Hey there! How was your weekend?
This was our second to last weekend in Austin — crazy. We’re starting to box everything up and we’re hitting up all of our favorite Austin places one last time. While we know we’ll be back soon, these goodbyes feel symbolic. We know we’ll be different when we return. It’s exciting.
Anyway, it was a memorable weekend in the best way.
This outfit is officially my uniform forever. Throughout all of my wardrobes, it’s been the one I go to again and again. I love it. I always reach for it when I’m running late or when I just straight up don’t know how to dress for the occasion.
So I’m curious, do you have a uniform? What’s the outfit you reach for in a pinch?
Top: old from Anthropologie (similar)
Jeans: old from Madewell (similar)
Bag: old from Madewell (similar)
Watch: Skagen via Nordstrom
Sunnies: Ray-Ban
Shoes: old from Steve Madden (similar)
This is almost the same as my uniform! I love loose button ups and skinny jeans. I swear we’ve been posting about the same things lately, I was just talking about this last week. There’s something so classic about button ups and jeans… It’s just super fresh and easy and there’s a good balance of femininity and masculinity and it’s just easy. Nothing to pull down and make sure it’s arranged properly, it’s easy to keep everything in place.
Kate
Myteacherstyle.blogspot.com
I have been obsessed with the concept of a uniform since I read the article in Harpers Bazaar on Matilda Kahl. Kahl started wearing a uniform to work a few years ago which consisted of a white shirt, black pants, and a black blazer. She put a signature black leather rosette around her neck to top it off. I have have yet to develop a work uniform, but I am thinking seriously about this and doing research to see if I could find the perfect shirt (and buy 15 of them), and the best pants (and buy 5 of them). I believe that there is something to this trend, and want to find my look. When I am not at work, I have a go to outfit which consists of these wonderful Lucky Brand Charlie skinny black coated denim jeans which look like leather pants and have a great stretch. I pair this a white/navy St. James shirt and my LL Bean Mocs and an old green field jacket from J.Crew.
I definitely have a developed a work uniform and its made buying clothes for work (and getting dressed in the morning) incredibly easy. I love the Winnie pants, and I have 4 of them. I have them in black, navy, light blue, and red. I cycle them through different seasons.
Such a perfect outfit! I don’t have a full uniform but i have one mid-sleeve black tee that work with just about anyting, so I guess that’s what I reach for in a pinch :)
Good luck on your moving!
PS: I love your blog!
How funny–we have a very similar uniform. Just last night I was struck by the fact that I feel pretty dang good in a gauzy portofino shirt and skinnies, optionally topped with my leather unicorn jacket. I can wear a lace bandeau and unbutton a few buttons for night, or wear a tank and button up for work. I think I need to get a couple more come summer–or, you know, now. Express has this awesome navy one with coral flamingos–my spring capsule colours!
This sounds like what I want to make my spring uniform! But what is a unicorn jacket?
Amanda, I actually got the term ‘unicorn jacket’ from Caroline! She calls her jean jacket in this capsule her unicorn jacket–it has the perfect fit, not too tight, not too loose, not too girly, not too edgy. It’s so hard to find that jacket, you know? My leather jacket took ages to find. I wanted a mandarin collar, a full length (not cropped) and a center zip, while still having a feminine shape. Finding one certainly felt like finding a unicorn!
Caroline-
I’ve been reading a while, and just this morning I heard of Elizabeth and Clarke’s new kickstarter, which I think you’d love (keep in mind for future wardrobes).
They are creating a white button up that is “unstainable” , which we all know would a blessing to our wordrobes!!
Check it out!
http://www.unstainable.ec/?kid=5RP2M&mc_cid=d94c7cf378&mc_eid=c9015c944b
Its a absolute classic – I love that you can mix up the accessories and have a totally different outfit. I guess my uniform is jeans and a t!! Today I wasn’t planning on going anywhere other than my desk at home so I wore skinnies and a black t with a cocoon cardi and cosy socks (it was cold!!) but when hubby suggested a jaunt out at lunch I could throw off the socks, on some leopard flats and a long necklace and be presentable in seconds.
Hello Caroline, I feel like I must comment because I literally made a post today on my blog that says “if there is one outfit that I would label my uniform and be forced to wear everyday, this would be it” For me, it is all about neutrals (mostly black) with pops of bright color. It is funny, I feel as if my style is very different from yours, yet I love pretty much every outfit you put together on this blog. Your clean minimalism just hooks me!
It was our second to last weekend before my boyfriend leaves for our move also. I’ll stay in Boulder until early June and drive up with our dog to our new home (!) in Alaska.
