The Outfit Repeater

Month: March 2025

  • Breaking Down The Anatomy of a First Date Outfit

    A Date With My Closet

    Would you take swim instructions from someone who’s never swam? Not likely.

    That’s always how I’ve felt when sharing about first date outfits on my platforms. A sham!

    You see, “dates” are not something people associate with me. More like “man repeller.”

    But what I lack in dating experience, I make up for with years of styling work, invites to themed events, and plenty of first-time meetings with other people.

    I see all of those things as being intertwined. If you really think about it, what is a date but a way to make a first impression on somebody?

    So in that spirit, I’m going to share more about my thoughts on the perfect first date outfit and recreate what I wore on my past dating adventures! Let’s go!

    The Perfect First Date Outfit

    Getting ready to meet a stranger for a first date is nerve-wracking enough; you don’t want to get hung up on planning an outfit, too!

    Hopefully, these tips help take some of that pressure off and make outfit planning a breeze.

    The perfect first date outfit should be comfortable, versatile, and match the occasion. (You started with drinks, and now bowling sounds like a good idea? You’re prepared with the right outfit!)

    A perfect first date outfit should also express who you are. If you feel the need to buy something new before a date, isn’t that, in essence, changing a part of who you are and not a full expression of who YOU are?

    A date is a meeting with a potential partner, someone who should accept you as-is, not some alternative version of you. So please, if at all possible, pull an outfit from your closet!

    Lastly, my favorite trick for meeting new people is wearing an outfit that has something interesting going on. Whether that’s a giant flower pinned to your shoulder or a funny phrase on a graphic tee, wearing something with interest is a great way to help break the ice!

    What To Wear On A First Date

    Now that you’re armed with tips for getting dressed, let’s look at that advice in action!

    For my first date with my now ex, we had a late-fall date planned with pizza and ice skating. As much as I wanted to wear a dress or a skirt, I knew that denim was the way to go, so I went with the old Midwest millennial uniform of jeans and a nice top.

    I didn’t fully think through the fact that we’d spend most of our time on ice and only had a denim jacket on. To say I was freezing after two hours would be an understatement! Don’t be like me. If you’re doing a cold-weather activity, PLEASE wear appropriate (and cute!) outerwear.

    a smiling white female with short brown hair is standing in front of a pink background. she's wearing an all black outfit with a denim jacket and leopard print ballet flats. a smiling white female with short brown hair is standing in front of a pink background. she's wearing an all black outfit with a denim jacket and leopard print ballet flats.

    Aside from my jacket situation, I don’t think that outfit was too bad. It did the trick and got me a second date, so that’s a win! But if I had to redo it in my 30s, I would definitely add more color and flirty details.

    So for a more updated look for an imaginary date of pizza and ice skating, I would wear colorful cords, a floral print top, and a denim jacket. Hey, it worked the first time. I wouldn’t want to jinx my good luck!

    a smiling white female with short brown hair is standing in front of a pink background. she's wearing a green floral blouse, brown corduroy pants, a denim jacket and white sneakers. a smiling white female with short brown hair is standing in front of a pink background. she's wearing a green floral blouse, brown corduroy pants, a denim jacket and white sneakers.

    Rate Your Date

    If all goes well, you should walk away from the date having met someone new, gained more dating experience, and maybe even gotten a funny story to share with your pals later!

    Your outfit is there to help you feel comfortable and have a good time. So in some way, your outfit reflects how your date goes.

    Maybe. Maybe not. What do I know? Dating is not my forte. But hopefully, you still enjoy my sense of style and will continue to follow me for more outfit ideas based on activities and events I actually participate in!

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  • What Fashion Bloggers Can Do To Fight Back Against AI

    This post contains affiliate links & I may receive a commission if you click or complete a purchase through them.

    Real Fashion Blogs vs Artificial Intelligence

    In the beginning, there were fashion blogs, and they were good.

    Then a big boom happened, and everyone jumped on Blogspot. Posts became sponsored, and everyone was sharing their lives online.

    Just when things got good, influencers popped up, and bloggers stopped renewing their hosting, they jumped on social media or retired from the internet altogether. (The book “Extremely Online” tells this story so much better than me.)

    Most recently, a new wave of young people discovered our old fashion blogs and Tumblrs, and with nostalgia in their eyes, they have reignited the blogosphere with their own websites and Substacks.

