoats. Clean hair, some make up and silver jewellery and I’m done!
Finding the colours that you like and suit you makes everything simpler!

Wide leg trousers (different colours and textures) plain top. Dressy top if going out.

Yes.

Gym wear morning and evenings as ds is a swimmer and I use gym, walk or watch (and it’s cooler when spectating)

daytime I work in education.
I wear smock style dresses knee length to shin length.
or knee length or long skirts with a t shirt.

winter with tights and boots.

summer with flats.

I wear cardigans (knitted winter and light summer)

Its so much easier just to get up and get dressed and if you plan well you can have it don’t all mixes and matches whatever combo you’re wearing.

I then have some other outfits for weekends and holidays which aren’t “uniform”.

Sort of - but it's dresses. In a wide variety of colours and fabrics. Pick a dress in a fabric suitable for the weather and a print suitable for the occasion. Add a jumper or cardi that goes and some appropriately coloured tights. Done.

Short shorts and crop tops in summer. Even now at 36. In fact, only started this in my 30s as I didn’t have the self confidence in my 20s despite being objectively hotter.

I hope to continue wearing short shorts and crop tops into my 40s, 50s and beyond. I just feel so comfortable and ‘me’ in them! 😎

Yes,

Jeans with good quality plain T Shirts in Navy or Black (Autograph do a fab £30 T Shirt) in Summer, swapped for a black round or high necked Cashmere sweater in Winter.

I then add simple stylish (usually Silver) jewellery, and a burst of colour in the form of belt, shoes etc.

i have a wardrobe full of other clothes but always seem to revert to this ‘uniform’ because it just feels me !!

Jeans and a cashmere sweater in winter, usually with a long sleeved thermal underneath. Andia Fora trainers or boots.

Cotton or linen loose trousers in summer (or shorts) with a vest and a linen shirt, never a blouse. If it is very hot, a big loose dress with pockets. Sandals or espadrilles or Toms.

And because it's Cornwall and I have a dog, I have a vast selection of waterproofs. This summer is the longest I remember without needing to wear any.

Spring/Autumn - Canvas trousers with a plain or checked linen top and cute wide toe trainers.

Summer - enormous cotton maxi dresses with wide leg cotton under trousers. Plimsolls.

In the depths of winter in town - wide leg wool or velvet drop crotch trousers and a luxury knit with a t shirt underneath. Doc Martens. Jodhpurs, a flourescent riding jacket and Keen hiking boots for country wear, which is most of the time.

Yep. I’ve always had work ‘uniforms’ that changed over the years depending on what I liked wearing.

The last few years it’s been -
Wide leg, high waisted, tailored trousers
Silk blouse
Blazer
Flats of some description

Work wardrobe is neutral - black, white, dark navy, stone and camel.

It makes getting dressed so easy, I look smart and feel comfortable. No faffing about putting outfits together.

Leggings or joggers, vest, hoodie and big boots. I dress for comfort these days!