Personal uniform. A distillation of personal style to one, or a variation on a, singular outfit. Not as an outside requirement imposed on us by an institution such as school or work, but self-imposed instead.
Created as an outward identity, whilst simultaneously reinforcing and/or shielding inward identity. A set of clothes donned for the undergoing of a specific task is not uncommon. Like creating a character or persona. It may be done to exemplify one’s personality, or to project a completely different personality. For those whose livelihood is structureless and dictated to solely by themselves, a personal uniform can be vital.
What it looks like, can be very different depending on the day to day lifestyle of the individual.
An individual may be in a weekly work environment that enforces its own strict uniform policies. Therefore, it is not until the weekend that they can wear their own personal uniform.
A uniform of leisure is often borne out of rebellion to the uniform policy of the wearer’s primary occupation. So, naturally, it is often the polar opposite. If one’s 9-5 is a button down affair, the weekend may consist of sports tees and comfy shoes. On the other hand, if the work uniform is utilitarian, the weekend uniform could be more formal. However, the personal uniform is far more prevalent amongst the self-employed.
Much like a studio space or office helps those with less structured jobs get into a mindset that induces productivity, so can a uniform. Artists, writers, filmmakers, and any self-employed person for that matter. Whether it be a suit or a pair of dungarees, a clear distinction between ‘work’ wear and leisure wear is often the only outward indication that they are now at work. Adopting uniformity does not implicitly require formality.
Personal uniforms of creatives have often inspired and enthralled the general public. Prompting authors like Charlie Porter to extensively analyse and showcase the details of an artist’s daily garments. This fascination of a personal uniform is as a reaction to the work done by the wearer, but why they choose the clothes they do can be fascinating unto itself.
The adoption of a personal uniform may come about for necessity or practical purposes. Knowing exactly what you are to wear each day can free up the mind to focus on other pursuits, as well as freeing oneself from the burden of self-judgment. You know the uniform works, and are therefore unconcerned by the pressures of shopping for clothes too. For some, the personal uniform is purely utilitarian. The clothes are chosen and repeated, because they serve a purpose throughout the daily comings and goings of the wearer. Be it a waterproof layer for long stints outdoors or trousers with many pockets in order to avoid carrying a bag.
The personal uniform could also betray the secret of ones occupation. Be that a smatter of paint, ripped knees, a hat with every ounce of colour faded by the sun. Adaption too, is a big part of the personal uniform. Our lives are not stagnant, change in situation will ultimately be reflected in a person’s uniform.
In an age of the mobilised workforce, the traditional notion of work-life balance is being slowly, but surely eroded. So, I pose the idea that the adoption of a personal uniform is no longer exclusive to those in the creative pursuits. For those millions of people who now work from home regularly, the distinction between work-life and home-life can become blurred to the point of extreme overlap. Therefore, the adoption of the disciplined habit of a personal uniform whilst at home, and getting changed once the work day is over. Can be crucial in enforcing the distinction between working and relaxing. Even when those pursuits occupy the same space.
