Re Angie's Blog: When copying isn't cool? - YouLookFab Forum

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Re Angie's Blog: When copying isn't cool?

Aleta

Angie's brilliant tutorial today has probably answered some of my questions (is she telepathic?) but I thought I would go ahead and post anyway.

I often read in fashion magazines that it is considered style suicide to "lift a complete look from the runway" or "wear one designer head to toe". If this is so at the higher end then I assume that the same would apply if you bought a complete outfit as shown in the look-book of any brand or high street shop.

Now fashion is a extremely competitive industry and the designers and stylists at any house or brand are at the top of their game and when they pull a look together you are seeing the result of their talent and artistry. So why is it frowned upon to pay respect to their work by wearing an outfit as they intended?

Now I am assuming here that you love the look, it is flattering and that it fits with your style persona and you are not just wearing it because it is brand x or y. Why shouldn't we benefit from their expertise, sometimes the outfit just looks wonderful as originally shown.

So what do you think, would you ever buy a complete outfit as shown in a brochure? If you saw someone whose outfit you recognised from a look-book what would you think? Ladies, is it style suicide?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Classically Casual

Anonymous

I don't think it matters. Seriously. You should enjoy what you wear. If you like the entire look, what's wrong with copying it? Like you said, benefit from someone else's expertise.

lyn67

Veteran

I dunno, but I like to be creative! Sometimes I am able to recognize clothing items, but not the all outfit, or really, nobody buys it from head to toe either? I guess it's hard to do it exactly like in a magazine, because is really hard to put together an entire ensemble, including shoe and accessories-which can alter the look, not to speak about the impact of it on different body types, sizes resulting in different fits.
See what others, say, too.

Von

Veteran

I definitely thinks some people appreciate having the whole entire thing laid out for them to walk in and say "I want it all", and be done with shopping. I never, ever buy complete outfits, and as a self imposed rule, I never ever buy the exact look off of a mannequin. I like having creative control, I may love how they styled it, but I want my go at it as well. I also hate when someone says to me "Oh, I saw that dress at XYZ also" or "I have that too!". I want someone to at best say "I have that too and NEVER thought to wear it like that".

I think when shopping at chain stores that offer hundreds of the same piece, all prominent in the front of the store -- and 60% off, I will only buy it if I can retain my individual style. I have to be able to pick out the winning pieces and be able to make them fit me, so that I'm not walking around looking like the advertisement for Ann Taylor (because I have a weakness when the sales emails start coming in!).

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I would love to be able to buy a complete look from head to toe. I just can't ever commit to spending that kind of cash all at once. I usually buy pieces one or two at a time.... as long as I continue to seasonally update my wardrobe, I can usually come up with some passable interpretation of a look at that I am interested in!

Angela K

Veteran

I'm on the fence with this one. I generally shop for separates and combine them with my personal style, but I admit to being hooked on Talbot's. I do shop their catalogs and try to copycat outfits that I love by SYC. Sometimes, if I'm lucky and all the pieces are available when they have their awesome sale, I'll buy the outfit. Usually though I add to it to make it really "my style". Now having said that, I must also admit to seeing other people in Talbot's items that I loved in the catalog, and thinking "Wow! That ruined it for me!" So it's all relative.

Sarah A

Veteran

I have a friend who is not much into following fashion or remixing so she buys lookbook or mannequin outfits she likes head to toe and always hangs them together and wears them together, no remixing ever. She always looks great and picks things that suit her so it totally works. I would not have realized this is what she did before she told me so I think it really depends on the wearer of the outfit and their ability to select what works for him or her.

Anonymous

I have never bought an entire "head to toe" outfit, as I like to be creative. That said, I don't want to judge people who do, especially if they love what they're wearing.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

It has never once occurred to me to buy an outfit head to toe from either a mannequin or catalog. Maybe like Modgirl I never had the cash to lay out all at once. Maybe I don't think in set outfits, but rather in separates I can use a few ways.
I think I have copycatted a look since joining here twice. Can't remember if it was for a challenge or what. It's just not my thing I guess.