    But if bloggers are the good guys in this story, there has to be a bad guy, and that’s AI, or artificial intelligence.

    AI has already taken over many jobs and industries; is fashion blogging next? Let’s explore this topic together!

    What Is AI And How Could It Ruin Fashion Blogs?

    When you hear the term “AI,” you likely picture ChatGPT or images of humans with extra features.

    AI stands for Artificial Intelligence and refers to any computer system that can perform tasks usually accomplished by humans.

    This technology has been amazing in many fields, speeding up processes and helping with very complicated assignments.

    Despite the good that it does, it also has many downsides, including huge environmental impacts, increasing our reliance on technology, and taking jobs away from humans, obvs.

    As a decades-old fashion blogger, I have very mixed feelings about this emerging technology at our fingertips. (Note: AI, as we know it, was actually born in the 1950s, but it’s becoming a bigger buzzword because of the plethora of new products aimed at the everyday consumer.)

    In the past, I’ve demonstrated in numerous blog posts the capabilities AI has to create outfits for me. Let’s just say I don’t think AI will be becoming my personal stylist anytime soon.

    But now I’m posing the question of whether AI has the power to wipe out fashion bloggers altogether. We already see plenty of websites with nothing but AI-generated posts full of word soup. So, are fashion bloggers next, right after it’s about to enter its Renaissance?

    What Can Fashion Bloggers Do Take Back The Internet?

    But fear not, we’ve been through challenges before, and we can continue to pivot and come up with new solutions for blogging in the AI era.

    While traditional SEO (search engine optimization) has become nearly obsolete, we still have some tools at our disposal to drive traffic to our pages and build a successful brand. One that comes to mind is SGE (search generative experience), which offers a more dynamic, personalized, and engaging user experience.

    That means we can override those unreliable and uncredited answers you get from an AI search bot and provide you with a human point of view, complete with thoughtful responses and personal stories. Blogging is becoming more about problem-solving and not just ranking for keywords. It’s the best time ever to be a writer and connect with others!

    Main Takeaways For Fashion Bloggers

    While I believe fashion blogging is going to take a hit, I also think a new batch of writers is about to emerge with even more creative ideas.

    Personalization is the name of the game, and fashionistas have plenty of that to go around!

    We need to stay focused on the communities we’ve built and the real connections we’ve cultivated over the years.

    Your readers visit your page for YOU, so keep showing up and being your authentic self!

    The day that AI can style my outfits, edit my photos, write my blog posts, and engage with my audience is a pipe dream.

    I will always be here, showing up as myself and eager to chat with all of you about all things thrifting, vintage, and personal style.

    I’d love to hear your thoughts about all of this. Let’s a start a conversation in the comments, ok? 🙂

    this is a partially obscured image of a white woman in a striped t-shirt using a laptop. it's a silver laptop with many stickers all over.

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  • Let’s Talk About The ‘Freewill Fashion’ Theory

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    What Is The Freewill Fashion Theory?

    Get ready to hear the term “freewill fashion” for at least the next four years.

    Freewill fashion is a term I coined that highlights a concept that has been around forever.

    The loose definition of freewill fashion is choosing to wear whatever you want, whether that means getting dressed as an act of defiance, in protest, as self-care, in celebration of daily life, or for whatever you want to stand for that day.

    What Does The Freewill Fashion Theory Look Like?

    While freewill fashion is for everyone, it’s also not.

    Because of “times like these” and the place or body you might be born into, freewill fashion is harder to achieve.

    While one person can choose to wear head-to-toe animal print, another might have to settle for a colorful hair scrunchie to follow certain rules, regulations, and standards.

    Hannah is a white female, standing in front of a blue background with white clouds painted on it. She's wearing a pink and purple sequin cape and flipping through a rack of all pink clothing.

    At its core, I want us all to embrace having freewill when it comes to fashion and getting dressed.

    It goes hand in hand with the old adage that you shouldn’t save your best clothes for a special occasion.

    Today is that special occasion!

    Wear the thing you’ve been saving, wear your good vintage to the grocery store, style yourself like a freakin’ rainbow!

    Tips For How To Wear Freewill Fashion

    Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, every day you get to wake up and choose a character from your closet.

    a pink carpet with colorful striped shirts and a rainbow striped purse laying on top

    A maximalist might use freewill fashion to “dress down” a ball gown with a t-shirt, jeans, and old beat-up sneakers. Their imaginations run wilder than the average person’s, and freewill fashion comes a little easier to them.

