Lizzie McGuire, you are an outfit repeater!

An iconic line from Lizzie McGuire that has stood the test of time and remains engrained in my mind. Younger me loathed the idea of wearing something twice incase anyone thought I only had one outfit and couldn’t afford anything else. Thank god I snapped out of this in the last five years and many people are too.

Social media culture promotes the idea that we should all be Shein or Zara clones that need a new outfit for every gathering. Because if you don’t get a full length picture, candid walking shot or a video whilst you flick your leg, then what the hell are you doing?

We watch fashion content creators share their latest hauls in their stunning dressing rooms and feel pangs that oscillate between admiration and jealously. Even with their 10% of discount code I couldn’t afford to spend £200 at Zara for a few capsule wardrobe pieces.

So why do we feel such social pressure to keep up with moving trends and new collections? I’m heading away this weekend and have sat studying ASOS, H&M and Vinted (socially conscious) for the past three nights. I had to snap out of it, think of all the clothes I have in my wardrobe and also remind myself that I am not looking to brand myself. I’d be a terrible influencer, I hate taking full length photos and count it a good day when you manage a few selfies on the night out that are appropriate to post.

Social media has created a self-absorbed notion that everyone actually cares about what you wear and how you do your makeup or hair. I could not tell you what people wore out at the weekend, I like their post say in my head ‘that is a great outfit’ and forgot about it when the dopamine hits somewhere else. It’s actually scary.

Combine the cost of living crisis with the need for sustainable choices and you’ve got me living as close to Hilary Duff’s life as I’ll ever be, an outfit repeater. Join me.