This post is in response to a bunch of questions I got when I posted my book review of The Curated Closet (by far the BEST book on everyday fashion I have ever read). In that post I talked about how the book helped me find my “three uniforms”, and a lot of you wanted to hear more about them! So here I am.
Uniform #1: Short Dresses
This one was obvious to me. I have always loved above-the-knee dresses. Maybe it stems back to my high school years when I attended Christian schools and your skirts had to go below the knee? Haha!
Nah—the real reason I love short dresses as opposed to long ones is that I feel like they make me look taller. And looking taller is something I am always striving to do. I know a lot of people dress with a “problem” they are trying to solve (like to minimize this or play up that), and I’m not saying that it’s a good mindset to have. But I will say, I LOVE feeling taller. That’s why I wear platforms with basically every outfit.
I guess now that I think of it, maybe I’m happy with my height because if I was ACTUALLY as tall as my heels make me, maybe I wouldn’t want to wear them. I don’t know—someone tall please tell me how it feels!
Anyway, short dresses are one of my go-to uniforms. I like ones with a defined waist the best, but I’m still open to shift dresses. Although I do typically stay away from the trend of dresses that look like they could maybeeee be a maternity dress. They tend to be less flattering on me (again with the looking short phobia, I think!).
Uniform #2: Button-up (or Zip-up) Skirts with a Tucked in Top
This uniform is new to me (that’s why most of these photos are from within the past six months). In the past I bought a lot of skater skirts, which are a similar cut but fuller and sometimes fluffy. And I didn’t wear them as often as I wanted to. But recently, I figured out that these button-up or zip-up skirts (almost always high waisted and on the shorter side) really work well for me. They come off less casual than a dress, and they give more opportunity to mix and match. They also coordinate really well with coats and jean jackets—better than dresses.
I like this uniform because I can wear it pretty much anywhere. The denim skirts can even go with a t-shirt or sweatshirt, and then the scalloped ones can be dressed up for a date night.
I just realized I am wearing the same pair of shoes in all the photos. Ha! I’ve been trying to branch out a bit in the shoe department. I love Hasbeens (I mean, obviously, I’m like their #1 fangirl!), but I’ve been looking to add some new styles just for variety’s sake. So if you have any shoe brand suggestions that you think would fit my style, please share!
Uniform #3: Jumpers, Rompers or Overalls
Basically anything that makes using a public restroom a nightmare because you have to completely undress… ha!
The book helped me find this uniform even though it was hiding in plain sight. These outfits make me feel really confident, and are a lot of fun to wear! I have this pair of overalls, and I’ve probably worn them, I don’t know, fifty times at least. They’re not even that photogenic, but I wear them in real life A LOT.
So ever since I completed the homework in the book (around Thanksgiving), I always remember to check the rompers section when I am shopping online. They can be really hit or miss, but when they’re a hit, they’re a big one.
Stuff I realized I don’t love wearing as much….
One of the best pieces of homework in The Curated Closet is the homework to take a photo of EVERY outfit you wear (I think for two weeks) and rate how confident you felt while wearing it and also what you were doing when you wore it. This helped me to weed out some bad outfit habits I had formed (stuff I wore because it was easy but always made me feel kind of blah), and it also helped me to realize what kind of clothes I really need and use in my everyday life.
So, one of the big things I learned was that jeans and flat shoes (especially Birkenstocks) make me feel very meh most of the time. I am now working on creating outfits with pants or jeans that make me feel confident. It’s definitely a more put together look. For super easy/casual days I’ve learned that throwing on a simple dress and jean jacket suits me better.
By taking the photos, I also discovered some pieces that I don’t think are that flattering, so I decided to sell or donate them.
Oh! And there are definitely exceptions in my closet! Here are some of my “oddball” outfits. They don’t fit into my typical uniforms, but they’re still super flattering and fun to wear!
I don’t normally love long dresses, but because I love off-the-shoulder things, I decided to give it a try and I LOVE it. I even wear it with flat shoes! And a full midi length skirt isn’t normally a go-to for me. I’ve tried a lot on that weren’t very flattering, but this one was special. Same with this long red skirt. I saw a friend wearing a similar one, and it looked so good on her. So I gave it a try and loved it. And sweaters have been tough for me. I think I tend to like very thin sweaters more than big chunky ones?
Anyway! Rules are made to be broken. I consider my three uniforms kind of easy go-tos, but I definitely won’t limit myself from trying on anything that looks fun. It’s always worth a try!
I learned so much from The Curated Closet. I feel like the biggest help to me, because I mostly shop online (and I return A LOT), is that I now recognize when I’m purchasing a “safe” piece that I know I’ll wear a lot versus a risky piece. And the second best thing I picked up is shopping for occasions. I know when I’m shopping now which pieces I’ll wear over and over and over and which are more for a certain special occasion. In past years my closet was mostly filled with “photoshoot clothes” (loud, bold pieces that look awesome in a photo but that you don’t wear that much in everyday life). Now it’s mostly everyday clothes, but it’s still a mix of both.
