Does she ever wear anything else? Stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe and her black maxi dress 'uniform'

By Catherine Townsend

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Rachel Zoe routinely puts her A-list celebrity clients into a dizzying array of top designer fashions, but when dressing herself she seems to recycle the same black maxi dresses over and over. 

The Huffington Post reports that Ms Zoe, who is now photographed as often as many of her A-list clients, has been spotted wearing them everywhere from the farmer's Market to Fashion Week.

The 41-year-old stylist, designer and star of The Rachel Zoe project has dressed celebrities including Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, Zoe Saldana, Kate Hudson, and Eva Mendes.

Dressed down: Zoe pairs her signature black maxi dress with an oversized gold necklace and shawl for a trip to the Vitamin Barn & Juice Bar store in Malibu

Black is the new black: Rachel Zoe, pictured on July 10, pairs her signature black maxi dress with an oversized gold necklace and shawl in Malibu

Ms Zoe has become instantly recognizable for her signature Seventies California bohemian style.

She accessorizes her floor-length dresses with sky-high heels, oversized sunglasses, lots of jewelry and and floppy hats. 

 

Ms Zoe has been criticized by some commenters for wearing the same thing day after day. But some fashion industry insiders speculate that wearing a 'uniform' in her personal life gives her more time to focus on her clients, and helps define her brand.

Signature look: Even for casual family days out with son Skyler on (July 7 2013, left) or husband Rodger (July 2 2013, right) the stylist completes her look with oversized shades and floppy hats
2013: Even for casual family days out with son Skyler (left) or husband Rodger (right) the stylist completes her look with oversized shades and floppy hats

Signature look: Even for casual family days out with son Skyler on (July 7 2013, left)  or husband Rodger (July 2 2013, right) the stylist completes her look with oversized shades and floppy hats

Fashion forward: Rachel Zoe wears ebony dresses to fashion parties (January 13 2013, left) at Fashion Week (September 12 2012, center) and on her own runway (September 12 2012, right)
Fashion forward: Rachel Zoe wears ebony dresses to fashion parties (January 13 2013, left) at Fashion Week (September 12 2012, center) and on her own runway (September 12 2012, right)
Fashion forward: Rachel Zoe wears ebony dresses to fashion parties (January 13 2013, left) at Fashion Week (September 12 2012, center) and on her own runway (September 12 2012, right)

Fashion forward: Rachel Zoe wears ebony dresses to fashion parties (January 13 2012, left) at Fashion Week (September 12 2012, center) and on her own runway (September 12 2012, right) 

'I think a lot of people in the industry have a defining style,' says Elle.com Executive Editor Amina Akhtar. 

'You can always recognize Rachel Zoe or Brad Goreski. But it extends to designers and editors as well. Who has time to worry about themselves when there are very important, demanding clients to dress?'

Ms Akhtar, who says she always wears black, also points out that many other designers -  including Yohji Yamamoto, Chris Benz and Marc Jacobs -  have their own unique 'look'.

By sticking with the same style over the years, Ms Zoe may also may be taking her own advice: She counsels her clients to choose looks that work for them rather than blindly following trends.

Dressing up: Zoe wears her signature style to the Hamptons in (August 13 2011, left), in New York City (September 11 2011, center) and in Los Angeles (October 11 2011, right)
Dressing up: Zoe wears her signature style to the Hamptons in (August 13 2011, left), in New York City (September 11 2011, center) and in Los Angeles (October 11 2011, right)
Dressing up: Zoe wears her signature style to the Hamptons in (August 13 2011, left), in New York City (September 11 2011, center) and in Los Angeles (October 11 2011, right)

Dressing up: Zoe wears her signature style to the Hamptons in (August 13 2011, left), in New York City (September 11 2011, center) and in Los Angeles (October 11 2011, right) 

Mix and match: Ms Zoe often chooses a variety of jewelry including oversized necklaces (March 6 2010, left), bracelets (March 7 2010, center) or earrings (November 13 2010, right) but sticks with the same color scheme
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2010: Zoe, pictured on March 6 (left), March 7 (center) and in November (right) mixes a variety of textures and fabrics but sticks with the same color scheme

Mix and match: Ms Zoe often chooses a variety of jewelry including oversized necklaces (March 6 2010, left), bracelets (March 7 2010, center) or earrings (November 13 2010, right)  but sticks with the same color scheme

For example she has said in the past that she will only wear skinny jeans with high heels because she believes that they make her legs look short.

But Zoe admits that the black maxi dress is her 'go-to' accessory.

'I'm at one with the maxi dress and skirt. It's my happy place,' she recently told Refinery29.

Stylish family: Zoe's son Skyler, pictured in July (left) and April (right) 2013 often accessorizes with the same style of dark colors, fashionable shoes and a sun hat as his mom
Stylish family: Zoe's son Skyler, pictured in July (left) and April (right) often accessorizes with the same style of dark colors, fashionable shoes and a sun hat as his mom

Stylish family: Zoe's son Skyler, pictured in July (left) and April (right) 2013 often accessorizes with the same style of dark colors, fashionable shoes and a sun hat as his mom

'I pretty much wear black every day. I dress to move, so pieces that aren’t precious and things the baby can get stuff on,' she added. 

Clearly, developing a defining style is a family affair: Zoe has taken to accessorizing her two year-old son Skyler with his own 'look' that includes dark colors, designer shoes, adorable floppy hats and belts. 

The comments below have not been moderated.

You can tell she has very poor body image. She lives on coffee and cigarettes and is emaciated. I wish she would get a trainer and nutritionist and sort herself out. If she built some healthy muscle and curves she wouldn't feel the need to drape herself in tents.

Click to rate     Rating   11

I think she looks stylish but what do we know compared to DM!

Click to rate     Rating   4

I don't know who she is so really can't help you on that one. Sorry.

Click to rate     Rating   1

Eat something woman

Click to rate     Rating   17

Uh-Duh! She's busy!

Click to rate     Rating   1

She hates her body that's why she covers it up..

Click to rate     Rating   29

That kid looks like Damien from the Omen

Click to rate     Rating   13

1. It is not called "recycling" if you wear the same dress more than once 2. They aren't the same dresses.

Click to rate     Rating   46

Weird

Click to rate     Rating   7

Yes, it's a uniform of clothing she wears infinitum......but please don't confuse it with style....she doesn't have any and has been conning us into believing she does for way too long!!

Click to rate     Rating   37
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