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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do you repeat outfits?

Runcarla

Veteran

I was impressed when kkards posted her 2023 challenge to shop her closet and not repeat outfits. https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-challenge I’m even more impressed with the variety of interesting and different daily OOTD she has been sharing.

I didn’t think I could do the same with my modest collection of clothes, but when I did the math, I figured if I wore every top with every bottom, I would have to repeat only 1/3 the outfits - and I could change up the look enough by changing toppers, shoes and accessories, that it wouldn’t count as an exact repeat.

Though I do have a mix and match collection of clothes, not every top ‘goes’ with every bottom, or can be worn across all seasons. However, there is no need to repeat exact outfits. I do repeat outfits, and have a pretty high comfort level with doing so. Mostly they are simple ‘workhorse’ outfits I wear around the house. I mix things up when occasions are special, even if only a little special. I also play games, like wearing the same practical coat, but not wearing the same accessories two days in a row for urban rambles.

Are you an outfit repeater, or do you mix things up? What are your feelings on the subject? (There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ since this is a personal thing…)

General

69 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

rachylou

Veteran

I repeat outfits, but not weekly. I never repeated as an office worker. I do enjoy creating new outfits

Sloper

Veteran

Sometimes some pieces work so well together that I’ll repeat, and the outfit becomes a reliable workhorse. But I don’t create or aim to have “set” outfits. I buy with mixing in mind.

Kate

Veteran

I do repeat outfits, and am perfectly happy doing so. However, in winter, I often do switch out outerwear, because I have a large collection of coats & jackets.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I repeat especially my Fav's. I like a challenge as it helps to utilize what you have but some outfits are worth repeating.

Anonymous

Ditto Sloper! Actually I don't really think about whether an outfit is a new combo or repeat anymore, TBH. A few years ago I was always trying to wear new combos, but now I don't bother.

Dee

Veteran

When I’m just hanging around the house, you bet I repeat, I have my favourite go-to’s for this sort dressing, but when I’m meeting my friends etc.. for coffee, gatherings or walks, I have plenty of clothes to probably never repeat an outfit for a whole year. Yikes!! I just love changing things up.

When I was working, I did occasionally repeat some outfits from time to time because I saw that others in my department did and I didn’t want to seem like a real clothes horse to them.

I remember working with someone that had a specific outfit for each day of the week, i.e. Mondays denim skirt and blue top, Tuesdays black pants and grey sweater etc.. I thought that was a pretty neat idea until I realized that there were some people who only ever saw her on Mondays, and that they were seeing her wear the same outfit over and over again.

Irina

Veteran

I naturally tend to repeat outfits that I like. I challenge myself not to and wear as many garments as feasible. I’m afraid by repeating too often I forsake my other stuff.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Not only do I repeat outfits, there have been times I’ve tried pieces from bitd with something new & the ylf forum has convinced me to recreate exactly the outfit from years ago.

Peri

Veteran

I repeat outfits all the time. If something turned out well enough to make me happy, why wouldn't I want to wear it again?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have been posting my work outfits on social media (complicated_lyfe on IG, FB and Tktk if you want to follow) so I’m not really repeating. I do repeat, though. I’m definitely not opposed to it. I have been craving more creativity lately, though. I have also thrifted some great items recently and have been having fun creating outfits with them. I just found a gorgeous Rachael Roy blazer that I can’t wait to style. I’ve also been working through outfit formulas and applying them in different outfits.

Isabel

Veteran

Isn’t it WILD when you do the numbers ! As I have said before , I’m an over thinker. LOL so here goes.

I think I am repeating …but if you count every little thing … maybe I’m not. So if I change out a ring or earrings ? I see it as the same “outfit “ But I suppose it’s not technically. In the summer , I tend to wear dresses , so those are definite repeats.

I have no issues with outfit repeating. In fact you find it so admirable when someone has nailed a look and repeats it ! If someone feels great in it and it works for them … score !!!!!!!
I’m definitely a core outfit repeater ( like scaffolding that I build around ).

