Thursday, September 16, 2010

Friday=care day


Usually, Thursdays are for household labor, care, and catchy up at the end of the teaching week, but I had to go in yesterday, and then got caught in the great NYC hurricane of '10 (Blokey's poor Wasa crackers did survive the 60 MPH winds and rains, miraculously) and I didn't get as much done as I 'd wish. Today, I'm going to see my acupuncturist (I have become "One of those" Brooklynites, in an effort to deal with my skin problems and allergies in a natural way, but it's community acupuncture, and totally affordable. Costs the same as a co-pay, almost), go grocery shopping, and work like a fiend, hopefully.
Blokey and I have plans for a little mini-break to the Jersey shore this weekend. We may or may not overnight. But we've wanted to go for a while, before the semester got to crazy, and the sun went away for good. I'll try to post boardwalk pictures!
If you're not familiar with David Mitchell, British funnyman and occasional Liberal political commentator, I highly recommend him. I also recommend this recent video of him explaining why he wore the same red shirt on his Soap Box series on the Guardian.co.uk.
While I can quite commit to becoming "Homer Simpson" or "Charlie Brown" in my embrace of a signature uniform, I have been thinking about "uniforms" lately. I want to organize how I dress for school into various "uniforms" so I'm not stuck by my closet, wondering what to wear (the in between seasons weather has not been helping). Jesse.anne.o's post on her experiences with a sustainable fashion workshop during Fashion's Night Out got me nodding. I too want a cool uniform style wardrobe. A jacket, shirt, skirt, and boots are a favorite fall casual uniform. But yet I am reluctant to donate my thrifted prairie dresses...
Ah, what's a conflicted, stuffed closet, eco-wannabe clothing consumer to do?
Also, Stylenation: Can I buy staples to replace the things I've worn out on the GAAD? I need like 1-2 black and white T-shirts, for layering. I have the discipline to traipse in somewhere, buy them and get out (or on Amazon.com, or whatever eretailer I fancy).

Jacket: Levi's
Shirt: H&M
Skirt: DIY
Socks: Gap
Boots: Palladium

19 comments:

  1. Yeah, this weather hasn't been uniform-friendly!

    I think you're allowed to replace stuff that gets worn? But maybe that's the 6 things?

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  2. The real GAAD guidelines don't allow it, but I think a targeted replacement of a frequent-use item is about the most blameless cheat that there is. Honestly, I was thinking about replacing my cropped emerald green cotton cardigan, because I wear it weekly, and I will miss it SO HARD, and it got a big fugly grease spot on the front somehow that even the magic stain-eating-bacteria stain remover can't get rid of.

    As for dresses, a dress is a skirt and blouse in one, and fits right into your uniform, under your jacket and above your boots. Maybe donate ones that match nothing and keep the rest?

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  3. I like the idea is a style uniform, but I don't think I would be able to stick to one look.

    I don't see any issue with replacing staples. Everyone needs basics.

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  4. i agree - replacing worn-out basics hardly seems a cheat.

    and Cynthia's take on fitting dresses into your uniform scheme sounds about right to me. maybe try a belt and more structured jacket with the dresses if they seem a little 'girly' to you at your job.

    plus it's possible to have more than one 'uniform', if you like variety. 2 or 3 uniform/templates can give you a lot of variety but still be pretty idiot-proof and take care of a lot of the thinking for you. i'll be interested to see any updates you may have on how the uniform strategy works out for you!

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  5. @Tiny- I like the idea of multiple uniforms. I probably already do that, I just need to sit down and write 'em down.
    @Rebecca: You seem to have a great "layering dresses" look for work. Not quite a uniform, but definitely it's one of your signatures. (I wanted to do it today, but am lacking in t shirts!)
    @Cynthia: I think replacing what we've got, if not in the letter of the rules, definitely fits the spirit.
    @JAO: Silly weather. I'm glad that you're OK after yesterday's craziness. It's cold in mornings and warm during they day. At least we can layer!

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  6. I don't think there was anything in the GAAD rulebook about having to wear worn out/stained clothes if something you already own goes belly-up. I'd go for it, Rad.
    Nice outfit!

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  7. Yeah, the only thing I'd say about my cardigan is that I have many other cardigans, and perhaps one of them would take the place of my green one as a favorite/fashion crutch if I forced myself not to replace it. (Yeah, I am actually on the fence about this...even though I've found a $25 candidate to replace it). But black and white t-shirts are practically underwear in their generic-ness and necessity.

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  8. I really really think you should be able to buy staples as replacement items for the GAAD. But that's just me. Inherent rule breaker tendencies.

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  9. Tees are like underwear and socks. They wear out and need to be replaced. No GAAD applies here.

    Rad, I hear what your saying about uniforms, etc. Try it out and blog about it. That's what we are here for, to experiment with clothing, push our outfit comfort zones, etc.
    Use your past posts to see what you've worn and liked. That may help you in your uniform strategy.

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  10. I think replacing staples are okay!!

    I love the blue-mixing here. I don't usually like wearing like-colors together but this looks great.

    HOpe you have a great weekend!

    CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

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  11. It's Sunday and I'm coming back for more. I just saved this photo onto my computer for futher reference. I hope that's not too stalkish of me.

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  12. Yes. Yes, you can replace closet staples. Plus, if you shop even a little, I'll feel better about myself. (won't that be nice for you?)

    Also, you look awesomely wind-blown and stylish here. 'Hope you made it the Jersey Shore this weekend.

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  13. @SU, Elaine, Emily, Charlotte, and A-Dubs: Thanks for the reassurance. I found my white t-shirt (see today's post) but it's good to know.
    I spent so much money have fun at the shore with Blokey, it's good I don't spend it on clothes!

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  14. @SU, Elaine, Emily, Charlotte, and A-Dubs: Thanks for the reassurance. I found my white t-shirt (see today's post) but it's good to know.
    I spent so much money have fun at the shore with Blokey, it's good I don't spend it on clothes!

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  15. I think replacing staples are okay!!

    I love the blue-mixing here. I don't usually like wearing like-colors together but this looks great.

    HOpe you have a great weekend!

    CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

    ReplyDelete
  16. i agree - replacing worn-out basics hardly seems a cheat.

    and Cynthia's take on fitting dresses into your uniform scheme sounds about right to me. maybe try a belt and more structured jacket with the dresses if they seem a little 'girly' to you at your job.

    plus it's possible to have more than one 'uniform', if you like variety. 2 or 3 uniform/templates can give you a lot of variety but still be pretty idiot-proof and take care of a lot of the thinking for you. i'll be interested to see any updates you may have on how the uniform strategy works out for you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't think there was anything in the GAAD rulebook about having to wear worn out/stained clothes if something you already own goes belly-up. I'd go for it, Rad.
    Nice outfit!

    ReplyDelete