I swear,
when I bought this shirt,
I had no idea it was a knock-off.
My naive self actually thought that I was being unique.
An obnoxious print, an obnoxious collar, and a tiny little obnoxious tassel on the collar to boot --
What could possibly be more original?
Anything.
Anything could be more original. Because I didn't realize until two days ago that this gem of a find was actually a complete imitation of every Versace shirt ever.
Since you guys are pretty nice,
and because I doubt you thought that highly of my fashion know-how in the first place,
I feel safe admitting here to this mortifying err.
And though it seems small in comparison to say, world hunger/mass genocide/world war III/pretty much anything,
the realization did in fact impact me quite deeply.
Why?
Well, here's the deal:
In September, I headed to New York for a few days of fall fashion week.
Into my way overweight suitcase went far too many shirts to be anywhere near practical, but ultimately, I decided on this one for a day of fawning and frolicking around Lincoln Center.
 |
| don't let anyone ever tell you I don't know how to pose. I mean....this one-leg-half-squat's pretty killer...am I right, or am I right? |
(Fine, I was peackocking. ok? whatever.)
I'd actually had a much more elaborate ensemble planned, but at the last minute, decided that a high-waisted pair of black pants and a sufficiently gaudy blouse would have to do. I can only venture so far outside of my comfort zone without sacrificing every semblance of self-confidence.
A N Y H O W.
To my surprise, I found myself eerily grinning back at...myself...on a few pretty nice websites only days after the prance. But why?
Compared to, say, every other weirdly dressed person hanging around The Embassy, I looked mediocre at best.
Maybe, just maybe, I thought, it wasn't my outfit, but my overall vibe. Maybe I seemed important - famous - confident - powerful.
Maybe the street photogs mistook me for a mini (read: taller) Man Repeller - a brunette Blonde Salad - a tamer Tamu?
No .such .luck.
Turns out they just thought I was important enough to be "gifted" Versace.
So what does this mean? We all already know that 'street style' is dominated by bloggers wearing otherwise unattainable get-ups, and I realize it's a question as old as time, but without brands, how would we determine "taste"? If something can't be "so Chanel" or "very 80s D&G", on what do we base our comparisons? Our judgements?
Is it true that people either "have style, or they don't"? Or is "style" nothing more than an exceptionally perceptive radar and a propensity for subtle reinterpretation? Is sheltering ourselves the only way to really overcome brand consciousness and forwarding our individual aesthetic?
Does my choosing of this blouse, unawares of its origins, demonstrate style savvy, or the essence of naivety?
Are you really sick of questions and wondering why I can't stop typing?
Samesies.
Cheers.
photos by sheeds
photos by sheeds
Love this post! I adore the style in which you write your posts and in my eyes, whether that blouse is the real thing or a knock of, I don't really care. You paired it amazingly (on both looks) and that is what really made it(imo) so unique.
ReplyDeletex Mariana | www.goingteen.blogspot.com
Great post, love! Although I am not a fan of knockoffs, I must comment on your great styling in the first photo! XOXO
ReplyDeletewww.foxyoxiesupernova.blogspot.com
OMG you look SO chic in your street style snaps! Love the one-leg half squat, really got add that to my repertoire ;) DGAF if it's a knockoff...you rock it.
ReplyDelete"Or is "style" nothing more than an exceptionally perceptive radar and a propensity for subtle reinterpretation?" <---- Why you gotta call me out like that!? That is my formula for success!
Great post as always. You just rock, god I love ya.
xoxo Britt
you know what is great about this post is that you actually thought you were being unique, I respect that and then saw it was a copy of something else.Most people already buy it knowing it is a copy and pretend they didn't. so I respect that!.
ReplyDeleteLove the length of the skirt too girl. I can't wait for skirt time xx
M
Can't wait to see your new collection!
Deletethere's actually a great smurfs episode about this. basically some smurf is writing a song and it's built from every bit of music that he's heard before and papa smurf is like don't worry that's just what the creative process is man, we're all just an amalgam of everything that's come before us. i'm taking some liberties there but that's the gist. if you're in any way interested in the fashion world the things you see on blogs, runways, and the street are going to make an impact on you. but it's how you funnel that impact through your own taste that marks the difference between the fashionable and the stylish. to quote leandra quoting lynn dell, "fashions says me too, style says only me." and the ways you've reinterpreted a classic "versace" blouse here are testament to your unique style.
ReplyDeleteabigail
www.farandwildjewelry.com
need to catch up on my smurfs
DeleteI agree totally, but I think it takes a strong person to filter in a truly original way. I wish I had the ability to truly think outside the box.
You pose such interesting questions! I suppose it can be a mixture of both for an answer. I don't think being "naive" means you shouldn't still wear stuff despite being a "knock off" or that you can't be stylish all the same. =) It just shows you have some style taste! =D
ReplyDeletexo,
nancy
http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com
That Versace print is one of those things that was destined to become a knock off. It's so far removed, it has become a descriptive term as opposed to a noun. I have a "Versace" print shirt fo' sho'.
ReplyDeleteI definitely try to shelter myself from time to time in order to re-familiarize myself with my own personal style. And other days I'm lazy and look at pinterest to get inspired. Asking myself, "what formula can I just throw on that's easy and I know will be pleasing to the eye?" Honestly I think the total trend slaves lack personal style and good taste. If they had their own, they wouldn't look like everyone else. (DAAAAAAyum, that was harsh I know).
In other news: you're a knock out and brilliant to boot, sister.
xo!
ash
www.thephotogramps.blogspot.com
Love this top :-)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
http://www.alwaysjudging.com/
This is a great discussion, and frankly one I don't think I've ever seen around the blogosphere. It's hard to be familiar with every piece, but every designer. I can't tell you how many times I'm like, "OOoh, cute shoes!" on Modcloth, only to get shamefully told they're knockoffs of some designer pair.
ReplyDeleteWhoops.
There's a tough balancing act to be found between naivete and total immersion. Total immersion I find... pushes us outside our comfort zones, but also causes us to stray from our own style. If we remain naive then, as fashion bloggers, we lose an air of credibility and respectability.
I say, just love and wear your shirt.
Whoa. This is an amazing comment. Thank you so much for posting.
DeleteIt IS interesting to see when you love something, then find it's a knockoff. But I wonder if you take it in reverse, how many times have you hated something, and then found out it's a designer?
I think , obviously, both of these are bound to happen a lot. We all have different tastes, but it's what happens AFTER that , that's interesting. Either we feel ashamed or embarrassed, or on the other end of the spectrum, proud at our ability think independently. The interestingthing is that a single designer has the power to make us feel this way.
And you're totally right about the blogger and credibility thing. Naivety isn't really an option - or you wind up looking like an idiot like myself.