I think there’s something in the psyche of girls or people in general, to want to belong. And when you hang out with people of similar tastes and dressing, some of it is bound to rub off. Not always a bad thing, I can assure you 🙂
But I wonder how you feel about friends buying the same accessories you have? Not clothes, but accessories e.g. wallets, bags, shoes etc. Do you ever feel like saying “Hang on, that’s my look!”
I found this picture on LVMH and this is pretty much an extreme case, I’d say LOL! Its almost scary how similar they all look eh? But assume something less extreme. Assume that its just the clutch that is the same item. Do you feel awkward about friends buying the same thing you have, even in a different colour? Do you feel honoured that someone would want what you have? Or do you not care either way? Curious minds want to know! 😉
I recently had a similar sort of experience. I had been eyeing a particular design of a bag for a while. Recently, it went on sale and I wanted to snap it up. However, I also knew that a friend had bought the same design earlier, albeit in a different colour. Truth to tell, I felt a little awkward, because I did not want to be seen to be matchy-matchy.
What I did was check with said friend to see if she minded that I got the same design and she said she didn’t, so I went ahead and got it anyway. I suppose that it helped somewhat that we don’t live in the same country so it was less awkward. But still, I thought it fair to ask, just in case people minded 🙂
I know of someone who minds terribly that others buy similar accessories to what she has. She feels like people are trying to copy her look and that it doesn’t make her very unique anymore. So she tends to go for designs that are very eclectic or brands that are not easily available. It works for her.
I personally do not really mind if a friend buys the same accessories I have, especially if I love them. I like people to own something nice that is functional and lovely, and of good quality, which is why I pick it up in the first place; and if it works for someone else too, then by all means go with it! I know I’m not a trendsetter which might explain why I’m more ambivalent about it 😀
Do you mind though? Does it bug you if your friend buys the same accessories that you have after seeing it on you?
Perhaps it makes you feel a bit like a trendsetter when it happens? 😉
Paris B
I’m weirdly relaxed about this! I mean let’s face it, I can’t have everything (or anything for that matter) custom-made or something, so if I can find something other people can as well. Even if it’s the same thing I’m sure everyone will wear it differently, so it’s not a problem. Would I be a bit fussed if I saw someone wearing the same dress? Yeah. Would I be upset if I knew my friend went ahead and bought the same thing? No.
In this mass market world, there’s little room for custom made goods so I agree, I probably don’t mind my friends having th same accessories but then, as many have also said, it will depend on who too 😉
I don’t mind in fact I think its something fun when they get the same stuff as I do, as long as it doesn’t become a habit. It does become a problem if that person starts to dress as I do.
Freaky too!
Hello from BwB! <3 Now I have a new blog to add to my list.
My one female friend and I have very different styles, so it isn't really something I've had to think about. I'm more likely to have to figure out which male friend borrowed my t-shirt (or does he have the same one, in the same size?) than whether or not my female friend is too similar.
There is one shirt that we've traded off with each other over and over again for almost 10 years now, though! A red shirt we both like, which has some stretch to it so it fits both of us easily, has been worn by either one of us for six months at a time for nearly a decade. ::laughs:: Makeup is the only other thing we trade off on, but not in style, only in colour. I'm more likely to try and vet indie brands, while she tries major lines in stores.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It sounds like you and your friend have a good thing going, and a shirt that’s lasted 10 years! Wow!
Back in my uni days,I always get that insecure feelings every time I bought something. I extremely hate it whenever people get noticed,and asked where I bought it,how much, and on the next day,I spotted the exact piece literally multiply by mitosis – and they walked towards me,and have some nerve to tell me,”Beautiful,isnt it?” after underestimated me for being tasteless,just before they asked the price and so on. Wish I could shoot them. Bang! Bang! However,on my final year,some of them told me that they are always talking about me,and keep an eye on my latest findings to imitate me (quite scary tell ya). Should I be proud and trust ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattering’ or should I be *secretly* annoyed,I am confused. Nevertheless,I dont really mind if she didnt has a foul mouth.
I suppose it’s a form of flattery, but I can imagine how irritating and unnerving it can be too especially in uni. I think most of us would be pleased to have our accessories or iced, unless we dont like the person, then we’d mind terribly.
In my case, it depends how good of a friend you are with me 😛 Otherwise, I don’t like wearing the same anything with anyone else. Luckily, my best friend and I have drastically different tastes.
It’s probably why you’re best friends 🙂 I prefer not to too so if I know a friend has a similar accessory I sometimes don’t wear it if I know I’m meeting them 😛
If it’s people I like, I don’t really mind. But if it’s psychos who ask me obsessively, I’ll find a way of not telling without actually not telling. Someone mentioned perfume, I’ve always found a way to skirt the issue because I hold on to my signature scent obsessively.
And I agree with someone else who mentioned it too – I take the time to do my research on what I buy. I don’t whip up my credit card and buy anything I see – I just can’t afford it. When someone else comes up sporting the identical bag, to me, imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery. To me, you’re just too damn lazy to do your homework and want the shortcut to having nice things without the work.
