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The Best Things Come in Multiples...Or not?

karymk

Veteran

Angie's post about her white boots got me realizing how much I do buy multiples, and I'm wondering if this limits my style opportunities.

Look at my JCrew Martina Wedge and Cece flats below. I buy them because they really are two comfortable everyday shoes for me. The Martina I just love because it looks like the flats from head on, but gives the lift of a heel. I think it is so easy to run around in the wedge versus a heel!

So is this madness and am I locking myself out of variety by buying multiples in different colors?

Do you buy in multiples once you find something that works?

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Golden

Anonymous

For shoes, yes. I tried on tons of pumps and found a T strap that worked and was pretty timeless looking so I bought them in every colour. I don't wear heels more than once or twice a year though.

karymk

Veteran

Ah smart girl, Ceit. That operative word is "timeless". I think that must be the key to justifying multiples.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

For shoes I replicate like crazy - I have the Born Adele flats in every colour they come in!!! And I have a closet full of replications of the colours I like in case they die (sniped them on mega clearance). I have worn our four pairs already and it's somewhat less painful to toss when I know that I have used them to the max and there is a replacement in my closet.

I also have replicated the Naturalizer Lennox pump in three colours and luckily, they seem to be making more of them, so I won't go crazy and stock up in case of nuclear apocalypse.

carter

Veteran

Absolutely! Not just shoes either...blouses, sweaters, pants, jeans, tee shirts. If something fits me well, why wouldn't I buy all the colors I like or, in the case of neutral basics, multiples in the same color? Probably half the things I buy for everyday wear are bought in multiples. My mom takes it a step farther and buys multiple sizes in her basic tops and bottoms.

shedev

Veteran

Tops and toppers are difficult for me to fit so I do sometimes I do buy multiples. I have ON tees in black and torquise, ON sweaters inb lack and cream, and I just duplicated the Ella Moss in black.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I forgot! My cardigan that I usually wear is definitely replicated - rust, black, grey, mustard, navy, robin blue, navy with zebra stripes, navy with dots... all the same cardigan

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

If it works, especially something so hard to find as well-fitting shoes, definitely yes. It's like a uniform that works well.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've got duplicates of cardigans, layering tees, and jeans, but all of those are in different colors. I don't think I've ever duplicated shoes, though I'm not against the idea. I have never intentionally bought two identical items, color and all, although I've certainly ended up with two items identical except for size that were bought at different times.

Angela K

Veteran

Duplicates are just smart. I can't count the number of times I've said: "wish I had bought these in every color." But I didn't! Lesson learned. If it feels great, fits great and looks great, then go for the duplicates every time!

Neel

Veteran

I buy in multiples when I find the perfect fit/style! I found the perfect side ribbed casual button down shirt in Mango. And I bought navy and camel (they didn't have any more colors left :D) in that. I found a pair of flat sandals that was super cute so I bought pink, gold and pewter in that o_O. I have tank tops of the same type in red, cobalt and black. I am still eyeing the red studded handbag (same as my black one) in Steve Madden. I think it will come home some day with me I was thissss close to buying yellow and peach studded handbags (similar to my white one) from Steve Madden again! But talked myself out of it!

I think I am a multiples-maniac o_O

ETA - And I love your wedges collection!

ka3144

yes I definitely buy multiples when I love a certain items. I recently bought two colors of Seychelles booties in Black and Whiskey Brown because they were so comfortable (even at 2 1/2 inches!)

Word Lily

Veteran

I've got multiple pairs of the same jeans, and I buy my standard v-neck Ts in all the colors I like. (These are all in rotation, not held back for when one dies, although sometimes I've wished for backups for my very favorite colors ...) I don't buy multiples of shoes, though, at least not yet.

Kristin SF

Veteran

I *always* buy in multiples, though my husband can't understand it. Multiples of shoes that fit and jeans, especially, but even tops that I love.

Interestingly enough, this was the topic over at Wardrobe Oxygen this morning. Alison is calling it the FoMO Closet.

JAileen

Veteran

I'm of two minds:
1. It's so hard finding something that fits and flatters. Get all the colors.
2. It's special. Getting it in all the colors dilutes its specialness, making it less valuable to me.

Laurinda

Veteran

With basic everyday items: T-shirts, tank tops, camis, knickers -- YES. Who doesn't have multiples of their favorite socks?

