It is annoying that he did this for "minimalism" and got rid of his old clothes in order to do this. Why not just keep wearing the clothes that you have? When those wear out, repair them or get...
It is annoying that he did this for "minimalism" and got rid of his old clothes in order to do this. Why not just keep wearing the clothes that you have? When those wear out, repair them or get more clothes at that thrift shop that the clothes were donated to?
I'm not surprised that we're reading an interview with this guy. It seems like he is itching to tell people that he only has one outfit. (Well, except for his formal wear and weather-related stuff.)
This happens in every. single. minimalism. thread. Ad infinitum on /r/minimalism. Minimalism means different things to different people. Here, it's quite obviously about reducing the variety of...
This happens in every. single. minimalism. thread. Ad infinitum on /r/minimalism.
Minimalism means different things to different people. Here, it's quite obviously about reducing the variety of clothes he has, and maintaining minimalism in how he dresses.
Your outlook (which is totally fine, by the way) is that of financial/economic/environmental minimalism. In that people should use what they own as much as possible. This is also how I tend to see minimalism, but I have to remember that it means different things for different people.
This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism. Just like having skinny fit clothes is not a form of brutalism or taking blurry photos is not really expressionism.
This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism. Just like having skinny fit clothes is not a form of brutalism or taking blurry photos is not really expressionism.
That's a no true scotsman married to a prescriptivist. You define minimalism one way, someone else defines it another way. Labels are kinda shit like that, you need to be more specific.
That's a no true scotsman married to a prescriptivist.
You define minimalism one way, someone else defines it another way. Labels are kinda shit like that, you need to be more specific.
No it's none of those. Just that minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement and one guy deciding to use one outfit as a uniform has nothing to do with that. And I don't really define...
No it's none of those. Just that minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement and one guy deciding to use one outfit as a uniform has nothing to do with that.
And I don't really define minimalism anywhere in my comment.
Definitions don't need to be explicit to exist - 'minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement' is a (part of a) definition, as is 'This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism' - anything...
Definitions don't need to be explicit to exist - 'minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement' is a (part of a) definition, as is 'This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism' - anything that says this yes that no is what a definition is.
YOU believe minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement. But others disagree.
Others do disagree, and they have already told what they think. Why do ponder on it further? I do disagree those others, saying that they also disagree me is just telling the obvious. Also, a...
Others do disagree, and they have already told what they think. Why do ponder on it further? I do disagree those others, saying that they also disagree me is just telling the obvious.
Also, a definition is an attempt at coming up with a description that limits a concept. I merely excluded one thing from the bounds of a concept/term, and that a definition does not make.
Because language is about shared definitions - other people disagree with you, thus the word can't be limited to what you're trying to limit it to. You have no power to limit it. You also disagree...
Because language is about shared definitions - other people disagree with you, thus the word can't be limited to what you're trying to limit it to. You have no power to limit it.
You also disagree with yourself... " a definition is an attempt at coming up with a description that limits a concept." and " I merely excluded one thing " - that IS defining something.
Having a personal uniform sort of fascinates me. I feel like I see a deep discussion about this subject pop up every few years which makes me consider doing this, but I don't think I can actually...
Having a personal uniform sort of fascinates me. I feel like I see a deep discussion about this subject pop up every few years which makes me consider doing this, but I don't think I can actually commit to it. Particularly because I remember a reddit thread on this same topic where someone said when they tried it, people thought they were wearing the exact same clothing every day, not fresh clothes daily. (I think this is also correlated with personal hygiene perception: if you are well-groomed and have a polite spritz of cologne on, no one will think this.)
I've been thinking a ton about personal style recently, particularly because I'm on the cusp of sizing down after a few successful and steady months of dieting. My closet right now is packed with text-laden T-shirts, mostly from Cotton Bureau, many of which I'm starting to dislike because of a line from a movie which deeply influenced me: "Nobody wants to read your shirt".
