The Art of Outfit Repeating
Photography by Xinyi Gao
Cher Horowitz shook my whole world when she picked out her outfit through a touchscreen monitor in the opening scene of Clueless. An overflowing closet and a system that ensures a fresh ‘fit every day sounds like a dream come true. Unfortunately, we don’t all live in Beverly Hills mansions, our dads aren’t all rich litigators, and we don’t all have rotating closets full of unworn clothes.
Just a step below layering tights underneath shorts, outfit repeating remains one of fashion’s most heinous crimes. In the cutthroat world of clothing, a different outfit every day is the gold standard. Take Carrie Bradshaw, for example, a character synonymous with fashion who is renowned for never getting caught in the same outfit twice.
Though wearing the same clothes again sounds perfectly reasonable—washing machines were invented for this purpose—the shame of throwing on the same ensemble still haunts us, and fast fashion companies thrive on our fears. According to a study commissioned by Hubbub, a London-based sustainability firm, 41 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds feel pressured to wear a different outfit every time they go out. The same study also found that 33 percent of women consider an outfit outdated after wearing it three times. For dresses, 72 percent of women find the dress “old” after just one use.
Celebrities have taken a stab at normalizing replicate outfits. Comedian Tiffany Haddish proudly reused her white Alexander McQueen gown to a movie premiere, multiple awards ceremonies, Saturday Night Live, and a Netflix show, inciting a wave of media coverage. “I feel like I should be able to wear what I want, when I want, however many times I want as long as I Febreze’d it,” Haddish joked on SNL. Royal family members Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton also made headlines for slipping into dresses they’ve been photographed in before.
Though some celebs validate us, everyday fashion cues from social media push us right back into the same narrow mindset. Big social media celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner would never get caught dead posting (or even wearing) the same outfit twice. Daily fashion influencers also look like they have endless racks of clothing and always take pictures in something new. Getting fed this type of content makes it hard for fashion enthusiasts to not feel guilty about throwing on a repeat look.
We’ve done it, celebrities do it, so, really, what’s wrong about re-wearing the jumpsuit you shelled out $90 for and can’t return because you lost the receipt? Plus, there are also many unpredictable circumstances that call for an outfit repeat. What if you wasted the outfit on a bad day? More importantly, what if you couldn’t get a good Instagram picture in it?
Wearing the same clothing combo again, for any reason, is perfectly valid. With the way college classes are set up, you could even pull it off flawlessly—your M-W-F crew doesn’t know about your T-Th wardrobe. The art of outfit repeating lies in how we inconspicuously get away with it.
As a regular repeater, I’ve got a few tips and tricks:
When outfit-repeating, basic neutral pieces are key. Avoid vibrant, bold prints, as it’s easy to remember when someone wears the same print again. A neutral base outfit (which could even be a white shirt and blue jeans), can easily be refreshed when you throw on a different outerwear piece each time. Swap out your puffer jacket for a trench coat or your jean jacket for an oversized blazer.
Changing your shoe choice makes a huge difference when wearing an outfit again. Heels and booties make everything dressier, while sneakers create a casual, relaxed vibe.
Accessorizing helps monumentally. Add a belt on top of your blazer or dress to create a different silhouette or throw on a fedora or bucket hat to subtly change the look.
If you don’t have a huge collection of hats to choose from, try wearing your hair differently.
Try reworking the same shirt by wearing it unbuttoned, tying it at the ends, or even just cuffing the sleeves.
Most importantly, wear what makes you comfortable and happy. So what if MacKenzie from your 8 a.m. knows you wore that same dress four days ago? Get over it, MacKenzie!
In the words of Lizzie McGuire, “I might be an outfit repeater, but you’re an outfit rememberer, which is just as pathetic!”