Steal Her Style by Sarah Kennedy

Steal Her Style! 
Doesn't it sound exciting?
I've got a book with this title. The author Sarah Kennedy gives analysis of style features of popular actresses and top models, such as Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot. Talking about their iconic looks, make up, fashion of the period, Sarah advices how to copy their style and hopefully produce the same impression as Audrey Hepburn. 
What is the trap in this approach? 
Let's have a look on these two photos. Lesley Hornby, known as Twiggy, the most popular model of the 1960th, had her peculiar make, hair style, and she popularised bright yellow short dresses. But the first thing we see is actually her strong personality. It dominates on make up and yellow colour, and it associates with her style features. If another girl wears similar dress and hair style, she has to possess the same bold look, feel like she is a trendsetter, be the actual face of the epoch.  Otherwise it looks like poor imitation. It does, because Twiggy's style is very recognisable. Her face is recognisable first, her spirit, her energy, her personality; only then her dresses and hair cut. Taking everything but personality doesn't steals her style. I don't think it can be stolen from her. Every attempt to copy Twiggy memorises her, enriches her, but not the copyist. 

As a stylist I don't recommend the blind copying of somebody's famous style. You could play with elements instead, take one at a time, for instance only dress, and partner it with contemporary make and accessories. Make it yours, if it suits you.  Always be yourself, unless you can be... yourself. Blind imitation is different from learning from someone's style. Studying and learning enriches your personality, copying - steals from you in the end of the day. Be yourself and let others try to steal your style.