What if my "uniform" gets old?

An existential crisis about knit pants.

Are you a uniform dresser?

I used to think I wasn’t. “I dress by mood!”, I’d proclaim in my head, and then every morning that mood was “WTF do I wear today?”

When I settled into my uniform, everything got a lot easier. Rather than staring at my wardrobe in a state of panic, I felt a sense of calm. I just took my go-to pieces from their pile and put them on.

A style uniform can simplify the process of getting dressed, because you already know what works and you just kind of.. replicate that.

I've spoken at length about my love of knit pants and oversized tops (and literally just wrote an article about it for Mamamia) and it's a look that's served me very well this past two years or so. Knit pants have turned to lightweight crochet or silky flares for summer; roomy knits to big tees and shirts. Shopping has never been more straightforward.

Shopping for more pants in the exact same colourway and silhouette.

But the question I'm facing now is... what happens if these pieces start to date?

It’s not so much a question of if, but when.

Fashion Month just wrapped up in Paris, and some of the most directional brands that set the style agenda (see: Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga) were showing “shrunken” silhouettes and body-skimming styles that look a lot like how we’ll be dressing next. Tight tops. Pencil skirts. Lots of leggings.

There were still plenty of oversized pieces at equally influential houses like The Row and Saint Laurent, with cocoony outerwear and loose masculine tailoring continuing to dominate. The mainstream skinny-fication of our clothes isn’t imminent. But early adopters will start now.

Slim and streamlined at Balenciaga.

And Miu Miu’s mod take.

And what happens when my knit pants suddenly feel redundant?

THEN what of my uniform - do I become one of those women who wears it relentlessly throughout my middle age, eventually graduating into layers of ecru linen?

Actually, I don't mind that evolution for me.

But this all got me thinking more deeply about uniforms; the clothes that make us feel most ourselves. When we’ve cycled through enough versions of how we might dress, how we might represent ourselves in various looks and styles, and finally found one that fits, do we just… stop? Can we?

A stylist and content creator I admire very much, Fifi Milne, writes a lot about how classic pieces do date, so you need to be regularly updating your wardrobe with new proportions to make your outfits feel modern. It’s not that your investment pieces won’t last - it’s that they won’t last forever.

If you think about it, the fitted, knee-length Burberry trenchcoats of 2010 were a far cry from the voluminous, long trenches we’re wearing now. Same idea, completely different execution. The eye seeks new ideas; it’s only human.

I’m trying to avoid an existential crisis about my extensive wardrobe of knit pants. This column is really just me working through it. I think the answer is that I’ll continue living in them for as long as I’m comfortable… and given how comfortable they are, that actually could be forever.

Onto shopping! Here are a couple of pieces that have caught my eye this month.

Venroy Long Sleeve Tie Dye.

This colour. The ease of it. I’d just tuck it into jeans, add flats and go.

Arcaa Movement Pippa Wide-Leg Pant.

Oh look! More knit pants. Only these ones are blue!

Arms of Eve Star Struck Gold Earrings.

These little puffy stars are the cutest. Nostalgic but so chic.

New York City Two-Tone Clean Cap.

You know me, you know my New York cap collection. I need this two-tone version.

Zulu & Zephyr Stone Contrast Knit Skirt.

This is the way I’d do a sheer skirt. With semi-transparent cotton layered over with a shirt or tee.

NA-KD Belted Detail Shearling Jacket.

I am obsessed with this Swedish high street brand and quite upset I haven’t come across it sooner. It’s like Zara except everything is actually wearable. Plus - free shipping!

That’s all from me. As always, you can see my outfits, commentary on trends, celeb looks and more on my Instagram and join my broadcast channel for the stuff I won’t share on Stories.

See you next time,

Tam x