If I was to go about it implementing this in my lifestyle, because I'm someone that obsesses over design, I'd probably want to commission closely similar iterations of the same "uniform", and just have twenty of it in my closet. Sadly, this dream probably blocks me from actual implementation—I'd have no clue of who to go to and how to get this done, and frankly it seems like a simply absurd idea. I wish there was more clothing that dances the gradient between "nicer than a t-shirt, more casual than a button down, and not at all slob-like like a polo".
The thing though, is that You are unlikely to be a Famous or Renowned Person. For example, I'm simply a programmer and an average individual in terms of being recognized—that is to say, I'm not...
The thing though, is that You are unlikely to be a Famous or Renowned Person. For example, I'm simply a programmer and an average individual in terms of being recognized—that is to say, I'm not recognized at all. If I wore the same thing every day, it would be seen as eccentric, in the bad and weird sense. Not in the cool, sophisticated sense. If I were a famous composer or entrepreneur or something, then it would be different.
What I'm getting at is, I dislike comparisons to renowned people (especially artists) because it's quite different when you're a roughly average, non-artist person.
Also I've tried slimming my wardrobe down as much as possible, but it's... boring. So boring. Even adding a few extra articles and pairs of shoes created so much variety.
It's not about people knowing you or not. Unless one is "out there", wearing the same things every single day, once noticed, is strange.
then how many people of import in your life will catch that you wear the same thing every day, but also know so little about you that they rely on this to negatively judge you as eccentric?
It's not about people knowing you or not. Unless one is "out there", wearing the same things every single day, once noticed, is strange.
Ah, sorry for the confusion: I meant commissioning the design and production of a custom personal uniform—one where the design would satisfy my wants while being my own thing—as the absurd aspect....
Ah, sorry for the confusion: I meant commissioning the design and production of a custom personal uniform—one where the design would satisfy my wants while being my own thing—as the absurd aspect. I'm somewhat interested in the idea in general.
How do you feel about tshirts with art on them? It's the majority of my casual wardrobe and I get lots of positive comments. My go-to is threadless.com, they have a massive selection that cycles...
How do you feel about tshirts with art on them? It's the majority of my casual wardrobe and I get lots of positive comments. My go-to is threadless.com, they have a massive selection that cycles out frequently so you're unlikely to see someone else wearing the same shirt.
Back in high school I had a personal uniform of sorts, and man those were my cringiest days of life. Glad to have moved on. We express something about who we are by our clothing and sticking to one personal uniform is so limiting.
How so? I had a uniform in high school as well, but it was assigned by the school and I didn't necessarily identify with it (also an influence on my dislike for polos). I feel that if I have...
Back in high school I had a personal uniform of sorts, and man those were my cringiest days of life.
How so? I had a uniform in high school as well, but it was assigned by the school and I didn't necessarily identify with it (also an influence on my dislike for polos). I feel that if I have choice in the matter it may feel less limiting?
Well I think those are two very different things. If your school had a uniform, you wore it. If your school didn’t have a uniform but you came to school everyday dressed as a goth ninja, it’s...
Well I think those are two very different things. If your school had a uniform, you wore it. If your school didn’t have a uniform but you came to school everyday dressed as a goth ninja, it’s possible you don’t look back fondly on your personal choices.
Mine was 100% self-imposed and don't get me wrong, I was cringy in a lot of other ways too. Even with a self-imposed uniform, how much choice do you have if you wake up and want to wear something...
Mine was 100% self-imposed and don't get me wrong, I was cringy in a lot of other ways too. Even with a self-imposed uniform, how much choice do you have if you wake up and want to wear something new? You've only got what's in your closet. Maybe the uniform itself can also be an expression of self, but IMO we are multi-faceted beings and so there should be more than one way to do that.
I view this as something similar to why people eat Soylent. (In fact I was surprised this guy wasn't in tech.) It's freeing to take some aspect of your life and simplify it to the point where you...
I view this as something similar to why people eat Soylent. (In fact I was surprised this guy wasn't in tech.) It's freeing to take some aspect of your life and simplify it to the point where you no longer have to think about it or spend much time on it. His self-expression via clothing is limited but I think a lot of people don't use clothing as a means of self-expression anyway. For a lot of people it's just a way to be comfortable and socially acceptable. In fact, I'd say to go much beyond that you'd need to elevate your own style to the level of a hobby and pay the cost in time and money that would entail. I'd say this guy is just taking things to the opposite extreme because of what he personally values.
