Welcome back to another Outfit Thief post!
Let me explain...
I'm picking an outfit to blatantly copy.
(No shame at all!)
It might be a blogger's outfit, a street-style look or even a runway ensemble.
Whatever the inspiration, I'm going to break it down, pick it apart and recreate the look using pieces from my own wardrobe.
No shopping required!
Perhaps you have spotted an amazing outfit in the past?
Maybe on your favourite celebrity?
On a Pinterest street-style image?
On your favourite blogger?
Or, even a stylish friend?
You might feel inspired by their style and VERY tempted to google the pieces they're wearing (OR follow the links) in order to buy the gorgeous items.
The person you admire looks stunning.
Effortless.
Chic and cool.
You WANT a slice of that!
However...
A few things could be putting you off.
1. Who you are...
You may be (physically) completely different from the person you admire.
(Not difficult if it's a model on the runway!)
You might have completely different colouring.
You might be half a foot taller, or shorter... or a whole foot!
You might be a completely different dress size.
You probably have different proportions... they could have pancake boobs and long legs.
You might have girls that need more room and legs that are a few inches away from leggy!
You could be 25 years older... or younger.
The list goes on.
However, the bottom line is that we're all different and we're all beautiful in our own way.
Shape, size, age and budget shouldn't get in the way of style.
2. Lifestyle
Sometimes real life puts a bit of a downer on fantasy dressing!
Your climate might not allow bare flesh.
Open shoes.
Bare legs.
Backless dresses.
Wearing theses might result in frostbite!
Or, on the other side, heavy wool coats might leave you sweltering.
You might have no practical need for a tulle maxi skirt, especially if you're dragging it through slushy puddles to the supermarket!
You might need to be more practical with your footwear because you're on your feet all day, or have a bunion, or live knee-deep in the snow?!
A few style-modifications are all you need.
3. Shopping
You might not have the money to spend on the pieces you love the look of.
They may be high-end and out of your budget OR you may have more important things to spend your hard-earned cash on ... like exotic holidays, kids shoes or food and rent!
You might not WANT to spend your money on new clothes.
You may even be trying to buy less and style more (like me)!
If any of this applies to you, you're in the right place.
Today I'm going to share a couple of styling secrets with you that will not only save you money but will help you look (and feel) more stylish.
More style, less spend.
Here's my style inspiration for today:
Check out here INSTAGRAM HERE.
(This is an older image. Her recent posts are very colourful.)
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| photo from nnennaechem |
Let's take this outfit to pieces and make it our own shall we?
There are 4 BASIC elements to any look:
1. The Feeling
The overall Vibe (or Mood) of a look is a great place to start when you want to break it down.
What does this outfit say to you?
Do you feel a connection to the aesthetic?
If a look appeals to you then chances are you can recreate it.
2. The Shape
Take a good look at the outfit you plan to copy.
What is the shape of the outfit?
What are the basic proportions?
Are any aspects slim-fitting or oversized?
A statement sleeve?
Wide-Legged trousers?
An oversized or tight-fitting jacket?
How do the proportions complement or contrast with each other?
What do you like about the proportions?
Do you love the drama of the look?
Or does the simplicity appeal to you?
3. The Colour Mood
This one is easy to figure out BUT can be the hardest to copy well.
What is the overall colour 'feeling'... warm or cool?
What are the predominant colours?
Any clashes or contrasts?
What about pattern play?
What subtleties are at work?
Look closely, sometimes the overall impression of a colour mood is misleading.
The colour mood is my favourite element of any outfit that inspires me.
4. The Styling Tweaks
Those subtle tweaks (or hacks) make ALL the difference when it comes to recreating a 'cool' look.
Pay close attention to little details like a cuffed hem or a half tuck.
Notice a pushed up sleeve, an exposed cuff, a lurex sock peeking out from the top of a boot.
It's the little things that make the BIGGEST difference.
What about the outfit I've chosen today?
1. The vibe.
For me, this look says:
- Preppy
- Feminine/girly
- Cool
- Casual
- Effortless
It also strikes me as a multi-seasonal look.
A few layers on or off (and a change of footwear) could make it work all year round.
2. The proportions.
She's wearing loose proportions here.
An androgynous blazer and wide jeans.
Nothing too tight or revealing.
Nothing too tight or revealing.
It's a cute mixture of androgynous and girly.
3. The colour Mood.
For this look, the colour mood is subtle and classic.
Denim.
White.
Checks.
A pop of dark oxblood red.
Denim.
White.
Checks.
A pop of dark oxblood red.
Her hair really adds the feminine touch to this look.
4. The Style Tweaks.
The first style tweak that shouts out to me is a ruffle from her blouse collar and cuffs peeping out of the jacket.
A nice touch.
A nice touch.
She has her bag casually in her hand.
This stops it cutting into the lines of her outfit.
(Not very practical, but great in a photo.)
She's wearing a pretty hair clip and bright white boots.
These serve to elevate an otherwise boring look.
This stops it cutting into the lines of her outfit.
(Not very practical, but great in a photo.)
She's wearing a pretty hair clip and bright white boots.
These serve to elevate an otherwise boring look.
How I made it my own:
This outfit was fun to recreate using pieces I already own.
Wide jeans and a cream t-shirt for me.
She has on a pretty ruffle blouse and I do own one BUT it felt too much with this outfit, especially with the hairclip.
{Which I removed after that first photo!}
I popped on my hand-me-down blazer from Topman.
You could wear any checked or plain blazer in whatever colour you like.
Simply pairing a blazer and tee with a pair of wide jeans nails the overall vibe of this look.
The white boots look so cool BUT I don't own a pair (and I sold my silver boots) so I popped on some comfortable trainers and a geeky pulled up lurex sock as a great alternative.
I've also copied the casual bag-grabbing using my birthday bag.
( a gift from Hubby)
I did have a bag almost identical to hers but recently sold it on eBay, but it's okay.
Any bag will do really!
(I also popped it across my body, the way I always wear it, as soon at that side-by-side photo was taken... much more comfortable and practical)
BLAZER: Topman
JEANS: Topshop
TOP: Weekday
TRAINERS: Adidas (old, they were my daughter's)
BAG: a gift
WRISTWARMERS: a gift
GLASSES: Ted baker
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this outfit.
Would you wear it?
Are there any looks you'd like me to copy?
Have your say by leaving a comment or get in touch and send me a photo HERE.