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Are you curious about outfit repeating while traveling, but you’re too scared to put yourself out there as the person wearing “that outfit again?” I get it. That label can at first be embarrassing, especially for avid travelers active on social media – but it shouldn’t be. Thankfully Meredith is here to help us embrace and normalize outfit repeating, please make sure to support her, by heading over and following her blog for more tips – and read on for her great advice. [no_toc]
Ever caught yourself reaching for that go-to outfit that delivers style and comfort only to remember you wore it yesterday? Or even worse, that you already wore that combo the last time you were around the source of the invite. Immediately deterred, you begin sifting for another equally comfortable and stylish replacement fit instead. In recent years, society has pushed the appearance of the acceptance of minimalism for the sake of trends. But when will normalizing the struggles of minimalism be acceptable, too?
My personal journey toward a more sustainable existence began a handful of years ago. Starting by taking baby steps to eliminate plastics in my daily routine, and holding myself accountable for wasting less. Slowly, but surely, becoming a slightly annoying advocate for the multiple facets of sustainability in general. Looking back on past moments of ignorance and overconsumption, I am grateful for the changes I have implemented thus far. Especially reflecting on my past existence as a solo female backpacker limited to 60L of belongings for years at a time.
Make sure you save this pin to your favorite packing or fashion board. By doing so, we can begin to change the social norm in favor of outfit repeating for a more sustainable travel industry.
WHAT WE’RE COVERING
QUICK LOOK
- Let’s make outfit repeating the new norm for the travel industry
- Outfit repeating and minimalist mentality are great ways to embrace sustainability, lighten your pack, and make a bold statement!
- Challenge yourself to give it a try!
Normalizing Minimalism as a Traveler
While backpacking, any new clothing purchase was a decision. That or a swap for an existing item already in my pack because there simply wasn’t space for both. Or worse, when that pack missed connecting flights forcing me to rely only upon the clothes on my back. This has happened in various countries around the globe at least once or twice. But none was as memorable as my time visiting Cuba in 2019 (pre-pandemic). 16 of 20-plus days spend gallivanting the island wearing primarily one outfit the entire trip. Needless to say, I embraced hearing people say, “that outfit again?” while reviewing photos of the journey.
Proof that you don’t need multiple outfits to enjoy a new destination. Watch and subscribe!
The breakdown of emotions centered around outward displays of beauty had me questioning my own values. Considering my seven-year background in the beauty industry (long before my globetrotting days) this revelation didn’t come easy. I say that to say that if I can acknowledge the need to normalize outfit repetition, surely the majority can too.
Furthermore, sustainable traveling is the future. And sustainable travel methods, like outfit repeating, should be at the forefront of all of our travel plans. I get it, we watch social media influencers doing their thing with outfit changes galore. But what happened to “thinking outside of the box”? Anyways, how boring if we all continued to do the same exact thing, no? As a micro-influencer, I am proud to lead by example. My feed is freckled in captures of me in the same outfit, different accessories, around the globe.
Embracing Outfit Repeating on the Road
Before becoming a full-time traveler in 2016, the concept of outfit repeating was introduced to me by a different culture. As a Volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps, I was stationed overseas in Eastern Europe. There I witnessed a culture accept the wearing of the same outfit to work three times during the workweek. Work clothing was removed and hung at the close of each day and “house clothes” adorned thereafter. Brilliant concept, am I right?
Now, as an avid traveler and a solo female one at that, I’ve found blending in to be a stronger play than standing out. One that outfit repeating on the road helps in spades. A trick to incorporating and embracing outfit repeating while traveling is accessorizing. Think layers and reversible in regards to clothing; that t-shirt inside out and backward gives a totally different look. Pop a blazer or cardigan over that and look out!
I’m a fan of purchasing accessories like scarfs or wearable knick-knacks that support local artisans while traveling. This is, of course, in place of purchasing more typical souvenirs. Doing so also allows me to manipulate my appearance as my trip progresses. By rotating these accessories regularly on my journey, I could take any outfit from day to night in a snap. Not to mention how empowering it felt to release the holds of society’s expectations of “beauty”. Each opportunity to repeat the same outfit was an opportunity to change my mindset.
Ways to Implement a Minimalist Mentality
The best way to implement a more minimalistic mentality is to seek awareness. Enlighten your mind on the harmful impacts of the fashion industry on our planet. Dig deeper and educate yourself and your loved ones on the lasting impacts therein. We live in an Information Age after all. Not to mention that corporations are being held to higher social standards of transparency these days. It takes the click of a mouse to learn if brands are socially conscious or eco-friendly and in what capacities.
Investigate where the thrift shops or flea markets in your community are and shop there vs large retail chains. It may sound inconvenient upfront, but has long-lasting effects on your mindset if seen through. Wear the same outfit twice in the same week. What’s the worst that can happen? Normalizing the struggles of minimalism, by default, will follow.
Discuss and Share
There are so many benefits to wearing the same outfit again and again. Not only can it help save the travel industry from the harmful impacts of fast fashion, but it will save you money and lighten your luggage. Here at Curiosity Saves Travel, we love seeing travel bloggers, influencers, and content creators wearing the same outfit. While you might think it is scary, or you’ll put yourself in the line of fire for judgment, we hope that Meredith has helped empower and inspire you to change your ways – if she can do it, I know we all can too. This is a great reminder to build a wardrobe with pieces you love that will last and look great in any situation. Join the conversation and let us know what you think!
