Spring Uniform

Winter is (officially) behind us and I don’t know about you, but I am here for it. Thank you Jesus for spring. The changing of the seasons is a prime time to purge and refresh the closet. Choosing a spring uniform is a great way to look good while simplifying the process of choosing what to wear each day.

Spring and fall are my favorite times to reassess what is in my closet and what I’m actually wearing. While having a uniform might not be for everyone, I think it’s a concept worth considering if you’re someone who struggles with decision fatigue. (Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions when making many consecutive decisions.) I have unintentionally been wearing a ‘uniform’ the past few years, but am trying to hone it in this spring.

Why a spring uniform?

People like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg are just two of many well known entrepreneurs who have a uniform. Why? It creates less decision fatigue, eliminating a decision and freeing up more brain power for others.

A spring uniform also allows us to wear what we love and feel good in everyday. We all have varying degrees of how much effort and energy we want to exert to what goes on our bodies, but I think we can all agree we want to feel good and confident in what we wear. Choosing a spring uniform can help with that.

There is a good chance you have heard this statistic: We wear only 20% of the items in our closet routinely. That means we might have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. Intentionally choosing a spring uniform means not shuffling through the other 80% of the stuff in our closet.

Decision fatigue, looking and feeling confident, and actually wearing the clothes in our closet are three reasons to consider a spring uniform.

What is a spring uniform?

A spring uniform doesn’t mean you wear the same white t-shirt and jeans everyday, unless you want to. A spring uniform is a formula for how to dress this season. For example, my spring uniform includes leggings or shorts, a tank with a pullover or zip up, and sneakers, boots or sandals. Since I am home with kids all day, this uniform works for me in this stage of life. I have skinny jeans and a button down or tee to pull out for a date night, time with girlfriends, or just for a day I want to up the ante a bit.

If you work outside the home you may need a work uniform and a weekend uniform. An example of a work uniform could be: a pencil skirt with blouse and cardigan and/or trousers with a tucked blouse. Your weekend uniform could be jeans, a t-shirt and button up or whatever makes you feel comfortable and ready for time with your people.

A spring uniform doesn’t mean your wardrobe is boring or lacking options. I absolutely believe it can be fun with lots of creative breathing room. A spring uniform merely means decision fatigue is significantly decreased because what you wear is thought out and the clothing pieces are curated to make you look and feel good.

How to create a spring uniform?

The most important part in creating a spring uniform is to pull pieces from your closet you love, fit well, and you feel good in. What do you love wearing in the spring? What clothes fit and lay well? Are there pieces in your closet that make you feel more confident?

Pull your favorites.

What pieces do you always pull to wear when you feel like you have nothing to wear? Begin there. Pull your favorite pieces to the front of your closet.

Find what works together.

From your favorites, what pieces go together? A typical outfit formula for spring: bottom, top, layer, shoes, accessories. As you put pieces together, notice if there are any duplicate silhouettes. For example, are you always reaching for skinny jeans and a flowy blouse? Or maybe it’s high waisted pants with an oversized t-shirt? If you see a pattern of silhouettes, take note, as it could help you create your uniform.

Put on some music and take time to try on your favorite pieces you normally wouldn’t pair together to see if they work. Noticing duplicate silhouettes and pairings you feel good in will help you decide the pieces for your spring uniform.

Decide on the uniform.

A uniform is not the same pants and shirt everyday, unless it will make your life simpler. It is wearing the same genre of outfit everyday. For me, it’s leggings and a pullover or zip up, sometimes skinny jeans if I’m going out. I can decide if I want to own 3 pairs of leggings or 6 or if I want 4 pullovers or 20. I get to choose if I want them all the same color or if I want to have color, print, and fabric options for variety. Decide on the uniform by thinking about what makes you feel like you and choosing the pieces that fit in your uniform genre.

Decide on enough.

A spring uniform will look different for all of us and the number of pieces we want to complete it will be different as well. Decide what is enough for you. How many tops and bottoms do you need so you aren’t stressed about too much laundry or a too full closet? How many shoe options and accessory options are ample to create the looks you want? Decide what is enough for you.

Purge.

Look at what’s left. Is there anything that isn’t serving you anymore? Is there anything you didn’t wear last spring and are almost sure you won’t wear this spring? Do a gut check and purge the unnecessary, so it won’t clog up your closet and your brain space.

Purchase intentionally.

One of the big advantages to a spring uniform is shopping gets substantially easier. You know what you have and it’s clear if there are any gaps. After you curate your spring uniform and purge the unnecessary, decide if there are pieces you would like to add to your closet to enhance your spring uniform. Staying within budget, shop intentionally with the mindset of choosing pieces you love, pieces that fit well, and outfit combinations that amplify your confidence.

A spring uniform isn’t for everyone. Deciding what you put on your body everyday might bring you joy and if so…you do you! But if you’re like me and creating a spring uniform can simplify your morning and give you more time for other things, I hope you try this concept.

Tell me: Do you think a spring uniform would add value to your life and make it simpler?