Originality is a word that is being used so often, that we forget what it actually means. According to the dictionary, originality is “the quality of being new and different in a good and appealing way.”

 

Fashion is a field that is strongly associated with the concept of originality and, interestingly enough, at the same time, it is associated with sameness with copying.

One often hears that someone is copying someone else’s style and there are even many “get the look” articles in magazines and online that teach you how to dress just like a certain celebrity.

 

 

Trends vs. Originality

Today, more than ever, trends are looked at under the magnifying glass, and many fashion bloggers discuss whether they like trends or they just like to incorporate anything they like in their styles, regardless of whether it’s in or passé. This argument might end soon than you’d expect, as the diversity that exists in the fashion world today makes it hard to create and identify clear trends. Of course, some things clearly represent the zeitgeist, but it’s not often that you still hear about a certain color being trendy. Everything is in all the time.

 

The fact that everything is in all the time is actually a great thing that makes the potential of originality even bigger. Almost everything being available all the time, it is way easier to create style. Fashion differs from style in the sense that fashion is what is available out there, and style is how you mix, match and use those elements, in order to obtain something that is uniquely you. And, since so many things are available on the market, it is a lot easier to compose a unique style.

 

Celebrities like Freddy Mercury or Diana Vreeland are the perfect examples of how one can adapt fashion elements and references in order to develop something new.

And, ironically enough, in fashion, originality implies influence, meaning that an original will often impact others who emulate him and are not originals. Fashion is definitely an inherently paradoxical phenomenon. The way fashion works is by combining two paradoxes: the fact that everyone is looking for novelty, but that novelty is expected and that everyone wants to be original, but everyone wants the same thing. That’s some food for thought.

Fashion is therefore a balancing act between common and new – a balancing act that has the ability to create originality with the help of other things.

Everything that is invented – in technology, fashion, music or any field is based on something, but being able to create something new with old tools is what leads to novelty and originality. This is why on AC, especially in our Style Guides, we offer the tools you need to develop your own, unique, original style.

 

 

The Trap of Originality

As with any complex, yet complicated thing, originality doesn’t come easy and there are many obstacles one needs to overcome if they want to develop their own style.

The biggest challenge is to pass by the idea of pushing too hard. Our friend Biki John said in a comment she posted on AttireClub.org, commenting on a celebrity fashion that “tried so hard to push it, he fell of the cliff”. In fashion, it often happens that trying too hard will get you nowhere. Many designers and stylists have this issue and we see it all the time: so many clothes and styles just look like they’re trying too hard, which makes them quite questionable. Real, original style is effortless, simple and elegant. In the words of Greek philosopher Epictetus, you should “know first who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” Or, as Gore Vidal put it, “style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

 

 

The Conclusion

It might be hard to create style that is original, and, even if you can’t develop something unique, you can still have individuality in the way you look and act. Style comes hard and there are many tricks you can do along the way to achieving it. The best thing is to emulate a style you like, and, little by little add more and more of your preferences in it.

Because we love quotes so much, we want to share actor Cary Grant’s words with you, who said that “One pretends to do something, or copy someone or some teacher, until it can be done confidently and easily in what becomes one’s own style”.

 

To conclude, we can say that obtaining originality is not easy, but that, even if you are not looking to be completely different from the crowd, creativity and individuality should always be present in your life.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think about originality? What elements describe your personal style? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!