Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? (2024)

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike?

Whether it’s your favourite celebs or a couple on the street, there’s something inexplicably satisfying about couples dressing alike. To onlookers, the couples stand out because of their distinct style or well-coordinated outfits. Regardless of the intent behind dressing alike, there’s certainly more to their matchy-matchy fits than meets the eye.

Before matching couples, there were matching twins. Think Tia and Tamera in Sister Sister or Dylan and Cole in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody! The twinning look was all the rage in the 90s, especially when you look at magazines. They were packed with Full House’s Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and twin actresses ManaKana. In Japan, the matching look or osoroi emerged in the 1950s. When musical twins The Peanuts (made up of sisters Emi and Yumi) took off on the music scene, they wore identical clothes playing on that question we all have when we see twins: Which one is which? The only way to differentiate between the two was to pay attention to Emi’s beauty mark on her face. But then Yumi soon started to draw a beauty mark on her face to confuse people!

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? (1)

Image courtesy of Japan Times.

Nowadays, more couples are dressing alike, and close friends are frequently spotted sporting twinning looks. And of course we can’t forget the iconic celebrity couple looks: Britney and Justin in denim-on-denim, and J.Lo and Puff Daddy in all-white. According to personal stylist Lauren Messiah and relationship expert Dr Nikki Goldstein, couples unconsciously start dressing alike around six months into their relationship. Why? Because they want to “fit in” with the person they are dating.

For many, being a power couple is the dream. Power couples aren’t just a confident and self-assured duo who tick all the #RelationshipGoals boxes—they also look the part. Beyonce and Jay-Z’s matching ensembles in their music video for “Apes**t” was so legendary that the Louvre Museum created a guided tour based on the art featured in the video. Everyone loves seeing a power couple, but everyone also loves it even more when they’re successful and stylish.

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? (2)

Image courtesy of Rolling Stone.

In Japan, dressing up like your other half is a totally normal thing for couples to do. If you’ve been to Disneyland Tokyo or Tokyo DisneySea, you’ve probably seen couples wearing matching outfits. When Japanese couples dress alike, looking kawaii definitely plays a huge role in how they put looks together. Just picture how cute it’d be to sport matching Disney bag charms or Mickey and Minnie Mouse headbands with your significant other. Besides feeling reassured and looking easy on the eyes, being kawaii makes a couple and their relationship more endearing and adorable to onlookers.

And on the Japanese street fashion scene, we have married couple Masao and Takako. They started getting snapped together in 2018 by Tokyo Fashion. According to them, fashion can help to strengthen a couple’s relationship, allowing them to accept one another for who they are. “It’s not that Masao and I force ourselves to like the same things, we just have similar preferences—and that’s not just with fashion”, expressed Takako. So, dressing similarly can be one of the ways couples celebrate their love. Talking about their styles or merely discussing what to wear when they go out allows couples to get to know each other better.

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? (3)

Image courtesy of Tokyo Fashion.

But when dressing similarly leads to the erosion of your identity outside of your relationship, that’s when you should be wary. It’s one thing to take on each other’s attributes because you fit well as a pair and another when you’re willingly changing everything about yourself. It’s important to have boundaries and make sure everyone has their space within the relationship. “[B]alance is paramount not just in fashion, but in clothing, food, shelter, and entertainment”, said Masao. The couple certainly know their boundaries when it comes to expressing themselves as individuals and as a pair. “I am me, and Masao is Masao”, says Takako. “That combination makes us us, and by mutually accepting each other and complementing each other, we support each other individually and as a couple.”

・・・

There’s certainly no room for judgment about why a couple chooses to dress alike. Whether it’s for fun or a way for couples to show their commitment to each other, striking a healthy balance is crucial. Nothing, not even fashion, is worth putting a relationship in jeopardy. After all, love conquers all.

Written by Vania.
Featured image courtesy of Matcha.

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? (2024)

FAQs

Is it Okay for Couples to Dress Alike? ›

There's certainly no room for judgment about why a couple chooses to dress alike. Whether it's for fun or a way for couples to show their commitment to each other, striking a healthy balance is crucial. Nothing, not even fashion, is worth putting a relationship in jeopardy.

Should couples wear matching outfits? ›

It's actually a sign of unity, thoughtfulness, and even love. Many couples today look at couple outfits as #RelationshipGoals. If you're in a relationship and you and your partner match each other's outfits as often as you all can, that could mean your relationship is on fire (in a good way!).

