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.

The Difference a Crease makes

Today will be a relatively casual day here in wintery Delft, and a good opportunity to share a lesson I learned when I first started to wear army-issue trousers a few years back.
These trousers, made out of heavy material and with thigh pockets, were to me a very practical and rugged alternative to the tidal waves of jeans that seemed to be all but drowning my peer-group.

via Loro Piana

Wanting to look far from an urban militant (or straight-out douche), I always took great care in maintaining their carefully pressed crease. This ensured an air of civilisation -almost classiness even- about them, and before I knew it, I was being complimented on my oh so decent appearance. It also helped that I only wear solids, and don't pair them with black oversized hoodies..

Soon after, I started experimenting with my other more casual leg-wear. For some it worked, for some it didn't, and before I knew it, I was wearing over half of my trousers creased.

Once applied through a good wet-ironing, a crease is easily maintained by folding the trousers correctly, and hanging them to dry by the legs using four pegs to let the creases sink back in. Personally, I prefer to have the crease come up all the way the leg and fade out on the front and posterior. Some like them all the way to the top of the trousers. I haven't decisively come across proper etiquette for this, so as far as I'm concerned, it's a matter of personal taste.

In a nutshell: creased trousers can take a casual outfit from sloppy to refined, and aren't nearly as hard to maintain as it might sounds.
Consider creasing your trousers.

Santa Baby: I like it Horny

Dear Santa,

Thank you in advance for all the wonderful gifts. I can only hope to be as good as to deserve them. As I realise you and your helpers have many presents to get, for many children - big and small - I just wanted you to know I'd be happy with a small present too:

A set of horn buttons.

Mummy taught me sometimes the small things make a big difference. I was thinking I could maybe replace the standard plastic buttons on my jacket with some nice ones in horn. They look so much warmer, and add a bit of interest with their colouring. Plus, it's so much easier to look like a million quid when you get the details right!

I know they're sometimes hard to find, especially in some countries; people in the UK seem to be a bit blessed that way, as well as those who live in places with more of a living artisan culture. But you know: I'm not very picky! They can be matching in dark browns that look almost black for my formal suits, or lighter, brighter colours to spice up the casual ones and odd jackets. I can put them on my coats, my cardigans or jackets.

I guess what I'm trying to say, dear Santa, is that I'd be happy with any nice horn buttons to make my stuff look nice. I'll sow them on myself (or let Mummy do so if I can't), and I don't mind if they come from an old piece you thrifted somewhere. You see Santa, it doesn't always have to be expensive, and a few pounds often do the trick.

It just takes time and effort, and that shows you care..
(Don't worry, I know you do!)

The difference a button makes

Wear odd buttons on your odd jackets and casual suits.

Except for those working in a suit 5 days a week, I'd argue that the majority of jacket-wearers wear them without matching trousers. Depressingly though, one far to often sees people dressed in odd jackets looking ass if they simply "forgot the pants".

One way this can be prevented, and helps add an additional air of freedom, nonchalance and visual interest, is by choosing complementary coloured buttons to your suitings, as opposed to strictly matching them completely. Oh, and choose horn buttons over plastic if you can.

Whether this is done to give a casual suit a lighter air, or to make a jacket look like it's exactly that: "just a jacket", odd buttons do wonders for a less formal look.

Wear odd buttons on your odd jackets.