I know I swore to stay away from stripes and all those navy sailor-inspired looks, but I am slowly starting to enjoy this trend. There are are some limits of course, but I have to admit that there are some options that are way better than the copy-pasted images I keep seeing everywhere, from shops and window displays to all-striped outfits on girls in my office!

The key is to set yourself apart from the main-stream options. Try to choose not so commercial items and spice them up with fresh accessories. Right now, I am really mad about the Chanel - shape cardigan. What do you guys think?

Cardigan: Aubin & Wills’ caramel and red-striped cashmere-blend cardigan - net-a-porter, Top: Pearl Tank by ULLA JOHNSON - calypso-celle,  Shorts: Cuffed dark blue denim shorts Rock Revival - Metropark, Bracelets: Ethnic Charm Bangles - topshop, Pumps: YSL, Bag : Paul Smith,  Make-up: NARS from Sephora

Another style I really love is Katharine McPhee’s casual urban-look. Even though the striped tank is a simple common option, what makes it special is the white cropped jacket with rolled-up sleeves and the brown leather platforms/wedges.

Shorts: Women’s AE Denim Shorties - AE, Tank Top: Aubin & Wills’ black and white striped jersey tank - net-a-porter, Bag: Miu Miu’s black deerskin leather tote - net-a-porter, Shoes: Michael Kors platform brown leather sandals - youheshe.com , Blazer: Alice + Olivia’s cropped white jacket - net-a-porter, Ring: Accessorize , Sunglasses: Gucci, Necklace: Rosantica’s handmade sterling silver-plated brass multi-strand necklace - net-a-porter

Runway shows are nevertheless the first inspiration for main stream collections. Every year designers release their versions of what’s new and hip this season and their ideas are then replicated all over the place. Small brands or influential retailers initiate these designs into their collections for the mass market.

ASOS BLACK Piped Ruffle Hip Bandeau Dress - $202.91 - Asos.com

ASOS BLACK Lace Overlay Crini Dress - $202.91 - Asos.com

ASOS BLACK Feather Corset Dress - $202.91 - Asos.com . You can also check out : Micha Barton’s white feather dress which looks very similar to this Asos dress.

This usually happens because there is no copyright on designs. It’s not actual stealing because this was never registered as belonging to someone. It’s too complicated to register a cut or a design because these are referred to as being too “utilitatian”. You cannot own membership on a specific type of collar, slleve, lenght…etc and therefore anyone can practically take your design and copy paste it. Johanna Blakely gives an interting speech on this entire process and how the luxury fashion industries agree to this.

A good example of how design concepts are spread among main-stream brands are online retailers like ASOS, Forever 21, or main-stream fashion influencers like ZARA, French Connection or sweedish brand H&M.

French Connection Long Sleeved Crochet Dress - $219.82 - Asos.com