User blog comment:Tibby/One small rant./@comment-4536066-20130307003916

In general, I would say that I don't think one person has claim on any single item. As many people can wear a shirt as they like and shouldn't be made to feel guilty about it.

In the case of exact (or almost exact) avatar copies, though... I would agree that certain scenarios involving those are tacky.


 * If two strangers show up to a popular RP spot or premeditated event wearing the same items (especially if they're recent releases), that's fine, and those who don't like it should bring a change of clothes. In these situations, there's no way to really tell who "got the idea first," and even if there is, does it really matter who thought of it before who? (No.)


 * If a person sees an outfit he admires and can use those pieces as inspiration for a similar outfit, but which has been re-worked and maybe reorganized to be more appropriate for the character it's featured on, that's fine. That's how fashion works. People see things they like and take inspiration, immitating it in their own ways.


 * If one character has one outfit that he/she has been wearing for a long time and wears every time he/she is exhibited IC, someone who knows that character should avoid immitating that avatar since it compromises the pre-existing character's visual identity. That's tacky.


 * A person shouldn't blatantly copy an outfit. If it's made clear that he intentionally copied another player and didn't put any personal spin on it, it can cheapen the thought put into the original version. That's tacky.