Inspired not replicated

I love Pinterest, It is an abundant source of creative inspiration from people all over the world across multiple categories and I encourage everyone to use it when planning anything from a garden party to a kitchen remodel. I recommend it especially for anyone with lots of clothes, who is shopping regularly and yet finds themselves with “nothing to wear”  What Pinterest does is offer up endless styling possibilities using the clothes you already own, sparking reminders of pieces you may have forgotten about and showing alternative ways to wear your clothes. It's a fantastic resource that gives you access to the work of some of the most talented creatives and stylists all in one place. 

But as with any digital platform, inspiration should be taken not as gospel but tailored to you, your body, lifestyle and budget, to be inspired isn't to replicate literally but to take aspects and make the magic for yourself, there are a ton of reasons “ripped straight from Pinterest” looks can fail, its not you, its the execution, once the smoke & mirrors are removed it wouldn't work in real life for anyone. 

Humans are 3D, photographs are 2 dimensional, you don't get to see all the curves in imagery, it's why designers traditionally chose rake thin models to wear their clothes, their angles make them like human coat hangers, but that's not real life so remind yourself when you replicate a look seen only in a picture that you are seeing yourself in 360 and we were created with curves, our clothes have to fit them, not the other way around, if you really want to see how you look, forget photographs and take a video, still not happy? Switch the look. 

Jiggery Pokery AKA tricks of the trade, as a stylist I carry an entire bag containing tools with which to make an outfit work in a photograph, shapewear, nipple covers and pins because without movement excess fabric can look cumbersome, oversized jackets or super wide, flowy pieces are often clipped, in real life these items will sway and swoosh as you move and that's a good thing, life is not a still. And keep in mind fabrics, that slip skirt in satin wont hang the same as silk in real life, a photograph only gives you the fantasy. 

Location and context, A fruity Co-ord worn on the Amalfi coast may look like something out of The White Lotus but it may not translate to a wet bank holiday weekend in England, this is often why an outfit fails to hit the high note, it's a good outfit, just in the wrong setting. I have said it before and I will say it again, the best outfits are those that can transcend their setting, avoid anything too themed unless you are in that setting ie Greek Island or Cote De Azur, the golden hour can not be recreated with a filter.  

Same rules apply to the end use - If you want to look good on the school run, look for images that fit your lifestyle and transport, if you only wear flats, look for flat shoe looks and think seasonally, look for inspiration that includes seasonal must-haves, ie a warm / waterproof coat in winter. 

Create your moodboard but don't mirror it.