When Stella McCartney shared on Instagram this week that Joaquin Phoenix would be wearing the same tuxedo for the duration of awards season, the news struck a chord. Phoenix may not be a fashion plate along the lines of, say, Timothée Chalamet, but his choice plays into the ongoing debate about the environmental impact of celebrity dressing. As Vogue’s Nicole Phelps pointed out last year, the endless stream of premieres, parties, and awards shows means countless looks being created and subsequently flown around the world to meet the demand. As such, eco-conscious stars have been searching for ways to balance their real-world concerns with the fantasy of the red carpet. In recent years we’ve seen actors like Emma Watson and Rooney Mara seek out sustainable brands and vintage designs instead of the latest runway pieces, a move that has resulted in several exciting fashion moments. Still, the easiest way to make a difference may be the most straightforward: recycling outfits.
In the past, stars were expected to wear a new look during every appearance, but lately, forward-thinking performers have been challenging those norms. Tiffany Haddish famously wore the Alexander McQueen gown she purchased for the premiere of her 2017 film Girls Trip five times before retiring it—a move that resulted in headlines and punchlines when she poked fun at herself on Saturday Night Live. “I feel like I should be able to wear what I want, when I want, however many times I want—as long as I Febreze it,” Haddish joked during her opening monologue.
And Haddish is not alone. Lately, the most stylish people in the world have been rewearing beloved pieces on and off the red carpet. When Kim Kardashian West found a pair of vintage Gucci python pants from Tom Ford’s spring/summer 2000 collection, she made sure she got the most of her purchase. The reality star has worn the pair on at least four separate occasions, pairing them with everything from a Roberto Cavalli bodysuit to a borrowed-from-the-boys Dior Men’s overcoat. Likewise, Victoria Beckham has proven the versatility of her double-breasted wool blazer and matching tuxedo trousers by wearing them at both September’s GQ Men of the Year Bash and the launch of her skin-care collaboration with Augustinus Bader in November.
The trend even extends to royalty. In a bid to be relatable—or perhaps just thrifty—Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia, and Meghan Markle regularly rewear their designer fare. By now, you can expect to see each of those Sarah Burton–designed gowns on Middleton at least twice; same goes for her Catherine Walker suits. Keira Knightley has repurposed her flirty Chanel wedding dress multiple times, adding sleeves or throwing it under a blazer depending on her mood. When Kirsten Dunst needed a dress to toast Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection, she pulled out a vintage Lacroix number first worn at Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in 2007. The looks don’t even have to be formal; Winona Ryder has a Tom Waits T-shirt that she’s been making the most of for the past 28 years.
The positive eco-impact of wearing looks more than once is obvious, but the choice to re-wear a look often boils down to something even more basic: a lasting appreciation of great artistry. In June, Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who regularly revisits old-school pieces when embarking on her press tours, explained her decision to re-wear a vintage Armani gown at the Cannes Film Festival succinctly. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it,” she said of the debate over outfits worn twice. “It’s a beautiful dress, and I thought I would like to wear it again.”
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