Where has all the originallity gone ?

[HMOriginals]

I have to say looking around the high street shops today, i couldn't find anything which actually caught my eye, where has all the originality gone ? it seems that in every shop they have the same products, styles, colours just with different brand names !

What do you think ? or am i being too picky ?

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Shops tend to buy what is on trend for that time and season so a lot of it all looks the same...now, when you do or buy handmade you can be as original as you want! 

[Larissa]

I'm 41 and it's been that way for at least as long as I've been alive.  All the stores carry the same clothes, all the cars look alike, even shoes, jewelry and belts become similar.  It's driven me crazy ever since I became sentient. 

But then, even teenagers who dress in an effort to be "different" look the same as each other.  I noticed that in the '80s when I saw a cluster of teens all with variations on spiked, dyed-black hair, olive green trenchcoats and combat boots.

[trusk4u]

I agree that it's all rather pedestrian. I remember it being like that when I was in high school~smock tops and belle bottom jeans. I could sew, so I made a lot of my stuff and at least it was a little different. AS a parent, I saw my kids, mostly my daughter go through that. My son has never been the trendy type and daughter has now matured into her own style. I love having grown up kids!

[dahlish]

It drives me nuts that I can never find what I'm looking for when I go into most stores because they all go by 'seasons' and usually what I'm looking for doesn't fit into a season

[iKnitQuiltSew]

Sadly, I think it has a lot to do with "people" being sheep...  The media says "this is what's in."  So all the sellers and consumers assume it to be true.  A tiny bit of original thought would be far too much effort.

[lisianblue]

wow what a great topic!  my daughters computer broke down and I'm gone for a bit and come back to this wonderful topic, I love it!
Originality - complex subject I think.
years ago in an art class we were talking about originality - and really came to the realization that it's pretty much  all been done before - we all just add our own little twist to it -
other than that - I think so many people do not have the ability to think outside of the box, that we don't get much originality.
and really, just how many ways can you make a dress, car, ________(fill in the blank)?

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

I wonder, in the real world, how many people really want originality?  Seems like they want to look like everyone else...only better.  Just like the goth kids that run around with the black and piercings claiming to want to be unique and end up looking like everyone else in their group.  Or women around here that constantly decorate a room that looks "just like so and so's" or "just like the magazine picture" rather than try to do something completely unique on their own.  Maybe they are afraid to actually stand out because if you stand out you put yourself out there for criticism?  Don't know, and haven't had enough coffee to make total sense yet.

[dahlish]

That does make sense though because when you stand out, people talk and if you aren't one of those people who is comfortable being in the spotlight, it might feel easier to blend in than stick out even if it's against your principles

[trusk4u]

SO true! It's easier for most to just blend in and be part of the crowd than to stand out. It's sad really. Stand out types are so much more fun usually.

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

The little town we live in is full of Stepford wives.  You see them at school picking up kids and at the ball games.  I got so much sympathy when Spencer dyed his hair blue...."how horrible that he did that to you!"  My answer was always, him?  I did it for him in the kitchen!  They never knew what to say to that except that my kids are not a good influence on theirs. 
I've given up fitting in with these types and have paid with glares and comments for quite a while.  The good side is that I have a wonderful group of true friends that also don't fit the perfect stereotype and love originality so we just stand out and smile!

[trusk4u]

  Good for you Kimberly!

[dahlish]

Good for you Kimberly!

[iKnitQuiltSew]

Right on, Kim!

[lisianblue]

and I guess that's why we are a part of HAF - we don't fit in so many  places! lo
I've never "fit in" - and quit trying many years ago - The apt complex where I live has strict requirements about windows etc, I keep wanting to paint the partition on my patio with a large sunflower, but know I'd get in trouble for it - I may paint one on a large canvas & hang it up there sometime after I get home - whenever that may be!
I don't remember how old my daughter was, about 10 I think and she wanted her hair braided all over in the little braids - so I did that one afternoon - looked really cute, but she sure got a lot of "kidding" about it -
Kimberly - that's super cool!