How to ensure your fashion uniform doesn’t become a yawniform
Photo: Clara Molden for The Daily Telegraph.
Do you have an everyday uniform? There are definitely clothes that I love and wear on repeat – slouchy cargo pants, the pull-on-and-go jumpsuit, an outstanding jacket. The clothes I feel comfortable in and wear again and again. So, how do I keep things interesting, ensure that my reliable wardrobe is not a snore-drobe? That the fashion uniform doesn’t become a yawniform? By trying a favourite style reimagined in a snazzy pattern or print (I have never worn tie dye before and I am smitten by this jumper), adding a little quirkiness – see the fringing on the tweed jacket below, or opting for a new silhouette (after years in straight legs I’m really into baggy trousers, right now). Pushing through the comfort zone and into new territory can energise your wardrobe. As I’ve discovered putting together outfits for That’s Not My Age and my Telegraph column. Mixing it up, trying out new combinations, shapes and styles, is the best way to add freshness. Playing around and experimenting with the clothes and accessories you already own is the new going out. Really, it is.
Photo: The Daily Telegraph.
These photos are from a couple of my Telegraph Ageless Style columns (in the Saturday section of the newspaper, every week), these are online but behind a paywall and so I can’t share them on That’s Not My Age. I’ve been trying to figure out how to use the images and share style advice without replicating copy. It’s a bit tricky but this issue has been on my mind (a lot), as I want to make sure TNMA readers still have lots of good style advice. I’ve decided the best thing to do is to share a couple of my favourite outfits and a brief explanation, every so often. And you can see others on Instagram and the outfit section of this site. The first photo highlights the winning combination of a statement jumper and slinky skirt (love this look). And the second is from a piece on uniform not yawniform dressing. Both of these outfits feel very ‘me’.
Style details
First outfit: Tie dye jumper, &Daughter. Slinky skirt, Theory (available HERE and HERE). Trainers, Grenson.
Second outfit: Tweed jacket, Essentiel Antwerp. Roll neck jumper, &Daughter. Indigo cargo pants, Whistles (now reduced).
More wardrobe-not-snoredrobe ideas here:
*Please note: That’s Not My Age uses affiliate links to gain a small commission on items purchased through the site
And subscribers don’t miss my latest piece ‘Do we have to age in a certain way?’ It follows on from this post….
Discussion (18 Comments)
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I keep meaning to compliment you on simplifying the whole subject of style, making it easy to understand and pull off without a lot of angst. You are your own best example of how that looks, and today’s post is a great example. May I suggest the title of your next book— “Style Without Tears”?
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Anne Murphy says:
Our ‘look’ depends on lifestyle doesn’t it. I’m spending my lockdown days immersed in painting, craft, pottering in my winter garden, walking my dog., reading, with dog often snuggled up on my knee. As a result I’m wearing a variety of dodgy old harem pants, with paint adornments & old slouchy sweaters equally adorned…..beyond comfortable! My concession to style is a different pair of dangly earrings (I hesitate to describe them as statement) every day. I make more of an effort when venturing out for my weekly shop!
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Wynne Tranter says:
Oh my goodness!! I had never heard of Sacai and I love almost everything; it is very me and I and can’t afford any of it. I shall look and drool from a respectful distance. A great post with some wonderful wayward touches.
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Sara says:
Grrr! I love the Sam Edelman boots, but buying from the US is just too dodgy – import taxes the long wait, the returns issues. Can’t source them in the UK at all, unless you know something I don’t, Alyson?
I know you have US readers, but it’s very frustrating! These boots would kick start wardrobe rejig…..-
Hello Sara, Sam Edelman is available from FarFetch with import duties added ( https://rstyle.me/+hxN4fvoZx-eRFBLcpVSfFQ ) and Selfridges in the UK. Or how about the COS Chelsea boots featured here https://thatsnotmyage.com/style-inspiration/why-im-living-in-stompy-boots-right-now/
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Yippee! One pair of Sam Edelman boots on their way to me! Thank you so much, Alyson, last pair in my size too, is that an omen? Have tried for ages to replace much loved, much worn favourite black ankle boots, was despairing. No other shoes or boots this season, so feel a little better about a splurge.
Very rarely do I read your blog without finding something to covet; in the name of sanity and good consumerism, I usually have to speak sharply to myself to remind me why need and want do not equate. Every so often, a little latitude is acceptable, especially as I have been on this hunt for at least 18 months. You’ve come up trumps again.-
Goddess in the details says:
Sam Edelman stocked by Selfridge’s. (Got a pair of boots in the sale last winter!) –My OH’s finest hour was when we were standing outside the SE near Ground Zero in New York a couple of years back and he leaned over and whispered in my ear – ‘You don’t have too many shoes.’
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MaureenC says:
Both of them are great looks. I’m trying to mix it up a little particularly if I have a zoom exposing me (well, my top half anyway) to the outside world. One snag I’ve hit is that I find myself more and more resistant to wearing my clothes that have a solid waist band. I realise that I used to wear jeans and certain trousers out and about, not sitting in them for very long. Sitting at a computer I need a soft waistband. I could wear a dress but now that the summer frocks have been put away I haven’t got many options. I really miss dressing up…….
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Jeanne Benjamin says:
Love your stuff! But, why is it a brilliant idea when men like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg wear the same thing everyday but we women might be boring for doing the same??
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Hello Jeanne, Thanks for commenting and that’s a fair point – though I’d argue the ‘tech bro’ look is pretty boring (and not very stylish!). I wear the same clothes on repeat but I like to liven things up a bit – wear different shoes, a standout jacket, tie my hair up, add a silk scarf. At the end of the day, it’s down to the individual and we should all wear whatever we like.
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Julie Evans says:
Fashion retailers always seem to feature models with bare legs to show off the trousers/skirt/dress and of course the footwear. It looks great but not practical for everyday wear in the autumn/winter! Could we see some ideas for stylish hosiery/sock for a variety of outfits (including cropped trousers) please?
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Hi Julie, good idea! These photos were actually taken when it was warmer and in the Telegraph feature I mentioned bare legs in winter (and socks). Leave it with me.
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Fran says:
MaureenC, how about “winterising” your summer clothes to get more wearability? Alas, cannot take the credit for this. Gleaned this useful knowledge via Trinny Woodall. Another of our style icons & worth a look on facebook & youtube for excellent advice.
Jan Hutchinson Leave a Reply
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Hi Alyson. I really like your newly coined terms : yawniform and wardrobe not snoredrobe. English such a flexible language.
It all brings a smile to the face in these unhumourous days. And the outfits, in keeping with your usual blue clothing but out on a limb with fringed plaid and tie dye. These clothes look good on you too.
I agree that we need to brighten up our look especially when having no occasions or events to go out to.
Plan to follow your lead with making more of an effort to put together outfits. I have been wearing brighter less dull colours of late to look less palid. It works and lifts spirits. Looking through the suggested outfits I see the smart Me and Em joggers which I bought in their Brook St boutique earlier this autumn. The concept being to get me out of jeans and track bottoms into something with more style and a sharper look.
Thanks for yet again providing helpful ideas here.