How Often Can You Repeat Your Outfits at Work?
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Update: We still think this is a great discussion on the important topic of how often can you repeat your outfits at work — but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion on repeating outfits at work. If you're wondering how to mix up your outfits more, check out our work outfit challenge, with TONS of work outfit ideas!
Can you wear the same outfit over and over again to work? How often can you rewear an outfit? Reader N wonders how often can you repeat your outfits at work…
Do you have any tips about how often you can wear the same outfit to work? Or posts on outfit frequency? I tried to search in the archives but couldn't find anything.
This is a great question, and one we haven't talked about before. A friend of mine was just describing a former coworker who wore the exact same outfit (dress, tights, shoes, jewelry) multiple days in a row — and how no one could figure out what her deal was (but everyone was wondering!). So: don't be that coworker!
Personally I think you can repeat the exact same outfit, but the more memorable it is, the less often you can repeat it.
To me, “once every two weeks” is about the max you can get away with for an clothing-specific outfit. Thinking back, some of my favorite work outfits that I might have worn up to twice a month would include things like the blue blazer/gray pants/pink blouse combo above… or olive green pants, olive cardigan, purple tank…. or black skirt, bright blue cardigan, burgundy red tank. On the other hand, very memorable pieces of clothing that I have (a hot pink skirt with a white diamond pattern on jacquard fabric, a floral green blazer) are things that I would only trot out a few times a quarter because the piece of clothing *was* the outfit, if that makes sense. This doesn't mean that those hot pink skirts aren't worth the money (particularly since one skirt may stay in your closet for 5-10 years) but it does mean that you should probably limit those memorable pieces (and make them good quality, so they can stand the test of time) if you're updating your professional wardrobe, just beginning to build your wardrobe, or you have to whittle your wardrobe down to basics because you're traveling for work.
Readers, do you put together entire “outfits” and rewear them? How often do you rewear outfits? At what point do you begin to wonder about colleagues who repeat the exact same outfit? How often CAN you repeat your outfits at work?
I work in consulting and I work with a different group of people almost every week, or I’m alone at a different client every other week. So really I could repeat an outfit constantly lol. I repeat pants very frequently, as they are basic and I only have so many that fit well. In the winter, I’ve been repeating a few of my chunkier and warmer sweaters just because they’re my warmest items of clothing. Otherwise, the stuff I repeat I just happen to like more or they are convenient (ie no ironing, they’re comfortable). But even so, I’d say on average, if you take out the repeated sweaters in the winter, I repeat blouses once a month. I do repeat cardigans more frequently.
I like the idea that the French have. When you spend money on a particular item, it’s ok to wear it frequently — once or more a week if you like (often restyled, not the same exact outfit). It’s your way of saying “THIS is the look”. I think that’s pretty cool.
I once heard this sentence stage-whispered across two nearby desks: “Oh look! Laura’s wearing her Thursday skirt on Monday this week!”
“Laura” heard it too and turned SO RED.
People are mean.
However, I don’t really fuss too much about how often I repeat, and I wear a lot of recognizable patterns (Boden etc). And I’ve been known to wear the same pants twice in a week. THOSE are not patterened, though. I really don’t think anyone notices your office basic neutrals.
“To me, “once every two weeks” is about the max you can get away with for an clothing-specific outfit. ”
Seriously? Not everyone can afford to have this many clothes or accessories. I find your “rule” absurd. Once a week would be more appropriate.
I repeat tops no more often than once a month. Bottoms can be worn more frequently.
I try never to repeat the same exact outfit.
This reminds me of a conference I went on years ago.
People were paired up & had to find something in common.
This man and woman said they discovered they had both worn same
pants during the conference for three days straight.
I’m a grad student, and there was this girl in one of my classes last semester who literally wore the same shirt to class every week. It was bizarre. I’m sure she was wearing other stuff at other times during the week, when I didn’t see her, but she wore that shirt every Tuesday.
To be fair, I should note that I’ve been accused by coworkers of never wearing the same thing twice, and I try my hardest not to. So I realize I’m on the extreme other end of the spectrum. But… yeah, I think it’s good to try not to wear the SAME thing to the SAME event every single week, even if you don’t have much clothing.