What I Wore:
Shirt: Target - $23
(this material is so darn hard to photograph,
but I'm sure it's much easier to set on fire... don't hate)
Skirt: Old Navy - $7
Belt: from a skirt
Shoes: giveaway score
Scarf: Target - $15
Earrings: Francesca's - $9
This outfit is a loose interpretation of one of Kendi's recent outfits. Kendi found her inspiration from a store mannequin, so I thought that it would be totally acceptable to borrow the basic concept of the outfit and play with the colors a little. Obviously, I am giving her the seal of approval, both for her inspiration and for the fact that she wore an outfit that wasn't completely original in its inception.
I definitely echo her sentiments that we, as fashion bloggers, always try to come up with something new, and we're all struggling to reinvent the wheel. When I take inspiration from someone else, I almost don't feel as if the outfit is mine...I feel like I turned in an essay that I didn't write. I say that we're all a big mixing pot of inspiration -- I think it's only natural that we inspire each other, right? Besides, when it's a loose interpretation, it's still you reflecting your own style (and...giving credit is always a good idea).
Iron sharpens iron. May we all be iron-clad ladies.
What do you think? How far is too far with copycatting?
XO,
30 comments:
since nothing is really new anymore, I don't have a problem "copying" or being "inspired by" other bloggers, magazine pictures, ect. I myself am not that creative. I am fantastic at copying things, however. I just need some sort of inspiration to get me going and then I'll add my own touch. I rarely just come up with a an outfit or dress to make on my own. There is usually some sort of "springboard" for me to get from A to B. A great example is the dress I"m currently constructing.
I purchased some cream/black houndstooth fabric and I googled houndstooth dresses. I found one that had a couple layers of lace sewn to the bottom of the skirt and another with a poofy gathered skirt and thick black belt. I used both as inspiration and my dress will have a thick black bow belt with gorgeous scalloped lace along the bottom.
I guess the bottom line is, I don't really feel it's ripping someone off if you are taking an outfit they came up with and making it your own. Now, if you sit there and say I came up with this outfit 100%, that's disingenuous, but don't ever feel bad for seeing something you like and doing your own version. I mean, what else are fashion blogs for if not to get inspired by?
I might be alone on this one, but I think it only goes too far when you intentionally buy the items after seeing them on someone else... it would be one thing if I were to wear a striped skirt after seeing your photo today, but I think it's too far if I were to go out and buy a blue striped skirt. It's too, too far if I get the same one from Old Navy. Does that make sense? I do think too far-ness can be relieved by giving due credit to the source of the inspiration, though. But it seems silly in theory to go out and buy the same items to recreate an image... might as well photoshop your face into the picture :P
Kate @ A Journey in Style
I'm totally down with "copying" as long as you give credit to the person where you saw the outfit first. I think it's great to see what the same outfit looks like on a different person/body shape or see how they accessorize it slightly differently.
I love your outfit! Especially your skirt and scarf. I have almost the same pattern and colors as the scarf! Super cute how you wore it. :)
xo – Sheila
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When I glanced at your picture right now {I just woke up}, I thought you were wearing black wings on the skirt. I was like wow, Whitney is celebrating NYFW! lol. I like this look on you. I believe copying is okay, as long as you credit the person; as you did!
I think copycatting is okay, as long as you give credit to the source. I mean, isn't that the whole point of Pinterest? I'm being a copycat today, and I have a few more outfits coming up that are total copies. I try to make some changes, so it's less "copy" and more "inspired by", but sometimes the inspiration is so perfect that I don't want to change anything!
http://just-another-smith.blogspot.com/
I love this outfit! I will sometimes get inspiration from another blogger or a picture i see on pinterest but very rarely will I try and create the EXACT same look- same colors, same pieces from the same stores, etc. I love putting my own little flair into my outfits and really making them my own :)
-Jenna Brianne
wearablefunfashion.blogspot.com
Two things I love: this outfit and copycatting (it's like the style blog version of catfishing!!!). If I could print this post out and frame it I would... actually I guess I can...
Samantha @ Sam ipsa Loquitur
I love this! I loved it on Kendi and wished I had a striped skirt!
As for the copycat...I started blogging in part because I was reading other blogs FOR outfit inspiration. I feel that it is only fair to keep using other bloggers for inspiration, and to hope other people copy my ideas and make it just a bit their own!
I have no problem with copying outfits or being copied. The fashion industry is built around wanted to look like someone fabulous by wearing their fabulous clothes from a red carpet or a runway or a mannequin or a style blog. We are all a collections of our outside influences.
And I totally have that scarf! Isn't it wonderful?!
http://stylishsass.blogspot.com
Hey I wrote a post in 2011 about copying and here let me copy and paste it in here in your comment section :-) haha, j/k, no I didn't.
But anyway, I think it's great to get inspiration from other bloggers because I mean, isn't that the whole point of outfit blogs? To get and give inspiration on what to wear? Sometimes it's just the push we need to try something new or expand our comfort zones.
As far as "too far" for copycatting... um, buying the exact same items another blogger has, stalking her sold-out items on ebay, naming your blog almost the exact same, using a twitter background picture where you two are wearing the exact same blazer, copying poses and writing style and watermarking, and completely SWFing the other blogger. No one would be THAT crazy though, right?
Best. Comment. Ever. I laughed so hard that my husband came into the room to check on me...and I was forced to try to explain all this. He didn't get it. At all.
I agree with you that blogs are all about piggybacking and getting inspiration. It's an awesome network!
I love that you kinda went all existential with your comment. ha! We are all products of our environment...physical and virtual. :)
I love my stripes--and these striped skirts are SO comfy.
I'm right there with you! I started blogging to get more inspiration and to actively participate in the process. Love it!
You always crack me up. :) I'd love to be on your wall. Or fridge. That doesn't sound creepy at all.
Yes! I think it's all about making it our OWN rather than being scanned copies of each other.
We learn what plagiarism is very early on, right? If we don't give credit, it's really not showing the best integrity. I agree! Inspiration vs. Copy!
That's hilarious!! HAHA! I see what you're talking about! No, not that crazy!
Totally entered your giveaway. Love it! Fingers crossed!
The scarf is pretty awesome, isn't it? I am glad I snatched it up!
I agree with you here completely. Copying exactly would almost be too weird on multiple shapes and sizes.
That's really interesting, Kate! I don't think I've ever done this exactly, but there have been times where I've gotten something because I was inspired by a similar item that someone wore. Do you think this applies for non-bloggers, too?
Nothing is new under the sun, am I right? ;) We do constantly reinvent the wheel.
I can't wait to see your new creations!!!
I don't get all the hype about people 'copying'. Isn't that what Pinterest is for? Unless you are doing the nutjob stuff Kimmie describes below, I think you're pretty safe. Nothing is completely new and original, everything has a source of inspiration. I think people get too caught up in all this to be honest - by wearing it as you, you are putting your own unique spin on things anyway x
I agree! Pinterest is definitely a great source of inspiration. I think, though, that some people are really possessive over their outfits and think that bloggers should be extra careful in putting their outfits together. It does get tricky--I find that sometimes I put an outfit together only to remember a pin or post that looked really similar (after I wear it and post it).
I am dying laughing at this comment. I'm guessing you are a fellow GOMI-er? hahahaha
Are you accusing me of being a fat and jealous hater?! ;)
takes one to know one I guess... ;-P
You win the the internets for the day!
YAY I WIN THE INTERNETS!!! Does it come with ham and franzia?
It does in fact
Love it! Copying is what its all about! :)
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