Ah! That was a fun post to write. I hope it was helpful to you and maybe will kickstart a few of you into getting curious about your own everyday uniforms. xx -Elsie
Credits//Author: Elsie Larson. Photos (all from past sister style posts or Instagram) by Diana La Counte, Jeremy Larson, Amber Ulmer, Emma Chapman and Alyssa Rosenheck.
Love the first 4 outfits the most- the sleeves are so dramatic and that green forest print is gorgeous!
“Combine with a necklace and lace dresses with sleeves makes me feel really good.The reunion went perfectly after that. Thanks for your article wise suggestions and I highly recommend you to try this dress out as well!”
Love those hot pink block heels in your “oddball” outfits! Do you mind sharing where they’re from? 🙂
Yeah I’m short too (5’3) and I have short legs and a normal length torso and to top it all off, I am curvy…….like thighs and booty curvy but small waist and small boobs…….shopping is hard! My go to’s are high wasted pants (low rise is my enemy because I have to go bigger to fit my thighs and butt and then I get a huge gap at the waist). I’m an A-line dress kinda girl, tight up top and flare down below, any fitted dress makes me look like a lady of the night trying to get a client (sorry for the visual). And I refuse to wear any skirt that fits below the knee. It just shortens my legs even more. In fact, the last picture with the polka dot sweater is totally my jam…..where did you get that sweater, it is adorable! As for the tall girls, I’ll be honest, I love it when I see a tall girl holding her back straight and wearing heels, totally owning her length like it’s nobody’s business. It’s so sad to see them slouch and stick to plain flats. I say that and I have my own self conscious habits to get rid of but I’m working on it 🙂
I agree Ellen !! Elsie looks fantastic. However I disagree with the short skirt theory. I always thought that a calf length skirt or dress was much more elongating and figure flattering, especially with her clogs. If you can see someone’s knee it marks where the leg ends and shortens them. I refuse to wear anything shorter than knee length because honestly it’s too stressful to worry about flashing my bits, and still being 5’7 my legs look short. Clogs plus calf length 50’s style skirt = supreme.
I haven’t read the above comments so I’m not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but just a little forewarning that you miiiiiiight need to tweak your go-to uniforms a bit when your baby comes. There is a lot of bending over, whether to play or pick things up (all the things, all the time), playing on the floor with your little, and if it’s already a nightmare using a public restroom while wearing a jumpsuit, it only gets more complicated having a small child or infant with you. So I’m just sayin, you look BANGIN’ in all these outfits and maybe you can make it work with a baby but….something to think about. It’s especially good that you’re learning this stuff now so you can find more practical mom outfits before the baby comes. If you want of course.
I LOVE these posts. They are so interesting and useful. MOAR! I bought The Curated Closet and am just starting the two week outfit photos today. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like I’ve had a clearly defined personal style that I love, and I’m so stoked to start the journey! 🙂
What are some stores where you have had luck buying rompers and jumpsuits? I am 5’1″ and I have yet to try on a romper or jumpsuit that fit my torso.
Hi Sophie,
These are from Revolve, Forever21, ModCloth and Free People. I also really like ASOS and Boohoo.
xx- Elsie
Now I really want to read that book! I’m super curious if your uniforms will change alot after baby. I was working really hard to be more polished at work, then had said baby, and now I still try, but find I often opt for what I can chase a toddler wearing, even if I’m headed to an executive meeting. I’m having such a hard time defining my Monday through Friday “uniform” because of this.
I’m also very short (4′ 11″) but love jumpers. Brand suggestions?
Agreed. The longer skirts and dresses are much more figure-flattering and slimming!
I love this and how did I miss the original post on your review?? I think you have one of those figures that would look flattering with anything -_- but I totally get wanting to feel good too. When I wore gold Birks all these cute old ladies came out of the woodworks to compliment me, ha
I’ve been wanting to read the book since you talked about it, and this is really solidified that for me. I’m really struggling, especially with dressing as a mom (not wanting to wear ‘mom clothes’) and with a body that has shifted. These examples help so much to see what the idea of a uniform looks like! Also, you look amazing and have really figured out what suits you, though I think you could pull anything off!
Totally!
Most of the time I either wear tights or tiny shorts. If not, I have to remember to be really careful. I also avoid styles that can blow up. I mostly prefer structured skirts.
xx- Elsie
Hi Kellie,
The knee socks are from American Apparel (best i’ve ever had) and the jumper is from Revolve, but it’s made by Wildfox!
xx- Elsie
Since you and Laura always wear super short dresses, do you have any tips for keeping covered? Can you raise your arms or bend down without it coming up? Do you wear underwear with more coverage? Sorry TMI, just curious. I’m always on uncomfortably high alert wearing short dresses because even a quick walk can cause them to flip up and going up stairs is plain difficult.
I really love your fashion posts!
Curious- in the uniform 2 photo collage, where did you get those black knee socks? I feel like every time I try to find some they end up being shorter than I thought and yours are THE length I am looking for.
Also, I’m totally in love with your white with black polka dot jumper, where is it from!??
I love these personal posts 🙂 I have a couple ‘uniforms’ for my work days, and some for my non-office days too. slowly finding what makes me feel good!
I loved this post. Where do you shop for rompers?