How To Create A Daily Uniform So You Never Have To Think About Getting Dressed Again
by Marissa Pomerance
If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that we all miss getting dressed while simultaneously not being able to imagine ever wearing pants that “button.”
And since we’ll be completely out of practice by the time we have any reason to put on real clothes, we enlisted the help of Shira Gill— professional organizer, closet savant, and author of Minimalista— to show us how to put together a daily uniform, so that we never have to put an ounce of effort into getting dressed ever again.
A uniform makes our lives 67% easier.
A daily uniform— like that of Karl Lagerfeld and Steve Jobs— simplifies your everyday outfits down to discrete outfit formulas so you always know what you’re going to wear. And anything that makes getting dressed less of a howling nightmare is obviously a hard yes.
“Opting for a daily uniform has endless benefits,” Shira says. “You can instantly simplify your morning routine, get dressed with ease, reduce decision fatigue / save brain energy for more important pursuits, and up-level your wardrobe by investing in fewer, better things.”
Which is all we ever want when getting dressed.
But, a uniform doesn’t have to mean a boring sea of Zuckerberg-esque gray tees. Instead, you can actually rotate between a few different outfit formulas. Shira explains, “some people prefer a flexible uniform so they can still rotate wardrobe staples and keep things fresh, and others love reducing all decision fatigue by picking a consistent daily uniform that’s exactly the same— i.e a black t-shirt and black pants.”
So, here are 4 easy steps to creating the daily uniform of your dreams.
Step 1: Decide what you do, and don’t like.
Just merely anticipating a complete wardrobe overhaul can scare us into procrastinating for eternity. So to make this all a bit easier, Shira recommends to “start by clarifying what you like / don’t like when it comes to your wardrobe.” Sounds do-able.
Shira suggests asking yourself a few of these simple questions:
What basic silhouette do I feel best in?
What colors do I love to wear?
What fabrics do I feel the most comfortable in?
What brands do I gravitate towards?
And you can use all of the answers to these questions to start putting together some thoughts and guidelines for your daily uniform— i.e., invest in more skinny jeans, and stop buying straight legs because they always make you feel like garbage. Or, you might notice that well-fitting tees go with everything you own and always make you feel good, so how can you make a uniform out of those?
Step 2: Edit. Edit. Edit.
We’re sorry to say this, but putting together a daily uniform does require some editing. First, you have to Kondo-style rid yourself of anything not sparking joy, and be smart and strategic about only buying pieces that satisfy your new guidelines. If you need a few tips on cleaning out your closet, sans mental breakdown, go here.
“I suggest removing everything from your closet, and keeping only what currently fits, flatters, and feels good,” says Shira. “Most likely you’ll rediscover hidden treasures during the editing process, and you can fill in any gaps as needed.”
She recommends:
Make a list of your favorite types of pieces, and make a list of what you still need.
Shop slowly and intentionally.
Consider investing in fewer, better things that you’ll be excited to wear and enjoy for years to come! A good pair of jeans only gets better with age. Ditto for a well made leather handbag.
Step 3: Invest in these exact pieces.
After reading multiple paragraphs about editing and buying, you probably just want to know exactly what pieces to buy and how to style them.
So here we are.
Shira recommends sticking to these simple pieces, which can be easily mixed and matched:
1. The Perfect Jean
“Everyone should have a pair of jeans that fit and flatter their body,” says Shira. Which is easier said than done, so here’s our own helpful guide.
And these jeans fit your butt comfortably, WHILE also fitting your waist comfortably. Meaning, there will be zero waist gap.
2. The Classic, Ultra-Flattering Tee
Shira believes “a black or white t-shirt is the ultimate versatile layering piece.” We agree.
But why do so few shirts come in a three quarter sleeve?!
Well. This one does. And it’s perfect.
3. The Denim Jacket
A haphazard toss over the previous black dress, add a bandana around your neck, top with a straw hat, and you’ve got your daily Spring uniform.