What is it called when couples dress alike? ›

Outfit matching or couple costume/look are Chinglish and Konglish terms, respectively, for the practice of a couple wearing the same hat, T-shirt, or other clothing in public to signal their relationship.

Why do couples like to dress alike? ›

Dawnn Karen, a fashion psychologist and author of Dress Your Best Life, explains that mirroring your partner's fashion choices is related to having a keen sense of empathy, and signifies a high level of happiness and content within a relationship.

When couples start dressing alike? ›

Relationship expert Dr Nikki Goldstein is quick to point out that harmonious dressing is a sub-conscious thing, that generally occurs about six months into a relationship.

Can an outfit be too matchy? ›

Matchy-Matchy is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is very or excessively colour coordinated. It is a term that is commonly used in fashion blogs to describe an outfit that is too coordinated and consists of too many of the same styles of colors, patterns, fabrics, accessories, etc.

When two people wear similar clothes? ›

When two people are wearing the same clothes, they can say, "We are twinning!".

Is it normal for couples to match? ›

Matching outfits aren't just for the honeymoon phase. Couples at all stages of their lives together sometimes dress up together in a visual show of coordination and togetherness.

Should couples match when going out? ›

No, you don't need to look “matchy-matchy,” but it would be a good idea for your looks to complement one another. First of all, make sure that you are dressed as formally as she is. If she's wearing a floor length gown, you're likely going to an upscale event that requires a black suit or tuxedo.

What is it called when a man likes to dress like a woman? ›

Abstract. Autogynephilia is defined as a male's propensity to be sexually aroused by the thought of himself as a female. It is the paraphilia that is theorized to underlie transvestism and some forms of male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism.

What happens when couples look alike? ›

It's a surprisingly common occurrence between couples who've been together for years, and it's likely the result of something called empathetic mimicry, which happens when people who share a strong bond – and consequently experience a higher degree of empathy for one another – mirror each other's expressions, leading ...

Why do couples eventually look alike? ›

According to the researchers' hypothesis back in 1987, couples tend to begin looking alike because they typically "occupy the same environments, engage in the same activities, eat the same food, and mimic each other's emotional expressions," all of which can influence facial features.

What does it mean when couples wear matching clothes? ›

Couples who wear matching attire demonstrate how thoughtful and well-coordinated they are. Couples who wear matching attire are setting major relationship goals. The saying that couples who workout together, stay together is so passe.

Do couples look alike stay together longer? ›

"Spouses' faces are similar but do not converge with time. This brings facial appearance in line with other traits – such as interests, personality, intelligence, attitudes, values, and well-being – which show initial similarity but do not converge over time."

How to tell your partner that you don t like the way they dress? ›

Don't say, "That doesn't look good on you," but instead say, "That length, cut, color, etc., doesn't seem to be working, but you always look good in this." Not only are you being complimentary, you're offering an alternative.

What do the early stages of a relationship look like? ›

The first stage of a relationship is the Merge, aka the honeymoon phase. It's the initial, sweeping romance that often consumes a couple when they first get together, including an all-consuming joy in the presence of our partner and insatiable, passionate sex.

Are repeating outfits OK? ›

Is it OK to repeat outfits? Not only is it 'OK': repeating outfits should be praised and encouraged! But we get it. There's still a stigma around repeating clothes in a short period of time or at multiple events, especially for women due to the 'style gap'.

Is it OK to wear multiple styles? ›

Dressing in different styles is normal and as long as it makes you happy, that is all that matters, since at the end of the day, what you're wearing should be about what you want to wear and display.

Is it OK to wear the same color clothes? ›

There is no secret trick to wearing monochromatic outfits. As long as you have tops, bottoms, and accessories in the same color (different shades of the color work too), dressing in all one hue is super simple and looks really chic.

What is it called when people dress the same? ›

Uniform dressing: a guy who wears the same thing every day explains - Vox.

What is accidental twinning? ›

With tailored clothes a rarity and most people buying off the rack, twinning (when two people wear the same colour or print in clothes) accidentally – at work, or worse, a party – has happened to most of us.

Do people notice if you wear the same clothes twice? ›

No, most people don't. And unless it is a very formal and conservative culture/environment, I don't think anyone would even bother or tell it to you on your face that you wore the same thing yesterday.

Is it bad to date someone too similar to you? ›

Date Someone Similar to You

One of the most robust findings from all of psychology is that similarity makes for good pairing. There is little, if any, evidence for opposites attracting.

