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Earlier this year I read a slew of books that inspired me to pursue a minimalist lifestyle. I began the process of cutting out commitments, reducing social media usage, and decluttering stuff – including a wardrobe full of clothes I barely wore. For some items, the process was as simple as selling or donating, but when it came to clothes, I didn’t just want to reduce – I wanted to change the way I approached them altogether.
Enter the Uniform
I can’t recall where I first heard about the uniform wardrobe concept, but I know that it intrigued me right off the bat. If you’re unfamiliar with the idea, Minimalism.co describes it the following way:
“Daily uniforms are a limited set of outfits that align with each of your major lifestyle activities and make getting ready totally effortless…”
What attracted me to this solution was the simplicity. Even though I didn’t consider my wardrobe overly complex, the process of choosing a basic outfit turned out to be an overwhelming tree of decisions:
- If I wanted to wear chinos, there were nine shades to choose from.
- If I wanted to wear Vans, there were ten different options.
- If I wanted to wear a graphic tee, I had too many to count.
Not only did this realization cue me into my own consumeristic mentality – it made me aware of the time and mental energy I spent picking out clothes every day. After making the decision to pursue a uniform, I did my research, tried different options, and purchased the clothes. Here’s what I came up with:
- (x3) Black Brewery Snapback Hat – I cheated on this one. The hats are all from different breweries, but I justified the diversity due to the simplification in other categories.
- (x8) White Authentic SUPIMA® Crew-Neck T-Shirt – Until I started researching shirts, I was completely naive about the world of cotton. I came with the assumption that all cotton was made equal and left with the knowledge that certain cotton is softer, stronger, and holds color better. Apart from the material, I chose a white crew neck due to its versatility and timelessness.
- (x7) Bunker Olive Green Levi’s® XX Chino Slim Taper Fit Pants – Not only does the fit of these work well with the shape of my body, but the color and look allows them to be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
- Black Marino’s Leather Belt – I wanted a leather belt to match my shoes, and this was the first one that fit my criteria on Amazon.
- Black Vans Era Sneaker – If I wear any style of shoe until the day I die, it will be these Vans – they’re comfortable and look amazing!
Now, if you’re wondering whether these are my only clothes – they’re not. I have a uniform for work and exercise, select clothes for hot/cold weather (shorts/jacket/sweatshirt/gloves), and a few niche pieces like my Doc Martens and suit. Apart from those, the uniform above is my daily wear, and I’ve come to appreciate it for a few reasons:
1. I Get Ready More Quickly
Although it didn’t take me hours before this transition, wearing the same outfit every day makes it even quicker to get ready. Instead of weaving through an obstacle course of decisions to pick out the “perfect” ensemble, I only need to grab a fresh pair of each item. Additionally, because I purchased multiple shirts and pants, I can wash my clothes on a weekly interval without running out of anything.
2. I Always Feel Good in What I Wear
Prior to having a uniform, I mentally ranked my clothes on a scale of comfort and enjoyment. For instance, I owned a pair of chinos that always made me feel good, but that, in turn, caused the rest of my pants to feel subpar. Likewise, I had three killer shirts, but once those were in the laundry hamper, I had to start using tops that weren’t as comfortable and didn’t make me feel as nice.
Since I purchased uniform items that are comfortable, high-quality, and fit my style, I never have that mental comparison anymore. I can feel great in what I wear every single day.
3. I Worry Less About What Other People Think
I still enjoy feeling good about how I look, but implementing a uniform has pulled my attention away from dressing to impress others. Instead of relying on unique shoes to communicate status or cool shirts to show personality, I can focus on feeling confident in myself and having meaningful conversations with those around me. Of course, wearing flashy clothes doesn’t automatically mean someone is vain, just like wearing simple clothes doesn’t make me a saint, but what it does is removes another layer of distraction that I’ve let become an obstacle in the past.
4. I Purchase Fewer Clothes
“When we practice minimalism, we’ll spend less time being distracted by the media or by advertisements because we become aware that we already have everything we need.”
Although Fumio Sasaki (in his incredible book Goodbye, Things) is referring to minimalism as a whole, the concept applies to a uniform wardrobe as well. Given that I only wear specific clothes, I’m no longer beguiled by YouTube ads or brewery shirts. As a result, I save money, create space, and consume less.
Where I’m at Now
I’m now a few months into the uniform journey, and I’m eager to see how my perception changes over time. It’s not a fix-all solution for life’s problems, but so far, I’ve found it to be a great optimization for daily living. Whether you’ve found the idea inspiring or anxiety-inducing, I hope it motivates you to pause, consider the purpose clothes play in your life, and adjust anything you find to be inessential.