Why Your Friends Are No Longer Complimenting Your Style Anymore
Seriously, I’m not quite sure I can take more of the 50 shades of beige dresses any longer.
I genuinely cannot wait for the tide to turn again and relive a time when women celebrate individual style. And of course, through every decade of style there were popular trends, whether it was the beaded flapper dresses of the 20’s, the Mary Quant mini skirts of the 60s or the bomber jackets of the 90’s…
But what we have here has been this prolonged sense of fashion uniformity, and where is the fun in that?
And so, whether we want to admit it or not, this uniformity is completely suffocating personal style.
We’re living in an era where it’s impossible not to see the same item worn on every other scroll through your feed. The same Miu Miu glasses. The same Loewe white ribbed vest.
And it’s not that these aren’t beautiful or fun pieces to wear, but it seems as though they’ve become less about personal taste and more about a costume for belonging.
While you may think you’re fitting in, this article encourages you to check in with your uniqueness to make sure it’s not quietly disappearing.
If you’ve noticed your friends have stopped complimenting your style, it’s not because you ‘fell off’. It might be because they’ve seen it all before.
Uniform is a Means for Survival
Let’s start here.
The compliments don’t stop just because you’ve started wearing grey cardigans. They stop when your style stops sparking something real, it stops sparking conversation.
Here are a few reasons why that spark begins to fade away:
Everyone is wearing a version of what you’re wearing. When you step out in the exact same outfit they’ve scrolled past 20 times that week, then it doesn’t feel fresh, even if it’s new.
Your outfit says ’on trend’ instead of ‘I don’t care what’s trending, this is who I am’ - Even the friends who have no interest in fashion or style can tell when you’re dressing for applause rather than authenticity.
You stopped styling. There’s a difference between wearing pieces and styling them. Your perspective is what made you stylish — not just the designer label stitched into your top.
The more we conform to fashion’s current algorithm, the less space we make for creative, unforgettable, soul-deep style. That’s the loss we’re grieving, even if we can’t name it.
So What Does It Really Mean When They’re Not Complimenting You Anymore?
Well, here’s what it doesn’t mean:
That you’ve “lost it”
That you don’t look put together
That you need a shopping spree
What it does mean is this:
1. You’re Dressing Like Everyone Else
You’ve likely merged into the aesthetic of the moment - clean girl, quiet luxury, trad wife.
And while those looks are gorgeous, they don’t stop people in their tracks anymore. They're the new neutral.
STYLE TIP: Start incorporating pieces no one else would wear. Add some pops of colour, exciting textures, or interesting shapes that make people curious again.
2. You’ve Become Too Reliant on Designer Names
Wearing all designer clothes used to be aspirational. Now, it’s become predictable.
I’m still on the fence about the quiet luxury trend, but one thing I’m thankful for is that logos are no longer the power play they once were.
STYLE TIP: Mix high with low.
Think a Max Mara coat with a vintage style watch from Portobello Road Market (I say vintage style because the verdict is still out on whether they are genuinely vintage watches).
Or try a Bottega bag with the handle accessorised with the scarf you bought from the lovely local lady from your trip to Kenya.
Make the unexpected luxurious again.
3. You’ve Prioritised Trends Over Storytelling
Our wardrobe used to tell stories. Now it’s a Pinterest moodboard come to life.
STYLE TIP: Style isn’t just about following trends; it’s about collecting pieces of places, fragments of feeling. Buy items while travelling. Get something tailored. Add a little chaos to the coordination.
How to Reclaim Your Signature Style And Start Turning Heads Again
This isn’t about chasing attention, it’s about reclaiming individuality. If you want to be unforgettable, here’s where to start:
Audit Your Style Closet Like an Editor
Look at your wardrobe and ask:
What pieces feel like me, not the feed?
Where am I playing it safe?
Which items make me feel something — even if they’re not “on trend”?
Define Your Style Codes
You should have a signature, three to five things you’re known for. It could be:
Leopard print
Statement jewellery,
Vintage finds
Oversized everything
Rich colour pairings (burnt orange and navy, emerald and nude)
Style codes are what people remember. Let them become your visual calling card.
Stop Asking “Is This In?” and Start Asking “Does This Say Something Interesting?”
Every outfit tells a story. Yours should say:
I know who I am.
I don’t dress to blend in.
I express through every detail, from scent to silhouette.
Take a Break from Overexposure
Step away from Pinterest for a week. Don’t scroll “get ready with me” TikToks.
Cleanse your visual palette. You’ll be shocked by what your instincts lead you to create when you’re not subconsciously copying.
Want to rebuild your signature style from the inside out?
Download the Living in Luxury Handbook, a powerful guide to dressing, thinking, and living like the most elevated version of you.
Style Isn’t About Being Liked.
Compliments are more than vanity. They’re signals. Style is communication, and if no one’s reacting anymore, it’s time to rewrite what you’re saying.
Remember, you’re not looking for applause, it’s more intrigue.
In a world full of duplicates, be the original. You don’t need to spend more money, this is about dressing like you still care. Like you still want to make a statement.
And when you do, people notice. And the compliments? They come back.
But this time, they won’t be about the designer.
They’ll be about you.
Your Next Step:
Ready to stop blending in and start showing up as the woman?
The Living in Luxury Handbook walks you through daily rituals, self-image shifts, and elevated routines designed for women who want to live and look like they own the room.
