The uniform project is great so far! I’ve been carrying out my mission to not have to think about my clothing since about mid-December (I always get big ideas at the end of a year and then I can’t resist starting early).
The project is related to my #DepthYear that I’m focusing on this year – saving money and staying close to home and the things I already have. Know what I have a lot of? Black dresses.
I LOVE black dresses. I love LBDs that are barely decent and long heavy dresses that make me look like I’m escaping a cult. I like clingy sexy V-neck dresses and wide tent dresses. If it’s black and somewhat fits, I like it.
(Well, most of the time I like all black dresses. I actually sent an email to Wool&, offering to take them up on their offer of a free Rowena dress if you would document wearing it every day for 100 days in a row (wash and dry overnight when needed, which wool needs less than other fabrics). They sent me one. Sadly, I did not like it at all. I’m a 44 chest, and it’s not made for ladies with ladies. It looked more like a too-short, ill-fitting tunic. I sent it back, with regret. I was TOTALLY going to brag my face off about getting a free $128 dress and wearing the same thing for 100 days in a row. But nope.)
I just have one rule:
Until the heat of summer, when I’ll start wearing my lightweight summer dresses, I’m wearing a black dress/tunic every day.
I can dress it up or down any way I like. This is me the other day in layers.
The leggings are actually polka dot and the boots are Frye shimmer boots, but the picture doesn’t pick up on the AWESOMENESS of that combo. (I’m not allowed to buy new things this year, but that’s okay because I have so many great things already due to the online shopping habit that got me to the point of needing a uniform project).
Look, I just feel better when I look like a Unitarian witch skating on the edge of toddler-grandma style. Dresses are COMFY. You never have to suck in your belly! (Nor should you anyway! Your belly is soft and rad! We love your belly!) The only time I’m not wearing this uniform is when I’m at home or working out, when I’m in leggings and a T-shirt.
The uniform project makes me feel great. I finally feel like myself ALL THE TIME. I’m sturdy in my boots, unknockoverable. My belly is round and happy. My calves are happy. My body is mine.
And no one notices I’m wearing (almost) the same thing every day, because people don’t care what you wear. They really don’t. So sweetheart, let yourself be your favorite kind of you.
Amazing ! I’m almost there !!! Lol
I became so much happier in my life when I realized that no was being as critical of my appearance as I was, and that I should be as kind and accepting to myself as I was to other people! I always notice awesome boots though, probably because awesome boots make the wearers look happy.
ME TOO!
Looking great AND happy! Thanks for the review on the Wool& dress– I’ve been eyeballing the ads in my FB feed and haven’t ordered it mainly because of my strong suspicion that it would not be made for someone who is 5’10”. Your comments seem to confirm is is really made for an “average” figure (go figure). Sigh….
Yes! Would be tunic-length at best! And
whoops the And was followed by a thumbs up that didn’t show. 🙂
So so so good! I finally realized recently that I love what I love in terms of clothes and it’s not necessarily fashion-forward, but it’s comfy and I love it! And I wear the same things over and over again. So the concept of a uniform is perfect!! Also, I am so glad I read about your experiences with the Wool& dress. I was tempted to try it, but I also have loud and proud ladies and wide shoulders and it’s quite dicey to buy stuff online. Now I know it’s a pass for me–thanks!
Yep, a little narrow in these wide shoulders, too. And yay, knowing what we love!
I love this–so much. And I love what you say about soft bellies the most. Aren’t they comforting?? Wait wait another thing I love even more–that you feel like yourself all the time. That is the best.
Were you able to get a free wool dress because of being a published author and knitter, or is that available to anyone? Seems like a thing wool lovers should look into…
I think it would be open to wool lovers with a social media presence. I first heard about it from Clara Parkes. #softbellies
HAHAHA! “Unitarian witch skating on the edge of toddler-grandma style” sounds like the best style summary ever! I would totally love to be that bad ass!
I don’t think I have a style exactly… but I know what I’d like, and maybe that’s the first step. The way you identified your love of black dresses. I love knit pants with interesting seaming and tunic tops in bright colors. And scarves and earrings. And a messy wild hair bun. Hmm… Eccentric Art Teacher casual?