So, when I get pissed off, I tell myself that it can’t be helped that I end up with the identical bag/accessory as someone else. If I can afford it, chances are millions of others can as well. THink about it, even Birkins are a dime a dozen these days. That’s just the way the world is. If you can afford one, someone else can and probably afford a better version too.
Sorry for the long comment. This is a very near and dear subject to me. I think you’ve heard me rant and rave over and over again about this. 😛
I think how much of a friend we treat them will reflect in how we feel about sharing accessories. I too don’t mind sharing with good friends. It’s almost fun. But not with some others. Scent is a no no. It’s so weird smelling someone who smells like you 😛
my colleague and i bought the same pair of work pants on the same day (after-lunch shopping). when we do wear it on the same day, it’s like our little joke to see if anyone can spot it.
Haha so long as you both don’t mind I suppose it could be fun 😉
I think it depends on their intent and how often it happens. I once had a co-worker who was starting to get stalkerish and went out to buy the same lip gloss and top after I had told her where I got mine. That was annoying to say the least. It’s extra awkward when you see that person with the same stuff EVERY SINGLE DAY.
On the flip side, I had a friend who insisted that everyone was always copying her. Like, she claimed that she was the first to use Bath & Body Works in Canada and also laid an absurd claim on Coach bags, which is ridiculous because EVERBODY has them.
The whole thing depends on who, what, where and how frequently.
Ugh! Both scenarios are as bad as each other. You’re absolutely right about who and how frequently. I’m sort of glad no one at work is behaving in a stalkerish manner, after reading some of the stories here!
In general, I don’t think I’d mind, especially if it’s something that I love. And anyway, my style is not very defined, so most of the stuff I have is not very distinctive.
However, if the same friend was buying a lot of the exact same items, I would probably be annoyed. I think it’s safest to ask before buying if it’s a friend. And at least buy a different color, if possible.
Too true! The only person I wouldn’t mind sharing the exact same item with is probably my sister or mom lol!
I will say this now: Accessories – Yes, I DO mind.
Which is why I go out of my way to have different brands (or ones not too easily available) instead. That’s just me – I don’t want to be seen with a LV/Prada/Longchamp foldable tote (but other bags? maybe)…
That’s not unusual, too much of the same thing everywhere makes it common. Comes down to our personal preferences and our social circles too 😉
Let’s face it, in a group of friends with somewhat similar tastes there’s bound to be a few overlaps here and there. But in the end, it all boils down to style and how you wear it…so nah, I’m not too fussed about it.
PS: If it was entirely carbon-copied though, I’d be rather freaked out!
It’s how we wear it right? 😉
I wouldn’t mind if she buys the same clothes, bag, shoes, etc. because it would indeed make me feel like a trendsetter but everything has its limitations. 🙂 As long as she would not copy everything, that’s okay for me. 🙂
I think it gets awkward when people start mistaking them for you 😉
I wouldn’t mind if my friend buys something I own like bags, clothes, shoes but everything has its limitations. I guess as long as it doesn’t happen all the time, it’s fine with me. 🙂
I don’t mind having the same accessorties, but if it were clothes, uh i would hope that we do not wear them out together (though if it happens by accident, i think we would just laugh it off). Actually, it all depends on who that friend is. As long as it’s not anyone I dislike, I am ok. hahaa.
I think most of us feel the same way, Mandy. If its someone we like, we can laugh it off but if it’s someone we don’t, it’s like eww, copycat! 😉
If it happens among besties, with only 1 or 2 items then no issue… But, once i bought a hat from pasar malam… and guess who I saw wearing the same colour and design ??!! My MIL !!! could you believed it ?? Imagine how unhappy I was yet had to remain calm and polite…. she’s my MIL for goodness !! The unlucky hat was sent to the freezer for the rest of its life… >_<
Haha your story cracked me up. Maybe you could unfreeze it and wear it in places you know you MIL doesn’t go to?:)
hahaha I get pissed off when a friend buys exactly the same thing that I own and pretend like it was their idea in the first place!! at least they can say that I saw yours and liked it!!
Don’t really mind but my MIL has a copycat syndrome. If I paint my nails red she will paint hers red (right after making a comment about not using nail polishes due to the chemicals). If she sees me wearing make up when going out, she’d quickly disappear into her room and put on hers. I also realized she didnt do the “cat eyes eyeliner” until I tried it on and true enough she followed suit. I was actually just experimenting if she’s really gonna do it or not. But the moment I stopped, she stopped. She’d also like to ask about my make-up and skincare brands and the cost of each products. If I wear leggings, she’d wear one too and the funny part is that her tops are not long enough to cover her fanny pack so we tend to see things that we’re not supposed to see under it. But I am not gonna be the bad person to tell her that. She’s 71 by the way and I feel weird about this whole thing..