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Original poster

To wear the same outfit everyday

102 replies

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 09/09/2017 10:08

Obviously not literally the same outfit or I would stink.

I'm seriously considering just buying a 10 tops (work or casual), 3 pairs of jeans and three pairs of work trousers. (Would have to be 10 jumpers for winter, t shirts for summer).
And just wearing the same outfit each day. I've never been much of a one for fashion and this would make life so simple.

Would have to have the odd different outfit for special occasions but there's not many of those.

Would people think I'm bonkers if they see me in exactly the same outfit each day?

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 09/09/2017 11:14

It sound like a good idea.
But will you really need 10 jumpers in the winter?

Original poster
WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 09/09/2017 11:17

But will you really need 10 jumpers in the winter

Probably not, 10 is overkill. This just gets easier and easier.

OP posts:
BringOnTheScience · 09/09/2017 11:18

When I was teaching I definitely had this! Black trousers and a stack of long-sleeved plain teeshirts in various colours. 4 long cardigans. Increasing supply of floaty scarves to mix it up.
Weekend version had jeans.

BarbaraofSevillle · 09/09/2017 11:18

No more work when shopping. Just buy more - I found some work shoes I really liked and were the holy grail of smart and not too frumpy as long as you don't give a shit about fashion while comfortable if you walk miles/are on your feet all day. I went back and bought 2 more pairs after a couple of weeks when I realised how sad I'd be when they wore out.

I also buy two or three pairs when I find jeans or work trousers that fit well and I like - most trousers don't fit me well, so it's a joy when they do.

For tops, get more than one in different colours. Obviously you need the space and the money but if you are wearing a capsule wardrobe its likely that you aren't buying piles of disposable fashion anyway so not necessarily more expensive over time. It might mean that you actually get wear out of everything you buy and costs less instead.

Tentomidnight · 09/09/2017 11:22

A woman I know always wears a back scuba fabric midi dress. It looks like the same dress but maybe there are two similar. In summer she wears lots of jewellery and sandals with it. In winter, lots of jewellery, black tights and boots.
I can't imagine her wearing any other outfit. She looks good and I admire her style and lack of clothes shopping bill

Tentomidnight · 09/09/2017 11:23

*black

Fairenuff · 09/09/2017 11:30

I've done this at work for years. It makes everything so easy and it's really quick to get ready in the morning. I work in school and sometimes the children ask why I wear more or less the same thing everyday. I point out that they do too. It's just my version of school uniform.

EggysMom · 09/09/2017 11:30

I'm puzzled why this is a choice or a 'capsule' wardrobe ... I wear one of two pairs of black trousers for work, one of two pairs of jeans on the weekend. I have about a dozen tops that are appropriate for work or weekend. And that's all I have in my wardrobe anyway, so it's not a conscious decision to condense my clothing, it's just all I have to choose from!

Musereader · 09/09/2017 11:33

I literally went to matalan yesterday and came out with four pairs of trousers (2 each of 2 different styles) and six tops in two styles and different colour/patterns all interchangable because i am going back to work full time in just over a week.

While on maternity this past year i have worn four pairs of jeans sequentially and 8 black or three light t shirts. I honestly put more thought into what my 1yo dd is wearing than what i do.

Medeci · 09/09/2017 11:36

I'd love to do this but have yet to find the perfect outfit that's smart, comfortable and washes well.
I tend to buy clothes thinking they're OK then after a few wears and washes they end up not fitting so well or feel scratchy and uncomfortable.
Also it's not always possible to tell which fabrics attract dog hair and bits and need to be constantly defluffed until I've worn them.

user327854831 · 09/09/2017 11:38

It's very liberating and saves money for other things, you don't need expensive black trousers or whatever.

BarbaraofSevillle · 09/09/2017 11:40

It's interesting that no-one ever notices when men do the same thing. Men who wear a suit to work will have a limited number of suits with a few shirts and ties.

Like the Australian Newsreader who work the same suit every time he was on air for a year to make a point about how his female co-presenter was expected to wear a much greater variety of outfits than he was.

