LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Ashley Olsen says she's surprised that her early rise to stardom didn't lead her down a path that many of her Hollywood colleagues have taken - particularly Britney Spears.

"It was almost like I was in the army," Ashley said in an interview for Marie Claire's September issue, referring to childhood photos of herself and sister Mary-Kate during their "Full House" years.

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"School, work, homework, fly to New York, get in at 2 in the morning, do a morning show at 5 AM, then another one at 7, then a radio interview at 10, you know?" she continued. "That's why I look at Britney, and I'm surprised I didn't end up like her."

Ashley also opened up about her current passion - fashion - something she feels is innate.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Pop Princess Britney Spears

"I think you're either born with a sense of style or you're not," she told the mag." "Either you care or you don't. And [me and Mary-Kate] love fashion. When we were going to NYU, I think that was the first time we were aware of the power of our personal style. Not the power of it, but the result of it. Between the big sunglasses and the Starbucks cup and the big sweaters, the hobo-chic thing, we were more shocked than anything"

The starlet says her style - which is often criticized - is deliberate and influenced by her mom.

"I get it; we were fortunate enough to have really nice clothes, and we put them together in this raggedy way. My mom wears glasses this big from the '70s, and you wonder where we got it from?" she said of her style detractors. "The dark eyeliner, the scarf around the head--it's just so interesting and natural."

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And don't expect the twins to fall victim to the latest trend.

"Mary-Kate and I are very aware of trends and style, but at the end of the day, we don't even think twice about it," she added. "It's just, 'What do I feel like wearing today, and how do I want to put it together?'"

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Ashley Olsen - Style - TV - Young Hollywood - Britney Spears