My Spring uniform
Inspired by
this week on finding her Spring style uniform (see below), I’m taking a deep dive into my wardrobe to create and test five outfits for the new season. With a backdrop of lace, slouchy denim, layering and The Row-inspired mules, I’m excited to see what SS25 style uniform might look like.
One of my favourite writers on here,
, has written prolifically on the topic of style uniforms, here, here and here. She uses ’s ‘Seven Uniform’ approach as a way to outfit plan at the start of each season. The idea is to have ready to wear outfits, one for each of the typical scenarios that crop up in your week, that makes you to feel comfortable, appropriately dressed and ‘you’. Such a great sustainable style tool!
While the term ‘uniform’ might sound rather restrictive, there are no rules here, other than, for me the outfits need to (1) fit with my personal style - casual, minimal and feminine/ street, (2) fit with my lifestyle - I work from home most days but always ‘get dressed’ for the school run and errands, and (3) fit with my existing wardrobe.
With the new-season-new-items tingle at full throttle, creating my Spring style uniform, with what I already own, is giving me a focus. It often feels easier to see the gaps within our wardrobes rather than the opportunities, so this sustainable style practice is my way of blocking out the ‘noise’ and focusing on what’s behind those closet doors.
With Liza’s approach in mind, I’ve identified the five typical scenarios within my week. While dinner out is more a monthly treat than weekly, it’s a fun one to include here as it’s a bit more dressed up than the other scenarios.
School run
Errands
Working from home
Coffee/ weekending
Dinner out
School run
I have to say, I really love this outfit! Grey jumper + pop of colour + distressed jeans + mules. This outfit feels casual, minimal and current. On
’s advice, I’ve included the colour of this season and of next (see below) - a good healthy dollop of yellow.
As I don’t actually own anything yellow (yet), I’ve used my husband’s t-shirt here and luckily it’s the perfect length to peak out from under my jumper. To appease my love of colour combining using this treasure of a book, I’ve added my burgundy Staud suede bag, to this grey-yellow-light denim combo, which perfectly recreates page 170!
Errands
The SS25 runways of Ralph Laurent, Rabanne and Stella McCartney have catapulted the humble vest from basic to show-stealing centrepiece, with all featuring variations on the classic scooped neckline. With layering also featuring strongly, I took style notes from
(always!) and her recreation of a quietly sensational Miu Miu runway look (see below), in which she layered a vest over a slim fitting t-shirt.
This feels like such a simple and accessible tweak of a ubiquitous basic to create a very ‘current’ and fashion forward look. So I’ve popped a vest over my slim fitting Leset Margo t-shirt for my running errands look and I love it. Layered t-shirt and vest + loose trousers + blazer + flip flops.
Coffee/ weekending
Speaking of tweaks,
recently wrote about small changes that consistently wow her clients (see below). One of these was the simple task of cuffing your jeans. I’m totally on for this as it really helps to get the proportions of your outfit right for you, particularly if you’re aiming for the ‘big-slim-skin’ outfit formula (more on this next week!).
This outfit feels relaxed and carefree, just how I like to feel when I’m escaping the laptop and hunkering down with a friend for a dose of ‘fika’. The combination of the feminine top and slightly utilitarian jeans fit with my three style words, and also with the moto boho trend of SS25, championed by Sienna Miller and Zoe Kravitz. Floaty top + slouchy denim + mules.
Working from home
I don’t typically wear skirts all that often but this one works well for me as it’s loose, light, ankle grazing and while it’s satin, it’s not cut on the bias. Bias cut sits firmly on my ‘do not buy’ list - I just can’t bear how it makes me feel!
This outfit feels like a good WFH option as it’s simple, comfortable, and most importantly, doesn’t dig in anywhere! The pop of subtle colour from the trainers and added earthiness from the vintage wooden fish necklace (such a find) work to salvage the overall look from being too simple or too minimal.
I was going to retake this pic after a little furry bottom appeared out from under the bed but I think we all like a Connie spotting! Sweatshirt + casual skirt + trainers.
Dinner out
This outfit was exactly what I had planned to wear last night for dinner out with my husband, to celebrate the fact that he is off crutches following surgery #4 on his hip. But life throws curve balls and our eldest, who is coeliac, accidentally ate gluten bread yesterday and was violently ill. So no outing for us this weekend, but at least I’ve an outfit planned for next time!
This look references the dark romance trend for SS25, as seen on runways for Alberta Ferreti and Lela Rose, but to pull it back from feeling severe, I’ve added slouchy denim (again) and a playful bag. The recent addition of these Anine Bing black pumps (bought preloved) has unlocked so many jeans/ trouser/ skirt combinations in my head! They really were a missing piece. Lace top + slouchy denim + pointed heels.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these outfits as much as I have in putting them together! It’s not often that I have time to take any outfit pics so I’m pleased that I now have some great reference outfits ready to go for whatever the week might throw at me. Like this! A very beautiful but cold lake swim today interspersed with warming up in the sauna with friends. No outfit required, other than ‘bathers’ and a throw over, and it was bliss. Happy weekend! Jenny x
Pets photo-bombing is one of my favourite things ever. I just wore a black lace top like this! I feel so proud for matching you, Jenny!
I definitely have "uniforms" that I fall back on when I am not feeling creative or am crunched for time. Great idea on the jeans cuffing!
Love these spring uniforms for different occasion life throws at us. I may not be ready to wear flip flops with a suit ensemble but it does look so cool on you, Jenny :)