Cultivating A Uniform

Outfit: Alexander Wang t-shirt, Uniqlo jeans and Hermes belt

Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Lexy jacket (similar here), Alexander Wang t-shirt, James Jeans Twiggy and ankle boots.








Outfit: Banana Republic blazer (similar here and UK here), Phillip Lim 3.1 top, Sam Edelman Trina  and Uniqlo Jeans










Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket, Equipment silk shirt, James Jeans Twiggy and Repetto leopard print flats.







Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant utility jacket, Isabel Marant Nae jersey top, Hermes belt, The Kooples sneakers (similar here) and Uniqlo jeans



I've never really thought much about my dress sense until a couple of years ago. It suddenly occurred to me that I've always felt my best in a pair of pants, top and a jacket even as an 18 year old. It was what I'd wear if I had to be a bit more dressed up. The outfit made me look more confident and pulled together to my usual University of Canterbury sweatshirt and sweatpants attire. I still love my sweatpants to bits but I'm wise enough to buy a skinnier version and pair them with my Kooples wedge sneakers for a more contemporary look.

My so called uniform hasn't changed much in the last 20 years but thankfully, I've discarded the super large glasses that practically covered half of my face and tamed my frizzy hair that looked like a lion's mane. Little did I know that those geeky glasses would be fashionable again in 20 years. And that ladies with perfect eyesight would wear them as a fashion accessory.

So......when I arrived in the UK a few years ago with two suitcases, I set about to create a wardrobe that would suit my rather pragmatic (typical of those born in the year of Ox) yet tomboyish personality and a casual lifestyle. Cultivating a uniform made getting dressed ridiculously easy. It's the perfect solution for someone like me who wants to look fairly snazzy (or trying to be) but can't be arsed spending hours figuring out what to wear.

It's interesting to note that fashion heavyweights such as Emanuelle Alt and Anna Wintour have their own uniforms, one that never deviates despite the ever changing climate of  fashion trends. Emanuelle Alt is famous for her jackets, super skinny jeans and incredibly high heels. Meanwhile, Anna Wintour favors dresses with crew or ballet neckline with hemline just over the knee and her trademark skintone Manolo Blahnik Callasli slingbacks.

What do I look for a jacket? The fit is my number 1 priority. If the armholes are too wide or the shoulders slouch and there's a puckering on the back, it goes back on the rack. It has taken me a while to understand the kind of fit that suits my body shape. Seeing that I am rather petite and have a boyish figure, single button blazers look best on me. They create an illusion of a waist and the hem falls just above my hip so it's in proportion to my height (or lack of it).

Secondly, I like fabrics that do not crease. I hate ironing with a passion. In fact, the act of ironing is a form of torture and therefore, an evil entity. Moving along to my third point - the color. I generally prefer darker colors only because I'm a dirt magnet. I find it hard to relax around food whenever I'm wearing a light colored jacket. Which means I can't eat for fear of getting splattered. I don't react too well to hunger (imagine Dr Bruce Banner turning into the Incredible Hulk when angered).

Lastly, I'm willing to spend a little more on jackets as long as the style is a classic. I like fashion but I certainly don't live and breathe it everyday. I tend to stick to what I believe looks good on me. Besides, I don't have a deep pocket nor do I want to flush unnecessary money down the drain by constantly replacing my clothes just because they're out of date.

Do you have a uniform? What suits you best?