A Drop of Individuality in a Sea of Blue

by Boaz Manger

It's Friday afternoon, and browsing through a folder with pictures, I am reminded of last weekend. You see, last weekend was the annual meeting of Dutch chapter of The European Youth Parliament (lovingly abbreviated "EYP"). Besides the introduction of the new board and several brainstorming sessions, the weekend was mainly focussed on team-building and strengthening the National Committee through all sorts of frivolities in the Dutch woods.

Naturally, anything even remotely related to outdoor team-building comes with its own shirt. In this case the EYP-NL hoodie, in mid-blue. And while I love mine for the associations it holds (isn't that the point to begin with?), we did end up looking like a slightly muddy sea of mid-blue cotton-blends with a good dose of denim.

Admittedly, they looked much better on some than on others, with the ladies holding up especially well under the unavoidable "oversized" look. (The one I'm wearing in the picture is a size "S".) And admittedly, there was some comfort in the uniformity of the weekends attire. Albeit cleverly disguised, it was a uniform, after all.

Uniforms are most commonly associated with the military and certain schooling-systems. They provide a sense of unity, recognisability, and ensure a certain minimum in dressing standards. They're a way of showing who we are, collectively. From a distance, the group looks like a whole.

Take a closer look, and human nature shines through. Those used to regularly wearing a uniform are quick to find ways to adapt them to their personality. Be it school, public service or military, the variations are plentiful. It's the way we wear what we're limited to, and the small accessories we use that show our personal style in settings like these. In my case, EYP jumper with dark burgundy polo-shirt, and a neckerchief with a greenish-gray ground, tan and white figures and small red details.
As in life, the people are in the details.

My advise:
Next time you see a group of people in uniform: try to find their personalities. Their little touches can be inspiring! And next time you're in one yourself: well, I'll leave that one to you.. 

School Uniforms in Gossip Girl.
My favourite touch? Chuck Bass' belt, on the far right.