Does being sheltered keep you savvy?

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

12 comments:

UnknownMarch 25, 2013 at 4:50 AM
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.

x Mariana | www.goingteen.blogspot.com
UnknownMarch 25, 2013 at 6:17 AM
Great post, love! Although I am not a fan of knockoffs, I must comment on your great styling in the first photo! XOXO

www.foxyoxiesupernova.blogspot.com
Pardon My FashionMarch 25, 2013 at 10:40 AM
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.

"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
melissaMarch 25, 2013 at 11:48 AM
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!.
Love the length of the skirt too girl. I can't wait for skirt time xx
M
far and wild jewelryMarch 25, 2013 at 12:43 PM
there'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.

abigail
www.farandwildjewelry.com
nancy @ adore to adornMarch 25, 2013 at 1:14 PM
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
xo,
nancy

http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com
The PhotogrampsMarch 25, 2013 at 8:51 PM
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'.

I 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
alwaysjudgingMarch 25, 2013 at 9:27 PM
Love this top :-)

xoxo,
http://www.alwaysjudging.com/
Ashe March 26, 2013 at 2:41 PM
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.

Whoops.

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.