Duplication to remove wardrobe bottlenecks
February 13th, 2008Sometimes I purchase two of the exact same item. I don’t mean purchasing the same item in a different colour; I mean the same item in the exact same style and colour. Every season there’s at least one item that I find indispensable, but is bottlenecking at the cleaners or getting worn out through frequent use and laundering.
This season I found a finely knitted fitted black Edwardian style turtleneck with a back zip in a soft wool blend that does not pill. It goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe, from jeans to wool skirts and suits to slacks. It’s the perfect layering piece and bridging piece that can be dressed up or down. So I bought two and have been living in them all season. Instead of having loads of different tops to wear with a handful of bottoms; I’ve changed the ratio around and worn loads of different bottoms with the same top and mixed it up with plenty of accessories.
In the past, I’ve bought two of the exact same pairs of jeans, white button down shirts, cardigans, knitted tops and fashion sneakers. And when I’ve done this, I have both items in use simultaneously, which is precisely the point. I’ve also purchased the same item in different colours, but this strategy does not work as well for me – I always seem to wear one colour a lot more than the other (the exception is Converse sneakers). Do either of these purchasing strategies work for you?
February 13th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I’ve certainly bought the same item in different colors, but I’ve never bought the exact same item twice to wear simultaneously. The only thing I wear so often that I’d need two are my cashmere sweaters, and I can’t afford two of the same in those. Interesting idea, though. I’ll keep that in mind from now on. I did consider buying the same jeans to hem to two different lengths, but I didn’t get around to it. Again, at $100 a whop, that’s pretty steep.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I have purchased exact duplicates in jeans, black pants and this wonderful little gray skirt to keep my favorite thing from always being at the cleaners. I usually purchase duplicate tops in different colors. However, I am trying to stop buying extra tops in different colors if they have anything really special about them as I find I only end up wearing one of them. The cashmere sweater with the big bow on the neck is just too memorable to wear constantly in different shades, no matter how pretty it is. I will use a basic crewneck or vneck in several colors, even on consecutive days.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I’ve purchased the same style and color of those amazing Undertease shirts. I wear them almost every day, and I can’t imagine what I did before I had a couple of black and brown Undertease in my wardrobe.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I’ve bought two of the exact same pair of black dressy heels. Here in the Midwest our winters can be messy and hard on my nice shoes, but I don’t want to wear casual snow boots to school everyday either. So I have one pair to get beat up with the snow and salt on the ground and another pair to keep nice. I’ve also bought many items of the same style in differnt colors, but I’m trying to weed them out so I don’t end up looking the same every day.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:36 am
What an interesting idea. Oddly enough, when I think about what I WISH I had bought two of, they are black tops. One year is was a Talbots’s fitted jersey v-neck that I wore so much you could see through the back of it ( I got two more years out of it under sweaters). Another year it was a funnel neck jersey. This year it is a roll neck knit sweater from J.Jills. I am wondering what an Edwardian style is… a high neck turtle? I love the zipper idea. It must fit beautifully. I am realizing that it is all in the fit…
February 13th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Like dcrmom above suggested, I have purchased two of the exact same pair of black pants that I have hemmed at different lengths to go with different heel heights. I did this because I purchased the matching suit jacket to the 2 pairs of pants (I only purchased 1 suit jacket though!) and wanted to wear this suit with all of my heel heights. Although I’m finding that I wear the longer pants more often (I like my higher heels better because it gives my petite frame a better line), I’m glad that I purchased both pairs of pants to give me the option of wearing my lower heels too. I would only do this with items that I absolutely love though!
February 13th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Do you just know which items you’ll probably want to have two of as you’re buying them? I often wish that I could go back to the store and get the exact same piece (maybe even buy several more of them) but by the time I’ve figured it out that it is in fact both durable and highly wearable and useful in my wardrobe, the store usually has moved on to stock some other new, untested (by me) styles. I have resorted to buying repeats of items on eBay, with varying levels of success.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I have done this a number of times and glad that Angie agrees with the idea! Especially if I find something classic. Works best for black pieces which tend to fade out sooner. I have done this for black cardigans and sweaters, skirts(which I love and find very hard to find in a cut which suits), white shirts as well as shoes/boots. Though I dont necessarily use them at the same time rather one after the other. Also I like the idea of buying two pairs of the same pants and altering them to different lengths!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I bought two of the same dress (color and style) last Christmas, because I loved so much how it fits on me. I thought it was wierd what I did!… but I am glad to know that it is a fairly common practice. I think it is a good idea when you find an item that you really love.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Other than under garments–have never done this. Same style dif color–absolutely, but not same color. Great idea about same pants different lengths for shoes. I’ll have to try that–and I also agree might be difficult because by the time I figure out I love something it’s gone from the store.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I agree on the pants of the same style and color, that’s a great idea! I also don’t think I’ve bought the exact same shirt twice, but I’ve bought the same shirt in different colours when the cut suits me nicely.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I purchase tshirts (long sleeve and short) every season this way. Usually white, black and brown. I hate when the favorite, can’t miss, fits so well is in the wash or cleaners when you gotta wear it that day or with that outfit. I also made two pairs of my essential black pant for that very same reason - they are perfect with every thing else I own. SInce I do design and sew alot of my own clothes, sometimes it’s just as easy to make two of something that is awesome.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I’m with Katherine - I haven’t done this before but do sometimes wish I had. E.g., I wish I had bought more than one black v-neck sweater at Zara’s recently. It’s a great basic, I love it and wear it a lot with pants and skirts, and I wish I had another one since it’ll never go out of style. And it was cheap. Alas, we don’t have a Zara’s here in Seattle, and I won’t have the opportunity to get another one for a while.
