*Oh, come on, I'm like 2 weeks overdue for a JH homage. At least it's a break from my "Mad Men" obsessing, no?
As a (credit) card-carrying adult, liberated from the tidily, too easily categorized halls of high school (CAN I GET AN AMEN?), of course these lines now blur, often intentionally so. Other bloggers like LPC describe it here more eloquently than I can, but long story short long at the ripe old age of thirty-one, I'm both comfortable in my skin and usually no longer want to be tidily identified solely by that (yuppie) exterior.
This morning, however, I awoke to the same anxiety about work / sleep / personal-stuff-I-will-get-int0-eventually-here that has been plaguing me for weeks, looked my closet in the . . . um, hanger? . . . , and decided - today is the day that I need a uniform. Not the conservatively fashionable one I usually agonize over, but the one outfit I don't have to think about, that will take me to work today and to play tonight and be appropriate for all of the above.
Much as I try to resist the overly prepster look or even "preppy blogger" label, today I'm embracing my Claire Standish roots, fitted pink cardigan, Lilly dress, pearls and all. I've working the slightly rock star purse too just in case Judd Nelson* makes an appearance, but bad boys aside, I'm confident and ready for the student government meeting or, less thrillingly, that pile of discovery I need to get out. Sometimes the superficial labels & clothes can be a good thing, even (especially) if just for the day.
*Or better yet, Steff from that other Hughes classic - any guesses?
What's your uniform?
25 comments:
AMEN!
I have no idea what my uniform is. I am still figuring that one out.
This is so funny because I was just composing a post about uniforms, Carolina Herrera as a woman who has perfected the uniform.
For work- skirt suit, tiny gold hoops or pearls, or a dress and a jacket. BORING>
Summertime- dress, big earrings, bangles and gold Jack Rodgers. Mix of hippie and preppy, I suppose.
I will wear whatever it takes to get a John Bender type. Sadly, I end up mostly in sensible pants and shirts. So,so flashy...sigh...
I'm no longer working for the man so that meas - Jeans, crisp white shirt, leather belt with silver buckle, mules, King Ranch Bolsa bag with handcarved initials, graduated silver beads and silver cuff.
My uniform? Banana Republic tan pencil skirt, white crisp Oxford, and brown heels with my pearl earrings, cross necklace, and wedding band.
I'm a plain jane.
I've always thought Trevor looks uncomfortably like Steff, but then someone told him he's a dead-wringer for Blaine, which puts me in the crosshairs of his protagonist v. antagonist gaze. I guess the plus side of that is that both men rocked a white suit... since we know that look is so practical these days.
My uniform is a cute & comfy dress. I have several (as long as laundry is up to date) that I rotate and they are no-brainers. So even if I've had no time to primp, I can throw one on with some sunglasses and be out the door in an instant looking decent. A good trick I've learned since kids came along.
Dresses and skirts in the summer with flip flops, pants and long sleeved button downs/ boots and jeans in winter. Except this winter, I'm going for more skirts and boots.
I'm all about the dresses these days, less thought than matching pants and shirt. Plus I usually remember to accessorize the dresses but usually space out on jeans or pants. And then the shoes, oh way more shoe options with dresses. In a pinch a summery dress, leather flats and a couple of silver bracelets.
hmmmmm, I'm going to have to think about my uniform. love yours!
business like - tory burch, pearls, spanx... throw some hanae mori on me and some pug hair and you have my uniform!! xxxoo
Either a cute dress with fun accessories (bright jewelry, etc), or an Anthro inspired skirt with plain tee and nice jacket, or slacks with a fun top. I work in an office where (previously) everyone was supposed to wear slacks and or a suit every day--but my new boss (bless her!) came from the super casual world of advertising, and if she gets to dress casual (for us at least) them I will too! Plus, I've never found a suit that doesn't make me look like I'm playing a bad game of dress up in my mothers closet. And yes, I've had them all tailored.
I'm sure at some point I'll have to bite the bullet and go back to my corporate wardrobe, but, for now, loving that I don't have to!
I agree -- I try to add in a little individuality with the accessories, but sometimes, especially for work, it's nice to throw on a suit/dress that looks good and you don't have to think about!!!
Oh Mel, I know there's more to you than that preppy chick. I bet you could rock just about any look, but I have to say...I was watching TBC the other day and saying how much I still love Claire's ensemble, particularly the boots! My current uniform is bermuda shorts and an array of tanks that I change into several times a day due to baby messes. Ah ha
My summer/pregnancy wardrobe has been cute, comfy dresses with cardigans. I'm ready to establish a new (post-baby) fall uniform, though...can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!
Aw, Mel, you are such a doll to attribute any inspiration to me. I would have known you liked the complex identity route, if I'd had to guess. Just something in your tone. To a certain extent, I was inspired by you and young women like you. It's a long road and the capacity to absorb a few zigs is a useful one. To make your own uniform. Again, thank you so much for the nod.
Stay away from Steph. He's mine. I need a uniform too!!!!
Love it!! Working at the hospital I had my favorite pink flare scrub pants...white t..and my fav lab coat. pretty boring...hope you have a great weekend! = )
It's too easy to fall into a rut or just become someone you didn't think you were. When in doubt, pearls and a twin set never disappoint. I just turned 40, and I hate to say it but the questions don't get any easier with age.
Our office is pretty casual so during the week I am a flip flops (or flats), jeans, and cute top kind of gal. I've got lots of great jackets for fall and I'm hoping to dress it up again when the weather turns chilly. It just feels nice to dress up sometimes.
Jeans are pretty much my only wardrobe staple. I wear them all the time. I have rows upon rows of them. I love them. I can sleep in them.
I need a uniform bad. Something comfy but chic for the stay at home mom/writer/dog walker. The shlump look is not making it for the mom who lunch that live around here. You just gave me a great post idea thanks!
Great post, pretty one! At the mo I can't seem to remove myself from some slim navy joules capris - I wear them far too many days in a row but anything you can roll around the floor with your child in, go to the beach and then dress up in 5 minutes with heels has to be a winner! God knows what my style is - some sort of odd Euro - American - Anglo Preppy hybrid.
Yes, I'm commenting five months later (mom has put a cramp in my blogging style since my "office" is also the "guest room"). Anyway, when I worked in an office I had two uniforms - my first was black wide leg pants, some sort of blouse, pearls (both necklace and earrings) and my black patent peep toe pumps. Then we went back to business formal and my uniform was a suit - every day.
Nowadays my uniform is shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops...but I yearn for the office atmosphere again so I can wear so much of my neglected professional wardrobe.
I have two go-tos...
Wrap dresses or oxford shirts and some sort of bottom. Either are no-fail solutions to getting dressed in the morning.
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