And I’m completely impressed with KKards. it’s really eye opening and a real life enactment if we only use about 20 % of the clothes we own.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I repeat constantly and intend to. In fact it has been in my YLF profile for years “outfits rather than capsules?” Of course my numbers are higher than yours Carla, clothing about 110 items and shoes 37 at last count.
What I am trying is when buying something new to see if it can help increase wears of something else that is a bit orphaned. This works well but needs lots of discipline in choosing. I take my clothing lists with me often when doing any B&M shopping!

Sally

Veteran

I always repeat. I like to have a formula. Actually my colleague was discussing how people dress and said to me, “I really like your uniform.” I think she meant signature style and I do this so I don’t have to think too much when working.

cat2

Veteran

I repeat combinations I found I really liked.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I constantly repeat! My wardrobe is almost entirely mix and match within a given season. And I wear most of my clothes (except the dressiest items) with fair regularity (again, within their seasonal period) and enjoy trying new outfits.

Yet when I find a combination I truly love for a specific situation, I will wear it again and again on similar occasions, and feel awfully sad when it starts to seem less current and fun to me. I actually prefer to have some FFB outfits, especially for my more public facing jobs/ life events. This was even more true when I was doing more appearances for my writing life. Now, so much is on Zoom, that no one really sees my entire outfit most of the time and it seems less important to have an ensemble I can throw on without thinking.

Anyway, what seems to be the key is that the outfit needs to include a classic element, a trendy or very current element, and some element of my signature style; if it does, I will fall in love and look for opportunities to repeat the combo either exactly or with slight variation.

I also repeat more simple at home outfits and gear outfits. Some combos just feel more comfortable/ easy for me or make me feel happier.

jussie

Veteran

Yes I repeat favorites quite a bit. I’ll invent something new whenever the mood takes me! Like Suz, I also have some casual-at-home outfits I repeat a lot. Today for example is black leggings, cute lilac sneakers and a favorite green tee. I repeat it a lot at home or dog walking, or at the basketball. Doesn’t sound like much of an outfit on paper, but everything fits well and is flattering, and the proportions work. It took a bit of effort to find these pieces, so I do repeat a lot.

Sal

Veteran

Yes I do. As a lover of dresses I often will only wear the dress with what I consider the best footwear option. I do mix and match but my closet doesn’t lean strongly that way as I have a range of colours and silhouettes.

slim cat

Veteran

I repeat outfits a lot - mostly because my options somewhat limited
( size/fabric/sensitivity ) and because it simplifies my life - lol.
Work outfits are sorta uniform - fall/winter option and spring/summer option. I will change earrings/jewelry, switch some top/bottom combos but not in dramatic way.

Bijou

Veteran

I repeat outfits but enjoy wearing clothing items in different ways too. Like Sal, when I am wearing summer dresses, there is less scope to change things up, perhaps a change in belt, shoes and bag. I don't deliberately aim to change things up, I go with what I want to wear on the day.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Yes, often. I have few outfits that feel totally complete to me, down to the footwear and accessories. Usually there is at least one element that feels off or is missing! The culprit is usually footwear, which I struggle with. When it works from head to toe, I rely heavily on it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I repeat combinations but I’m not terribly mindful of doing so exactly. I will combine the same top-bottom pairing, but likely mix up footwear, accessories, third pieces/toppers, etc. My wardrobe is not small, and it’s quite mix and match, so my options are vast. By all rights, I should never get bored with my wardrobe! And yet…;-)

Helena

Veteran

Yep ... All the time and no qualms about it. Even when I worked in an office and was more dressed up, I would repeat from one week to the next. (Individual pieces even more often ... I am basically wearing two pairs of jeans and 4 or 5 sweaters right now).

