Issue #5: Why Copying Someone Else’s Wardrobe Always Ends in Disappointment
This Week in My Wardrobe: Transform your Wardrobe Experience, How to Care for What You Wear, and My Only Styling Discount Offer of 2024 is Here!
Have you ever had a week so full of twists it felt scripted? Friday morning, I’m face down at my friend Vonny’s serene Holland Park studio, needles dotting my body, as she works her acupuncture magic to chase away weeks of relentless headaches. (Side note: if you’ve never tried acupuncture and cupping, consider this your sign, it’s truly helping in a gentle holistic way.) The session ends, and I’m floating out of there, blissful and headache-free, until I catch sight of my back in the mirror. The cupping marks are bold. Like modern art on my skin. Cue a last-minute outfit crisis: the long satin dress I’d planned for Arda’s bottomless birthday brunch at Coya Mayfair? Too revealing for my new “art exhibit.” Enter my leather top, a quick cover-up that turned my look into something edgy and chic. Crisis averted.
By the time I’m sipping champagne and scanning the tables for future husbands (Coya’s crowd did not disappoint), it hit me: sometimes the best moments come from the tweaks, the pivots, and the unexpected. Life, much like style, isn’t about following a perfect plan. It’s about adapting, owning it, and finding your flow.
And that brings me to wardrobes. You know the feeling: you see someone on Instagram looking impossibly chic, and suddenly you’re obsessed. Oversized blazers, statement boots, their entire vibe, add to cart. But here’s the truth: copying someone else’s look is like squeezing into a personality two sizes too small. It might look good in theory, but in practice? It’s uncomfortable and unflattering because it’s not you.
The solution? Curate, don’t copy.
Start by looking at what’s already hanging in your wardrobe. Those high-waisted jeans you can’t live without? That’s a foundation. That blazer you throw on and instantly feel like the main character, even if you’re just heading out for oat milk? That’s where the magic begins. Building a wardrobe isn’t about copying someone else’s best hits; it’s about remixing your own greatest hits.
When you get it right, the energy is undeniable. You’re not just wearing clothes; you’re wearing confidence. Like when I walked into that brunch, post-acupuncture glow and all, feeling like I’d conquered the week before the first glass of champagne even hit my lips. That’s the power of owning your look.
Curating vs. Buying: Why Less Is More (But Better)
Let’s face it: we’ve all been tempted to copy someone else’s wardrobe. Whether it’s your Pinterest inspo board or that chic girl you spotted in Soho, it’s easy to think, “If I buy what she’s wearing, I’ll feel like that too.” Spoiler: you won’t.
Here’s the thing: replicating someone else’s style often leads to a wardrobe full of mismatched items that don’t feel like you. The real magic lies in curating, not compulsively buying. Curating is about slowing down, being intentional, and choosing pieces that align with your lifestyle, personality, and wardrobe formulas.
Tips for Curating a Wardrobe That Feels Authentic:
Curating is the art of building a wardrobe that works for you. Buying, on the other hand, is what we do when we’re overwhelmed, influenced, or just trying to fill a void. Here’s how to curate instead of blindly buying:
Audit Your Wardrobe First
Before you hit the shops, look at what you already own. What pieces do you actually wear? Which ones make you feel amazing? Start there.
Spot the Gaps
Noticing you’re always reaching for a leather jacket that doesn’t exist? Or that perfect pair of black boots that’s still on your wishlist? Those are your intentional buys, not the random sequined blazer that’ll never leave your wardrobe.
Invest in Versatile Pieces - Focus on quality over quantity
Think of clothing like tools: you need the ones that get the job done. High-quality, versatile staples will serve you far better than trendy impulse buys. A single, well-made coat will always beat a pile of fast-fashion jackets.
Make Your Own Outfit Formulas
What’s your signature combo? High-waisted jeans and blazers? Midi dresses with chunky boots? Use these as your foundation.
Shop with Purpose
Next time you’re tempted to add to cart, ask yourself: Does this fit my lifestyle? Will I wear it at least 30 times? Does it fill a gap or repeat something I already love?
Repeat purchases
If something works for you (like that perfect white shirt), buy a backup or variations. Trust me, future you will thank you.
💌 Loving Life, Styled & Wardrobed?
