https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 23 May 2026 16:40:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752822 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 02:20:41 +0000 shiny 752822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work from home, and we have a diverse social group. I could easily wear the same outfit for a week straight, or longer, and nobody but immediate family would know. I have never done this but I have repeated same outfit 2X's in a week. What happens in reality is that I need the creative challenge of coming up with something new, so I rarely wear the exact same outfit twice in a season (though I do wear similar silhouettes/formulas all the time, or nearly same outfit with one or two minor tweaks, like different scarf or shoes or purse or coat). </p> <p>When I worked in an office, ironically, I much preferred having a schedule.. a menu of sorts.. one week or two weeks worth of "tried and true" outfits I could cycle through. Outfits I didn't have to think too hard about, early in the morning when I'm brain dead. Because I am SOOO not a morning person. I just wanted to pull something on last minute and be done with it. </p> <p>Ultimately I am also on the fence: there's a place for variety. There's a place for repetition. It all depends on my mood for the day -- I'm a mood dresser. Today was a day when I craved "uniform" ... so I went Viviene Files style, and pulled out a simple LBD, paired with tall chocolate brown boots. Then for variety I added a patterned scarf, and snake skin MK purse. And a white pleather jacket. And I was done. It didn't take all that much thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752712 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:39:57 +0000 Janet 752712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I rarely repeat a complete outfit -- even if it's a repeated top and jeans combo, I'll switch around the shoes, accessories, jacket or vest, etc. I have a full wardrobe so I do this to make sure I'm using everything as much as I can rather than fall into a rut. </p> <p>I do change up the silhouette from day to day, too. After a couple of days in skinny jeans this week, I decided to wear a dress the next day, and then a skirt outfit the day after that. And today, straight leg jeans. I also alternate heels with flats from day to day. </p> <p>Maybe casual observers don't notice, and that's ok. My husband does, which is nice. I really dress mainly for me -- I crave variety and don't have a desire for a small wardrobe, so mixing things up makes me happy, even if it means I have some items in my wardrobe that don't get much wear. As long as I'm happy when I do wear them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752703 Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:35:53 +0000 bj1111 752703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i love shopping. i don't enjoy getting dress as much. or rather, i don't like spending extended periods of time in "real" clothes. i think i really like being in yoga pants or a tshirt dress. i guess i don't mind repitition?!? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752636 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:47:04 +0000 MsMary 752636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida, I agree with you on the importance of changing the silhouette. I tend to have a uniform of pencil skirt, top, blazer, pumps, and if I don't switch it up with something different at least a time or two a week, I can feel pretty rutlike indeed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752631 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:43:48 +0000 Aida 752631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question and great discussion! I don't desire a small wardrobe (mine is medium sized), and I do desire variety since I use fashion as a big creative outlet these days. For me, I don't much enjoy shopping but very much enjoy remixing. Variety in my wardrobe comes in quite a few ways: color, silhouette, texture, and straight up non-repetition. I'm still doing the no-repeats thing (2+ years now?), mostly because I can, though I've certainly relaxed on it and have worn a few almost-repeat outfits. No one around me would notice if I repeated (I see very few people daily); as others have said, most people just notice the style as a whole. I see it more as a way to stretch my style muscles, so to speak. Happily I am getting close to a point in my wardrobe that I don't feel like I need to not repeat for the sake of not repeating AND can come up with good outfits that are new mixes each day. But it's sure taken a while to get to that point :)</p> <p>EDIT: And I wanted to add that the biggest way I can keep myself from feeling like rutting is simply changing the silhouette. So, I try not to wear skinnies+boots every day in the fall; I change it up with a skirt one day, winter shorts one day, trousers one day, etc. It makes a huuuuuge difference to the way I feel, far more than any other type of variety. Color comes in second. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752440 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:38:16 +0000 Mochi 752440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm hopping on here to respond to Thistle's comment from wayyyyyy earlier in the day. </p> <p>In junior high there was a French teacher (I mean American woman who taught French). I didn't have her. But some kids were discussing how every week she had her exact Monday outfit, Tuesday outfit, Wednesday outfit, etc. So adolescents notice (and made fun of her for it, in that case). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752437 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:35:03 +0000 CocoLion 752437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend not to repeat outfits exactly because I don't have to; I have a lot of clothes. I like the challenge of creating new outfits as well. However, I do think about how I may look the same because I repeat silhouettes quite often. Also, I wear jeans every.single.day. I like Zap's reply where she mixes things up with different styles -- skinny, bootcut, wide leg, boyfriend. While I was in SF I purchased 2 new pair of pants -- not jeans; this will make for a different look on me I think.</p> <p>I did repeat an outfit almost exactly a few days ago -- I wore the same outfit to the theater as I did to the opera. Same as Anna -- it's not practical to have that much variety within my theater/opera capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752404 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:53:15 +0000 Mo 752404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, I had a similar experience when deciding what to bring on the plane here to FL and what to pack in the truck that was being shipped weeks later. I found I could make almost 21 outfits with only a backpack full of clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752395 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:36:04 +0000 catgirl 752395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chiming in again to add that I had a breakthrough moment last year at Thanksgiving when I packed for Boston and realized that 3 tops and 2 bottoms netted me 6 outfits. Or 3 tops and 3 bottoms = 9 outfits. That math helps me to pack and to realize how much variety you get per item. So a 5 tops/5 bottoms work wardrobe should net you 25 outfits, plenty to get through a month of work.</p> <p>Now I just have to be organized enough to do something like what Ingunn did with the BR capsule wardrobe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752394 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:25:54 +0000 Anonymous 752394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing I noticed about my fall wardrobe from last year when I pulled it out was that I had multiples in the exact same style. For instance, I had two identical cardigans: one red, one purple. I also had three pair of bootcut dress trousers: one medium gray, one black, one charcoal pinstripes. I remember feeling like I was always wearing the same thing every day, even though I wasn't. So now, I am trying to switch up silhouettes so that maybe I'll have three cardigans, but one will have a crew collar, one zips instead of buttons, and one is a v-neck and oversized. And for pants, I replaced the pinstripe bootcuts with a pair of black/white tapered ankle-length pants. That makes the combinations much fresher while keeping my wardrobe small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752267 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:23:56 +0000 Prudence 752267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know I would be comfortable with a smaller closet, but.... I LOVE to shop! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752265 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:23:09 +0000 Anonymous 752265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd like to think people notice, as I do regularly get compliments on what I wear. I don't think it matters to others nearly as much as it matters to me, though. I just like to look and feel good, and I feel that dressing well is important. I don't think I have to wear a different outfit each day of the year to accomplish that, though, and I don't mind repeatedly wearing my favorite outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752258 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:09:49 +0000 Sylvie 752258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think anyone notices. But I still get tired of wearing the same outfit over and over again. Wearing the same shirt with a different cardigan or even different shoes doesn't make the outfit feel different to me. It's a puzzle I'm still working on - how to put together a variety of comfortable outfits without having an exploding wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice/page/2#post-752193 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:56:16 +0000 catgirl 752193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The more killer pieces I've found, the less I need change. The Theory blazer goes with everything, and I find myself wearing it at least once a week, maybe twice. And certain silhouettes definitely are a formula for me. I try to change up color and patern, or mix up silhouettes from day to day.</p> <p>Do people notice? I don't think so. And the less of a memorable statement an item is, the more likely no one will remember exactly what it was. If I changed up a version of a black suit each week, people would just think I was wearing boring lawyer clothes. </p> <p>My paralegal wears the same few shirts every week, and he looks completely presentable. They are not statement clothing, so I don't even remember what he wore yesterdtay, for example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752190 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:54:59 +0000 Aziraphale 752190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a good question, Mo. I guess it depends on who you're dressing for. In my experience, the "casual observer" doesn't notice much at all unless you're wearing something noteworthy or eye-catching, but they do notice an overall put-togetherness, I think. If you dress stylishly, people come to expect it from you. And it doesn't take that many wardrobe items to look put together every single day (in fact it's probably easier if you have a limited number of items). But if wearing the same old things all the time bores you to tears, then by all means, mix it up. But you're doing it mostly for *you*. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752163 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:29:10 +0000 Diana 752163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like variety and I have a large wardrobe, so I think I don't repeat complete outfits very often. I do repeat individual pieces, especially things I am currently in love with or things that are ubiquitous like blue jeans, but like you, I'll at least change out the shoes or the scarf or something. I think in summer I wear the same thing more often, probably because sometimes it's like a dress+sandals and that's all, so there's less ways to change that up.</p> <p>One rule I have is to never wear the same item two days in a row (except for coats and handbags and very occasionally shoes such as my snow boots). In addition to it being better for the clothes to let them air out a bit, I always wonder whether being seen in the same clothes the following day will make others think that I either didn't go home last night or bother to shower! On the other hand, I know someone who wears the same outfit two days in a row on a regular basis, - I think her theory is that you wear it twice and then you launder it, so it's easiest to keep track if you just do the two wears in a row. </p> <p>I DO notice if someone wears something very often but I'm pretty attuned to style and always look at peoples' clothes. Also, I think many others don't notice at all. </p> <p>Funny side note: Earlier this week, one of the "clueless boys" in my lab commented that he liked my shoes (the Born Arlettas) and said that he had been seeing a lot of cool shoes around lately and wanted to tell his wife about them. I was really flummoxed for a moment because I was totally not expecting him to have noticed something like that! Perhaps I have been underestimating them... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752152 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:17:25 +0000 texstyle 752152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems like a lot of people I know notice things like a new necklace or different shoes. But not so much for pants or tops, unless they are strongly patterned or something. I'm not sure they care as much about repetition unless every time they see you it's in the exact same outfit. Like my BF shorts I bought 3 pair of and wore nearly every day for the past couple of months. Sigh. At least one pair was white.</p> <p>For me, fashion is both an artistic expression and a confidence building tool. I like to look good for myself and to project that feeling outwardly AND I love art and color, etc. I guess I'll repeat quite often for the sake of fit, comfort and what I perceive as looking good. Maybe to a fault.</p> <p>I do tend to notice other people's clothing -- esp. if I see an item several times and it becomes their uniform in my mind. Not necessarily a bad thing if the fit, color and style suits them well, but I do like to see some new things on others once in a while.</p> <p>Some people change their hairstyles often and that's always intrigued me because I never have been one to do that. Except for a ponytail when it's hot or I'm exercising, my hair style seems to stay the same day to day.</p> <p>I like a small wardrobe but I'm still working on mine so there are mistakes sitting in the closet. I'm not willing to clear out everything that I only wear once in a while because I do tend to change my mind over the years. I don't want to repeat the same 10 outfits every ten days but maybe if I had say, 30 outfits for summer and 30 for fall I'd be pretty happy to just accessorize to keep things interesting. I'm still learning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752111 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:22:35 +0000 RedM 752111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an interesting, and timely for me, post. I've come to the realization that I'm happiest in a dress. However, how many quality dresses can I own and how many different ways are there to style them without breaking the bank? Will I tire of a dress after a season? I'm lucky that I work in a casual environment with mostly men who only notice that I'm not wearing jeans as opposed to particulars about an outfit. I guess I'm with Suz, that if an outfit makes me feel fab then I will wear it, same details and all, multiple times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752093 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:01:14 +0000 Mo 752093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By all means repeating great outfits is fab! I don't mean to say one is preferable over another. As a matter of fact, I wonder if the need for variety is a lot of effort for little noticeable effect honestly lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752084 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:54:16 +0000 Transcona Shannon 752084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think some people do notice when I'm repeating but honestly, I'm to the point where I don't really care. If I truly like an outfit I am now quite comfortable repeating it - with either a bit of tweaking or exactly the same.