When I asked on an online group what people thought about the idea of a uniform for women, the responses varied. When I asked personal friends, who know me and my personality (not just through my blogs!), I got a range of answers, ranging from "wear whatever you want" to an in depth explanation of two people at my high school who do the same and who are well loved students. I got a resounding "no" from a couple friends as well.
Being attached to my best friend, her answer held the most weight. I've always admired her drive and motivation- two things which I often lack- and her sense of style is impeccable. So when I asked the question,
Being attached to my best friend, her answer held the most weight. I've always admired her drive and motivation- two things which I often lack- and her sense of style is impeccable. So when I asked the question,
What would you say if I decided to wear nothing but jeans, a black shirt, and one of two pairs of a neutral- colored shoe every single day?
I expected nothing but some variation of "that's a stupid idea."
But that's not what I got.
Instead, I got a different perspective on the uniform that I had never considered.
When an Australian man wore the same suit every single day for a year, no one noticed- or cared enough to say anything. But in an interview, he explicitly mentioned that his female co-host would never have gotten away with the same thing. And he's right- there is a significant amount of pressure on females to dress the way that society tells them is acceptable- and that includes varying colors and styles.
An answer I found particularly interesting in my informal poll talked about hygiene, stating that wearing the same thing every day might lead people to believe that I don't care about my hygiene or that I never change my clothes. And I had to face this as a very prominent reality.
Still, the idea of a uniform appealed to me. And so, here, I give you the modified uniform for women:
Essentially, this means that my "uniform" is really just a formula to getting dressed for differing occasions:
But that's not what I got.
Instead, I got a different perspective on the uniform that I had never considered.
When an Australian man wore the same suit every single day for a year, no one noticed- or cared enough to say anything. But in an interview, he explicitly mentioned that his female co-host would never have gotten away with the same thing. And he's right- there is a significant amount of pressure on females to dress the way that society tells them is acceptable- and that includes varying colors and styles.
An answer I found particularly interesting in my informal poll talked about hygiene, stating that wearing the same thing every day might lead people to believe that I don't care about my hygiene or that I never change my clothes. And I had to face this as a very prominent reality.
Still, the idea of a uniform appealed to me. And so, here, I give you the modified uniform for women:
- One to two pairs of dark wash jeans in two different cuts
- One timeless jacket- leather, wool, or another good quality fabric- with a solid fit and for varying temperatures
- The desired amount of t-shirts in the same fit, but with different colors and patterns. I have chosen to keep 12 (I will, hopefully, pare this down later) v or scoop neck t- shirts of a close fit in varying neutrals and soft pastels (blue, pink, and purple).
- One black dress pant and one suit jacket (jacket optional)
- The desired amount of nicer shirts in varying colors and styles, all with a good fit and quality. I've chosen a golden longer shirt that belts at the waist, a red shell top, a vibrant purple top with copious ruffles at the top and gold threads in it, and a black and white deep v neck turtle shell print shirt (for all intensive purposes, when color is just too much).
- One pair of flats, one pair of sandals, and one pair of heels. You may wish to cut out one of the former two, depending on where you life and your lifestyle. You may also wish to add boots to the list.
Essentially, this means that my "uniform" is really just a formula to getting dressed for differing occasions:
- Casual: dark wash jeans, a jacket, a t shirt, and neutral shoes of my choice, dependent on weather.
- Formal: dress pants, a nicer top, a suit jacket (optional) and a neutral shoe of my choice, dependent on weather.
- Black Tie/Very Formal: dress pants, a nicer top, a suit jacket, heels, and jewelry, dependent on personal choice.