Joy

Veteran

As long as you look fabulous, who cares? Fashion suicide seems more fashion victim...wearing something that is not your style just because it's the latest thing.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I can see why it would be considered style suicide to "lift a complete look from the runway". Have you seen what some of those designers put on those poor models?

If a mannequin in a store is styled well and to your liking, I don't see why you couldn't buy and wear the whole outfit. Many people don't care to make decisions about what goes with what, and which accessories will work. It's easier this way.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I might if I could afford it! But I'd probably have to tweak it to work with my colouring, etc. or my lifestyle. I wouldn't really care if others saw it as style suicide. I doubt they would, anyway.

Thistle

Veteran

First, I am not sure too many people could wear what was on the runway in the real world. That feels more like art to me, which is then modified for women to actually wear.

That said, I see nothing wrong with buying a whole outfit from whatever your inspiration might be if it is in your budget.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Anna Del Russo's whole game is wearing head to toe runway designer looks.

deb

Veteran

I would not because if the fit issues that would accompany. I do not think many people could do a complete copy unless they were the same size as the model.

MsMary

Veteran

In my offline life I don't run in circles where amybody would even notice if I wore an outfit that was straight off the mannequin (let alone the runway!). I do have one outfit that is a pantsuit and blouse from one label and I wear it proudly -- if that's fashion suicide then so be it!

I guess I don't understand what the fuss is about, one way or the other.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I sometimes buy a whole outfit if it really appeals to me. No one has ever called me out for doing so, not that I would care much anyway, lol.

Gaylene

Veteran

My thoughts are the same as deb's.

Aleta

Alexandra and Thistle you make me laugh, your right annagybe, Anna Del Russo is always wearing runway looks. Although the original magazine comments were probably referring to high end designers I was wondering if the same principle filtered down and applied to us all?

DonnaF

Veteran

Hmm. I guess buying from a look book or other pre-styled outfit has never occurred to me, and I would never put down a person who did so. I never buy a lot of pieces all at once, and I doubt all the pieces in a pre-styled outfit would both fit and flatter me. Each season, Eileen Fisher seems to put together coordinating outfits for those who like her look from head to toe. The brand is too pricey and drapey for me, but I can quite see the appeal.

K. Period.

Veteran

I think the "ban" is not really intended to mean "don't do it, ever!" but instead to say "know thyself--don't mindlessly copy a look." The ban is intended to remind the purchaser that they should carefully consider whether that combination really reflects their style and fits them in the way it should. If it is absolutely you and it fits you to a T, then there is no reason not to take it right off a mannequin. I have a friend who has a fabulous outfit that she bought right off the mannequin at Express. The outfit is the perfect match for her style and body shape and it pushes her style level a bit. She loves it, and it looks great on her. If I'd have bought the same outfit, it would have been a disaster.

jayne

Veteran

I would do it, if I could afford it. I often am trying to emulate a look with what I have available but sometimes fail because I don't go far enough, get close enough, to the look I want. I read in an older fashion book a recommendation to always buy an entire outfit (from a storefront) if you fell for it, because you will probably never be satisfied with the look you create yourself from second best items. I have felt that myself. But, that said, the more I practice, I am getting a better eye for what it is about the outfit that appeals. So since I cannot afford to copy the actual items, I am taking the longer route an training my fashion muscles. Some day they might be big and strong!

retailgirl

Veteran

I also buy pieces as I go along but when I buy a new piece I usually have something at home that will go with it and I have an outfit put together in my mind...then when I get it home I try it on, and "play" in my closet and with my accessories. I grew up in a small town, before the advent of the Internet, (in the 60's), and there was a girl in my school who would see an outfit in Seventeen magazine and write to the store cited in the mag and buy the whole outfit. (Her family was well-off.). I was envious, but my mother would say that money did not make you well-dressed and putting your own individual spin on an outfit was infinitely more interesting.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I've known men who bought complete outfits because they didn't trust their own expertise and it was easier to buy outfits supposedly put together by professionals who knew what they were doing. Also, one friend was color blind and had an elaborate system for getting dressed, so he would be color coordinated to the rest of the world.