I do own 4 exercise tops that are all the same style and color. They are easy, reasonably flattering, and I love not having to think about what to wear to the gym in the morning
February 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
First heard of this - of all things - reading the diaries of Anais Nin! - She would buy duplicates of things she loved….I usually confine this to staples that are also a BARGAIN. So I have gotten 2 pairs of jeans that are a deal - as I wear them all the time - and 2 jackets - but in different colors - and 2 pairs of cargo pants on sale with slightly different colors (one never knows which one you will wear all the time.) But I am talking about rock bottom bargains of $7-10 per item! How can one pass up THAT?
February 13th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I have purchased 2 of the standard black or white shell. I would purchase two of the perfect pair of jeans but I’m still on a quest for that item.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
That is a common practice for me. I have two black long sleeved shirts that I wear under cropped jackets, two of the same jeans (one for looking nice, one for gardening and housework) and many many long tanks that go under my other shirts. I think I have two of almost all of the clothes I wear the most often - which certainly makes sense.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I have bought two of the same pair of shoes–I hate shoe shopping because I have such hard feet to fit (bunions). I can usually go thru a shoe store pretty quick since I cannot wear most of them. I have bought two of the same pair of jeans. Once I found something I really like I go back and buy another (I am very tall and have a hard time finding long enough pants for my legs! Think I will try this with tops!
February 13th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Nope, I haven’t done it except for undies and maybe once with a pair of jeans.
I should, though. If I ever find the perfect white blouse I will buy several.
My current bottle necks revolve around my favorite white blouse, my gray skirt (one of three, but they all need a little work of some sort), and my brown skirt (though that’s now in the mend pile). I also need to get more slips. I have two, one beige and one black, and when they start to smell I have to do laundry regardless.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
This is also common practice for me. I buy duplicate shoes when I know the style is comfortable and a classic. I have also done this with jeans and pants- especially when it is so hard for me to find the perfect fit. I wear all of my duplicates very often.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:01 am
If I find THE pair of jeans — which usually takes more than one grueling, depressing day of trying on dozens — yes, indeed, I buy two. Same with good khaki trousers — if I find that one cut that makes me look 10 pounds thinner, I’m snatching two pair while I can!
My daughter bought a pair of perfect brown flats at Target one year and loved them so much that she went back and bought TWO more pairs. She’s never regretted it. She wears them very often, rotating the three pairs; she’s now on her third year with them, and none of the pairs look worn. Smart girl!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I do this a lot and am doing it more and more as I’m becoming more sure of what my style actually is. I used to buy things in more than one colour, but now I tend to get at least two in a basic neutral (brown, navy, black, white), especially if it’s a basic that wears out quickly, like a t-shirt. I’m the kind of person who would happily just wear my favorite clothes over and over again, so it’s nice to not have to wash every other day.
Over the holidays, when Gap spaghetti straps basic camis with long waists were on sale, I bought two black, two grey, and one brown. I am SO not regretting that now!
February 14th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Ditto, Angie! I’ve also found that when buying multiples, I personally always reach for the same color (the color that I feel looks best on me) so in the end, two identical items in the same colors are much more useful to me than two items in different colors. The only exceptions are super basic things like camisoles, tanks, and classic fitted tees.
P.S. Would you share where you got your dream black knit turtleneck that doesn’t pill? Such an item is so versatile! I have two but they started pilling already and the season isn’t even over yet.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I’m happy to hear that this concept is either already in use or at least on the way to being put into use. Below are the answers to your questions:
o my tops are high turtle necks and I do wear them consecutively by completly changing my outfit and accessories
o sometimes I know to buy two of the same item immediately and sometimes I don’t. I knew it with these black knitwear tops and with my camisoles, undies, bras, workout wear and loungewear. But I need to give it a week or two with jeans and white shirts before I duplicate them. You need to duplicate fast before the item is out of stock.
o So far, I have not regretted buying any item that I have duplicated in the same colour and style, but I have regretted buying the same item in a different colour, especially shoes. This concept does not work for me and I have learnt my lesson.
o I’m about to double up on a pair of dark blue straight leg jeans that are about the best pair of denims I have ever had.
I love the concept of duplicating the exact same pair of shoes because fab looking shoes that are comfy to wear are hard to find. I wish I had done this with my cracked patent cream ankle boots and yellow square toe pumps. I have had each pair resoled twice and they look sadder each season.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
[…] in two different colors (if they are available) or even two of the exact same thing, if it’s cheap and you will use it, why not? SRR bought two camis for $1 each, I can think […]
October 24th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I’m guilty of always doing this- not just clothes but also items (earrings, eyeglasses I love that aren’t too expensive). I do this so that I can have a spare when I lose the other. But this is only for items I know are classics and won’t ever ride the tide of current trends. The colors I buy in duplicate will be black or white, knit for tops. I don’t think I ever bought two of any other colors before. I’ll buy 3 for perfect-fitting jeans that are decently priced because finding one is like hitting a jackpot. :p Recently, I bought two pairs of the same eyeglasses (daily essential) but always end up losing one somewhere down the road. When they’re on sale and I love it, I grab ‘em in bulks Costco style!