Why an autumn uniform makes good style sense
Photos: Claire Pepper
Navy cashmere polo neck, navy wool overcoat, trousers a bit on the slouchy side, boots a bit on the stompy side: I’m back in my autumn uniform. And it feels good. Reaching for reliable wardrobe classics is sustainable, faff-free and saves money in the long run. I’m up north visiting family and friends this weekend and literally have a version of this outfit, a jumpsuit and some long-sleeved striped t-shirts for layering. Packing is not a problem when you have an autumn uniform to guide you.
In today’s Sunday Times Style, columnist Nigella Lawson explains how her unchanging uniform (white Theory jacket, black Gap t-shirt or jumper, black AG jeans or wide trousers, white Ash trainers) helps avoid an existential crisis every morning. This kind of simple, pared-down dressing is satisfying, elegant and timeless. ‘I don’t mind how many times I go out wearing the same thing,’ writes the Wardrobe Goddess, ‘ I’ve got a Hobbs velvet jacket I still wear from the 1990s. And I’ve got knee boots for tucking jeans into from longer ago.’ Nigella hates shopping, is not that keen on ‘fashion’ and prefers to bulk-buy the items she feels comfortable in. Very wise.
Just like Nigella, most of the items I’m wearing here have been part of my life for a long time. The overcoat I bought in the sale at Liberty about 15-years-ago, the navy cashmere jumper is from an M&S project I worked on in 2017, the workwear trousers were borrowed and returned to Spry Workwear (good news:my favourite boiler suit brand has moved into pants!) and the suede flatform boots were from a Grenson sample sale two years ago (similar HERE and HERE).
Style over fashion all the way…
To feel comfortable and confident in your clothes makes excellent style sense. My pared-down autumn uniform can be whooped up with a big patterned scarf, I’ll layer my biker jacket underneath the coat (wish I’d done that for my trip up north, it is a bit chilly), or to give the outfit another spin I’ll tie my hair up and add some big earrings. Same, same but different.
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Discussion (34 Comments)
Rach with an E says:
Alyson, you look amazing in this combo. One of my favourites (and there are a few!) mainly due to the unconventional trews. Also loving the faux short bob in the first photo. Why do I never think of wearing a jacket under a coat? Yep, it’s colder here up north.
The canvas and leather bag is from Filson – I bought it in New York about five years ago and have used it nearly every day since.
Chris says:
Filson! A great company out of Seattle. Their things are pricey but you only buy once. Any time something is broken they will repair, for free, for the life of the item. And there totes etc. are so well-made they will last you forever.
Isobel says:
A brilliant autumn uniform, Alyson, and I have similar items, but I really need that tote bag!!
I love a seasonal uniform too. Two or three combinations that I reach for when I don’t want to think about what I’ll wear. Love the navy and white. I do the reverse. Navy turtleneck, dark wash jeans, and white Uniqlo down jacket.
P.S. Haven’t listened to the new podcast episode yet. I’m saving it for my flight home. Loved all the other ones, Alyson.Anna says:
That first sentence is such a perfect and pithy description. Love you and your style, Alyson – always charming, funny, practical and so smart. Thanks for what you do. x
Joyce Morris says:
Alyson, that is an amazing look, so classy. And, like Rache, love the faux bob.
Julia says:
That coat is just perfect, everything I am looking for but can never find to fit as I am only 5′ tall!
I lost the plot regarding clothes when I retired, as all my life I had dressed ‘smart’ which was suddenly so out of place in my life. After lots of mistakes and literally years of studying blogs – a star mention to Alyson – I eventually worked out several ‘uniforms’ and this is how I dress all the time, winter and summer.
As mentioned, I am very short and have to alter nearly everything I buy (for this reason I sew my own clothes a lot) but if I find something I like, that fits with small alterations and feels comfortable I usually buy 2/3 of the same item. Compared to my friends I have a miniscule wardrobe, but take very good care of everything, and have lots of accessories collected over the years. The only problem is that I now have so much in navy it’s hard to justify buying lots of new stuff, when I now want to try another neutral, so I shall have to do it slowly, slowly!
Lisa says:
You look so stylish, just yesterday someone made a “joke” that I have a “habit” of wearing white tops, I was a little offended embarrassed at first. But then held my head up, yes I do and that’s ok , it’s my summer uniform here in the Australia., I have about 10 and wear them with black or camel bottoms for work and denim on the weekends.. I love a uniform, I think it show and you know who you are, in winter it’s a navy or gray jumper/ black pants and ankle boots. The lady that made the moment wear a totally different outfit most days, buying cheap replaceable cloths each season, I think, at 50 it come across as she is still trying to find her style !! But hay she might just be having fun, and I cerntainly wouldn’t comment on someone else’s style.
Anne Chevalier says:
Well said Julia! Alyson looks fab in all the posts but I can’t seem to copy some looks successfully as I’m just 5’ 1”. Anything you would recommend? And Alyson any tips for the shorter woman?
Robyn says:
This outfit could take you most places! Please do more uniform inspirations. This fall I’ve had a wear and repeat outfit as well. Black crew sweater or turtleneck, a dark camel/nutmeg blazer, “salt” colored corduroys, and black or brown boots depending on the occasion
Hilary says:
I’m with you and Nigella on this. In my similar uniform of jeans (just bought a new grey pair from M&S – first ever M&S jean’s buy !!), plain top, boots and a nice tweedy coat that I took the plunge and made bigger with some panels down the side. I think I look OK and getting dressed is quick and easy. Polished nails are also nice and, I think, look as though I’ve made some effort.
