Do you have a uniform? Is there a look or a certain combination of items that you seem to gravitate to when you get dressed? For me, the awnser is Yes....yes and double yes Try as I might to be as chic as a Parisian I am pretty much a California "basics" sort of a gal. Sadly, in the past I often purchased things that had no business in my closet... by that I mean they will probably never get worn, at least by me. It's not because many of my fashion choices are not cute or stylish...it's because I wear the same really simple, comfortable things over and over again and pass on the new and trendy thinking that today is not the "right day" to wear it. Weird....I know So if today is not the right day to wear something that pretty much sums up the theory that I'm buying things that just are not working with my lifestyle The photo above is Matilda Kahl an art director at a big New York Ad house. She grew incredibly frustrated with the daily chore of finding the right out fit for work......so she decided on just one and now wears it to the office every day.....always accessorized with the little black bow read the whole story here.... she wrote in her article for Harpers Bazaar: "The simple choice of wearing a work uniform has saved me countless wasted hours thinking, "what the hell am I going to wear today?" And in fact, these black trousers and white blouses have become an important daily reminder that frankly, I'm in control. Today, I not only feel great about what I wear, I don't think about what I wear." Hoo Ray!!!!! Matilda found her uniform This is not a new concept by any stretch The French are famous for it Chic women know how to do it...and they do it really well one of my favorites is Ines de la Fresange, model and Chanel fashion muse Ines is often seen in the same flats, comfortable jeans and wonderful Chanel jackets Style legend Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, always simple and chic in her classic black and white Even my favorite bloggers know how to pull it off....Janet for instance, has written so many great posts about small wardrobes, fashion on a tight budget and owning your own style so cute and so very Janet! Janet knows her style and she owns it another chic blogger Cindy just wrote a great post about the classic tailored white shirt personally, the way I dress now is just one part of the ongoing process of letting go, moving on and finding freedom in living more simply When we sold our home in Ojai and it came time to pack it all up (...there actually was not much to pack) I made the decision to try to simplify my life even more. I purged....I tossed, I donated and I purged some more. I gave away the impractical super high pumps I wore just once, I tossed coats, blazers, pleated trousers and handbags. I chucked pantyhose, itchy lacey boy briefs, push up bras and knee socks. Interesting combo right? Gone are stupid bathing suits (never worn) silly hats and too tight tops and bottoms Adios to the puffer coat, the mens leather back pack and the hawaiian print vacation clutch that got packed but never made it to the Luau. Siyanara girlie golf shoes(except the lucky pair I wore when I hit that long drive) see ya stupid running cap so long uber chic pointy toes....you will never make me blister and bleed again all gone.... I donated at least 30 container store clear shoe boxes...full of shoes! Was it hard?...well kind of, but when I started making trips to the Goodwill, sometimes daily, it got easier and easier. And what was more amazing? When I looked at what remained in my closet (which is now 1/3 as full as it was) I finally had a glimpse of what my style really was. I felt good too, donating things that I knew would be purchased and used by someone else. There was some really good stuff in those donation bags! After the closet I tackled the bathroom with the same gusto My make up drawer was just down right silly lipstick....yucky colors...check...see ya sticky foundation....the wrong shade....done...out a here under eye cream samples....all 25 of them...what is up with all those eye creams?....in the trash I kept the basics... One foundation, one mascara, one shadow box etc I chucked all of my old makeup brushes and purchased new useful ones I chose a makeup brand or two that I really like (Bobbi Brown and Clinique) I have really enjoyed heading off to Sephora to purchase new items, in the right shades and in small quantities. Makeup that is super good for my skin and easy to use My collection of nail polish was edited to just 4 or 5 favorite shades (down from about 30 half empty uninteresting nail colors and an inordinate amount of clear, base, top coat, healthy nail hardener etc....you know the stuff...) And what started as cleaning and packing project has morphed into a lifestyle change One area that I have always probably shopped and used correctly is jewelry. I look totally ridiculous in lots of jewelry...sort of like an overdecorated christmas tree, so all of my jewelry is simple and I don't have a lot. I like really good or great pieces, just not too many and I love big mens watches instead of a bracelet. I have started to purchase clothes that I know I will and can wear...every day...for business, running errands, shopping or walking the dog. *An important side note on this uniform thing is my need for comfortable shoes. I refuse to wear shoes that give me blisters or that I can't make a mad dash down the street in. Here are a few of my favorite items from my "style me" pin board big chunky sweaters denim and chambray anything Ines wears white jeans, simple tops and an awesome jacket (great handbags are a must) camel hair and loafers slouchy boots, simple skirts and comfy sweaters I put together a style board of a few things I wear all the time slouchy cuffed trouser: Anthropology basic cotton long sleeved T: Gap denim jacket: J crew fun scarf: Madewell comfy shoes: Zappos bad hair day cap: Ralph Lauren shopper tote: Madewell readers: Warby Parker sunnies: Ray Ban what is your uniform? does it look like mine? these are really fun posts to write and they really get you thinking... especially the idea of owing your style I should probably try this technique in my kitchen but that's a whole other can of beans Have a great week and don't forget to be awesome! K