Once upon a time—say, pre-2020—office dressing was a delicate dance of strategy, style, and subtle flexes. You wore heels to signal ambition, a silk blouse to say “I’m serious,” and a blazer to show you knew how to talk to HR. Then came the sweatpants apocalypse. And now? Gen Z is swinging the pendulum all the way back to… beige.

According to a recent Guardian article, the youngest generation in the workforce is ditching the “office siren” aesthetic (think power skirts and purposeful cleavage) in favor of sober, serious, even shapeless clothing. We’re talking quiet palettes, oversized tailoring, and an almost religious devotion to looking… unremarkable.

As a Gen X’er who’s been in the workplace for a few decades now, watching a younger generation arrive at conclusions we figured out years ago is… kind of sweet. Gen Z is right on time realizing that professional wardrobes work best when they’re functionally based. But oh, sweet Gen Zs—you still have so much to learn.

Their current goal is to project competence, not charisma. In a chaotic world, a turtleneck and sensible shoes say, “I’m not here to be a meme.” And honestly? Fair. But swinging from bodycon to buzzkill doesn’t solve the problem. It just trades one costume for another.

That’s why I want to revisit a concept I first wrote about several years ago: the You’niform.

THE YOU’NIFORM: A REFRESHER

In my earlier post, “Finding Your Signature Style: The Difference Between a You’niform and a Uniform,” I made the case for a personal approach to workwear. A You’niform isn’t about dressing to blend in—it’s about dressing with intention.  As my favorite quote about style goes: Style means fitting in and standing out at the same time.

A You’niform is your go-to set of pieces that flatter your body, work for your lifestyle, and reflect who you are. It’s your style, streamlined. And unlike a strict uniform (hello, tech bro hoodie), the You’niform leaves room for expression, evolution, and a touch of delight.

WHY NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO RECLAIM IT

The renewed craving for simplicity that Gen Z is tapping into? They’re not wrong. Decision fatigue is real. People are tired of over-consuming and underwhelming results. But there’s a big difference between opting out of trends and opting out of yourself.

The You’niform offers the same ease and clarity as a traditional uniform—but with far more personality and polish.

WHY THE YOU’NIFORM WORKS (STILL)

Let’s recap the magic:

  • It saves time – No more wardrobe roulette every morning.
  • It builds consistency – You start to be known for “your look,” and that’s powerful.
  • It boosts confidence – When you’re not second-guessing your outfit, you show up differently.
  • It allows creativity in the right places – Accessories, color, texture—these are the fun parts, not the hard parts.

HOW TO BUILD OR REFRESH YOUR YOU’NIFORM

No need to scrap your whole closet. Just refocus:

START WITH ANCHOR PIECES

 What do you wear on your best days? That’s your starting point.  Take the looks I put together here: each one uses the same pair of versatile travel pants from Me+Em as the foundation. With the pants being the anchor piece, I built three different looks that are stylish and functional, and different enough that you get enough variety from less.

YOU'NIFORM

In the first outfit, I styled the pants with a blue and white striped button-up, taupe low-heeled pumps from Sarah Flint, belt from Rag & Bone, and a chunky gold necklace from Boden. In the center outfit, I created a column look with a slim turtleneck from M.M. Lafleur. I layered the column with this bright green jacket from Me+Em, and finished the outfit with navy tassel flats from Cole Haan, a snaffle-trimmed navy belt, and gold double hoop earrings. In the last look, I created this look with an ivory linen vest from Veronica Beard that I layered over a beige and white striped t-shirt from Everlane. I popped the look with bright patent orange platform sandals from Sézane, and finished the look with cream enamel convertible hoops from Merjuri.

LIMIT YOUR PALETTE (A LITTLE)

This makes mixing and matching a breeze. You can go back to my archived posts about clients and see that a directed color palette is a huge part of what makes their wardrobes work. For example, look at the palette I put together for Mrs. Starling when we packed for her river cruise, or the all-neutral wardrobe I built for Mrs. Elevated—keeping things tight and intentional made outfit building dramatically easier.

YOU'NIFORM
Mrs. Starling’s packing capsule for her river cruise.
Mrs. Elevated tight all-neutral work capsule.

Once Mrs. Starling returned from her trip, she continued using her travel palette—navy, black, red, cobalt, and white—in her everyday wardrobe. As a result, shopping has become faster and easier because she immediately eliminates anything outside of that range, and getting dressed is practically automatic. While you may not want to be quite as disciplined as Mrs. Starling, maintaining a consistent palette streamlines both your closet and your shopping experience. It’s less choice, more ease.

ADD YOUR SIGNATURE

I once met a woman whose “signature” was dolphin-themed jewelry in every outfit. And while that is technically a signature, to be clear—that is not what I mean. That’s the opposite of what I mean.

A signature doesn’t have to be that blatant… or that tacky. It can be subtle, personal, and deeply stylish. Think: a consistent color palette, a specific silhouette, a bold red lip, or even a signature scent. It’s less about gimmick, more about intention.

Some of the most iconic figures in fashion and beyond have mastered this. Carolina Herrera has been known for her crisp white button-downs for decades. Giorgio Armani famously winds down post-runway in a black tee and jeans. Michael Kors lives in blazers and basic tees. And of course—Steve Jobs and that turtleneck.

A signature makes you memorable, yes—but it also makes getting dressed easier. These icons didn’t choose their uniforms by accident. They streamlined their style so they could focus. That’s why I tell my clients, “My job is to make it so you can focus on what matters.”

EDIT OUT THE NOISE

Anything that doesn’t support your You’niform is just a distraction in hanger form. It’s the emotional clutter that whispers “Maybe someday” or “I paid too much to let this go.” Be ruthless. If it doesn’t fit your current lifestyle, your body, or your aesthetic—it’s not serving you. It’s just taking up space and making your mornings harder. Your closet should feel like a curated boutique of your best self, not a clearance rack of indecision.

BE SERIOUS AND INTENTIONAL

Uniforms are back—but that doesn’t mean you need to dress like you’re prepping for jury duty in an indie film. The goal isn’t to be serious. It’s to be intentional. A You’niform lets you own your style without overthinking it. It’s not boring. It’s brilliant. And best of all?  You don’t need more clothes—you need more clarity. A You’niform gives you both.