Why Copying Other's Outfits Isn’t Helping You Find Your Personal Style (and what to do instead!)

You’ve saved 200 outfits you love on her, but none of them work on you, and you're getting increasingly frustrated and disheartened that you can’t figure out why, which is so annoying, right?

In this post, we’ll look at what’s really going on and how to start building the foundations that help you translate inspiration into your own style.

So grab a beverage and let's begin!

A bit back, I found myself watching one of those YouTube videos ranking “Carrie Bradshaw’s Outfits from Worst to Best.”

I wasn’t watching it for outfit ideas. I clicked it because I was curious to see the choices — see if I agreed!

Because that’s the thing, isn’t it? Some people can absolutely love the same looks that make other people want to throw their laptops across the room.

And that’s the point of personal style.
It’s individual. It’s subjective. It’s emotional. It’s energetic.

But somewhere along the way, amongst the noise of social media and the pressure (both internal and external) to look a certain way, we can forget that. We get so used to scrolling, saving, and trying to copy what we think looks cool that we lose touch with what actually feels like us.

I’ve had a few conversations recently that really brought this home.

One of my Power Hour clients, Jeni, loved the idea of dopamine dressing, you know the one. The bright colours, bold prints, all the joy. But every time she tried to recreate those outfits, she felt awkward and off. Because what we uncovered was that her fuck-yeah personal style is actually more classic, but with a twist that gives it an edge.

She’d been trying to make someone else’s style (someone who was giving cool and authentic energy) work for her, when the truth was that the way she channels that energy looks totally different.

Jeni loved the colourful dopamine outfits seen here on the left on the very cool Nova Sisters. But when she created her inspo board based on what was aligned with her style words, the difference is obvious!

And she’s not alone. Another woman I chatted to on the ‘gram had started a whole Instagram account to help her find her style. But after months of collecting inspo and copycatting outfits, she just felt more confused.

And that’s what happens when you gather inspiration without a way to filter or translate it. Because when you don’t understand your own style — what you like, what feels good, and why —trying to copy someone else’s outfit is like trying to speak a language you haven’t learned yet.

So in reality, the only way to make all that inspiration useful is to drill down into what it is you actually like about something and then learn how to translate that into something that works for you.

(Spoiler: sometimes it's less about the actual outfit and more about the energy or attitude of the person in it!)

And to do that, you need your style foundations, so you have your own lens for understanding what elements you need to include to create outfits that feel like you.

So if you’ve ever put on an outfit you loved on someone else and thought, Why doesn’t this look or feel right on me? Maybe you’ve spiralled into it must be because I’m not stylish enough, or my body’s not quite right, or I just can’t pull it off.

Here’s what’s really going on:
You’re trying to wear someone else’s style before figuring out what your own looks or feels like.

That’s what I call the copycat trap — and it’s one I’ve fallen into at various points in my life.

The good news? There’s a way to break out of it!

Why Copying Someone Else’s Style Doesn’t Work

Let’s go back to the Carrie Bradshaw character for a sec.

I love her style, not because I’d wear everything she wears (I’ve tried, and it doesn’t feel like me).

But because of the styling principles and mindset she applies throughout her outfits.

She combines unexpected pieces, goes against the grain, and layers in ways no one else is doing. She’s not following trends; she’s following her instincts. And she isn't afraid to be different.

And ultimately, for me, that’s the bit that’s magnetic. It’s not just the clothes, it’s the confidence, attitude and creativity behind them.

When you try to copy someone’s outfit directly, what you’re seeing is the end result of their personal style.

They're in an outfit that feels authentic to them, is layered with their personality. Works for their lifestyle and has created a shape they love.

And so, because you are not the same as them, it’s no wonder that when you throw on the same outfit, it feels… off!

I love both of these outfits, but if I copied either one directly, I’d feel completely off. (Plus, let’s be honest, I don’t have Carrie Bradshaw’s budget or access to vintage designer gear, lol.)

The outfit on the left, I saved it because I love the layering and the clash of red tartan and pink.
The one on the right caught my eye for the colours and the juxtaposition of the skirt and sweatshirt. I went through a brief phase of trying to wear that style of skirt. Never has anything felt so unlike me in my life!!

How to Actually Use Outfit Inspo (Without Losing Yourself)

Now I’m not here to tell you to stop saving pins or Instagram posts.
Moodboarding can be a fun and helpful part of the “finding your personal style” process.

It’s a great way to spot patterns in what you’re drawn to.

But if all you’re doing is saving and copying without thinking about why you like something, you’ll just end up with a camera roll full of strangers’ outfits, and probably no clearer sense of your own style.

So here’s a strategy I use that I think will be way more helpful:

1. Ask yourself: What exactly do I like about this?

Go beyond the obvious. Sure, you might like the outfit, but what about it?

• Is it the colour?

• The fit, silhouette or finish? (Is it sleek, slouchy, structured, a mix?)

