It’s happened to all of us. We’re walking down the street when suddenly we spot someone in an outfit so great, so beautifully put together, that we have to know more about it—but it seems too personal to run up and ask about it. “We tend to shy away from having conversations about fashion with people we don’t know,” says Melissa Ceria, a San Francisco–based freelance fashion journalist (a former editor for Harper’s Bazaar and Women’s Wear Daily, she’s also written for San Francisco, Vogue, and the New York Times). To save us from awkward encounters as well as sartorial envy, she co-founded (with the help of her husband, Arthur) ShareYourLook.com, which showcases personal style around the world.

“Users post pictures of themselves and their friends on the site, and write about how they put the look together and where to buy each item,” Ceria explains. “Other people can comment, compliment, and give tips.” Which means that if we see a look we love, we can run right out and try it for ourselves—and then get feedback on whether it’s working.

Ceria launched the site in September 2006, and since then it’s drawn postings from people in more than 50 countries, demonstrating how trends have been translated from the runway to the streets around the globe. If there’s a unifying theme, it’s that “personal style,” the new buzz phrase in fashion, seems to be more important than pure trendiness. Ceria spoke with us about which trends will catch fire in the Bay Area this spring and how to transform them into our own singular look. 

How do I wear a look I saw on someone else without feeling like a copycat?
I don’t think copying is such a big issue. If someone is proud of their style and they post their photo on the site, that means they are keen to share it with others. And it doesn’t have to be literal—you can find out where a bag is from and buy it, or you can find something similar that evokes the same feeling. It’s also easy to change a color palette, length of skirt, or height of heel to reflect your own style.

What if something looks good on someone else but doesn’t work for me?
There’s nothing wrong with that—in fact, the purpose of the site is to help you figure out what works and what doesn’t. I didn’t know if I could pull off leggings, for instance, but I looked at pictures on ShareYourLook and at women on the street and realized I could wear them under a skirt or with a long coat and feel completely comfortable in them.

Where did you get the idea for ShareYourLook.com?
As a fashion reporter, I’ve talked to so many women and men about how they define their look, and almost everyone has the same three questions: Where did you get that? How can I wear it? How do I look? So I started thinking about giving people a platform

How would you classify the looks on the site?
Everything from street to runway. The site covers all price points and a full gamut of labels since it’s user-generated. There’s a lot of H&M, but we also get posts from designers who include links to their websites.

Does the feedback ever get catty?
ShareYourLook isn’t simply about “are you hot or not?” So far, I’ve not read anything that has been mean or gratuitous. People’s comments tend to be very specific: “Those tights aren’t working with that skirt,” or “Try that dress with a belt,” or other small adjustments, just as a stylist would give you.

If there’s a trend that just doesn’t work, will ShareYourLook users shoot it down?
I have yet to see that. People aren’t making generalizations like “don’t try a miniskirt.” What I do see is people interpreting trends in original ways.

Is there a way to convince someone on the street to divulge her fashion secrets?
People respond well when you say, “I love your look,” not just because flattery works, but because with fashion you’re talking about a whole set of emotions, and you’re telling someone you’re interested in them. I’m always ready to share my recipes with my friends, and I feel the same way about fashion. I’m happy if something works for me, and I’d love it to work for them. Just use common sense.

Spring, San Francisco
Certain trends just don’t fly in this town. Ceria tells us what won’t get lost in translation.

Which spring trends do you recommend for San Franciscans?
White! I love the white shirt or shirtdress. Pastel and nude colors will be strong for spring: they work well here because there’s softness to the climate and the light. I’m also seeing floral dresses from designers like Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg with natural motifs, and I love the idea of nature coming through in fashion. You can still have a sharp silhouette with a floral print that adds a feminine quality. There are also some great sturdy high heels out right now, like Marc by Marc Jacobs’s platform sandal, which works in this hilly town far better than stilettos.

Are there some trends we should skip?
There are