A film alone shouldn't be a basis for lifestyle changes. Streetwear is actually a big aesthetic right now, maybe less so in the states though. You're describing an OCBD shirt. Plenty of people...
many of which I'm starting to dislike because of a line from a movie which deeply influenced me: "Nobody wants to read your shirt".
A film alone shouldn't be a basis for lifestyle changes. Streetwear is actually a big aesthetic right now, maybe less so in the states though.
I wish there was more clothing that dances the gradient between "nicer than a t-shirt, more casual than a button down, and not at all slob-like like a polo".
You're describing an OCBD shirt. Plenty of people wear them, and it's not a bad outfit style by any means.. but it's a really basic uniform that tends to get worn by guys when they start becoming conscious about their clothing choices. See /r/malefashionadvice's unofficial "uniforms", one of which is clark desert boots, chinos, and an ocbd. Or some offwhite shoe like Nike Killshots, chinos, and an ocbd.
You can find your own appropriate style–and sometimes tshirts work well too. Not graphic tees necessarily but just plain or muted ones.
Personally I've come very close to reaching "one outfit", but when I tried it it was extremely boring. I need variety, and I'm also a 20 something guy that isn't an eccentric artist or a movie character. Wearing 1 outfit is just cartoonish.
Isn't this just the OCBD? I think for non-minimalists the uniform is overkill. You can have a coherent style without literally wearing the same thing everyday. And if you do have a uniform, it's...
nicer than a t-shirt, more casual than a button down
Isn't this just the OCBD?
I think for non-minimalists the uniform is overkill. You can have a coherent style without literally wearing the same thing everyday. And if you do have a uniform, it's not "freeing". It's limiting. What if the weather doesn't suit a t shirt, or a light jacket? What if it's muddy outside? What if you're invited to an event where a collar is dress code?
I can see the appeal for a certain kind of thinker. I just think it's far more practical to have a real wardrobe. Duplicates of favorite items, though, is perfectly legit and I think that's a good compromise. Don't just buy a variety of shit to have different shit. Buy the clothes you need/want that suit your lifestyle.
Probably not what you are looking for exactly, but some time ago I became pretty obsessed with grandfather shirts like this. I despise polo shirts with a passion (probably because I was made to...
I wish there was more clothing that dances the gradient between "nicer than a t-shirt, more casual than a button down, and not at all slob-like like a polo".
Probably not what you are looking for exactly, but some time ago I became pretty obsessed with grandfather shirts like this. I despise polo shirts with a passion (probably because I was made to wear them in my childhood), and the usual button down shirts look too official to wear around the city unless I want to look like a business major walking from his Entrepreneurship 101 to his Introduction to Supply Chain Management. It's just casual enough to not be seen as preppy when at a bar with some friends, yet is still nicer than a regular t-shirt.
It doesn't have to be linen necessarily, although it's a nice material. The shirt is essentially a collarless oxford - I think the collar on the regular OCBD makes it look too preppy for everyday use.
It doesn't have to be linen necessarily, although it's a nice material. The shirt is essentially a collarless oxford - I think the collar on the regular OCBD makes it look too preppy for everyday use.
Re commission, you could design a shirt and sell it to your self on something like Redbubble? Or would you want to be sure that no one else would have it? In which case you could silk screen your...
Re commission, you could design a shirt and sell it to your self on something like Redbubble? Or would you want to be sure that no one else would have it? In which case you could silk screen your own shirts, apparently it's quite cheap.
Haha, precisely this. And I don't think I'd care very much for anything print on demand or screen printed, but they're helpful suggestions—I'd be more interested in something with a custom pattern...
Or would you want to be sure that no one else would have it?
