“Hey Sis, Can I Borrow Your Outfit?” – Sabrina Carpenter Leaves UK Reality Star Shocked for This Reason

A seemingly innocent question — “Hey sis, can I borrow your outfit?” — reportedly asked by “Espresso” singer Sabrina Carpenter, has sent shockwaves through the global fashion community in less than 48 hours.

But behind that sweet-sounding request lies an unexpected backstage drama between the rising American pop star and a familiar face from British reality TV — Melissa Tattam, former Made in Chelsea cast member, now a well-known fashion influencer and podcast host.

It all started with what seemed like a harmless podcast episode.

Last week, the podcast “Wednesdays,” hosted by Melissa Tattam, suddenly became the center of online buzz after she shared a “strange experience” she had during London Fashion Week this past June:

“I got a message from the stylist of a really big star. She asked to borrow the white co-ord I wore to the Reiss launch. I thought maybe the stylist just liked the outfit and needed it for an editorial shoot or something. But no — it turned out it was for Sabrina Carpenter! I was honestly so shocked…”

Although Melissa didn’t directly mention Sabrina’s name, users on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) were quick to connect the dots:

On June 26, Melissa wore a white Self-Portrait co-ord to the Reiss event.

On June 27, Sabrina Carpenter appeared at the GQ x Tommy Hilfiger Brunch wearing an outfit that looked strikingly similar, with only minor differences in styling.

That same day, Sabrina’s stylist, Jared Ellner, posted an Instagram story thanking “a kind girl from Chelsea who saved the look.”

And just like that, the drama exploded.

UK Fans Outraged: “Sabrina’s Behavior Was Unprofessional!”

In the UK, where the competition between reality stars and fashion influencers is notoriously intense, Sabrina Carpenter’s actions have been labeled as a violation of “personal fashion territory.“
Many argued that a star of her caliber shouldn’t simply copy-paste someone else’s style — especially when that person isn’t part of her team or close inner circle. “Fashion is a personal statement. If you want to draw inspiration, fine. But borrowing an outfit to replicate it entirely is a different story,” said fashion expert Ruth Thomas in an interview with The Independent.

Some British media outlets — including Daily Mail, The Sun, and Grazia UK — didn’t hold back, even using the term “parasite styling” to describe the alleged act of an American stylist “stealing” inspiration from a local influencer without giving credit.

Sabrina Hasn’t Responded — But Her Stylist Might Have Slipped Up

While Sabrina Carpenter has yet to make any official comment, her stylist Jared Ellner may have unintentionally stirred the pot.

Shortly after the drama gained traction, Ellner deleted his original Instagram story and replaced it with a photo of Sabrina wearing the white co-ord, captioned: “She wears it better anyway ”

What seemed like a playful compliment was quickly interpreted as a subtle dig at Melissa Tattam. And as you can guess — Melissa’s fans weren’t having it. On TikTok, a video with over 5.4 million views features the on-screen caption: “When you let a pop star borrow your outfit and she shades you right after ” This clip sparked the now-trending hashtag: #DontBorrowFromMe, fueling an online wave of criticism aimed at Sabrina’s team.

Borrowed Fashion – Harmless Trend or Calculated Strategy?

In the world of professional styling, borrowing outfits is standard practice — especially when a celebrity needs a last-minute look for a major event. However, borrowing from another public figure and then wearing the exact same outfit without proper permission or credit? That’s virtually unheard of.

French stylist Elodie Jacquemet, who has previously worked with Dua Lipa and Anya Taylor-Joy, told Vogue Business: “We generally avoid dressing artists in outfits that have already been seen in public — whether domestically or internationally. What Sabrina or her team did suggests a possible failure in image research.”

Still, some industry analysts believe this might be part of a deliberate media strategy. As Sabrina Carpenter continues to step out from her Disney past and rebrand herself as a mature pop icon, controversial moments could be key to staying viral on social media. “Have you noticed? Right before every release, there’s always a viral moment — this time it’s ‘borrowing an outfit.’ Before that, it was ‘showing off her new boyfriend’ or that sexy chair dance at The Eras Tour,’” noted PopBuzz.

“Hey sis, can I borrow your outfit?” – Just a Cute Question, or Something Deeper?

The now-infamous line — “Hey sis, can I borrow your outfit?” — reportedly sent by Sabrina Carpenter’s stylist Jared Ellner to Melissa Tattam, is no longer just a casual request. It has become a viral catchphrase, spreading like wildfire across social media. Fans have turned it into memes, printed it on T-shirts, and used it as a caption for their own #OutfitCheck posts on Instagram.

But behind the seemingly playful phrase lies a set of more serious cultural questions — ones that go beyond just fashion.

Are international celebrities unintentionally overshadowing local talent in the countries they visit?
Are stylists relying too heavily on shortcuts instead of investing in creative, original looks?
And perhaps most importantly: Do global stars have a moral responsibility to respect and protect the individuality and cultural identity of the people they borrow inspiration from?

What began as an offhand message now serves as a reflection of a much larger conversation — about cultural sensitivity, originality in styling, and the power imbalance that still exists within the global fashion ecosystem.

So… What Is Sabrina Saying?

As of now, Sabrina Carpenter has not made any official statement regarding the controversy. Her Instagram account continues to showcase carefully curated content — from glamorous shots promoting her Short n’ Sweet campaign, to playful behind-the-scenes videos of “Please Please Please”, and stunning visuals from her European tour.

Despite the silence, fans haven’t forgotten — and they’re making sure their voices are heard. Under one of her recent posts, a pointed comment caught fire:

“You look fab, but whose outfit is that again? 👀”
The remark, dripping with sarcasm, has already racked up over 13,000 likes, and continues to gain traction.

While Sabrina may be choosing to stay silent publicly, the growing engagement on posts suggests that the fashion drama is far from forgotten. Whether it’s a calculated decision to avoid adding fuel to the fire, or simply a strategy to stay focused on her brand promotions, one thing is clear: The internet is watching closely, and the silence might just be speaking louder than words.

From a Simple Question to a Global Fashion Drama

This incident — though unrelated to music or any major scandal — underscores a powerful truth about today’s fashion world: it is no longer a quiet, behind-the-scenes game reserved for insiders. In the age of viral culture, a single move, an outfit choice, or even a seemingly harmless phrase like “Can I borrow your outfit?” can ignite worldwide discussion, especially when it involves a high-profile celebrity like Sabrina Carpenter.

It’s a clear sign that fashion, once governed by private showrooms and hushed editorials, is now deeply woven into the fabric of pop culture and social media. The public now watches every detail — every wardrobe decision, every stylist’s move, every comment — and turns it into a narrative with emotional weight, identity politics, and cultural critique. In a world like that, every action is either a calculated strategy — or a costly mistake.