- What do you think about outfit repeating? Would you give it a go? Let us know why or why not in the comments, and let’s all encourage each other to wear it again.
- Do you have any favorite travel accounts that you see wearing the same outfits on their blog or social media? Let us know who they are so we can allow following some new and inspiring accounts.
Together we can change the social norm and reduce our waste!


Hi Meredith, Hi Susanna,
I loved this article! I‘m still on a journey towards more sustainability. This year I‘m pursuing a no buy challenge (except if an item is really, really necessary) and I read a lot about a minimalist wardrobe. So I found it very interesting to find an article about that concept with regards to travel. I wear the same clothes again and again. I think re-combining outfits is a creative activity I really like. We need a revolution. Let‘s make the hashtag #outfitrepeating a big one!
I love the idea of making some waves with a hashtag! I’ve don’t often show myself in photos, but I think one of my challenges next year will be to show myself in stories and images embracing outfit repeating to help normalize it. Thanks for reading, Ricarda!
Hi Ricarda, Thanks so much for reading. We all have to start somewhere so kudos to you for having started at all. What kind of other new sustainable tricks have you discovered this year?
I’m was always so hesitant to wear an outfit two days in a row while travelling because then all of my photos look the same. But to be honest it’s a lot more practical than bringing loads of different clothing for a trip – I don’t mind now!
Makes a world of difference knowing you’re not alone, am I right!? Thanks for reading
Throw caution to the wind Krista Can’t wait to see and like your repeated outfit pics from your next vacation destination
Such a great post! Glad to hear I’ve been doing at least some of this for years! I have a couple of outfits that I mainly keep for travel – comfort, climate, creaseless, etc., so definitely have some photos taken in various places with the same outfits on.
Yussss we love to see it!
Yes!!! This is so important. We’re traveling to see the world not for the world to see us.
Say it louder and one more time for the rest of the world in the back
Love love love this comment ♥️
This is SUCH a good post! We’re not doing ourselves any favors by insisting we bring a million different outfits on our trips, or shun people who re-wear things. I believe this not just in travel but in life. The idea that you can only wear a dress to an important event once is ludicrous. I’d love to see more celebrities proudly re-wearing outfits!
We’re really not! Nor are we doing the planet any favors by over consuming clothing that winds up in landfills so… Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more guest pieces from your favorite Bag Lady ♀️ Meredith San Diego
This is such an important post. I loved how beautifully you have tried to normalize the repeating of the outfits. I hope more and more people read this and embrace minimalism in the right way.
Such kind praise and consideration We appreciate you reading and hope it’s given you the confidence to repeat an outfit whenever and however you’d like
Thank you so much for this! I am always thinking that about “that outfit again!” because, like you, I shop sustainably and minimally. Thank you for giving me the confidence to keep at it (even in an Instagram world!)
You bet! Thank YOU for reading and joining the movement.
This is such a great post. I always try to travel very lightly, and in the past few years I’ve been focused on creating a “capsule wardrobe” with a few good quality, sustainable pieces. Sometimes I feel self conscious repeating outfits constantly on social media – but I know it’s for a good reason!
Thanks so much for reading and supporting the notion Kate! The sooner we all ban together on this, the more realistic and sustainable social media feeds will begin to look.
Love this! I have specific travel clothes that I always take on trips!
That’s amazing, Jenn. Do you ever add or subtract from that wardrobe when traveling? I am curious if you travel to one type of climate because otherwise, I could see how that can be difficult.
Loved the post! I always tend to wear the same things because once you find something that is good why should you change? Also considering the minimalism is a food point!
Complete concurrence Francesca! Comfort wins for me every time.
I have one shirt that I bring on trips. A grey uniqlo top paired with either black pants or black shorts depending on the weather. I am famous for wearing the exact same outfit 7 days straight! Not only is it eco friendly, as you highlight, but then I’m not lugging a giant bag of stuff around.
Yes! You are the ultimate outfit repeater! That’s amazing you can go 7 days in the same outfit – keep it up!
7-days straught? You/re my personal heroine with that!
Sustainable clothing is a huge challenge for me. I used to buy clothes and give them away after a few months or a year. Some of them hardly worn. On travels it’s hard for me to wear always the same. Especially on longer trips, like now on my semester abroad I needed to hold myself back on buying too much clothes, I only purchased a few things secondhand. So I made progress and hopefully can soon travel with a smaller wardrobe.
Thanks for this inspiring post.
Looove this post! I have always been pretty minimalist when I pack, so outfit repeating for sure happens in my photos. But I definitely want to reduce even more! I absolutely agree that outfit repeating should be normalized, and not just when we travel, but at home too! I actually did an “experiment” with a friend of mine in January 2020. We wore the same outfit for an entire month. I went to the office every day in the same outfit haha. And at the end of the month, I asked my colleagues – none of them had noticed!!!
I love that experiment and it is surprising that no one noticed. Working from home I usually wear the same thing for half the week before I change it out, but I definitely have some work toward being a more minimalist traveler. It is all about investing in the right materials and styles that go with any situation.