Wearing a Uniform

According to this article from today’s Calgary Herald, the secret to “stress-free, low-cost style” is adhering to a dress code. It’s more the “stress-free” that appeals to me than the being stylish. I’ve actually read about this idea before: in my book “Simplify Your Life”, the author says she only owns navy suits, black shoes and white tops (or something like that). I mean, it would make it easier to get dressed in the morning…

Could You Love Yourself in a Uniform?

Here are the pros (and cons) of becoming a clothing monogamist

1) You're Already Half Way There. Do you keep buying the same thing over and over? Whether it's grey cardigans or red stilettos, you've already begun stocking up on the building blocks of what can easily become your personalized uniform. Instead of feeling embarrassed that you just bought a turtleneck that's (almost) identical to the three stuffed in the back of your sweater drawer, consider it a sign that you need to head out and buy another one. You, my seemingly absent-minded stylista, are actually subliminally in tune with your fashion core. Do you always gravitate toward certain colours, textures or cuts? Take pity on the poor wafflers, drowning in wide-cut, low-cut and super-skinny jeans and pat yourself on your boot-cut butt. You obviously know what works for your specific figure and lifestyle. [So instead of trying to force myself to buy colours I’m not normally attracted to, I should just stick to the black and red that I love? Nice!]

2) Hocus. Focus. Of course, there are those whose wardrobes appear to have been put together by someone suffering from multiple-personality disorder. A Sybil's closet runs the gamut from madonna to whore and every conceivable look in between. She's got one of everything, but nothing goes together.

You need to edit your clothes [which reminds me, I still have to plan that Clothing Exchange!] – but where do you start?

First, make a list of the items people (friends and strangers alike) compliment you on. Then, make a list of the items you love to wear. Where the two lists converge lays the germ of your uniform. Take a few of these combos out for test-drives and see if the compliments continue. At the end of a month, you'll be able to declare a winner in your Combo-Off. [This is something my colleague tried/is trying, it’s a great idea!]

3) Try Multiplication. In this economy, it seems totally self-indulgent to buy more of any one thing, whether it's a car, a TV or some dining-room chairs. But adopting the Costco philosophy of buying in bulk may well be the most cost-efficient approach to stress-free dressing. Once you find a brand and style of shirt that works with your monkey arms or super-short neck, scoop 'em up--you will never find the Holy Grail again. Same for jeans, camisoles, jackets, skirts and little black dresses. This is how fashion editors (and most men... Dockers, anyone?) shop. Still unconvinced? Think about your favourite pair of shoes or boots. When they finally bit the dust, didn't you kick yourself for not buying more than one pair? I have black Prada loafers that I paid the insane sum of $425 for back in 1997. Those shoes make me look and feel like a million bucks, which is almost what I would pay today for a replacement pair. [I want to buy less, but when I do buy, I want to buy more expensive stuff that I love – sale racks are great but not if you buy something you don’t really like…]

If, however, you need to ease your way into buying in multiples, start by buying the same perfect thing in different colours. If you like Theory's classic dress shirt in white, buy another in black. […] Once you find the perfect cords or jeans for you, buy them in every shade you can. A pair of Martin fit skinny pants just arrived at Banana Republic for fall that you'll be wearing for years. Get a pair in black and a pair in grey. Yes, they retail for $110 a pair, but the cost per wear (or CPW) will pay for itself before you run out of paper towels and are back at Costco.

4. Learn Private-School Smarts. Look closely at how the Gap is marketing their school uniforms. It's all about using accessories to personalize the canvas, a trick every private-school girl learns quite quickly. Whatever your basic building blocks might be, punctuate them with necklaces, scarves, cuffs, hosiery, hats--the bolder and the more "you" the better. And don't forget hair and makeup. The plainer the uniform, the more freedom you have to make a real statement with your crowning glories.

5. You Must Commit. Like marriage and parenthood, you can't do this half-way. Say your uniform is 501 jeans and striped, boat-necked, long-sleeved T-shirts. If you only rock it once or twice then revert to being Ms. Style-of-the-Moment, people will think you have either money or hygiene issues. But if you have the self-discipline to stick with it, after a few weeks you will transcend the fickle finger of fashionista-hood and become a bona fide style icon. (Just make sure you embraced the multiplication theory and really do own more than one shirt or pair of jeans.)

6. But Don't Do it Like Mao. While it would be so easy to get dressed every day if all your options were winnowed down to a single perfect ensemble, there is a certain monotony that creeps into uniform dressing. Even cops have to take off the badge when they're off duty. The antidote might be as simple as dividing your day like the pros. When you're on call, you wear your uniform. At night and on special occasions, send in the tulle. Pull off that turtleneck and revel in the trendiest slip of a dress. Unlace those Chuck T's and strap yourself into silver gladiators. Unbutton that shirt and take a wrap dress for a spin. Cross the fine line between style statement and blank conformity.