Today we’re exploring when and why buying duplicate wardrobe staple pieces isn’t just smart—it’s strategic.
Most style experts will tell you to invest in variety, to make every piece in your wardrobe a statement. But what if that advice is keeping you from building a wardrobe that actually works for your real life?
Why Stylists Usually Say No to Duplicates
Let me paint you a picture from my own household. My late husband discovered these beautiful quality colored tee-shirts from Eddie Bauer that looked nice enough for work, especially on casual Fridays. We started out buying different colors—slate blue, forest green, burgundy. But inevitably, one color rose to the top as his clear favorite. And that’s when the regret hit: why didn’t we buy more of what actually worked?
Most stylists discourage buying duplicates for several reasons, and honestly, I understand where they’re coming from.
• The “every piece must be a hero” mentality – There’s this idea that every item in your closet should make a statement and earn its keep through variety
• Fear that people will feel like they’re wearing the same thing all the time – The worry that duplicates will make someone feel boring or stuck in a rut
• The sophistication myth – The belief that variety automatically equals a more sophisticated wardrobe
But here’s what I’ve learned from real people making real wardrobe decisions: this advice often backfires in practical life.
The Strategic Case for Buying Duplicate Wardrobe Staple Pieces
Most people think wardrobe staple pieces means one perfect white shirt, but strategic duplication of your real staples is the smartest style move you might not be making.
Recently, I was part of an online conversation where someone asked about duplicate-buying habits, and the responses were fascinating. One person said, “I do it because the clothes and shoes that fit me are rare.”
Here are some reasons you might want to buy duplicates:
• The bottleneck problem – When you only own one of a key piece, it creates wardrobe bottlenecks. Your perfect black jeans are in the laundry, but three different outfits this week need them as the foundation
• The fit reality – When you find something that truly fits your body and lifestyle, that’s gold
• Laundry logistics – Let’s be practical here. If you want to do a white tee-shirt summer—wearing the same white tee with different bottoms every day—you need multiple shirts because white needs washing after every wear
• Decision fatigue elimination – Having duplicates of what works removes decision points and frees up mental energy for what matters most
During COVID, my husband essentially created a uniform: two identical long-sleeved charcoal heather tee-shirts (we called them “dandruff black”) with workout shorts for working from home over Zoom. It wasn’t boring—it was brilliant. It eliminated morning decision fatigue and ensured he always looked put-together on video calls.
When Your Personality Says No (And Why That’s Okay)
Some people are natural variety-seekers. One person said, “I like a lot of variety, so I wouldn’t get a bunch of the same thing that fits well in different colors normally. Maybe 2 but no more than that.”
• The variety lovers – If you thrive on visual stimulation and get energized by wearing different things, forcing yourself into duplicates might feel restrictive
• The evolution factor – another person said, “I’ve had it happen multiple times where I’d get too many of the same thing, and then I ‘grew out’ of them,”. If you’re someone whose style evolves quickly, duplicates might feel limiting.
• The overwhelm concern – “If its simple like a tanktop I might, but having a bunch of the same item seems cumbersome to me,” one person noted. Another concern that came up: “If I suddenly hate them, that would be a lot of clothes to get rid of.”
How to Decide What’s Worth Duplicating
Not every wardrobe staple piece deserves duplication. Here’s how to think strategically about what to multiply.
Start with the items that have proven themselves over time. In my husband’s case, that charcoal tee had earned its place through months of reliable service.
• The frequency test – What do you reach for multiple times per week? These are your duplication candidates
• The laundry bottleneck test – What pieces create wardrobe problems when they’re in the wash? Prime candidates for doubles
• The perfect fit test – Items that fit your body exceptionally well are worth protecting with backups, especially if the brand or style might be discontinued
• The versatility test – Pieces that work across multiple outfit formulas and life contexts deserve consideration
Remember, we’re not talking about buying seven of everything. Most people in the conversation who embrace duplicates stick to two, maybe three maximum of any one item. As I reflected after hearing everyone’s thoughts, “I don’t think I would ever get more than two either. Unless it became such a staple that I wanted a lifetime supply. But that is purely theoretical, has never happened.”
The goal isn’t to eliminate all variety from your wardrobe. It’s to strategically duplicate the pieces that truly serve you, so the rest of your wardrobe can be more creative and expressive. When your foundations are solid and duplicated, you have more freedom to play with your statement pieces.
Most people think wardrobe staple pieces means one perfect white shirt, but strategic duplication of your real staples is the smartest style move you might not be making.
Find Your Own Wardrobe Staple Pieces
Here’s something simple you can do this week to integrate these principles into your wardrobe: Do a frequency audit. For the next week, pay attention to what you reach for repeatedly. Notice what creates bottlenecks when it’s dirty. Notice what fits so well you wish you had another one. These observations will tell you exactly what’s worth duplicating in your wardrobe.
Download the free workbook to find your own definition of enough: The Wardrobe Pyramid.
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