I wear a very limited amount of clothes because it makes things so much easier in the mornings if you can just pull something out of the wardrobe and know that it fits/looks OK together.

It's good to question why dressing this way is a choice though. I suppose it's the opposite to those who want to go out regularly and buy something new. You only have to shop a few times a year, to replace things that have worn out, or perhaps update a couple of tops each season.

Poshindevon · 09/09/2017 11:44

I wore the same clothes to work for years. I had 5 pairs of black trousers and two black pinstripe.
I wore plain white tops in summer and black plain tops or black polo necks in winter. I had a variety of different coloured and different style jackets and accessories.
The same with shoes simple black slip ons or heels
Made life so easy.

astoundedgoat · 09/09/2017 11:46

Completely reasonable and I've read several articles about very successful people who do this too (Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs etc.)

I wear almost exactly the same thing every day - last winter it was black skinny trouser/jeans (Topshop Leigh jeans - they're not quite denim, but not quite trousers), black cashmere jumper and Ash trainers. I was smart but not overdressed all the time (I'm in IT) and it was great.

This year I'm going WILD and mixing it up. I plan to alternate between black leather leggings and black skinny jeans, and between a black cashmere jumper and a grey cashmere jumper. [crazy]

So I think you are dead right.

bigkidsdidit · 09/09/2017 11:46

I know a woman who does this, she has two outfits. I guess more than one of each item! It is all very classic and understated. I'm fascinated by it, actually. She seems so serene and above it all - just 'these are the clothes that I like and suit me, I'm wearing them forever'

CheckingMyPrivilege · 09/09/2017 11:48

Same as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuch. I'd do this too when I start working.

astoundedgoat · 09/09/2017 11:48

You don't need 10 tops, btw - for winter, buy 2 black cashmere crewneck jumpers from M&S, wear a skinny t-shirt underneath so you don't get sweat/deodorant on it, and don't spill your lunch.

onalongsabbatical · 09/09/2017 11:48

You'd be in very good and very successful company.

To wear the same outfit everyday
onalongsabbatical · 09/09/2017 11:49

And more...

To wear the same outfit everyday
catkind · 09/09/2017 11:50

I have two identical pairs of linen work trousers and black jeans that I can get away with on Fridays or if feeling slouchy. About 5 cotton tunic tops and a couple of work shirts for if I want to be smarter. I have other things in my wardrobe but they get remarkably little wear. Kids get through clothes at a rate of knots so we launder every other day anyway.

catkind · 09/09/2017 11:52

Love the Angela Merkel rainbows. Does she in fact own a very large number of near identical jackets, or is that fewer looking different in different lights? Or maybe she gets them dyed progressively darker colours over time.

maddiemookins16mum · 09/09/2017 11:53

I have 3 pairs of work trousers (black, grey and navy) and 4 work shirts that can match those three trousers. Two cardigans (black and grey).
I've worn a combination of the above for the last 5 years. In the summer I wear black or navy linen type trousers and one of three short sleeved blouse tops. One of the linen trousers was purchased in 2010.

Imissmyboy · 09/09/2017 11:54

I almost do this.
I always wear black trousers for work and have several tops to go with them depending on season, so sleeveless, short sleeves or long sleeves. Cardigans are black or grey.
Weekends are a pair of jeans, grey, light blue or dark blue and a tee shirt, or jumper.
I do however have several pairs of shoes and boots in various colours to brighten up an outfit.

Lucisky · 09/09/2017 11:55

I'm retired and I do this. I discovered a style that suits me and is comfortable and buy/wear the same styles but in different colours. Makes life so easy, and I know I always have something for every occasion, just by dressing up or down as necessary.

onalongsabbatical · 09/09/2017 11:57

I think they're genuinely different, catkind, there was an article in the Guardian a few years ago about it. If you look closely there are small differences like collar shape, number of buttons etc. Let's face it, women's clothes are bonkers. I really like the idea - for work, at least - of finding a style and shape that suits me, that I'm comfortable in and feel efficient in, and then just having lots in different colours. I think Merkel is the Mistress of this high art. Another reason to admire the woman.