How to “Copy” a Cool Outfit

Alyssa Beltempo

Many of my readers and style clients have asked me to suggest a celebrity or person in the public eye who has similar style elements to their own. They figure they can get inspiration or simply copy what that person is wearing. It’s a one-and-done idea, and I certainly get it.

But I want to propose an entirely different way to seek out inspiration that can be a total game changer about how you dress. One of my favorite YouTube channels is from Alyssa Beltempo, whom I have mentioned in previous posts. Alyssa originated the “shop-your-closet” concept. She encourages women to shop vintage or to buy higher quality items that last.

She also encourages you to examine the specific elements of an outfit that make your heart sing.

How to Describe What is “Cool” About an Outfit

So, let’s break that idea down with this combination. Here’s a woman wearing long, drape-y pants that partially cover some flat soled sneakers, a T-top, and a boxy jacket. She’s carrying a soft suede suede or a slouchy bag. We can imagine she has on a pair of slightly chunky gold earrings and/or a chunky gold chain necklace. It’s a mostly Natural and Classic style look.

But here’s the real challenge and where you come in.

When you see an outfit you love, ask yourself:

What do I long for in this outfit? Is it the simplicity of the individual pieces? Is it the comfort or casualness of the textiles?Would the wearing this make me look (fill in the blank) taller, thinner, younger, cool, hip, sophisticated, pretty, etc.Why are those colors appealing to me and do they actually work for my coloring?Do those accessories say something about me? Are they refined, practical, cute, sophisticated, playful? Does the material look elegant, rich, earthy, sensuous?

Now you’re getting closer to creating an outfit that speaks to you and about you. But then there is another layer of information required. Ask yourself if the outfit you want to copy says something about how you want to be seen. And then, consider if that makes sense given your fundamental, intrinsic style combination.

Does the Outfit Represent Who I Am?

If you’ve read my book, Shopping for the Real You, you already have a general sense of your style combination or essence type(s). But even if you haven’t yet read it, here’s a little style cheat sheet. It will help you recognize what an outfit is “saying” and whether or not you want to say the same thing.

Dramatic: There is something bold, audacious, commanding or exciting in this outfit. I tend to stand out in this way too.

Natural: This is an unfussy, relaxed, comfortable and easy-feeling combination. I’m pretty chill and relaxed too.

High Spirited: I love the unexpected and atypical details; they are quirky and energetic, and have the creativity I like to play with in my outfits.

Classic: The sophisticated refinement in these pieces suggests luxury, simplicity, and elegance. I love to be polished in that way too.

Romantic: This outfit/image has sensuousness; it’s luscious, luxe and tactile. I live my life through my senses and my clothes to reflect that.

Youthful: There is a feeling of sweetness, guilelessness, and innocence, conveyed in this outfit.

Angelic: This is extremely delicate and refined; almost as if there is something celestial, other-worldly, or even ancient in this look.

The idea is to recognize, on a feeling level, what draws you to a particular combination. Then, considering how the fundamental style types are described here, determine if the look – the construction details, fabrics, and accessories of the pieces synch with your own style.

Taking it a Step Further

If you discover that there is a disconnect between your style and the image you admire there is another exercise that Alyssa Beltempo suggested and I find it even more compelling. She was having dinner with a friend at an outdoor cafe at dusk and shot a photo of the scene on that patio. It revealing a string of little patio lights that framed the space overlooking a peachy-pink sky. She just loved the image and decided to take inspiration from its beauty.

So, what she saw in it was the delicacy and femininity in the colors of the sky, the glow of the lights, and the peaceful, serene feeling. She adopted the pink color of the sky by tying a gorgeous pink patterned scarf as a halter top (yeah, she’s young and fit, I did this at her age), and a short skirt, and gold sandals and gold earrings to suggest the “glow” of the patio lights.

She didn’t copy an image. She used and idea, an environment, a feeling as inspiration to create something that expressed what she loved and that reflected her style.

Your Style, Your Life

This was a big part of why I created “Discovering Your Inner Style“, my online course. It’s designed to encourage you to consider the things in your life, your environment, your social connections, and simply how you choose to live your life that are meaningful to you. And then to recognize how they might reflect and influence what you wear.

I think this is a really fun way to create an outfit and build a wardrobe. I’d love to know what you think about it.