Art, fashion, design, and music are all subject to copycats. Your very own thoughts, when shared, are likely to be copycatted (bet you didn't know the term copycat is a noun, a verb, AND an adjective). I don't mind so much, especially when it's more of a play on the original, but sometimes the copycatting is a straight up theft of someone else's design. But that begs the question: who did it first anyway? We may never know.
Here is the "original" Chloe striped maxi dress from Spring, 2012 Ready-to-Wear. The palette reminds me of a tube of Aqua Fresh and I like that. The pleating creates the stripes, which is gorgeous; and the string thin straps look as if they could let loose at any moment. I like that too. The Chloe dress is 100% silk and will set you back about...well, I don't even know since it's sold out. I'm guessing about $2,000.

The "copycat" is from Pixie Market, and though less subtle, is still lovely. It's made from100% polyester, and rings up at $54.

These sexy two-tone trousers are by none other than 3.1 Phillip Lim for Fall, 2012 Ready-to-Wear. Composed of 100% silk, they cost $475. I'd like to point out how much I loathe the styling (those shoes - egad!), but I delight in the simple, dynamic design.

This "copycat" version of the trousers was found on Mikkat Market. What's that you say? You don't know of Mikkat Market? I feel only slightly more original shopping here than at Zara. These 100% polyester pants are $41.

I remember the singularly girly sensation I experienced when I first spied this dress by Oscar de la Renta for his Spring, 2004 Ready-to-Wear line. A more feminine pink has never existed. It was the spectacular design and meticulous finish of the skirt that threw me into the spins. I have no idea how much it retailed. Thousands. Thousands.

Although not a direct copy, but more of a deep nod, Jason Wu sent this dress down his Spring, 2012 Ready-to-Wear runway and I instantly recalled my de la Renta moment eight years prior. The color is fresher, younger, and the silhouette is in the style of the mullet, but damn do I love it. Damn damn damn. Again, I have no idea the price. Thousands. Thousands.

Ah, Miu Miu. Weird collection, this Spring, 2011 Ready-to-Wear. Strange silhouettes. Forgettable? Hell no.

And apparently Proenza Schouler agreed, because they complimented Ms. Miuccia Prada with this homage for Fall, 2012 Ready-to-Wear.

Oh dear. I can't even express how much I love these boots. The Chloe Studded Susan boot of my dreams. Retailing at an outrageous $1300, alas, they would have to adorn my feet solely in somnolence.

But then I ran into these as I was perusing Zara, and damn if they aren't expensive, too. Zara is for shopping on a budget, but these are selling for $189. The silhouette isn't as sharp as the Chloe version, so I'll either wait for a sale or a Santa.

images 1, 3, 5-8 from style.com