With more expensive or memorable items: dress shoes, blazers, outerwear -- not so much.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have done up to two colors for basics like a layering cami, turtleneck, or cardigan but not much more. Even a basic v neck tee can be fun to have slight variations of. Different drape, length, sleeves just a bit shorter or longer, v wider or deeper, etc, etc, etc.

dustt

Veteran

I am definitely a duplicator!! - in shoes, pants, skirts and sweaters - it's so hard to get something to fit properly - when it does I tend to grab it in all possible varieties!! - - does it make my wardrobe a bit more predictable - yes - but it works for me!!

karymk

Veteran

Phew I don't feel so weird anymore, hoarding my multiples...

Anonymous

Hmmm, I think we know where I stand! I don't think it's really a duplicate if it's a different color. Right now I have different colors of the same shoe and the same jean because both of those are very hard to fit, and because jeans and ballet flats are essentials for me. If my favorite snakeskin blouse had come in three colorways, I would not have purchased all three, because for something like that, I think it would "dilute it's specialness" like JAileen said.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I was just coming to post Alison's post, if someone else hadn't. I think she has a point - some ladies do hang onto things for too long because it's a security blanket, rather than trying to move with the times or freshen their look. I think that's why I normally don't buy anything twice in the same color, or more than twice in different colors. Two sweaters in the same cut will get worn; three, not so much.

PJ

When I like something I buy in multiple too

Gigi

Veteran

I think whether to buy multiples depends on a few factors. If you are hard to fit or have a hard time finding something that works (e.g., comfy shoes), buying multiples is helpful. I have also bought multiples simply because a hard-to-find color (for me, teal) was available, and I wanted that color in my closet. If nothing else, the multiples serve as placeholders until you can find something else that is different but does the job just as well.

I think the decision also depends on your style persona. If you are very set style-wise and know what you like, multiples work well. But if you are someone whose style persona changes a lot--you are a bit of a chameleon--multiples might be a downer over time because they will hinder the variety in your closet.

I go back and forth on the multiples issue, because I have a very changeable style persona, yet I am terribly hard to fit. I agree with Laura that I find two colors of the same item to be better than three--with three, I feel kind of "boxed in" and like I'm a robot. But I also started out this year with very few clothes, and if I hadn't bought multiples, I would have had a lot harder time filling my closet. I will also say that the multiples I bought are in very classic styles, so if it takes me a long time to wear them out, that's OK.

I guess I would say that I wish I didn't have to buy multiples, since I like a lot of variety. But practicality in my case dictates that I need to buy them some of the time.

anne

Veteran

I am generally on team, "no duplicates", owing to having a smallish wardrobe and a small budget. If I am only buying say 15-25 garments a year at most, duplication would cut down my options too much. I would feel, to quote you,that I was limiting my style opportunities.
If say I am going to buy 3 tops for summer, I want to try our as many of the current trends as possible !
I do however have a fairly good idea of what I like, and quite a restricted colour palette, so some items might be similar, but, as Mo said, I'd want some difference in the details.

Exceptions are jeans, when I have one that has been hemmed for heels and one for flats, knickers and camis and the occasional 2 for 1 deal that (in retropect I didn't really need the second pair)
I can see the appeal of duplicating shoes, but in reality my feet are so fussy that the expensive pairs I end up with are too expensive to duplicate.

karymk

Veteran

I totally understand the no-dupes theory. But I'm also pretty lazy and I can't see searching and searching for a new model of ballet flat. I should try Repetto, I should try London Sole. Maybe they offer some cute variations I'd enjoy. But it's just so darn easy to keep ordering the same CeCe flat online in an 8, because it went on sale and I know it is reliable. So I made my choice I guess, the variation is the color, not the style.

Anonymous

I buy multiples all the time, especially for simple building-block items, because I'm both lazy and hard to fit. Usually I limit it to two or three so I don't get bored, like other people have said, but sometimes I go a little crazy if I really like something. I think I've bought the same merino cardigan from Nordstrom in eight different colors by now. Although some of the older ones have worn out by now and they've made them shorter for the last year or two, which I don't like as much, so maybe I actually should have gotten more of them originally?

I think there's nothing wrong with buying a bunch of duplicates of a shoe that cute and comfy that comes in that many great colors! I especially like the look of the wedge version.

Golden

Veteran

I do it too, although I would be afraid to take a picture and see them all!