Unlocking the Benefits of a Personal Uniform
Monday, July 08, 2024
People are generally divided when you ask them what they think of the idea of wearing a "personal uniform". Some believe that it limits creativity while others think it's a way to keep it simple when getting dressed in the morning. While I agree that creating a personal uniform helps to eliminate decision fatigue when selecting an outfit, I disagree with the notion that wearing a personal uniform limits creativity. In fact, I believe that it fosters self-expression. In this blog post, I explore the various benefits of creating a personal uniform and share some of my own favorite personal uniforms (you don't need to have just one!)
What is a personal uniform?
When you think of a personal uniform, you may think about someone wearing the exact same thing every day, like Apple's Steve Jobs with his black turtleneck, jeans, and New Balance sneakers. I would consider this the most restrictive definition of a personal uniform. In general, a personal uniform is a set of clothes that you wear consistently. Like Steve Jobs, it can be the exact same outfit. Or it can be an outfit formula that represents a specific combination of clothes, like a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. I would argue that it can even be a specific color palette, regardless of what you're actually wearing. The thread that connects all of the definitions of personal uniform is consistency. However you may define your personal uniform, it's something that you wear on a regular basis. A personal uniform should also be comfortable and make you feel like your authentic self. It's possible to have different personal uniforms, depending on the activity or occassion - You may have separate personal uniforms for working from home, meeting with clients, working out, running errands, etc.
What are the benefits of a personal uniform?
Save Time
One of the most important benefits of having a personal uniform is the time it saves. Mornings can be hectic, and deciding what to wear can add unnecessary time and stress to your routine. With a personal uniform, you know exactly which pieces to choose from your closet, saving you both time and eliminating any decision fatigue. This streamlined approach allows you to start your day more efficiently. The time you save in the morning by wearing a personal uniform can be used to focus on other important things, like spending a few extra minutes with loved ones.
Increased Confidence
Wearing clothes that you know you look good in and are also comfortable can boost your confidence. When you consistently wear outfits that make you feel great, your confidence naturally increases. When you start each day knowing that you look your best, it can positively impact your interactions and overall mood. This increased confidence can extend beyond your appearance into other area of your life as well.
Create a Signature Style
Whether you realize it or not, whatever you choose as your personal uniform is a reflection of your personal style. And since your personal uniform helps you maintain a consistent and cohesive look, by selecting a personal uniform, you've also effectively created a signature style that communicates who you are. Whether it's a preference for elevated basics, bold colors, or vintage-inspired outfits, your personal uniform becomes a statement of your individuality. People will come to recognize and associate you with your personal unform, so take the time to figure out what you want to say through the items that you pick.
Save Money
When you have a personal uniform, you don't spend money shopping for items that aren't consistent with it, saving you money in the long run as you're less tempted to make impulse purchases or follow fleeting fashion trends. This practical yet thoughtful approach to fashion helps you build a wardrobe that lasts and reduces the need for constant updates.
A More Streamlined, Organized Closet
Having a personal uniform can help you streamline your closet and make it easier to organize. You may want to consider removing items from your closet that aren't consistent with your personal uniforms. I would also suggest organizing your closet based on the items in your personal uniform(s). For example, if your personal uniform is joggers and a long-sleeve tee, I would keep all your long-sleeve tees together and all your joggers together.
Examples of Personal Uniforms
I wanted to highlight some of my own personal uniforms, two of which are based on color schemes instead of outfit formulas.