Haha, precisely this. And I don't think I'd care very much for anything print on demand or screen printed, but they're helpful suggestions—I'd be more interested in something with a custom pattern and construction, while still looking conventional and sharp. I have some experience outsourcing some things to china, but not with clothing. I feel like I could give it a shot and ad hoc it but it would require way more of a learning curve and a MOQ than I'd care for.
I've worn the same black outfit for the past two (three?) years. Black Hanes long sleeve shirt, black skinny jeans, and a black sweatshirt. I have 12 of the same shirt, and four pairs of the same...
I've worn the same black outfit for the past two (three?) years.
Black Hanes long sleeve shirt, black skinny jeans, and a black sweatshirt.
I have 12 of the same shirt, and four pairs of the same pants. Having a personal "uniform" has been incredibly helpful.
This interview makes me think of this Twitter thread, which the upshot of is basically, men dress the way they do largely because of one guy in like Edwardian England, and it's all drab. I mention...
This interview makes me think of this Twitter thread, which the upshot of is basically, men dress the way they do largely because of one guy in like Edwardian England, and it's all drab.
I mention it because in earlier discussions I've read of wearing a uniform, I thought it was kind of cool, in a make your life easier kind of way. After reading the Twitter thing, I wonder how much of these men wearing a uniform is just fully buying in to the mythos of men's fashion being elegant by being unnoticeable? Do any women have a uniform like this? Are any uniforms really vibrant in color or pattern?
I for one am very thankful that men's fashion focuses on understated colours and a certain uniformity in style. David Mitchell has a very funny piece on this on his soapbox channel.
I for one am very thankful that men's fashion focuses on understated colours and a certain uniformity in style. David Mitchell has a very funny piece on this on his soapbox channel.
I think part of it is definitely personality-driven; I, for example, really like bright colors and patterns and interesting cuts and would like to be able to wear more of them without the fear of...
I think part of it is definitely personality-driven; I, for example, really like bright colors and patterns and interesting cuts and would like to be able to wear more of them without the fear of being labeled "weird."
The video was interesting ... I couldn't shake the feeling of desperation that was behind it though, which maybe is where the comedy was coming from? I think that, for me, men's fashion feels restrictive, not easy. I don't see why, moving forward, we couldn't have men who dress black-tie, and men who dress colorfully, too. I feel like the assumption that it has to be one or the other is the thing we need to collectively dismantle.
It is annoying that he did this for "minimalism" and got rid of his old clothes in order to do this. Why not just keep wearing the clothes that you have? When those wear out, repair them or get more clothes at that thrift shop that the clothes were donated to?
I'm not surprised that we're reading an interview with this guy. It seems like he is itching to tell people that he only has one outfit. (Well, except for his formal wear and weather-related stuff.)
I think there is a difference between minimalism as an aesthetic and minimalism for frugality's sake.
This happens in every. single. minimalism. thread. Ad infinitum on /r/minimalism.
Minimalism means different things to different people. Here, it's quite obviously about reducing the variety of clothes he has, and maintaining minimalism in how he dresses.
Your outlook (which is totally fine, by the way) is that of financial/economic/environmental minimalism. In that people should use what they own as much as possible. This is also how I tend to see minimalism, but I have to remember that it means different things for different people.
This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism. Just like having skinny fit clothes is not a form of brutalism or taking blurry photos is not really expressionism.
That's a no true scotsman married to a prescriptivist.
You define minimalism one way, someone else defines it another way. Labels are kinda shit like that, you need to be more specific.
No it's none of those. Just that minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement and one guy deciding to use one outfit as a uniform has nothing to do with that.
And I don't really define minimalism anywhere in my comment.
Definitions don't need to be explicit to exist - 'minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement' is a (part of a) definition, as is 'This is self imposed poverty, not minimalism' - anything that says this yes that no is what a definition is.
YOU believe minimalism is an artistic/literary/design movement. But others disagree.
Others do disagree, and they have already told what they think. Why do ponder on it further? I do disagree those others, saying that they also disagree me is just telling the obvious.
Also, a definition is an attempt at coming up with a description that limits a concept. I merely excluded one thing from the bounds of a concept/term, and that a definition does not make.