    A great case of someone going against the grain is Sara Camposarcone, aka @saracamposarcone on the internet. She’s basically freewill fashion in human form!

    A minimalist might choose a sweater with princess sleeves, a pair of dark palazzo pants, and pointy-toed flats with a hint of shimmer. Well-made basics, but still a little fun and a great use of freewill.

    I love looking at someone like Rachel of @inspirsession or Valerie of @vallerinagirl as models of how this looks in real life. Their styles are impeccable and never boring!

    Of course, style is subjective. If you feel like you don’t fit into either of those narratives but still consciously choose the most fab outfit from your closet every day, then you’re doing it right!

    Here are some examples from my own closet where I really felt like this look was created just for me.

    In Clothes-ing

    In times like these, the rules are going right out the window, so why keep trying to follow them?

    Let go of expectations set by others and take chances, make mistakes, get messy… or whatever Miss Frizzle taught us millennials on The Magic School Bus.

    Give freewill fashion a try, you just might like it!

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  • My Etsy Shop is Back & Weirder Than Ever

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    My Return To Etsy

    After shutting down my Etsy shop years ago, I’m reopening it to sell my handmade one-of-a-kind, upcycled accessories constructed from thrift store trinkets and broken vintage jewelry.

    This time, I’ve lowered my expectations, given myself zero sales goals, and am just having fun creating, sharing, and connecting with fellow creative weirdos and kiddults!

    Why Am I Back on Etsy Now?

    I’ve been feeling a huge creative pull in my life for the past couple of years, and the timing worked out with some other work projects ending.

    So, many months ago, I started putting plans in place, stocking up on random craft supplies, and began creating my signature charm necklaces, Barbie shoe earrings, and other fun accessories I’ve been dreaming up.

    I still don’t particularly have an itch to become a reseller or do sales of any type, really, but I’m willing to give it another shot on Etsy to release some creative energy and maybe make some passive income while I continue managing my invisible illness.

    What Am I Selling on Etsy?

    My new Etsy page, Shop Made In The Past, offers one-of-a-kind upcycled accessories, digital downloads, original apparel designs, and a curated selection of rad vintage finds!

    Jewelry is really my bread and butter, since I’ve been creating my own unique pieces since I was a teenager, but now I’m excited to extend my offerings into other artsy designs that everyone can enjoy.

    As far as the selection of secondhand finds, so far I’m just selling items from my own collection. You’d be surprised by all the cool ’80s and ’90s items I’ve saved up over the years that I’m willing to let go now! If those sales go well, maybe I’ll start picking up items with the specific purpose to resell.

    Old Finds, New Fun

    Like I said, I am just taking things slow, having fun, and taking it all in as a big learning experience. I would love to hear your thoughts on the current products and what you’d like to see in the future.

    I appreciate all forms of support for Shop Made In The Past. Follow it on Instagram, give it a like on Etsy, or Pin this post to reference to later! Thank you!!

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  • Could You Style Me Better? Let’s Put the Whering App to the Test!

    Virtual Styling With The Whering App: A Closet Experiment 

    Show me a millennial who never wanted a Clueless closet, and I’ll show you a liar. We’re living in future times where being able to digitize your closet is a reality!

    There are actually many apps that can make this happen – I’ve even reviewed lots of them on this blog in the past – but one stands out for me because of its ability to build a community of like-minded fashionistas. It’s called the Whering app.

    What Is The Whering App?

    Whering is a phone app that allows you to digitize your wardrobe so you can see everything you own in one place.

    It’s a powerful tool for helping people discover, rediscover, or refine their personal style to avoid chasing trends, reducing consumption in the process. It’s a slow fashion consumer’s BFF!

    It makes circular fashion solutions accessible via an app on your phone!

    Who The Whering App Is For

    A few months ago, I uploaded my entire closet (save for a handful of accessories) and immediately started playing dress-up like never before. But the best part of Whering is that other app users can also style the clothes in your closet.

    I was elated to flex my creative muscles and style others, and to my surprise, a couple of people wanted to style me!

    In this blog post, I’m going to try on the outfits that strangers on the internet dreamed up for me and do a deep dive into their chosen outfits. Let’s get started!