I also love your tote. I’m on the lookout for something Nylon, big but not too big with handle and cross body options. Surprisingly difficult to find unless I spend £400 at Anya Hindmarch. Umm
mrsglimmer says:
Hi Hilary, Longchamp Le Pliage bags may have something you’d like? Variety of nylon totes. Not that cheap, but nowhere near £400.
Alyson, this is fab! So simple, yet you’ve nailed it style wise ! Being short, with boobs, never feel I suit a polo neck (or crew neck). The cogs are turning however, thinking how I can put together a similar uniform……
Ps, I was going to add, I love your trews and just noticed they’re made in Great Yarmouth!!! Favourite Fun Fair ever there and many happy days spent there as a child and now. I must buy a pair if only to support the Norfolk Seaside economy!!
Hilary GY is my birthplace and I’m a frequent visitor as I have family and friends there. I invested in the boiler suit mainly because of the Norfolk heritage. Now up north and it’s a chill wind!
Linda B Kerr says:
As soon as I saw this photo I thought, “This is a great outfit!” As long as we have our own formula down for the basics that work for us, dressing–on an ordinary day–is easy and elegant. Thank you!
Katherine C. James says:
You look wonderful. I’ve been trying to add navy to my black, gray, cream, and white pieces, and you’ve inspired me to get more serious about it. I do have a uniform, and have since the 1980s. I have been able to pull from my closet sections in minutes to come up with an outfit. As I switch from summer to autumn to winter clothing (in Northern California), I’m going through all my clothing to try to pare it down to my minimum pieces, and I find I have too many black and charcoal-gray sweaters, and too many oversized pieces. I bought those pieces during a darker time in my life. The intensity of that time, and of the shift, was brought home to me when I saw an old and new friend—I was wearing a light gray cashmere sweater, jeans, and heavy lug sole moto boots—and my old friend was talking about the period of time when I was always in oversized black pieces. I was dressing as I felt, and using my clothing as a way to hide. Your blue, which used to be a much more prominent color in my wardrobe until I donated it away, reminds me how much we say to ourselves and to others with the shape and color of our clothing. Keeping in mind the luxury of being able to have the funds to purchase clothing that lasts, and to buy new pieces we want to form a cohesive wardrobe. Thank you for the thoughtful inspiration.
Yours is a great autumn uniform — very chic yet obviously functional, true elegance. . . I’m falling into two or three uniforms lately: one built around a skirt; one around jeans; and one with dress or jumpsuit.
Worth noting, I think, that “uniform dressing” translates readily into packing for travel. . . I’m currently getting ready for a short trip to Paris and Rome and since the climates will be similar enough to mine during December, my uniforms will work well for efficient carry-on.Longdenlife says:
Never particularly thought about a ‘uniform’ until I had a couple of short trips away recently. Laying everything out on the bed and working out the possible combinations; dependent on the weather and what could be worn with what, I do have a uniform!
Namely, jeans (skinny or straight) both of which can be worn with ankle boots, knee length boots, flats (converse or brogues) or heels. Breton tshirt, loose jumper all in navy, neutrals, khaki etc, livened up with a couple of long bright wool scarves which go with all the colours.
Job done!
Candace Grannis says:
LOVE your style. We live in a skiing resort town and I never dress up, but, like to look good AND feel comfortable. I do think that I have a winter wardrobe uniform, jeans a couple of sweaters a scarf and coat. Thank you for your super example of stepping it up!
lizzie g says:
I have a navy marimekko toimi tote, with leather handles, fantastic quality and perfect size. I also have an architect’s occupational habit of wearing a uniform of black. I’ve tried to wear more navy, but its just not as easy to coordinate different navy items, as it is with black. Navies vary so much from cold to warm and are sometimes too close and a bit wrong together. i try to break it up with denim, olive, burgundy, grey, brown, cream or bright blues. At least its less draining than black, especially in winter when i’m so pale, but it’s just not as idiot proof as black.
The blogs you produce are really of good quality. I love to read your writings and shall come again to check out the latest posts.
i’d like to give a shout out for your photographer too. The quality of the art direction and photos is great and a big reason why i love your blog.
My personal obsession with clothes and style, doesn`t allow me to stick to a uniform . I do, however, get the point and wish that I could be more minimalistic and less spontaneous . My solution is to buy quality designer vintage, especially jackets, coats, bags and boots, that goes with my uniform of jeans and shirts, after all, I have spent ages finding the right jeans, so why not wear them to the last thread . My boards at Pinterest show vintage for all ages here : https://www.pinterest.fr/vintageguruscom/boards/ and our site, networkvintage.com has the latest news from the vintage industry, tips, guides and a small shop with our favorite designer vintage finds . We are based in Paris and our clients are everywhere . http://www.networkvintage.com
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I love your outfit but I’m not brave enough to wear white trousers in winter as I live in the Peak District, and we’re often inches deep in mud – or worse! I look forward to autumn each year, bringing my sweaters out of storage and greeting them like old friends. I have also just invested in a navy pure wool Max Mara sweater with a funnel neck and boxy shape which I hope to love for years. But one of my favourites is an orange wool Toast sweater I found in a charity shop for £5. My autumn uniform is always a relaxed sweater, jeans, ankle boots, and a khaki parka. Not terribly original perhaps but so comfortable and easy!