Because language is about shared definitions - other people disagree with you, thus the word can't be limited to what you're trying to limit it to. You have no power to limit it.
You also disagree with yourself... " a definition is an attempt at coming up with a description that limits a concept." and " I merely excluded one thing " - that IS defining something.
Having a personal uniform sort of fascinates me. I feel like I see a deep discussion about this subject pop up every few years which makes me consider doing this, but I don't think I can actually commit to it. Particularly because I remember a reddit thread on this same topic where someone said when they tried it, people thought they were wearing the exact same clothing every day, not fresh clothes daily. (I think this is also correlated with personal hygiene perception: if you are well-groomed and have a polite spritz of cologne on, no one will think this.)
I've been thinking a ton about personal style recently, particularly because I'm on the cusp of sizing down after a few successful and steady months of dieting. My closet right now is packed with text-laden T-shirts, mostly from Cotton Bureau, many of which I'm starting to dislike because of a line from a movie which deeply influenced me: "Nobody wants to read your shirt".
If I was to go about it implementing this in my lifestyle, because I'm someone that obsesses over design, I'd probably want to commission closely similar iterations of the same "uniform", and just have twenty of it in my closet. Sadly, this dream probably blocks me from actual implementation—I'd have no clue of who to go to and how to get this done, and frankly it seems like a simply absurd idea. I wish there was more clothing that dances the gradient between "nicer than a t-shirt, more casual than a button down, and not at all slob-like like a polo".
Or just buy different color shirts...
The thing though, is that You are unlikely to be a Famous or Renowned Person. For example, I'm simply a programmer and an average individual in terms of being recognized—that is to say, I'm not recognized at all. If I wore the same thing every day, it would be seen as eccentric, in the bad and weird sense. Not in the cool, sophisticated sense. If I were a famous composer or entrepreneur or something, then it would be different.
What I'm getting at is, I dislike comparisons to renowned people (especially artists) because it's quite different when you're a roughly average, non-artist person.
Also I've tried slimming my wardrobe down as much as possible, but it's... boring. So boring. Even adding a few extra articles and pairs of shoes created so much variety.
It's not about people knowing you or not. Unless one is "out there", wearing the same things every single day, once noticed, is strange.
Ah, sorry for the confusion: I meant commissioning the design and production of a custom personal uniform—one where the design would satisfy my wants while being my own thing—as the absurd aspect. I'm somewhat interested in the idea in general.
How do you feel about tshirts with art on them? It's the majority of my casual wardrobe and I get lots of positive comments. My go-to is threadless.com, they have a massive selection that cycles out frequently so you're unlikely to see someone else wearing the same shirt.
Back in high school I had a personal uniform of sorts, and man those were my cringiest days of life. Glad to have moved on. We express something about who we are by our clothing and sticking to one personal uniform is so limiting.
How so? I had a uniform in high school as well, but it was assigned by the school and I didn't necessarily identify with it (also an influence on my dislike for polos). I feel that if I have choice in the matter it may feel less limiting?
Well I think those are two very different things. If your school had a uniform, you wore it. If your school didn’t have a uniform but you came to school everyday dressed as a goth ninja, it’s possible you don’t look back fondly on your personal choices.
Wait do we know each other IRL?
Mine was 100% self-imposed and don't get me wrong, I was cringy in a lot of other ways too. Even with a self-imposed uniform, how much choice do you have if you wake up and want to wear something new? You've only got what's in your closet. Maybe the uniform itself can also be an expression of self, but IMO we are multi-faceted beings and so there should be more than one way to do that.
I view this as something similar to why people eat Soylent. (In fact I was surprised this guy wasn't in tech.) It's freeing to take some aspect of your life and simplify it to the point where you no longer have to think about it or spend much time on it. His self-expression via clothing is limited but I think a lot of people don't use clothing as a means of self-expression anyway. For a lot of people it's just a way to be comfortable and socially acceptable. In fact, I'd say to go much beyond that you'd need to elevate your own style to the level of a hobby and pay the cost in time and money that would entail. I'd say this guy is just taking things to the opposite extreme because of what he personally values.