    Whering Outfit Styled By Kate of ReadWriteThrift

    Whering offers suggestions for people to follow, and I was excited to find Kate of ReadWriteThrift, a fellow style blogger and slow fashion consumer. She’s a regular on my TikTok FYP!

    Her closet is very different from my own, which I think is the beauty of the app: getting to peek inside the closets of other fashionistas and imagine new ways of styling their clothes.

    I created an outfit for Kate, and in return, she styled one for me. She was able to take multiple brightly colored items from my closet and put them together in a way I hadn’t thought of before!

    I normally reserve this heart printed sweater for Valentine’s Day and she was able to pair it with a striped button down, baby blue palazzo pants, and yellow flats to make it an outfit friendly for any cold weather day. I love it!

    Whering Outfit Styled By Lindsey of Dried Juniper

    The other closet I was introduced to was Lindsey’s from Dried Juniper, a Midwest thrifter and reseller. She was unfamiliar to me before this app brought us together, but her closet was intriguing as she wore simple, quality basics with whimsical colors and patterns.

    Again, I styled an outfit for her, and she styled one for me in return. I think this outfit perfectly reflects both of our interests! She matched a striped t-shirt from my wardrobe with a pair of pink overalls, a classic white cropped cardigan, and green ballet flats that tie into the colors of the t-shirt.

    What a true style collaboration!

    In Review

    This app has already been on my phone (and tablet!) for a couple of months and is proving to stand the test of time. From the organizational options, fun and friendly user interface, and of course, the community aspect, I am having a lot of fun styling myself, styling others, and letting their AI feature work its magic.

    There’s still so much to explore on this app, and I don’t think I’ve even touched the tip of the iceberg in this blog post. (Lookbooks, packing features for trips, etc. This app does it all!)

    I highly encourage you to check out the Whering app, download it, and try your hand at styling outfits in my closet! If there’s enough interest, I’d love to do a follow-up to this post and share more outfits created by The Outfit Repeater readers!

    [su_button url=”https://app.whering.co.uk/profile/theoutfitrepeater” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#f20089″ color=”#ffffff” size=”7″ center=”yes” radius=”10″ icon_color=”#8790f0″ text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″ rel=”nofollow”]STYLE AN OUTFIT FROM MY CLOSET[/su_button]

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  • Every Fashion Trend I Tried On At Maurices This Season

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    Now Trending at Maurices

    It’s been a season or two since my last maurices outfit round-up, but I’m back with another look at all the trends I’ve been trying on while working as a social media manager at maurices.

    There have been a lot of fun pieces popping up in the store, so there will be a lot to cover. Some of these items aren’t available anymore due to the timing of this post. I hope you can still get styling ideas and feel inspired to go shopping at maurices.

    Let’s dive in!

    (Please note: any sale signs featured in the photos are from the past and do not reflect current sales or prices at maurices. Follow our page @mauricesmonroewi for the latest deals at our location!)

    Loving The Clearance

    The year started with big sales in-store, and I had fun styling up clearance finds that just happened to coincide with the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

    It never ceases to amaze me some of the incredible pieces that get marked down and overlooked by customers. Don’t forget to check out the clearance year-round; it’s full of gems no matter what!

    Cool and Casual Clothes

    We’ve had a big focus on denim and athleisure this year. So if “dressing up” seems intimidating to you, there’s some good news, right? Cool and casual styles are trending, so you can look in style without really trying. We’ve got lots of great jeans, leggings, and toppers to help you update your everyday look!

    Sweater Weather Forever

    While sweaters gain popularity in the fall, they’re a staple all winter and spring here in Wisconsin! I love that you can add one to pretty much any outfit and change the entire look. How great does this pom pom cardigan look with a graphic tee and jeans? So effortless!

    Going Green

    Green for spring? Groundbreaking. We love seeing the green grass poking through piles of dirty snow in the Midwest. Just as the grass starts popping, so do the brighter colors in our clothes. maurices is delivering this season with fresh shades of green, pink, yellow, purple, and more.

    In Clothes-ing

    Which look caught your eye? I’d love to hear your favorite in the comments!

    I hope these outfits spark some inspiration for your own wardrobe or give you the confidence to try out a new trend. If you need a style number or more details before your next shopping trip, don’t hesitate to ask—I’ve got you covered!

    And if any of these looks stood out to you, don’t forget to save them to your outfit inspiration board on Pinterest. Your support means the world—thank you for reading!

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