What is couple syndrome? ›

In this sense, depression might be described as a “couples disease,” suggesting that couples therapy and group support for partners should be more widely available to help reduce the burden on partners and potentially prevent relationship breakdown. KEYWORDS: Depression. caregiver burden. couple relationships.

How do you know if a couple is incompatible? ›

15 signs of incompatibility in relationships
  1. Unclear future. Imagine what your and your partner's future looks like, as how you both see it needs to be aligned. ...
  2. Different intellectual levels. ...
  3. Love is missing. ...
  4. More hangouts with friends. ...
  5. Argue constantly. ...
  6. Both headstrong. ...
  7. No similar interests. ...
  8. Can't be yourself.
Jun 27, 2022

What is the 222 couple date rule? ›

The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

How often should a healthy couple hang out? ›

' Although seeing them once a week is fine, if you want to see them more by month four you can scale it up to twice depending on your schedule. She recommends seeing each other weekends and a mid-week visit. Once again it all comes down to what you want, your goals, schedules and how you feel.

How often do most couples go out? ›

As a general rule of thumb, one date night per week is sufficient for married couples, according to McKinney. But, there are several factors that affect how frequently you and your partner schedule these dates.

What type of clothes attract guys? ›

Guys love the look of your long, slender arms.

Pair your look with a nice pair of jeans, a flirty pair of shorts, or a skirt to complete your outfit. Bring a jacket to complete your look and to stay warm if it gets a little colder. Try a red sleeveless top with some black pants to really stand out.

Why does my husband like to dress like a woman? ›

They usually wear women's clothes to bring out the female side of their own natures, as well as to get an erotic thrill and to modulate their anxiety. As you've undoubtedly noticed, cross-dressing can bring your husband extreme happiness and even euphoria, so it's no wonder you don't like to deny this pleasure to him.

How do I stop cross-dressing? ›

Finding another hobby to do will help to divert your attention away from crossdressing and provide you with something to do. Hide or donate the clothes you used to wear when you cross-dressed. You will be less likely to crossdress if you hide your clothes (out of sight out of mind).

Are couples soulmates if they look alike? ›

Originally Answered: Do soulmates or couples who are seemingly made for each other look alike in facial features ? Normally, yes, they do. I've noticed people who tend to have longer relationships have featured that ate similar. I've been in mine for 5 years and a lot of people can see our similarities.

Why do couples look into each others eyes? ›

Eye contact is an important part of human communication; it helps us understand each other better and feel closer to others. Eye gazing can help you connect with others in a way that words cannot. It's a powerful way to communicate emotion and create intimacy.

Do soulmate couples look alike? ›

Psychologists study two different versions of soulmates to develop a proper analysis. Soulmates who have been together for years can catch similar lifestyles, hobbies, diets, and interests. These interests may shape their physique and muscle proportion, making both partners look similar.

What do married couples do in bed? ›

Give a massage

Let it not aim to create sexual tension, but to feel the closeness of another person. Give each other a massage. In the course, you can be silent, talk or listen to relaxing music. This is one of the coolest ways to spend time together.

Why am I attracted to people who look the same? ›

Attracted to familiarity

"It feels like another thing we have in common, so it makes me feel closer to him overall," she said. Nevada-based relationship coach Callisto Adams believes our tendency to fall for our doppelgängers is mainly due to our attraction to people who remind us of our parents.

Why are people attracted to people who look the same? ›

Before you freak out, remember: this attraction is totally subconscious, and it's based on familiarity. It's natural to be drawn to what you know, as that breeds feelings of safety and comfort. Besides, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn kind of look alike, and they seem to be doing just swell.

Am I allowed to wear what I want in a relationship? ›

You are allowed to dress however you want — it's your body! It's really nice of you to not want your boyfriend to feel bad, but in this case his bad feelings aren't about you doing something wrong. Society tries to tell us that men own women's bodies, and that women only dress to get approval or attention from men.

How do you know if someone wears pants in a relationship? ›

Why Alabama Barker Says Kourtney Kardashian Is the Best Stepmom
  1. He caters to your friends.
  2. He's afraid of you.
  3. You make all the decisions.
  4. He waits on you hand and foot.
  5. You're not afraid to put him in his place.
  6. You never apologize.
  7. He does whatever you want.
  8. You come first in the relationship.
Mar 2, 2015

Do husband and wife start looking alike? ›

According to the researchers' hypothesis, couples tend to begin looking alike because they typically “occupy the same environments, engage in the same activities, eat the same food, and mimic each other's emotional expressions,” all of which can influence facial features.