• The layering?

• The attitude or confidence of the person in it?

• Is it even more about the lifestyle or the mood they’re giving off?

• The aesthetic and energy of the whole thing, bold, bright, minimalist, romantic, playful, edgy?

Sometimes it is just about loving the clothes.

But often, it’s also about how it’s being worn. You might love that jumper on her, in that outfit, with the energy she's projecting, but when you try it on and pair it with things in your wardrobe, something feels off.

Because it’s not just about the item itself, it’s about how it fits into a look that aligns with that person’s style.

So what you’re really responding to might be the overall vibe, the contrast, the composition, the way it all comes together, which may or may not align with your personal style.

Side story: About six months ago, I went through a spell like this myself. I had a few things going on and was in a weird place with my style. And for a week or so, I found myself trying to copy an influencer’s outfits, almost piece by piece. I ordered the clothes, the accessories, the lot!

They looked great on her. But my god on me, they felt completely off! Fortunately, I managed to rework some of the clothes into outfits that do feel like me, so it wasn’t a total waste.

But it was a good reminder of how easy it is to fall into that copycat trap, especially when you’re not quite feeling like yourself!

I don't have any outfit pics from this little misstep!

But I did find this, an outfit I put together after being inspired by someone I saw online. It looked great on her.

But on me, it felt totally off.

2. Gut check: Would I feel like me in this?

(Which, by the way, can be hard to know if you’re feeling disconnected from yourself, or if you’ve been through big changes and you’re still finding your way back to who you are now and getting to know yourself again.)

Imagine yourself wearing it.

• Where would you wear it? How would you wear it?
  (Would you be copying it item by item, or styling it your own way?)

• Would you feel comfortable? Confident? Like yourself, on a really good day?
  Or would it feel a bit off, like you were playing dress-up in someone else’s clothes?

It’s easy to confuse “I love this” with “this suits me.” But there’s a difference between something you like and something that’s actually aligned with your personal style.

Let me tell you some examples from my life to demonstrate what I mean:

I love seeing women in outfits with heels. They look incredible.
But when I wear them? It’s a no. I feel like I’m pretending. They’re just not me. So while I can admire the vibe, it doesn’t mean I need to buy into it!

But what I will do is find a version of that energy that actually fits my style.

The same goes for those bold, dopamine-dressing looks I see on Instagram, the big colourful dresses with smabas, clogs or Crocs. I genuinely love how they look on other people.
But if I wore one of those outfits, I’d feel completely out of sync with myself. It’s just not me.

You can love something and still know it’s not right for you.
Because just loving the aesthetic of an outfit isn’t enough, if it doesn’t feel like you, it’s not going to give you that f*ck yeah feeling.

3. Translate the inspo into your own outfit

This is where the magic happens.

Take what you’ve noticed — the colours, the shapes, the layering, and the overall vibe — and reinterpret it in a way that aligns with your personal style. Make it work for your body, your lifestyle, and how you actually want to feel.

That might mean recreating a similar shape or colour palette. Or it might just spark a completely different outfit idea that captures the essence of what you liked, even if it looks nothing like the original image.

That’s often how it works for me now. I don’t really copy outfit inspo anymore.

I’ll see something on Pinterest, and it sparks something. But the outfit I end up wearing usually looks totally different. That kind of instinct comes with time, once you’ve experimented and built a deeper connection with your personal style.

If you’re earlier in the process, you might still want to try more direct translations. Just keep checking in with yourself, does this actually feel like me?

Bonus tip:
Don’t just save outfits for inspiration. Try pinning or saving other things that catch your eye, interiors, landscapes, colour palettes, flowers, artwork, even album covers.
These “non-style” visuals can help you tap into the textures, tones, moods, and feelings you’re naturally drawn to. And often, they’ll point you toward a personal style direction in a way that someone else’s outfit simply can’t.

Final Thoughts

Next time you’re tempted to copy someone’s look, pause for a second and go deeper.

• What is it you actually love about it?

• What does it say?

• What does it feel like?

• And how can you channel that in a way that feels like you?

Finding your true personal style isn’t about dressing to fit in, following trends verbatim, or copying what someone else is wearing just because it looks cool.

It’s about recognising your own voice in the noise and translating that into a wardrobe that screams you and makes you feel F*ck Yeah! (This is one of my recent FYeah outfits 😍)

And here’s something else to remember: Style isn’t just a reflection of who you are. It’s a tool to set the tone for how you want to show up.

You can use it to create the energy you want to bring.
To reconnect to your sense of self.
To step into the next version of you.

Think of it as identity rehearsal, one outfit at a time!

And this is the kind of work I do with clients every day. I help women reconnect with themselves through their wardrobes. If you’re ready to find your style foundations and finally feel like your outside matches your inside, I’d love to help. [Send me a message here] and let’s have a conversation about what you need.

Psst... the next blog will be all about how to find your personal style (without starting from scratch). Stay tuned.