COPYCATTING

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Recently I was reading through More magazine (for those interested, it was 18th June 2012 issue) and I skimmed through an 'agony aunt' type article.

The first problem on the page was the one that interested me the most, as this has actually happened to me a few times in my life, and I wanted to give my little humble opinion on it! The 'problem' the reader wrote in, was that her friend copies her style, and it was getting her down, as people were starting to think she was the one doing the copying.

For reference, I don't want this post to sound big headed . I'm not saying people copy me or are out to pinch my style, but I just wanted to make a post on this experience. When your'e young, the way you look does count, it can help form who you are, and if you have an interest in making a career in fashion like I do, it can really effect your self esteem.

Personal style is something very important to me, and I have to say, I've faced this problem quite a few times, sometimes even with my closest of friends. It easy enough for people to say, 'you should be flattered!' but I really agree with Anna Lou's advice that it is actually so annoying!

I think Its especially hard in the world of blogs and fashion, to be unique and interesting, without being exactly replicated in outfit posts. Of course we all are influenced by people, my main influences are bloggers and street style so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in some way influenced by other people, but I would never set out to copy a look, or copy someone else, because quite frankly, we've all seen it before and its boring. This isn't a 'oh you have the same top as me' thing, its more of a full style replication that annoys me, like buying the same items to 'be like someone.' Be yourself! I love my own style, It makes me who I am, and its unique to me.

When one of my friends started buying the same clothes as me, shopping in the same shops, buying things because it was a 'me like' item, at first I did find it quite flattering, but after a while It really did upset me, and I rebelled, changing my style completely. I just wasn't me. Although at first the questions of 'where is that from?!' I would be happy to answer, It began to annoy me and grate on me. I was really happy to see in this article that other people experience this problem, and that I'm not just being a bitch or big headed when I say this annoys me. Personal style is exactly that, personal.

At the end of the day, of course, Its not something that really matters. I don't really speak to one of the people that first did this to me, and other person who does this still doesn't live near me so at the moment the problem is at bay. Obviously, as we all grow up our styles change and adapt, and I think they must have found their own niche, so they chilled out on copycatting. I obviously do think that anyone can wear what they like, but if your in a close friendship group and this is happening to you, It can effect you in a negative way. I love my friends to bits, but the way they are is exactly what I love about them, all different, unique and perfect in their own ways. I hope they keep it that way, because we all are different and after all, what I think is amazing, you may think is hideous!


'Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else' - Judy Garland

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