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.

Excentricity of all Ages

I've always been told good taste was subjective, but it seems some aesthetics are universal.

Please don't..

They say a man's love..

Now this is my crack.

Those that know me a bit better know that food, flavours and spices are a tremendous passion of mine. And these, from the inspirational Jay Kos' website, look as good as any. But that is not all.

Look at those colours!
When it comes to aesthetics, I often find nature a source of great inspiration. Just like these spices (nutmeg, sumak-or is that clove?-, laurel, pepper, etc.) go so well together, just try and imagine these colours into an outfit:

The nutmeg into a wonderful suit, perhaps cotton (I'm dreaming 4x6 double breasted here). A salt-white shirt. Paired with a warm orangy, tie with those dark brown-red sumac stripes. Let's say, in cashmere. The socks can be green like the laurel, or even better: chilly-red. Sumac for the shoes again. Or chocolate. The choice of pocket-square, I'll leave up to you.

Then again, the variations are endless.

Next time you're looking for inspiration, look at nature.
Or your food. Nom.