A film alone shouldn't be a basis for lifestyle changes. Streetwear is actually a big aesthetic right now, maybe less so in the states though.
You're describing an OCBD shirt. Plenty of people wear them, and it's not a bad outfit style by any means.. but it's a really basic uniform that tends to get worn by guys when they start becoming conscious about their clothing choices. See /r/malefashionadvice's unofficial "uniforms", one of which is clark desert boots, chinos, and an ocbd. Or some offwhite shoe like Nike Killshots, chinos, and an ocbd.
You can find your own appropriate style–and sometimes tshirts work well too. Not graphic tees necessarily but just plain or muted ones.
Personally I've come very close to reaching "one outfit", but when I tried it it was extremely boring. I need variety, and I'm also a 20 something guy that isn't an eccentric artist or a movie character. Wearing 1 outfit is just cartoonish.
Isn't this just the OCBD?
I think for non-minimalists the uniform is overkill. You can have a coherent style without literally wearing the same thing everyday. And if you do have a uniform, it's not "freeing". It's limiting. What if the weather doesn't suit a t shirt, or a light jacket? What if it's muddy outside? What if you're invited to an event where a collar is dress code?
I can see the appeal for a certain kind of thinker. I just think it's far more practical to have a real wardrobe. Duplicates of favorite items, though, is perfectly legit and I think that's a good compromise. Don't just buy a variety of shit to have different shit. Buy the clothes you need/want that suit your lifestyle.
Probably not what you are looking for exactly, but some time ago I became pretty obsessed with grandfather shirts like this. I despise polo shirts with a passion (probably because I was made to wear them in my childhood), and the usual button down shirts look too official to wear around the city unless I want to look like a business major walking from his Entrepreneurship 101 to his Introduction to Supply Chain Management. It's just casual enough to not be seen as preppy when at a bar with some friends, yet is still nicer than a regular t-shirt.
You mean linen shirts?
It doesn't have to be linen necessarily, although it's a nice material. The shirt is essentially a collarless oxford - I think the collar on the regular OCBD makes it look too preppy for everyday use.
Re commission, you could design a shirt and sell it to your self on something like Redbubble? Or would you want to be sure that no one else would have it? In which case you could silk screen your own shirts, apparently it's quite cheap.
Haha, precisely this. And I don't think I'd care very much for anything print on demand or screen printed, but they're helpful suggestions—I'd be more interested in something with a custom pattern and construction, while still looking conventional and sharp. I have some experience outsourcing some things to china, but not with clothing. I feel like I could give it a shot and ad hoc it but it would require way more of a learning curve and a MOQ than I'd care for.
Oh yeah, that'd be more expensive for sure, lol. Sounds like a wonderful idea though!
I've worn the same black outfit for the past two (three?) years.
Black Hanes long sleeve shirt, black skinny jeans, and a black sweatshirt.
I have 12 of the same shirt, and four pairs of the same pants. Having a personal "uniform" has been incredibly helpful.
This interview makes me think of this Twitter thread, which the upshot of is basically, men dress the way they do largely because of one guy in like Edwardian England, and it's all drab.
I mention it because in earlier discussions I've read of wearing a uniform, I thought it was kind of cool, in a make your life easier kind of way. After reading the Twitter thing, I wonder how much of these men wearing a uniform is just fully buying in to the mythos of men's fashion being elegant by being unnoticeable? Do any women have a uniform like this? Are any uniforms really vibrant in color or pattern?
I for one am very thankful that men's fashion focuses on understated colours and a certain uniformity in style. David Mitchell has a very funny piece on this on his soapbox channel.
I think part of it is definitely personality-driven; I, for example, really like bright colors and patterns and interesting cuts and would like to be able to wear more of them without the fear of being labeled "weird."
The video was interesting ... I couldn't shake the feeling of desperation that was behind it though, which maybe is where the comedy was coming from? I think that, for me, men's fashion feels restrictive, not easy. I don't see why, moving forward, we couldn't have men who dress black-tie, and men who dress colorfully, too. I feel like the assumption that it has to be one or the other is the thing we need to collectively dismantle.