Eugénie Trochu is a Who What Wear editor-in-residence known for her revolutionary work Vogue France together with him Stack newsletterwhere she writes and shares new trends, her no-nonsense approach to fashion and style, and some singing. She is also working on her first book, which explores fashion as a place of memory, speculation, and reinvention.
For a long time I believed that dressing well meant I would never do it again. It changes. It varies. It offers something new. It’s surprising. As if every asset has to prove something. Spoiler: It’s annoying. And often contradictory.
Over time, and especially through the collection of photos, I ended up realizing something very simple, almost brutal: the clothes that fit me the best are also the most revealing.
Repetition, Details Pleasing the Eye
When you see them in pictures, often, repeatedly, from all angles, you quickly realize that excess blurs the message. Multiple statement pieces, multiple references, multiple intentions end up canceling each other out. Conversely, a repeated silhouette creates a signature. It becomes a known thing. It’s almost guaranteed. This is why the most stylish women seem to wear “the same thing all the time.” Because, technically, they do.
Change the Details, Not the Equation
Repetition does not mean standing. It depends on a very simple method: Maintain structure; change just one feature. A different pair of shoes. Belt, scarf, tied or not. The jacket sleeves are rolled up or left long. A very heavy, or very covering, coat.
Even the icons are repetitive (Especially them)
What is impressive is that this strategy was shared with women without budget constraints. Victoria Beckham is a textbook case: the same lines, the same volumes, the same length, season after season. Kendall Jenner, in a younger, active register, uses the same principle. Anna Wintour turned recitation into a personal manifesto. Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Keira Knightley have all embraced the re-wear – at the risk of criticism before making it a modern icon.
And then there’s Diana. That famous Catherine Walker dress worn in 1989, again in 1992, split, paired with pants, reinterpreted. Same dress, but different narrative.
Repetition Is Political (But Chic)
Today, repetition has become almost treasonous. In a system built on constant innovation, over-drawing, and over-production of images and clothing, conservation becomes a form of gentle resistance. This is not about behavior. Or a case. It’s about common sense.
Keeping your clothes, learning to wear them differently, wearing them, loving them over time, is very economical, sustainable, and let’s be honest, very beautiful.
How do you do it?
My style is built around a very small theme that I repeat almost identically: always the same straight, long, reliable jeans; a chic brown bag that goes anywhere; a black blazer with small shoulder straps that effortlessly complements everything; simple white or black T-shirts serve as the background; matching bras and underwear, nude, white, or black, because they are invisible and complete; same socks too, chosen only once.
Within this ultra-classic base, I am associated with a different but decisive light: a long coat or a pea coat with details that change the silhouette, gold jewelry that I repeat but wear in a different way, a removable collar that is buried over a sweater or a dress, light gloves, fringe boots or boots with low heels. The dress doesn’t change, but the message does.
Jeans, t-shirt, blazer, and sneakers mean one thing; that same base with boots or many graphic shoes means another. This is where repetition becomes interesting, not as a limitation, but as a solid structure where you can allow yourself a few liberties, without losing the thread.
Trusted Pieces I Wear Over and Over
The Blazers
MANGO
Straight Blazer With Flap Pockets
Prada
Mohair and Wool Blazer
Frankie’s Shop
Bea Twill blazer
Tees
Petit Bateau
SS Crew Neck Cocotte Stitch Tee
Petit Bateau
SS Crew Neck Cocotte Stitch Tee
Jeans
Madewell
Longline Straight Jeans
AGOLDE
Kelly High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Cardigans
Sézane X Sea NY
Nate Cardigan
J.Crew
Wide-Rib Fitted Cardigan Top in Merino Wool
Coats
Frankie’s Shop
Jane Coat
COS
Double Faced Long Fur Coat
Boots
It is not long
Paul Suede Shearling Boots
Accessories
HAMMOUR IS NOT
Leather gloves
Jennifer Fisher
2″ Rope Hoops
White & Warren
Top Cashmere Pop gloves
Intimates and socks
skims
Fits Everyone Cheeky Brief 5-Pack
Yasmine Eslami
Lily Soft Bra
In Gossamer
3-Pack Cotton Hip Bikinis
MANGO
Knitted Ribbed Wool Socks
