This Harsh Truth From Allison Bornstein Made Me a Better Shopper—Let Me Explain

Stylist and wardrobe consultant Allison Bornstein knows a thing or two about shopping. Her straightforward TikTok videos offering styling tips, tricks, and more frequently go viral, and with over 250,000 followers, it's not hard to see why she's become the authority on our most pressing fashion questions. It was her recent video on personal style that struck a chord with me.

In the video, Bornstein compares asking your favorite influencers for the exact items they're wearing to plagiarizing a personal essay. At face value, that might seem like a stretch, but it makes sense. In an age of instant gratification and algorithms, many of us have lost sight of what it means to have our own unique style in favor of the "if it looks great on them, it'll look great on me" approach. As Bornstein explains, that's not always true, nor is it conducive to originality. "It's like trying to use a shortcut to find our personal style," she says. Instead, she suggests we "value the process as much as we love the acquisition." The "process" is shopping, which, as Bornstein reminds us, is fun!

Taking the time to hone your eye, trying different things to see what does and doesn't work, and using the style imagery that inspires you merely as a jumping-off point are all ways that can help us develop our fashion sense. With this in mind, I've compiled five outfits I admire below, but rather than providing links to help you get the exact looks, I'm showing you how I might put my own spin on them. Hopefully, this will get your creative juices flowing. As Bornstein explains, "It's about your experience. It's about your expression."

It's all about the proportions for me with this look. While I don't know that I could pull off a white pinstriped suit, I do know that I'm very fond of the way all the components work together. 

I'm already thinking about warmer weather, and while I don't remember the last time I wore a tube top, this outfit is making me want to! I'd add an open button-down shirt over top for a little more versatility.

A monochrome color palette is one of my favorite tricks for making an outfit feel effortless. While I think the pencil skirt looks great here, I could also see flowy pants in a similar shade. 

Now, this is a look. A variation of a sheer skirt over a pair of briefs is something I'd definitely try the next time I have a big event. 

Anne's twist on a sporty look is what I'm drawn to here. Plus, I'm loving the fact that Adidas track pants are back. Sorry, Allison, I'll be copying those.