Brits are more likely to find style inspiration from strangers than celebrities, poll finds
Brits are more likely to find style inspiration from strangers on the street than celebrities and influencers.
The poll of 2,000 adults found 41 per cent sometimes feel jealous of someone wearing an outfit they wish they could pull off themselves.
Despite this, 52 per cent would be uncomfortable asking a stranger where they got an item of clothing they are wearing.
Even though 41 per cent view it as a compliment when someone asks where something is from.
The research commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of its Galaxy Z Fold8 highlight featuring Circle to Search with Google, which can help users find and shop outfits they spot in seconds, uncovered 30 per cent often see an item and instantly want to find out where it’s from.
But 30 per cent prefer to turn to the internet and attempt to describe the item rather than asking someone directly.
As a result, the average longest time people have spent searching high and low for an outfit or specific item they spotted in real life and loved is an hour and 14 minutes.
Samsung enlisted the help of radio presenter Mollie King for a London street style video exploring the looks, trends, and everyday inspiration shaping how people dress.
The setting also nods to the research, which found the capital was crowned the UK’s most stylish city by 49 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials.
Mollie King said: “I’ve always loved how personal style can say so much about someone before they’ve even spoken.
“We’ve all had those moments where you spot an amazing outfit and immediately want to know where it’s from, so taking to the streets of London and turning that curiosity into simple, easy fashion discovery was a really lovely way to bring that to life.”
Style inspiration is coming from everywhere, whether from friends and family (21 per cent) or street style (18 per cent).
Many are also influenced in their fashion choices by what they see on their screens, either via social media (25 per cent) or TV and films (20 per cent).
Among Millennials and Gen Z specifically, even the commute (21 per cent) and office (19 per cent) are shaping what they wear.
Social media has also become a personal style archive, with 25 per cent often saving posts, screenshots, or images of outfits they’d like to recreate or shop for later.
But this rises higher to 57 per cent of Gen Z and 40 per cent of Millennials.
The research also suggests technology is becoming part of the modern style journey, with 51 per cent of all polled confirming they’d love a device that could help them pinpoint where looks are from.
While it’s important to 33 per cent that they’re able to transfer their saved looks and style inspiration when they switch to a new phone.
Annika Bizon from the tech brand, which is highlighting its Smart Switch feature, making it simple to transfer everything from favourite apps and years of group chats to saved posts and shopping links, said: “Our research shows Brits are spending serious time trying to track down specific styles, so I think it’s a feeling many of us can relate to.
“People no longer just want to admire those looks, they want to discover them and make them their own.”