I've been asking myself for years if I could (or wanted to) wear a uniform. I've sort of had unintentional, seasonal uniforms at different points which simply reflected the silhouettes I loved at the time...a striped tee + jeans + cardigan...just dresses...a tank + shorts...jeans + a top. When I think of a uniform loosely like this, it doesn't seem very intimidating.
When we moved to London, we were taken shopping for Jo's school uniform. She was to wear a white button down shirt, blazer, skirt, tie, socks, black shoes, + black coat. I'd never worn a school uniform + neither had my girls. We didn't have access to a washer or dryer at that time...and when we finally did, there was only a washer (no dryer). Under these circumstances, I would have bought a number of tops + skirts...but was told that 2 tops + one skirt would be enough. And...it pretty much was...even with the added drying time in that damp climate!
What if I didn't just think of uniform dressing as a series of similar tops being worn with a series of similar bottoms...but as just one or two tops being worn with the same one or two bottoms? What would even be the benefit of such thought? I'm wondering if it would get me to the point of wearing out my clothing more often instead of moving on from it before it is finished being worn. I don't have any problem with passing beautiful clothing on to be worn by another...or wearing wonderful secondhand clothing for a period of time before passing it on again. I have, however, had a little trouble lately with the reality of this scenario.
So...I would love for my enthusiasm for a piece of clothing to endure for that piece's wearable lifetime. I think lavishing all of my love for a certain style on one (or two) pieces rather than spreading it over a greater number of pieces in that style could be a step in the right direction.
When we moved to London, we were taken shopping for Jo's school uniform. She was to wear a white button down shirt, blazer, skirt, tie, socks, black shoes, + black coat. I'd never worn a school uniform + neither had my girls. We didn't have access to a washer or dryer at that time...and when we finally did, there was only a washer (no dryer). Under these circumstances, I would have bought a number of tops + skirts...but was told that 2 tops + one skirt would be enough. And...it pretty much was...even with the added drying time in that damp climate!
What if I didn't just think of uniform dressing as a series of similar tops being worn with a series of similar bottoms...but as just one or two tops being worn with the same one or two bottoms? What would even be the benefit of such thought? I'm wondering if it would get me to the point of wearing out my clothing more often instead of moving on from it before it is finished being worn. I don't have any problem with passing beautiful clothing on to be worn by another...or wearing wonderful secondhand clothing for a period of time before passing it on again. I have, however, had a little trouble lately with the reality of this scenario.
So...I would love for my enthusiasm for a piece of clothing to endure for that piece's wearable lifetime. I think lavishing all of my love for a certain style on one (or two) pieces rather than spreading it over a greater number of pieces in that style could be a step in the right direction.
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Which brings me to this pair of pants that (I'm sorry) have shown up around here quite a bit. I suppose they were a sort of uniform for me this summer (my favorite pants for sure). When I found this (giant) hole in them...I found it a bit strange to actually be feeling a sort of happiness. I know that I can no longer find any more of this fabulous fabric (I had already tried). But...I find it so exciting to have loved a piece of clothing enough to have (almost) worn it out. My wabi-sabi patch job will allow me to get a little more use out of these pants (because new patch on very thin fabric will not last forever...and this is a weird sort of visible bum patch). And then, I can move on to a new uniform without guilt.
Love,
Jane
Love,
Jane
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