I wear the same thing to work every day, and it’s the best. It’s also turned out to be a hugely frugal decision, even given that I bought five new shirts to kick off the experiment.
A few months ago, there was a resurgence of those articles about powerful people who have a “work uniform” of their own choosing. Whether it was Mark Zuckerburg and his grey t-shirts or Barack Obama and his blue or grey suits, everyone featured in these articles in some way credited it with reducing their daily stress and decision-making, allowing them to focus on the bigger picture and save their decision-making power for things that really mattered.
The articles also tended to feature a lot of men, which is why when I saw the feature in Harper’s Bazaar about a woman, working in advertising, who had adopted the work uniform strategy, I was intrigued. More than intrigued – I was sold.
This is hardly an original idea. Consider that men have been wearing suits since the 1920s.
To help clarify why this was so appealing, let me paint you a picture of my work environment. I work on an all-male team, which has been the case in two of my three professional positions. In my current job, my all-male team also happens to dress like they’ve stepped out of the pages of GQ. Keeping up with that standard with a wardrobe of women’s fashions would either:
- Consist of a lot of fast fashion items that lasted me no longer than a few months
- Completely break the bank and derail my savings goals
- Some combination of 1 and 2
None of these were particularly appealing options to me, but I did need to figure out my wardrobe issues.
If at the same time, it helped draw attention away from my fashion choices entirely, that was a great additional benefit. In the past few years I’ve cared less and less that people consider me “fashionable”, and let’s be honest, I have never placed any value on being seen as “cool”. I don’t need anyone to compliment me on how I look, or on a great fashion choice. I need to people to ignore what I’m wearing and focus on my work.
Luckily for me, my team and office are fairly progressive, and many of them had already read articles about this trend – some had even considered adopting it themselves. Even the guys who hadn’t, when challenged, had to admit that “t-shirt and jeans” wasn’t really a major decision they had to make every day. So off I went to the mall to search for my perfect work uniform, in the hopes that it would save me many a mall trip in the future.
I found it with a combination of a silky, boxy-cut top that came in white and black, and a well-fitted pair of skinny black pants. On their own, they’re casual enough not to stand out in a pretty casual, come-as-you-are office, and with the addition of my existing blazers and necklaces, they’re professional enough to take me to any industry event or trade show.
In total, I spent just over $300 to assemble my work uniform to the point where it was a viable option for everyday wear, week in and week out. Because I bought the items new, a lot of people won’t consider it a frugal purchase, but here’s how I see it.
I’ve already saved more than that by not having to buy occasion-specific clothing for events.
Every time I used to go to an important work trade show or event, I would look at my tech-industry casual clothes and think “no one will take me seriously if I wear this.” And off shopping I would go, to hunt down something I could wear to the trade show to feel comfortable. Now, when I’m travelling for work, I pack up my work uniform and am off, no question in my mind that I will look appropriate and be taken seriously.
I would have spent that to “refresh” my “outdated” work wardrobe already.
As I said, I work with people who value their own personal appearance, and that study about becoming the average of the five people you spend the most time with has a nugget of truth to it. I couldn’t help but see how well they dressed and think it was time for me to step up my style game. Luckily, this approach has killed that kind of thinking, because now I look professional every day, but unremarkably so. My wardrobe is given the background treatment I had always hoped it would.
Frugality is about more than just money.
Sure, I spent over $300 on new clothes. But what I’ve gained back in time and sheer agonizing while standing in front of my closet every day is worth than ten times over in my mind. I never have to think about whether I’m dressed well for an important meeting, and I never have to question whether my top works with these pants. My biggest choice is to wear a white shirt or a black one, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m spending on a luxury that makes my life immeasurably better and easier. And if I can’t do that, what’s it all for, anyways?
Reblogged this on How to $tuff Your Pig and commented:
Would you consider wearing the same thing every day? Check out “Why I Wear The Same Thing Every Day” from Halfbanked!
I like the theory and all your reasons, but I must admit I’m not ready for it. I may be able to do it if I started a new job or when I’m much older, but, rightly or wrongly, fashion is too much part of my identity right now. .. well done you, though!
I totally get that – I feel like this is one of those “Heck yes or heck no” type of choices! It’s either super-right for you and feels like the best thing ever, or it’s just not your jam. It’s so awesome that you love fashion! If I loved it as much as I’m sure you do, getting ready in the morning would probably have been a lot more fun, haha.
