The Idea Of Simplicity
In my mind it is simple: When Summer turns to Autumn (which is right about now in Copenhagen) I want to wear this: Jeans with jackets and OCBD or denim shirts, occasionally swapped for a knit. Perhaps the occasional heavy cotton trouser instead of jeans. When it gets colder and Autumn turns to Winter, I swap the jeans for flannels and cords and shirts for knitwear. Loafers as the default shoe, swapped for boots in rain or snow. Simple as that.
Now, a regiment like that I find quite attractive. It’s not the Steve Jobs approach to uniform dressing, but there is something that appeals to me: Some kind of consistency in what you wear might be some sort of signature. It adds some sort of efficiency without removing the enjoyment in wearing good clothes and shoes.
This uniform is by no means unique in our little menswear community, and I suppose many of you lovely readers dress along the lines of what I propose above. I suppose we would call it casual-smart. But I can assure you that I do not meet an awful lot of people in my daily life who dress like me, and even if I think a grey tweed jacket, jeans and loafers is a quite modest way of dressing elegantly, it will to some extent always stand out and to some people appear either over-dressed or just plain odd. So be it.
But will I adhere to the uniform guidelines proposed above? Mostly and probably yes, since this is what my wardrobe currently offers. But I have no doubt that I occasionally will reach for other garments. Garments that before were key items, but now lead a life in the periphery. Like my two pairs of cavalry twill trousers (Rota). A two or three season stable for the last couple of years, but mainly on the back burner now. Wonderful trousers, but perhaps a bit too formal to fit naturally in to the uniform I propose.
I am sure I will deviate from the uniform. Not just for the cavalry twill trousers, but also other garments. Because they are great garments and I know that some time during Autumn or Winter I will want to wear them for that reason exactly.
Having some sort of uniform is a nice thing, but I do prefer to leave a bit to be found out along the way - and not planning everything in advance.
As always, an enjoyably considered read on considered menswear. I think what you say makes a lot of sense. Years ago, most people did have effectively a uniform for both their work and home lives- for example, everyone wore a hat. This could have been both a good and bad thing, but the obvious downside was less choice, less freedom to express oneself through clothing. Now the problem is navigating one's way through almost unlimited choices of clothing where casual dressing rules all. I think the kind of rules with room for improvisation you talk about is a great way to navigate all this. I do like having some broad rules for myself in what I wear, though I've found occasional improvisation will always be something I'm drawn to that shakes things up in an enjoyable way. Tak!