</p> <p>I used to totally crave variety but this past year I've learned that reaching for that variety has resulted in purchasing mistakes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752082 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:52:43 +0000 Anonymous 752082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly, I don't mind wearing and being seen in the same outfit a few times per month. As long as what I wear makes me look and feel good, and as long as I dress appropriately for the occasion, I'm perfectly fine with not having a wide variety of outfits. What I do like, however, is changing my color palette for each season. I wear different colors in the Fall, for example, than I do during the Summer. This means my Summer clothing is not being worn right now, which is fine because by the time Summer rolls back around, I'll be ready to wear them again. Right now, I'm enjoying my Fall wardrobe. I don't feel deprived at all, and if people get tired of seeing me wear an outfit more than a couple of times per month, it's their problem. I'm much happier wearing a few fab outfits than I would be wearing a different outfit each day of the week just for the sake of variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-752071 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:14:44 +0000 Mo 752071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! Anna you make a good point about us uniform wearers. It's no wonder I crave variety. But even when I'm off work here in FL for extended periods, I still like to change up what I'm wearing. I have to admit I don't remember how much variety I needed when I worked an office job over 20 years ago. Back then I wasn't always dressing correctly for the position (ahem) but I did have too many clothes even then.<br /> Suz, regarding just wearing a few Killer outfits, I actually scratched down earlier this year that 50 great outfits beat 100 so-so ones. This was to wake me up to making my closet better work for me instead of acquiring, acquiring, acquiring. But obviously our repetition thresholds are way different LOL.<br /> I would say I don't repeat within a month, generally. But then the 'paper bag' dress came along and I found myself wearing it 2 and 3 times a month this year! Dresses in particular get very spaced out rotation in my closet so this was a breakthrough of sorts. It was also the dress that sealed the 'drapey' silhouette for me this summer.<br /> I wonder if my preference for variety will shift as my purchasing rate slows way down next year with the 12 in 12?<br /> And my lady friends do notice what I'm wearing - the guys not so much, unless it defines a particular body part, like a new pair of jeans lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751985 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:32:59 +0000 Anonymous 751985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a great thread. I will be following it with much interest. </p> <p>I think Ingunn said it best for my personal style of dressing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751983 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:24:10 +0000 Suz 751983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting question and fascinating responses so far. </p> <p>I like what Ingunn says here, and I'm discovering for myself that there's a twist. I will happily repeat a favourite outfit any number of times within a season. Honestly, right down to the exact details -- if I love it and feel great in it, and it works, I apparently have no compunction about wearing the same thing over and over again, regardless of who might see me in it. In fact, I'm much RATHER wear it than some outfit that is different just for the sake of being different. Of course if that outfit were equally great I would want to wear it just as often as the first outfit. And I would prefer to have at least 7 or 8 KILLER outfits to choose from! But you get the point. I'd rather wear KILLER and will repeat if I only have one or two KILLERs. </p> <p>But...and it's a big but....it turns out, I only want to do this repetition thing for ONE season. Then I want to find some NEW favourite outfits! </p> <p>Or at least that's how it's looking so far, this being my second fall on YLF. </p> <p>I don't think that means I need to change my entire wardrobe every season, but it does suggest why a small wardrobe of "essentials" topped up by some terrific standout pieces might be my favoured way to go. I could add a couple of new "standout" pieces each season and replace any essentials that needed replacing and keep myself pretty happy. But without those "standout" pieces, I'll be bored as bored can be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751951 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:14:18 +0000 Ingunn 751951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very interesting! To me, this corresponds to practicing to become a better musician, for instance, or an artist, or even a teacher. Anything, really. My point is: No matter what you want to be good at doing, you have to master the tools and the strategies of the trade first. Then you can begin improvising. If you have a structured core (formulas, capsules etc), you can add variety to that to keep everything fresh. Will people notice? Probably not, but they will notice that you are looking good, fresh, and up to date. It is the same way as we go to an exhibition or a performance: We appreciate the quality of it, if it's good, but we won't necessarily comprehend all the thoughts and work behind it. </p> <p>To me, both structure/repetition and variety is equally important. If I had to invent everything from scratch each morning, I would never get out of the house. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751935 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 05:50:13 +0000 Beth Ann 751935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread, Mo. This has been on my mind a lot recently. I'm a creative type, and I crave variety, but I'm trying to buy better quality with limited funds, as well. Since YLF, my wardrobe "remixes" far better, but I'm also not satisfied with ho-hum any longer!</p> <p>What to do?</p> <p>I try to find a block of time every couple of weeks to "play" in my closet, trying new mixes. I need to begin photographing this, since I sometimes forget my creations. I also try to spread my spending out over time, buying more heavily in early fall and again in Spring, but sprinkling in a few puchases to keep things fresh in between.<br /> Finally, I notice that I move items and silhouettes in and out of heavy rotation, and switch up my FFBOs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751925 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 05:25:46 +0000 rae 751925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm wondering how a uniform will affect me as well. The prospect makes me so glad that I have a wide variety of boots. </p> <p>As of right now, I like to change up COLOR more than anything else. It just happens to be the main thing that grabs me or reflects my mood when I dress. So I can happily have the same jacket or style of jacket in many colors and not think twice about repeating the silhouette. Same with skinnies and boots to some extent.</p> <p>ETA: I expect I have a much lower tolerance for repetition than my "audience," so I don't think about it when I dress... hm, guess I didn't think about it when I first commented, either! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751921 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 05:17:57 +0000 rachylou 751921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suppose it all depends on who you're with. But my cousin wore the same dress two successive x-mas family dinners, and my uncle commented. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751870 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 03:22:15 +0000 qfbrenda 751870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Gaylene. :)</p> <p>I tend towards wanting variety like you, though I don't have a huge wardrobe compared to some. I just like to mix things up.</p> <p>A thought about VF... I like her site and have checked it daily for a long time. I've noticed that her goal seems to be to get her essential clothing items in place so that she can spend her time thinking about other things. I'm thinking her methods wouldn't be that fun for a person who uses fashion as more of a hobby and creative outlet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/repetition-vs-variety---and-does-anyone-really-notice#post-751867 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 03:15:32 +0000 Gaylene 751867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Personally, I think that the average person notices the formula more than the details, unless something stands out because of it's color, shape, design, oddity, or whatever. Changing the belt or shoe in an outfit probably goes unnoticed unless the belt or shoe is unusual enough to catch a person's attention. If you wear more or less the same formula everyday, most people will be hard pressed to remember the details of today's outfit from yesterday's.</p> <p>My theory comes from standing in front of students who can spend an hour or so staring at my outfit in the classroom, but, if you queried them later, would be hard pressed to tell you if I wore my grey trousers or my black ones on that particular day. But they will remember if I wear a skirt/boot combo instead of my usual pants/jacket formula, or if I wear my moto jacket, or my Fluveog shoes, or anything else that stands out from my normal attire. They are also quick to notice (and remember) if I have a button undone, or if anything shows that shouldn't be showing--even if they are viewing me from the back row of the lecture theatre. The only exception is if, for some reason, my students decide to focus on something like how many times I wear my black leather jacket in one week. (A humble reminder that I need to change things up a bit-- either in my lectures or my wardrobe.)</p> <p>Choosing my career has definitely affected my fashion style. Nothing revealing, nothing body conscious, always check the rear view, don't go overboard either by being too bland or too trendy, don't wear it if your students are wearing it... the list goes on. That's why most of us in the education field tend to find a uniform or formula that works and spend our time tweaking it a bit to keep both us and our students from terminal boredom. Variety, but in small, sharp doses--like a pair of Fluevogs to liven up those black pants just to keep things from being too predictable. But too much change bothers most students; they like their routines and professors to be interesting but not scary. </p>