T-Shirt and Jeans
A T-shirt and jeans is one of my favorite personal uniforms because this outfit is so versatile and can worn for almost any occasion, depending on how it's styled. Click here to read my recent blog post on how changing your shoes and accessories can take a single jeans and T-shirt look through a gamut of occasions. Although the quintessential jeans and T-shirt look is probably a white T-shirt with blue jeans, in reality there is so much variety in both jeans and T-shirts that it's easy to let your creative juices flow when deciding what to wear for this particular personal uniform. Here are two options with white and colored denim:
Vintage or Vintage-Inspired Dress
Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved old movies from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, partly because I just loved looking at all the beautiful clothes in those films. Audrey Hepburn is my style inspiration. I loved the beautiful gowns that Ginger Rogers wore in the musicals with Fred Astaire from the 1930s. I loved Grace Kelly's outfits in those classic Hitchcock films. These old movies have influenced my style in many ways, but one way they have influenced the way that I dress is that I love vintage or vintage-inspired dresses. I don't like looking like I'm wearing a costume, but so many of the clothes in those classic films still look so fresh and modern today. And when paired with other classic or trendy pieces, outfits with a vintage or vintage-inspired dress as their base can look timeless.
Here I'm wearing an actual vintage dress from either the late 1940s or early 1950s. This dress was handmade and even has pockets! Even though it's made of cotton and has no stretch, the dress fits perfectly as if it were made just for me. I absolutely love the different shades of blue and have paired the dress with ballet flats for a classic work look.
Here I'm wearing a 1960s inspired chiffon trapeze dress from Ted Baker in blush. This dress can actually be worn backwards and has some lovely beaded detail at the shoulder. Worn with a nude heel to elongate the leg line.
All Black
I wear a lot of black. In fact, as much as I love color, black will always be one of my signature colors. Practical, chic, elegant, and slimming all at the same time, I've been known to wear head to toe black on many occassions. The key to a monochromatic look, especially if it's black on black as opposed to shades of gray and black, is visual interest, whether that's due to contrasting textures/shine level or the cut or design of the various clothing items.
When working out or practicing my dancing, a monochromatic ensemble in black is my favorite look. I don't have to think about what to wear and it makes doing laundry so much easier! Here I'm wearing the Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant from Athleta, which has been one of my go to pants for the last several years for a range of activities and occasions.
The Brooklyn Heights Wide Leg Jumpsuit from Athleta is one the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. Like a dress, a jumpsuit is the perfect one and done outfit. Worn with snakeskin heels, red lipstick, and silver hoop earrings, I feel empowered and sexy in this sleek and comfortable black jumpsuit.
Black and White
For someone who loves bright colors, one of my favorite color combinations is black and white. I've loved wearing black and white for as long as I can remember. Here I am in head to toe black and white at my high school graduation back in 1994 (that's my cousin Melissa standing with me):
I remembered that I wore a black and white vest over a white blouse and black and white houndstooth shorts, but until I found this photo, I had forgotten about the white tights and white patent leather pumps with bows! I even have a pearl necklace. Talk about going all-in on the black and white color palette :). A lot of effort went into this outfit!
My cousin Melissa wanted me to share a more recent photo of us to give hope to all the awkward young Asian women out there ;). Here I am in head to toe black again on New Year's Eve in Seattle (2016).
Here I am in the Athleta Brooklyn Heights jumpsuit with white sneakers and a long-sleeve white tee layered underneath for those spring or fall days when it's too cool to wear something sleeveless. You need to exercise your creative muscle to be able to wear items in your wardrobe in multiple ways for different occassions so don't let people who don't believe in a personal uniform tell you that it limits your creativity.
Here I've taken my all black personal uniform for working out from above and layered a white blazer over it for a going out look when worn with heels, a statement necklace, leather clutch, and red lipstick.
Creating a personal uniform offers benefits that extend beyond simplifying your morning routine. A personal uniform is a powerful tool that can enhance your life by increasing your confidence and helping you to create a signature style, save time and money, and keep a more organized closet. By carefully curating clothing items that reflect your unique style and needs, you can simplify the process of getting dressed while still expressing your individuality. Embrace the concept of a personal uniform and discover how it can transform not just your wardrobe, but your entire approach to fashion and daily living.
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Hi, I'm Roxanne!
Style Coach and Educator/ 12 Season Color Analyst
My goal with The Fashioneaseta is to help busy working women create a sense of ease in how they dress so that they look and feel their best while also saving time and money in the process. Let me help you create a wardrobe that you love of stylish, comfortable, multi-functional pieces that are a true reflection of you.
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