As much as I love fashion and clothes, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always happy with my styling choices. Like most people, I tend to throw outfits together in a mad dash out the door, coffee in hand, only to catch my reflection later and think, ‘this could’ve used… something’. It’s rare that I dislike the outfit entirely – more often, I just wish I’d added an extra layer or a more interesting accessory.
Other times, though, I’m hit with full-blown regret over my lack of sartorial planning. Despite owning a wardrobe full of pieces I genuinely adore, I often fall into the trap of thinking I’ve got ‘nothing to wear’. The real issue? A chunk of my wardrobe consists of beautiful but less versatile statement pieces. While stunning, they’re not quite made for the everyday. So they sit, barely worn, collecting dust.
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As someone conscious of overconsumption and aiming to build a low-cost-per-wear wardrobe, this has become a point of frustration. I want to wear everything I own and create as many outfit combinations as possible. But in the chaos of daily life, decision fatigue takes over and I default to the trusty ‘jeans and a nice top’ formula.
After pulling together one particularly uninspired look for work, I decided it was time for a change – or rather, a challenge. The mission? Get more creative with my wardrobe. The task? Style the same white Kowtow shirt in a new way every day for a week. And the bonus challenge would be to do it subtly enough that no one at work would notice I was re-wearing the same piece. It sounded simple enough.
Preparing for the week
Technically, the week started late Sunday night when I realised some serious planning was in order. After giving my stalwart white shirt a steam, I spent several chaotic hours trying on combinations, layering pieces, switching accessories and snapping mirror selfies to reference later. I paraded each outfit through the living room for feedback from my partner, who, to his credit, gave honest (and occasionally brutal) opinions. By the end of the night, I felt significantly more confident about the week ahead.
Monday
My goal for day one was to keep the shirt in the background. I styled it tucked into blue denim jeans with a matching denim overshirt, a belt and loafers. I’d never worn it like this before, so it was interesting to see how it layered under a similar silhouette. I sheepishly told a few coworkers about the experiment, hoping to preempt any “Wait, didn’t you wear that yesterday?” comments. In reality, no one noticed – proof that people are far less focused on what we’re wearing than we imagine.
Tuesday
Day two saw me take an iconic Orseund Iris bustier out of retirement and layer it over the shirt – a combination that I hadn’t previously tried but will definitely be going back to. Several coworkers complimented the outfit, so I’d obviously done something right.
Disaster briefly struck during lunch when I got sauce on the shirt. Luckily, it wasn’t a major stain, so after some Sard spray and a quick cold wash, it was good as new by morning.
Wednesday
The shirt took centre stage on day three. I buttoned it all the way to the top and added the removable tie it comes with around my collar in a bow. Pairing it with one of my more statement pieces, a floral embroidered skirt, I added an earring and a silver ballet flat and hit the road. The compliments rolled in from coworkers on the skirt, proof that it was versatile after all, once styled the right way.
Thursday
I was getting a little bored of the shirt by Thursday, though part of me was also enjoying the ease of knowing exactly what I would be wearing before getting dressed. I layered a v-neck wool vest over the shirt (buttoned to the top again), added the same jeans from Monday, a trench coat for warmth and my trusty tabi boots that hadn’t seen the light of day since last winter.
It felt like a true reflection of my style. The shirt played a subtle role in the outfit, just peeking out from beneath the layers.
Friday
The night before, I texted a stylist friend for some final-day-in-the-office inspiration. She sent over references and ideas, which led me to a mini skirt-over-pants combo with the shirt tucked in and an oversized blazer over the top. It was minimal but interesting and made me realise that I’d never worn the skirt or the pants (sheer crochet ones) to work before, because I’d deemed them ‘not office appropriate’. Yet, when paired together, I saw them in a new light.
Saturday
I was filled with a surprising sense of relief when Saturday rolled around, not only because I was no longer bound by office dress codes but because I was one day closer to the end of the challenge.
Heading out for brunch, I styled the shirt with a pair of white lace pants which were just sheer enough to feel too daring for the office. I finished the look with silver ballet flats, yesterday’s oversized blazer and a pair of bow earrings. The look felt fresh, playful, and confident – an outfit I’ll definitely repeat.
Sunday
By Sunday, I was tired. Comfort was the priority, so I reached for my favourite relaxed barrel-leg jeans and loafers, and buttoned the shirt all the way up, topping it off with a cropped trench. It wasn’t the most inspired look of the week but it was practical and suited my low-key agenda of errands and grocery runs. Sometimes, that’s enough.
The takeaways
While I can confidently say I won’t be reaching for that Kowtow shirt again for at least a couple of weeks, this styling challenge definitely opened my eyes to a few things. What I came to appreciate most was the ease that came with getting dressed each morning knowing exactly what I’d be wearing. Yes, it required some upfront planning but it’s a surprisingly simple strategy that can save serious time and emotional energy during a busy week.
The challenge also helped me rediscover several neglected pieces in my wardrobe that turned out to be far more versatile than I’d given them credit for. It prompted me to take a closer look at everything I own and challenge myself to style those forgotten items in new ways, rather than letting them gather dust.
Most importantly, the experience reminded me to feel more grateful for my existing wardrobe. I’m incredibly lucky to own a collection of beautiful, well-made garments, and instead of adding to an ever-growing wish list, I should be investing more time and creativity into the pieces I already have.
If there’s one bit of advice I’d wisdom gleaned from this little experiment, it’s before buying that new pair of jeans or cute top, try reviving something you haven’t worn in a while. You might be surprised just how much life, and style, is still left in it.
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This article I wore the same piece of clothing for a week straight appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-05-27 06:19:00
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