Not only is it 'OK': repeating outfits should be praised and encouraged! But we get it. There's still a stigma around repeating clothes in a short period of time or at multiple events, especially for women due to the 'style gap'.
If you're worried about someone noticing you in the same thing twice – then don't! Chances are your friend/peer/co-worker/family/boss probably doesn't remember that maxi dress you wore last week anyway. And if they do – it's no big deal! Remember, outfit repeating is very on-trend right now and very cool.
For the record, I don't recommend that anyone wear the same clothes multiple days in a row — your pants, sweaters, and blazers will wear better if they get a bit of time to “air out” after each wearing (if you decide not to launder after each time you wear them).
When you wear the same thing every day, you save time deciding what you're going to wear each morning. And you save significant energy over the course of the week. Just think about how much time goes into maintaining, and organizing, and taking care of your clothes. Laundry, for example.
What Is Outfit Repeating? Outfit repeating is wearing the same outfit over & over again, but making it feel fresh & new each time. It's a sustainable way to style yourself and helps you get the most out of your wardrobe without buying anything new.
The biggest draw towards wearing an ultra-simplified wardrobe is to cut down on decision fatigue. Wear the same thing, the argument goes, and you'll have more mental energy to spend on decisions that matter.
“One of the main reasons that people get tired of their wardrobe is because they can no longer reconcile their current or aspirational identity with those clothes and as a result, they no longer make them feel good,” Forbes-Bell tells Refinery29.
People don't pay that much attention to what you're wearing. Seriously, if you want to wear the same jeans two days in a row, go for it. If I can get away with the same outfit for five days, then one garment certainly won't hurt. Remember, we care way more about how we look than other people do.
Everyday Wear
"If you're wearing something for a few hours, and not sweating, it's probably okay to wait 2 to 4 wears before washing. Or, after a full day's use," says Dr. Gonzalez. "If you're working from home, it's probably okay to wait after 3 to 4 wears before washing your clothes."
From the point of view of hygiene, it's ok to wear the same pair of trousers/pants for a week, and ok to wear the same jumper, providing they're not dirty or stained. Shirt, Tee shirt, socks, underwear should all be changed every day, (and washed in between wearing).
You should only repeat the same outfit once per week or less. If you can get away with it, try to wait at least two weeks before repeating the same outfit. However, if you do decide to implement the one week rule into your clothing schedule, make sure that you don't develop a “Wednesday Sweater”.
I would suggest you go for statement pieces that make a statement but not tooooo big of a statement. A good example would be a black beaded skirt or one of your favorite shirts in a different color than you normally wear. Statements don't have to be big and loud to make themselves known.
You don't always have to match patterns. Mixing bold patterns like leopard print and plaid may seem like a fashion faux pas, but there's a lot of power in selecting two prints that don't share any commonalities. Anchor the look with a neutral item, like a black blazer or denim jacket.
Clothes collect dead skin from your body. Unless its a coat or jacket, I would recommend changing clothes daily for hygiene alone. You can have a similar themed wardrobe but its isn't wise to wear the exact same outfit everyday.
There's no hard and fast rule for how many times you can wear clothing again, but experts say there are a few types that should be washed after every use: underwear, socks, tights, leggings and activewear. This advice also applies to any other clothes with stains, sweat, odor or visible dirt, Mohammed said.
The researchers found that a “sufficient” wardrobe consists of 74 garments and 20 outfits in total. As an example, they've suggested six outfits for work, three outfits for home wear, three outfits for sports, two outfits for festive occasions, plus four outdoor jackets and trousers or skirts.
Ask yourself how many times have you worn the pieces that are on you today? Probably a lot less than you realize. The number of times the average piece of clothing is worn happens to be about 120 times globally. That number has been decreasing drastically over the last 15 years.
This is why many successful individuals like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Albert Einstein decided to reduce the amount of decisions they make throughout the day by doing things such as choosing to adopt a monotonous wardrobe.
Wearing a T-shirt two days in a row can be fine, if you're changing up your top layer. Whether it's a button-down or knit cardigan, make sure the shirt you're doubling up on isn't taking center stage. If it's a graphic tee or bold striped shirt, for example, people are going to take note.
Answer: No, it is not unprofessional to wear the same clothing item twice, thrice, or as many times as you want to wear it during a work week. My guess is you're asking because you're afraid of what people will think of you if they noticed. If so, don't.
You've got your hair and makeup done, and you head to your wardrobe. Suddenly, nothing seems to look good. You throw on an outfit combination in a hurry, but throughout the day, it just doesn't feel right. Has this ever happened to you? You might be experiencing fashion anxiety.
Almost half report experiencing Fashion Imposter Syndrome: where engaging in new fashion trends and styles outside of our comfort zone leaves us feeling inauthentic and lacking in confidence.
The Psychology of Clothing
Studies have shown that what we wear can affect our mood, confidence, and even our cognitive abilities. For example, wearing formal attire has been found to increase abstract thinking and attention to detail, while wearing casual clothing can lead to a more relaxed and creative mindset.