Can you and your partner be too much alike? ›

Personality experts found the secret to a lasting relationship is not being too close to each other but as close as makes you happy - even if that means being very different. Couples who seem to agree with each other all the time may find they are actually too close for comfort, found the study by Columbia University.

Do soulmates break up? ›

But if we happen to face reality, we don't always end up with our soulmates. It can be absolutely heartbreaking to let go of someone so precious, but sometimes, it's probably for the best. You have to know this always: just because you two are soulmates, doesn't mean you two will be soulmates forever.

Should my boyfriend care about what I wear? ›

In a healthy relationship, one partner doesn't control what the other person gets to wear. What you wear should be completely up to you—it's your wardrobe and your body! If your boyfriend is telling you otherwise, that is a red flag.

Does fashion sense matter in a relationship? ›

You can easily tell who a person is, for the first time, and that is made possible by the person's sense of fashion. What you wear gives you the scores when strangers or your friends assess you. Your dressing can ultimately influence your relationships.

How do you know if your partner doesn't fancy you? ›

He stays out longer and more often (at work, out with friends, etc.). He no longer compliments or thanks you for anything. He criticises the way you look – your hair, your clothes, your body. He turns away from you when you turn towards him or her.

What are the hardest months in a relationship? ›

The first year of the relationship is the hardest stage, and even when you're living together, you still discover new things about each other every day. How to Survive: The key to getting past the discovery stage is also discovery. The discovery of your partner's imperfections and your imperfections as well.

Do I love him or am I just attached? ›

Love evokes fond feelings and actions toward the other person, particularly. Attachment is driven by how you feel about yourself with the degree of permanence and safety someone gives you, based on your past relationships. In other words, with love, your person is “the one” you have feelings for.

What does a healthy relationship look like early? ›

Healthy relationships involve honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other's independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions.

Why is it important to wear matching clothes? ›

In short, matching or complementary clothing gives a strong message: belonging, unity, and togetherness.

How do you coordinate outfits for couples photos? ›

Here are our best hints and tips for choosing the right outfits for a couples photoshoot:
  1. Shop From Your Closet. ...
  2. Wear Neutrals. ...
  3. Skip Bold Patterns and Logos. ...
  4. Coordinate, but Not Too Much. ...
  5. Choose Clothes You Can Move In. ...
  6. Watch the Weather. ...
  7. Bring One Formal Outfit Each. ...
  8. Bring an Extra Outfit.
Jul 28, 2022

Do guys notice if you wear the same clothes? ›

No, most people don't. And unless it is a very formal and conservative culture/environment, I don't think anyone would even bother or tell it to you on your face that you wore the same thing yesterday.

Why does my boyfriend like to wear girl clothes? ›

This is a perfectly normal part of lovemaking. Men may fantasize about indulging their feminine side while women fantasize about being the aggressor. This can go along with wearing costumes or some sort of clothing usually associated with the opposite sex. It's all part of the fun and excitement.

What are the rules for matching clothes? ›

How to match clothes
  • Wear neutral colors. Neutral colors make it easy to match your clothes. ...
  • Tonal or monochromatic outfit. Tonal dressing is also known as a monochromatic outfit. ...
  • Contrast is key. ...
  • Versatile shoes. ...
  • Consider the season. ...
  • Use the color wheel for ideas. ...
  • Match leathers and metals.
Dec 11, 2019

Do matching clothes matter? ›

The truth is, everything about your look should be in harmony with each other but they do not have to match as far as color, texture or material if you are TRULY living in style. If you are confident in yourself, you can wear anything you want to wear and people will perceive that it is, just as you do.

How couples should stand in photos? ›

Standing next to each other

Sometimes is just about the facial expressions. This is especially true for power couples because they feel confident in front of the camera. So, simply have them stand next to each other for some great couple photos.

What makes an outfit look put together? ›

How to Look Put Together
  1. WEAR CLOTHES THAT ACTUALLY FIT. In the words of Stacy and Clinton from “What Not to Wear”, “if you don't have fit, you don't have style”. ...
  2. ENSURE YOUR CLOTHES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. ...
  3. WEAR FLATTERING CLOTHES. ...
  4. INCLUDE YOUR PERSONALITY. ...
  5. ADD FINISHING DETAILS. ...
  6. BE CONFIDENT.

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