Not if you need to save money… 🙂
When I was at school I wished we had a uniform for everybody so we`d all be alike and noone would be bullied because of their clothes (as I was – my parents couldn`t afford new clothes for us, so it was all hand me downs).
Another situation where I would want such a uniform (for all or just me) would be if I was old or very big, in short – where I felt I could not partake in the competition I`d rather there was none. I`m not one who needs to win, but I know what it`s like to come last every single day.
Right now, I`m grateful on a daily basis that I can afford great clothes in terms of budget, body and age, and yes, I do get a buzz from getting positive comments on my appearance and wouldn`t be prepared to let this go until I really, really had to.
But in general, I do think your idea is great, and I`m going to re-blog this brilliact article!
I like the theory and all your reasons, but I must admit I am not ready for it! ! Maybe if I was to change jobs and work with all new people or later when I’m much older, but, rightly or wrongly, at the moment, what I wear is very part of my identity. ..
I’d be perfectly happy to have a work wardrobe! I’m not a fashionable guy so I’m content to wear whatever my wife purchases for me. I do occasionally buy myself a nerdy tshirt or two :). Even then I usually rotate the same 5 – 7 outfits. It’s just simpler to have one less thing to worry about!
I went to monochrome black. Love it and now it’s a signature look.
Such a great idea – I think in the future more black is in order, because my white shirts right now seem to be a magnet for salad dressing / coffee / you name it, haha. Luckily they’re machine washable and have been tough so far! Great call on the black monochrome 🙂
Wow, I had thought of doing this years ago and just related it to the fact that I had gone to private school for 13 years and missed wearing a uniform. I may have to revisit the idea! Light and Love, Shona
I did a year of private school too! Just one, but I didn’t mind the uniform then either. I guess fashion has just never been my jam 🙂 let me know if you decide to try it out sometime!
Reblogged this on Declarations of a Girl and commented:
Could you imagine wearing (just about) the same clothes every single day?
It`s a hard one for me. I love the theory of it and agree with every single one of her ideas, but right now, fashion is too much part of my identity and far too enjoyable for me to give it up unless I absolutely had to.
When I was at school I wished we had a uniform so we`d all be alike and noone would be bullied because of their clothes (as I was – my parents couldn`t afford new clothes for us, so it was all hand me downs).
Another situation where I would want such a uniform (for all or just me) would be if I was old or very big, in short – where I felt I could not partake in the competition I`d rather there was none. I`m not one who needs to win, but I know what it`s like to come last every single day.
Right now, I`m grateful on a daily basis that I can afford great clothes in terms of budget, body and age, and yes, I do get a buzz from getting positive comments on my appearance n(I must admit – for my clothes, I get a lot – sometimes half a dozen in a day).
I also turned 40 this year and realise that the days where I can wear most things will come to their natural end in about 10 years` time, so I feel I want to make the most of that freedom for as long as I still possess it.
I love this idea. I don’t totally follow it but I do try to pick classic single color pieces to add to my clothing collection. Then I add my own flair with accessories and other fun things from different travel locations. Knowing that most of my things are mix and match makes getting dressed a lot easier! 🙂
It’s funny, at the same time as I did this I read “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and got rid of a TON of my clothes – conservatively, I’d say around 60%. The stuff I kept for non-work outfits definitely fits what you’re describing – all of it matches, and it can all be easily accessorized. I’ve found it a lot easier to get dressed when everything mostly goes together!
Your cover photo must pre-date this post! 🙂
Hahaha confession time, it’s actually an image from Death To Stock – I couldn’t figure out a good place to put the photo credit, but I’m thinking the bottom of my about page might have to do. Can’t have people thinking I ever wore interesting outfits! Also they are an absolutely amazing service and more people should know about them.
I have fun reading this article. In my position (office), we were required to wear ties every day except for casual Fridays and the summer. A few years ago we got a new CEO and he made every day casual! That was about 6 years ago and I have never wore another tie to work again! I made sort of a uniform since I hate going shopping for clothes and keep using what I have but my wife did think about having a week uniform since that frees up the time to think about other more important things. One thing I noticed is that guys can get away with a couple of pants a week as long as the top is different.
I’ve been trying to update my work clothes for 6 months. I’m very into the idea of a uniform. can i ask where you bought the pants? always on the look out for a good and durable pair of black pants.