DD told me outfit repeating is 'trending' on TikTok which makes me happy! Do what you love always, but it's important I think that this *option* is normalized as much in popular media as it apparently is irl!

LaPed

Veteran

Oh, I definitely repeat without hesitation. My wardrobe is quite mix-and-and-match, but I do have preferred combos. As a general rule, I like some warm-cool contrast in my outfits, one light element to balance out darker pieces, and some juxtaposition between fluid/oversized and tailored pieces. Only certain outfits meet all of those criteria, but they tend to be my favorites and FFBOs.

Jules

Veteran

Yes! I used to have a pretty minimal wardrobe where things didn’t mix and match well, so I had mostly specific outfits (eg.this shirt only works with these pants and I wear this outfit once a week with this necklace).
After finding youlookfab and giving myself permission to spend money on clothes, but still not having a ton of items, I still often came up with specific outfits for the season or mini season and happily wore them repeatedly. It never bothers me to do so. They would incorporate current favourite items, fit well and generally make me feel good so I had no reason to mix things up more.
But currently I have definite surplus of items. I only need about 3 good outfits a week for 2 office days and typically one social event. Because I have bought quite a lot lately, and things were going unworn, this winter I am challenging myself to come up with new outfits and not repeat often at the office. It’s a good reminder to shop my closet and enjoy the fruits of my efforts! I still have a few favourite outfits for social outings, one is my ‘dressier’ combo of Aritzia dress and velvet pants. To me it’s a perfect combo that I won’t wear outside winter so I might as well milk it now. No need to remix perfection

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I kind of wish I did repeat, but mostly don’t. When I choose an outfit that I really like, I tell myself to remember the combination, but that I don’t do! Ugh. Even when I took frequent photos of outfits, I didn’t look at them for reference.

For instance, dredging through my memory, last week I wore a teeshirt which is red-ombré to purple, with cream stripes, and topped with a red and cream plaid flannel hoodie. The pattern mix and coziness was fun. Then a few days later I couldn’t remember which tee I’d worn under the plaid, just that it was fun and comfy. When the tee came out of the wash, I did remember it! But if it had been a couple of weeks later that question came up, it might have been a total mystery.

Fortunately I find fun, comfortable and appropriate mixes every day I need to get dressed. As others said, summer dresses and simpler outfits with no layers are easier to repeat.

Val

Yes, I repeat. This winter I’ve been wearing the same 9 combinations over and over with very few exceptions. (3 pairs of pants and 2 cardigans for a total of 3 acceptable pants-cardigan pairings, and 3 interchangeable turtlenecks)

The Cat

Veteran

No, I don't repeat outfits. In fact, remixing my clothes, footwear and accessories is a daily joy and something I look forward to.

kkards

Veteran

1st thank you for the reminder that how we see how we dress and how others see it as often not the same….where you see variety I see a uniform of jeans and a sweater.

Any….
yes I do actually repeat, especially when stressed, it’s easier to get dressed in a FFBO. Before joining YLF I felt that I often bought outfits and had a hard time with mixing and matching, leading me to often feel like I had nothing to wear. Over time I’ve definitely moved to building a wardrobe that was much more cohesive and plug ‘n play. That was part of my motivation with this challenge. As I own a large wardrobe I wanted to use it. As I was feeling I was in a rut, I wanted to get my fashion juices going again. I’ll also say that I own and mix and match new stuff with stuff from a decade ago.
great conversation

Roberta

Veteran

I spent years at work deliberately trying to never repeat myself, and taking pictures as a way to remember the combinations. Now it's just an ingrained habit! I find I do repeat myself occasionally now that I'm at home so much of the time. But if I'm going out to see actual humans I definitely try to wear something different. It is a secret fear, as Dee mentioned up thread, that someone who sees me only occasionally will think I wear the same thing all the time.

This is in cool weather - in the summer I am almost always in shorts and a top. Every once in a while a dress. There might be a lot of color variation, but it's definitely the same outfit, if you get my point.

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