ONE OUTFIT WONDERS

Being considered 'fashionable' is usually accredited with having huge volumes of clothing. Options keep style from veering towards the mundane *or that's what I tell myself...* However, with that being said, versatility may just be the spice of life and the kryptonite of style ruts around the world if you will. You hear of wardrobes condensed down to the bare essentials, the perfect curation of necessity but for most (myself most definitely included) this degree of meticulous organisation (or depravity) remains elusive. 

Despite my inability to withstand multiple purchases of worryingly similar items, I think that there might might be something to this curation lark. Perhaps I should add that my wardrobe actually snapped under the pressure of holding so much weight and this may in part be the driving force behind my interest in downsizing my wears... 

So whilst my wardrobe resembles a cracked egg shell - all broken and pitiful looking - I started to think of the merits behind paired-back dressing. I asked myself the hard hitting questions, like: "do I need nine white t-shirts?" and "is it okay to own numerous items because I like them and not because I actually wear them?" With such thought-provoking, insightful and probing questions as that, I: 

a) debated a career as a news anchor.

b) got lost in a montage-stylee mega reminisce of my formative years, namely the saviour that was my school uniform.

c) stuck sticky tape on my wardrobe pole in a last ditch attempt to ignore my evident hoarder tendencies.

Now, I know that whilst struggling as a tween to 'find myself' and express this ever-changing self through a medium as stringent as a uniform, it was more often an annoyance than a blessing. But with good old hindsight I note that the glorious monotony of pre-picked clothing was conducive to more lie-ins, less early morning 'I have nothing to wear' teen tantrums, and discouraged any kind of comparative bitchiness until after school hours (when your brain was all awake and stuff and could make such critical decisions). And I find that even though we may have left the school halls behind us we never truly leave behind the mentality of uniform dressing. 

As we get older we inform our wardrobes and sense of style with something innately 'us', but it takes time to create and curate this rendition of ourselves. We inadvertently master a persona through our clothing. Like when people say, "this is so you". We become known for a certain 'look' and we ourselves buy into certain looks. For example check out all the Coachella coverage (or faux-chella as coveteur.com called it) to witness the army of people appropriating what it is - or what people en mass think it is - to be at a festival. Uniforms are a comfort, they encourage sameness. Whether you believe that they stifle individuality or function as an equaliser; uniforms sure do take the uncertainty out of getting dressed! With all this said I figured I'd write a rundown of those special few who transform their uniforms into 'one outfit wonders'. Let their commitment to a look inspire you.

Daria

The 90s are cool again. That is probably the most underwhelming statement I have ever made... However, the 90's show Daria had some good things going on, namely her choice outfit. Before Lena Dunham there was acerbic teenager Daria and she did sarcasm in biker boots like no other. Her favoured military jacket was sure to be the sole inspiration behind Marc Jacobs SS15. And Coach's Stuart Vevers proclivity for orange surely stems from Daria's affinity with the colour. Also is it just me or does Leigh Lezark resemble Daria's BFF, Jane Lane? 

Daphne Blake

Scooby Doo informed my growth into adulthood immeasurably. Teaching me that those with a good moral compass will inevitably have the best wardrobes, and crime fighting should always be done in heels, preferably platforms. Scoob himself taught me the power of a statement accessory but Daphne was pictorial proof of what good grooming and colour coordination can do for you. And Michael Kors agrees, or at least the doppelgänger that he sent down the runway would lead one to assume so. Let's all dye our hair purple in honour of the auburn haired damsel in-a-dress. 

Spongebob Square Pants

I do not like SBSP. The jokes are whack, his laugh is annoying and Gary is stupid. But yes, I do realise that it is a show aimed at children so perhaps my disconnect is to be expected somewhat. However, despite all my ranting I guess Jeremy Scott saw something that I clearly didn't with the merging of the Sponge and Moschino, which leads me to at least commend his commitment to a shirt and tie. VB garners huge praise for her pristine attire so why shouldn't SB get the same credit?

Wednesday Addams

Long before Alexa Chung claimed dibs on the Peter Pan collar, Wednesday was accessorising her LBD with starched white tips of the double 'P' variety. With her dead pan 'humour', enviable porcelain skin and cute braids, you'd be forgiven for overlooking her psychotic tendencies. But if Rihanna can market herself as a real life 'bad gal' then I'm sure Miss Addams can riff off her penchant for destruction in babydoll dresses. After all the girl does monochrome like no other...   

Who are your one outfit wonders? Let me know in the comments below :) 

(Images via: coveteur.com, fashiontoast.com, d-a-r-i-a.tumblr.com, themetropolist.com,fanpop.com & pinterest.com)