If you’re enjoying my style musings, why not take it up a notch? I’d be honoured if you would consider become a subscriber and receive a FREE digital copy of my ebook “Wardrobe Edit: The 3-Step Guide to a Closet That Works”.
Trust me, your closet will thank you, and so will I! ;
Care for What You Wear
Part of curating is keeping your wardrobe looking fresh and fabulous. Here are my top five tips for taking care of your clothes:
Steam, Don’t Iron
A steamer is your wardrobe’s best friend. It’s quicker, gentler on fabrics, and makes even the most tired-looking piece feel new again.
Wash Smarter
Over-washing ruins clothes. Spot-clean where you can, and when you do wash, use gentle detergents and a cold cycle to preserve fabrics.
More on laundry tips and tricks in the next issue.
Hang Right
Invest in velvet or wooden hangers. Wire hangers stretch clothes, and over time, they’ll look sad and droopy.
Store Shoes and Bags Properly
Use shoe trees for boots and stuff handbags with tissue paper to maintain their shape.
→ Recommendation: Cedar Shoe Trees
Repair, Don’t Replace
Missing a button? Scuffed shoes? Find a local tailor and cobbler to breathe life back into your favourite pieces.
Leader and Suede Cleaner and Protection for your shoes
Let me set the scene: a winter wedding, the kind where everything feels like a Pinterest board brought to life. I had the perfect dress, a sweeping number that made me feel like a modern-day Grace Kelly, and the pièce de résistance: a pair of pre-loved, red velvet ankle boots. Charlotte Olympia vibes, but not quite Charlotte Olympia prices. They were my £100 treasure from a tucked-away consignment shop.
Fast forward to the dance floor. Picture me swirling, twirling, living my best stylist life. But what I didn’t realise (between the questionable DJ playlist and my borderline Olympic-level bachata) was that my dress had transformed into a mud mop, gleefully dragging grime across the floor and onto my precious boots.
When I finally stumbled home, still high on the glow of fairy lights and Margaritas, I looked down and, oh, the horror! - my gorgeous red velvet babies had turned into swamp creatures. Mud, filth, and an unidentifiable sticky substance clung to them like a bad breakup.
The dry cleaner’s bill cost more than the boots themselves. What’s worse? This entire catastrophe could have been avoided with a simple pre-game ritual: leather and suede protection spray.
I know, I know, I’m a stylist. I should have known better. But even pros get too wrapped up in the romance of the moment to think about practicality. Let my £100 boots that now feel like £600 heartbreaks be your cautionary tale: if you love your shoes, protect them. It takes two minutes, costs less than a latte, and could save you from a lifetime of regret (or at least a hefty dry cleaning bill).
Because life’s too short to let filth ruin your footwear, or your fabulousness.
Make 2025 the Year You Love Everything You Wear
Self-identity is everything. The most stunning wardrobe means nothing if you don’t feel good about you. You can’t shop your way into confidence. Style is a tool, but the magic happens when you accept and embrace yourself.
To celebrate an amazing year of working with such inspiring clients, I’m thrilled to announce my only discount of the year:
Use the code ‘SUBSTACKSTYLE30’ for 30% off your next personal styling session when you book your free consultation call at www.monacomeraki.com
This offer is my way of giving back and ensuring more women get to experience the confidence and joy that comes from truly loving what they wear. I believe in curating timeless wardrobes rather than contributing to fleeting trends, which is why this offer is so special.
My expertise lies in transforming “nothing to wear” into “ready for anything,” empowering women to fall in love with their wardrobes and themselves every day.
Let’s embrace mindful styling together, creating looks that celebrate your unique identity while reducing the need for overconsumption (having a clear understanding of your body type, what suits you, your lifestyle, and how to style your wardrobe). After all, style should be sustainable, and yours can be unforgettable.
Your credit card trained all year for this, my exclusive offer is valid until 9 December 2024. (The day I turn 39… the final lap of my 30s. Can’t wait to see what this chapter has in store for me! ✨)
Looking forward to styling you for something truly remarkable.
Because the best wardrobes don’t mimic, they reflect. And when yours reflects you? That’s when the magic happens.
And if the champagne leads to spotting your future husband or Lover at the next table? Well, that’s just a bonus. Just make sure you're dressed in confidence. :)
With love and gratitude,
Carolina 💋