Eccentric Art Teacher casual! YESSS!
OMG I love this so much, “toddler-grandma style” fit me to a tee. When you open the door to my closet, you are faced with a sea of black. Black in every shade, every texture and every fabric. If it came in black I have it. The pieces range from Eileen Fisher to Bryn Walker to Wal Mart and I just mash them all together, they’re BLACK. After a strangely “comfy” week of black knit, my daughter asked me when I started living in black pajamas. Today, that’s when, get over it. And for the record, yes I am embracing dresses, mostly tent like structures, as the slinky days have long gone and shapewear is not for me! Thank you for the wonderful post, love to you Rachael!
Here’s to our uniform!! <3
I love this!!! Years ago I saw a solo art exhibit at the Vancouver Art Museum (unfortunately I cannot remember the artists name) and part of the exhibit featured her uniforms over the years. Every year she would make one impeccable, versatile uniform that she would then wear every single day for the next year. It might be a knit cardigan, a long sleeved blouse and a sleeveless lightweight wool dress so that she could wear all of them together in winter for warmth and then just wear the dress in the summer. You could see how they transformed over the years in versatility and just how much thought and craftsmanship she put into each piece. She felt that it gave her the freedom to focus on her art when she didn’t have to worry about what to wear every day. Obviously the whole concept really resonated with me because I still think about it all these years later!
What a fascinating concept. I adore it and want to do it. 🙂
I’m always surprised by the people that ‘ewww’ the idea of a personal uniform when they’re the ones wearing one of 4 fav shirts with jeans everyday.
I had a long sleeve, scoop neck,drop waist, large midcalf flared skirt, BACKLESS to the waist except for a cross cross piece, knit Jersey black dress I got at JCP on sale for $49.
I wore it EVERYDAY to a new job because I was POOR. (1st paycheck splurge? Underwear with no holes and new elastic. that poor). Swapped out a 2 blazers and 3 scarves, 1 pair patterned and regular hosiery.
Got called into the CEO’s!! office the second week, expecting a shaming of ‘really, you only own one dress?’ or a discreet offer of a pay advance and instead was asked to head a new project of assisting staff with creating their personal professional image!!
The outfit that always got positive comments? Cream lace scarf, costume pearls, lace hosiery, black n cream tweed jacket. All thrift shop finds except the hosiery. Total outfit under $65.
The comment I heard the most when assisting staff with their look? “Well I don’t have a big wardrobe like you do”. Lol.
I LOVE this. 🙂 🙂
Love it! Last year I discovered Sonya Philip’s 100 Acts of Sewing patterns and fell down the rabbit hole. I made a dozen Dress No. 1 in print fabrics that I (mostly) had on hand, pair them with leggings from Walmart and Meijer worn long in winter and hiked up to below knee-length in summer, with no shirt or a short-sleeved tee in summer and long-sleeved or turtleneck or thin sweater in winter. All shirts and sweaters have been in my wardrobe for centuries. I splurged on a pair of Blundstone’s last fall to wear with wool socks in winter and Crocs sockless in summer. Makes me feel like I look good and so comfy. Uniform? Yes, please, I’m too old to follow fashion. I prefer to call it “personal style.”
YES THIS! Also, I love my Blundstones. <3
I love this. I’ve started to embrace my black wearing self. Accepting that I prefer black jeans, black shirts, and black dresses over any other color.
exactly! I felt guilty about neglecting the other colors for so long – no more!
I basically have a uniform. Logo-less tank or deep-v tee, jeans/Shanta/jorts, sneakers/boots. Closet still over flowing with colors though… Also I throw in a dress every now & again.
and you always look great! Just like you!
Rachael,
So glad to come back and read your blog again! Many things fell by the wayside in the last couple of years because Life. But I’ve missed you. ❤️
I find this post fascinating because I am heading in the opposite direction with my wardrobe for the same reason. I want to dress in a pulled-together, classic style, but totally because of how it makes me feel, not because of other people’s opinions.
OXO, Judy
Yes, life. I’ve missed you, too! 🙂 Happy you’re reading.