Stephanie Ostler

In a world dominated by fast fashion and the relentless pursuit of the latest trends, I’ve often found myself feeling like a rebel by simply choosing to wear the same thing every day. It might seem like a small act of defiance, but it’s a powerful statement that challenges the prevailing norms of the fashion industry.

As someone who’s had a clothing company for two decades and has a deep connection to textiles and the emotional bonds they create, I’ve been on a journey to redefine my approach to clothing. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of our throwaway culture, where clothing is discarded after a few wears, and I’ve realized that I want to be a part of the solution rather than the problem.

It’s actually kind of funny how I came to this conclusion. While writing my thesis my supervisor, Manuhuia Barcham, gave me a great recommendation to kick-start my research and it’s a piece of advise I have been giving my students ever since. He told me to start photographing what I was doing every hour. The idea behind this, or at least as I see it is we don’t quite know where our research begins until we look in the rear view mirror. Many insights came from this task, likewise many photos of walls or the floor, but one idea I had was to photograph what I was wearing every day. After two weeks of this practice I realized I pretty much wear the same thing every day. At first I was a little distraught but I have been thinking about this for a good year and a half now giving me time to appreciate it, to take it seriously and wear the same articles intentionally.

(These were never taken to be shared but enjoy the proof I am very consistent)

Breaking Free from the Fashion Carousel

The fashion carousel can feel never-ending, with designers and brands constantly churning out new collections, convincing us that we need to update our wardrobes with each changing season. But this carousel isn’t just exhausting; it’s also detrimental to the environment and our emotional well-being.

When I decided to wear the same thing every day, I broke free from this cycle. I rebelled against the constant pressure to keep up with the latest styles and instead embraced the idea of having a signature look. This decision wasn’t about sacrificing my love for textiles or fashion; it was about redefining my relationship with clothing and rekindling the emotional connections I had with my wardrobe. As I am currently an instructor at La Salle College teaching sustainability I enjoy making references to wearing roughly the same thign every day. Undoubtably my students notice but I like making sure.

The Power of a Signature Look

Choosing to wear the same thing every day doesn’t mean giving up style or self-expression. In fact, it can be a powerful form of self-expression. It’s about curating a signature look that reflects who you are and what you stand for.

For me, this signature look involves creating clothing that is sustainable, ethical, and timeless. It’s about choosing pieces that have a story, that connect me to the hands that crafted them and the communities that depend on them. My signature look is a rebellion against the disposable culture that has dominated the fashion industry.

Embracing Minimalism

Wearing the same thing every day also aligns with the principles of minimalism. It’s about owning fewer things but cherishing them more. It’s about quality over quantity, and the emotional connections we form with the items we choose to keep in our lives.

Minimalism is a rebellion against the idea that more is always better. It’s a statement that says we don’t need a closet overflowing with clothes to feel fulfilled. Instead, we can find contentment in a curated collection of items that truly matter to us.

The Environmental Impact

This rebellious act of wearing the same thing every day also has a profound environmental impact. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world, and the constant production of new clothing contributes to this crisis.

By choosing to wear the same thing every day, we reduce our demand for new clothes. We extend the life of the items we already own, reducing waste and our carbon footprint. It’s a small but impactful act of resistance against the environmental degradation caused by the fashion industry.

Reclaiming Our Emotional Connection

In a world that encourages us to constantly buy and discard, wearing the same thing every day is a way to reclaim our emotional connection to clothing. It’s a rebellion against the idea that our worth is determined by what we wear or how often we update our wardrobe.

It’s a statement that says our clothing should be more than just fabric; it should be a reflection of our values, a connection to the hands that created it, and a step toward a more sustainable and emotionally enriched future.

So, the next time you see someone wearing the same thing every day, don’t see it as a lack of style; see it as a powerful act of rebellion against the fashion industry’s norms. It’s a reminder that we can choose to be conscious consumers, make mindful choices, and redefine our relationship with clothing. In this rebellion, we find the freedom to be ourselves, to cherish what truly matters, and to create a more sustainable and emotionally rich future.