4. A Black Pant
This will be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe, and looks refreshingly cool when paired with a casual white tee and denim jacket.
And now for the pièce de résistance. These pants are under $40.
5. A Stretchy Blazer
Pro-tip: buy it in a size up, so there will be no arm-pinching. Just that oversized, boyfriend lewk that makes you feel like a Vogue staffer.
6. The Everyday Boots
A chic but deeply comfortable ankle boot can be worn with jeans, skirts, dresses. It’s essential.
7. The Workhorse Bag
Every woman needs a bag for work and travel and everyday life with pockets for everything that keeps its shape and looks great with everything.
8. The versatile Leggings
A high waisted, perfectly designed pair of leggings can look like real clothes. Pair them with boots and jackets and shirts.
These ones are ideal for anyone with curves.
9. The Button-Down Shirt
This shirt? This shirt fits. This shirt makes us feel good. What else are clothes for, really?
So generously cut yet still extremely flattering, extra roomy arms so you’ll never feel constricted. And in addition to coming in every color and print you could want, it also has sizes in both Plus and Petite.
10. The Everyday Accessory
Similar to how getting bangs will suddenly transform your hair into a hair outfit, this cashmere bandana will take your shirt and pants, or blazer and skirt, or leggings and Tevas, and instantly make them into intentional, but effortless, outfits.
11. The Piece You Didn’t Know You Needed
It’s not a jacket. It’s not a shirt. It’s not really a tunic. It’s something else entirely. And it makes any skirt or jeans or dress suddenly interesting with no effort.
Step 4: Annnndd use these exact formulas for styling them.
Once you’ve edited your closet and whittled down to the essential pieces that bring you joy, you can start constructing the outfit formulas that make up your uniform.
But since formulas like “top + pants” are not always helpful (that could be literally any two pieces in your wardrobe!), the key is to think of unique formulas that feel special and inspiring to you. So no matter how you interpret that formula, your uniforms are always interesting and flattering.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
High Waisted Jeans + Blouse: This one is as simple and straightforward as it gets, but when it doubt, you know you can always fall back on it. In fact, it’s one of Shira’s favorites. “My personal uniform consists of high waisted Levi’s paired with a relaxed blouse,” she says.
Tee + Blazer: A blouse and a blazer are obvious. But a tee and a blazer? It’s a foolproof combination. And almost anything you pair with them— a high waisted pant, a silk skirt, a pair of denim shorts— will look stunning.
Casual Dress + Sleek Sneakers + Denim Jacket: Having a closet full of dresses you can throw on at a moment’s notice is one of the secrets to looking amazing while expending approximately zero effort. A sleek sneaker with a dress feels just as effortless, but still surprising and interesting.
Monochromatic: Whether it’s all black, all beige, or all red, a monochromatic outfit is mindlessly easy, and makes you look like you just stepped out of the pages of Vogue.
Skirt + A Chunky Sweater: Pencil skirt, silk shirt, mini skirt— doesn’t matter. It might take a moment to zhoozh (you can try the sweater tucked or untucked), but this combination is always just feminine enough, never saccharine, and shockingly comfortable.
Use your accessories for variety: To ward off potential uniform boredom, Shira recommends switching up shoes and accessories for a new, fresh look. “I alternate between sneakers, low heels, mules, and booties, and add variety by going head to toe monochrome, or adding layers or accessories,” she says. “When I’m running errands with my kids I throw on sneakers, and if I have a work or client meeting I can add a blazer and some heels. Keeping the same base uniform makes it effortless to get dressed every morning - I just pick a top and grab a pair of jeans. This uniform even stays consistent as the seasons change - I just add or subtract layers.”
Is it weird that now we’re kind of excited to wear clothes again?
Marissa Pomerance is the Managing Editor of The Candidly. She’s a Los Angeles native and lover of all things food, style, beauty, and wellness. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love. Sometimes, our friends recommend their favorite things, too. All details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