For uniforms, mine is very similar, though a bit more casual. Skinny jeans, ankle boots, and a button up flannel or chambray. Thank goodness we’re going to Alaska, because I keep buying more flannels instead of spring clothes. It just seems like the perfect silhouette, both relaxed and pulled together at the same time. But once we’ll move I’ll probably swap out the ankle boots for rubber boots. #rainytownproblems
Iris
http://heytherechickpea.com
I just bought “The Art of Possibility” after having put it in my amazon cart months ago when you recommended it. It has completely morphed my perception, instead of feeling like I have a million things to do and to achieve, I feel a lot more at ease. I still have to do the same things, the dishes, my work, attend to my friends. But it no longer feels like I’m always behind and constantly trying to “organize my life” I feel like I’m doing these things because I want to. And now, everyday feels like the perfect day.
Which, by the way, that looks like the perfect outfit. :-) I wanted to thank you because I’ve come to your blog most days for the peaceful easy mood of your posts. Besides inspiring my with outfits and capsule wardrobes (I’m on capsule number 2!), you’ve brought a touch of ease into my mornings.
So thanks, for just being awesome, and for sharing your lessons and experiences with us.
I think my Spring/ Summer uniform is going to be skinny jeans (or shorts) with a grey t-shirt and my Birkenstock look-a-likes. I wore it the other day with a scarf for some warmth and it was the best! Definitely going to be my go to for the warmer seasons! For the colder months it is so else to replace the sandals for boots and add a sweater.
black joggers, vans slipon, plain white/grey tee denim or leather jacket.. the “night” version jeans black or grey, tee , blazer or leather jacket black heels , fast and easy to accessorize!
My uniform would probably be a pair of darkwash skinnies with an embroidered top of some kind!
Comfy black skinnies, portofino shirt from Express (they don’t wrinkle!), ankle boots, and my leather jacket if I need it. Its an outfit that I always feel confident in, and I feel can be appropriate for both semi dressy and casual.
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Kari: Matching!! I love the variety in Portofino shirts. I have a grey one with a hot air balloon print that makes me so happy, and I’m definitely going to snatch up the Express flamingo-print one when I have the cash. I love that the flowy shirts both disguise a belly and give the impression of statuesque-ness, while looking totally carefree. Plus, sleeves for warmth, sheer material for airflow. It’s the perfect thing! And then I can show off my legs in tight jeans. ;)
I love this ouftit! So simple yet so put together. I also have a few of these shirts. I can wear them tucked in into pencil skirts or with jeans. Very versatile!
I LOVE this combination. You can never go wrong with a classic white button down. You make it look so easy! (:
Casual day uniform is a grey tee and skinny jeans – it can be dressed up or down by accessories! Work day uniform is an a-line dress with pointy-toe flats. No thinking required! Essential for slow-to-rise Monday mornings. :)
White/grey tee + Jeans + Cross body bag + Nike sneakers :)
My outfit for when I’m in a pinch is always black jeans and striped t-shirt with some black booties :)
be the plebeian
My uniform is jeans and a tee, plus scarf or sweater. I love button downs on other people, but they feel fussy on me for whatever reason. Wardrobing has been really helpful in clarifying things like that for me, what I like versus what I like and will actually wear.
Brandi: It’s funny, I always thought I felt the same way…until I questioned my uniform and realised I’m happiest in tight jeans and my hot air balloon portofino shirt/relaxed patterned chambray shirt. I think maybe the slouchy relaxed fabric, plus a whimsical pattern, keeps it from looking too buttoned up. (Plus, I generally unbutton it quite a ways, hahaha.)
Such a classic yet chic shirt with denim combo, I can see why it has become your uniform! Personally, I go for a basic top and shorts if I am too lazy to think!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Inspirational as always Caroline! While I don’t have a uniform per se, reading your blog has motivated me to simplify my life, starting with my wardrobe. Here in Paris, there is a woman dressing with ten pieces and a uniform for weekend and week, maybe the same age as you: http://www.paris-to-go.com/
It is a little extreme and not practical for my lifestyle yet (I feel the same way about Marie Kondo, who I love), but you make a minimal closet look accessible, easy, and fun.
Does a work uniform count? I don’t HAVE to wear a uniform, I can wear whatever I want, as long as it’s business casual. However, it’s so easy to grab a pair of black ankle pants, a black logo’d polo, and a white tank top. I have a pair of Cheetah print Coach shoes, and a pair of Cheetah print Sperry shoes. So less to think about in the morning, and when I go to see my customers I have free reign to run around their plants. I just finished reading the Dallas Mom’s Blog about 37 pieces, and I think I’m going to do that when I get back from vacation. I might make some considerations for weather, I don’t want to get rid of all my winter pants, heck it’s almost May, and we had snow in Wisconsin today.