Maybe I don't get Outfit Bloggers

Elizabeth P

I think a lot of them are sponsored. I read once of a blogger that did her weeks or months worth of outfit shoots in one go. Nothing to do with reality. The purse being empty is like the pumps when there is snow on the ground.

I'm with you, it feels very inauthentic, regardless of how good they look.

Yet another reason I pretty much only follow Angie!

6 years ago

Anonymous

Oh yeah. I do remember seeing pumps in snow. For some reason, it did not register with me at the time.

I am deleting the bloggers I follow. Disingenuous. And I am tired of being advertising bait.

6 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

It's insane. We are being conned into monetizing anything and everything.

6 years ago

Synne

Veteran

That bag is THE it-bag of summer 2018. I have seen it everywhere on social media, albeit never in real life. And it is without exception ALWAYS empty. I guess the same goes for all the trendy see-trough vinyl handbags. They are just style accessories, not for utility or practicl at all, I guess.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Thank you for speaking up, Cindy and Synne. I was thinking I was just plain gullible. "Of course, I should have realized." I had second thoughts about this post and was going to delete it. Now I will let it stand.

You know why I liked the YLF Forum so much. It was always because it was real women wearing real clothes. It was refreshing. I felt anything I took away from the Forum was a gift.

6 years ago

Anonymous

As Elizabeth P said. It's true, many of them do their photo shoots in one big session . It's about as authentic as , well, it's not. Ha. The only bloggers I bother to look at now are those who have other things to say , and wear their own, ungifted clothes. Otherwise, every click you make on a fashion blogger's site is monetizing them. Have you ever read the utterly fascinating article about why and how so many of them are Mormon ? Totally interesting, and revealed so much about the blogger culture.

That said, there are a few out there who are more authentic and those are worth following . I think I need to edit my comment on the blog this morning (but of course can't) - I don't regularly follow PennyPincher, I am just aware of her existence.

6 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

Well, I kind of think of it like the Bachelor. Marriage is the ostensible goal but we all know it almost always doesn’t happen. These are ostensibly outfit blogs but anyone can see it’s staged. And they have to do that to be competitive. It’s aspirational. A lot of them provide good advice about what to wear each day even if they’re “normal” outfits are a step beyond that. Most of us also don’t have someone photograph our outfits for us outside daily. Some post real outfit pics on Instagram - mirror selfies.

These folks are just trying to make a buck like the rest of us. The system they’re doing it in is pretty flawed, as are most money-making models on the internet. The reason Angie’s feels different is that she’s got a business and doesn’t need to make money from this (though I’m sure it adds to her “brand” even if she doesn’t do it for that reason). Amber of Forever Amber has blogged extensively about the more racket-like aspects of fashion blogging. I’m sure a few of them started before it was this bad but now rely on the income.

That said, I often do find many outfit blogs to be disingenuous too. I take them all with a grain of salt.

6 years ago

Wingtips

Member

The local news this morning ran a story on how retail returns (even high-end retailers) have increased due to Instagram and trying the achieve that “perfect” look. They interviewed a fashion expert who admitted to this practice. Makes me wonder about a lot of the fashion bloggers and their OOTD posts. Hmmmm.....

6 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

No worries, I went through the same thing. New outfits every day. Heels with everything so never have to deal with proportions.

So, that’s not wrong per se, because you can always just get “ inspiration “, but what I enjoy looking for are more ideas for versatility and longevity - re- mixing existing things, adding one small new thing to update classics and basics. Or adapting workwear to smart casual, or “ seasonalizig” an item, layering.

Do you watch The Directrice? I’ll never have her “ hunting “ skills for designer items , but she has her own style and wears flats! And wears full- length trousers ! Then, Bridgette Raes, whilst many posts are on products, does “ one item 5 ways”. But just layouts, not modeled. Also she occasionally features a client’s wardrobe, showing what they added to update it and shows the outfits created from a few new pieces( again, just pics of clothes laid out, but hey, it’s more real) - Angie once in awhile does a client post, too.
Pinterest is nearly a bust for me as everything is jeans, skinny pants and heels, unless I include multiple specifics in search.

6 years ago

Anonymous

LisaP -- NO. I have not read the article about why and how so many of them are Mormon! BUT I will be searching for it today. If you have time, would you mind sharing with me those bloggers you think are more authentic and worth following. I still want to read blogs. I just don't want feel duped.

Christina -- You make very good points. I will check out Forever Amber. It will be enlightening to read about the racket-like aspects of fashion blogging.

Just an aside, I do feel YLF and the Vivienne Files are different. Those are the two blogs I read religiously. Most of the others are to "glossy" for me even if they do have good information to convey, sometimes I can't get past the glossiness to read the tidbits of good information.

6 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I'm with Lisa P -- I do follow a few fashion/style bloggers, but what keeps me reading is the quality of the written content and the fact that they're women with interesting ideas and lives who are also willing to share/contemplate/analyze what they're wearing. (Also, I remember reading about the LDS-lifestyle blogger connection; pretty fascinating, and a good reminder that blogs aren't just about promoting products, but often a whole way of looking at the world.)

I like everything about today's featured outfit except the Ark bag. Without the trendy bag, it's a totally relatable outfit, easy to wear and put together. I pretty regularly wear that silhouette, but carry a tote or a crossbody because, you know, if I'm going to be kicking around in a casual tank top outfit, I need a fully functional bag.

ETA Here's the article on Mormon beauty bloggers: https://www.allure.com/story/w.....are-mormon

6 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Wingtips -- You bring up an excellent point. I am certain that returns have to be increasing as we try to attain aspirational ideals. I certainly admit to this behavior.

Unfrumped -- You bring up excellent points. You can get some excellent advice from bloggers. But for me it is hard to differentiate the really good advice from all the marketing/influencing that goes on. It all gets lost and my brain starts to believe, really believe, that I need that empty wicker bag.

I lose the ability to think it through. For some reason, I could think it though when it was a magazine layout. It was clearly unrealistic and often bordered on ridiculous. Those blogs seem always believable and that is where I get caught up.

I guess it is best for me to avoid them altogether. I will say this that today's blog post took me by surprise. I guess I expected a more "real" blogger to be featured on YLF.

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't follow any fashion blogs other than YLF but I'll occasionally look at some when I'm seeking inspiration or when someone on the forum recommends or links to one. I am with Christina -- it's aspirational, fodder for ideas. Like a magazine. Runway fashion isn't real, either, but we can derive inspiration and direction from it.

I do feel annoyed by seasonal confusion (pumps and no coat in the snow) because for me, that insults the real-life fashion problems of women who have to live in that kind of climate yet still want to look great. It's just one step too unreal for practical me! I can see how an empty bag would strike you the same way, Sterling.

Many of the better blogs are forthright about the way they make money. It's acknowledged. I prefer it when people are upfront in that way.

6 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

There are still "real" outfit bloggers out there... that said, I've never followed many blogs. The only one I still really follow, besides Angie, is Forever Amber. And as she makes clear, her blog is a lifestyle blog, not a fashion or outfit blog. But she absolutely is wearing the outfit when she is photographed, not just putting it on for the post.

I know that bunches of outfit bloggers, whether "real" or all sponsored, have moved to Instagram. I'm considering starting a daily outfit Instagram for myself, since I've been taking near-daily outfit selfies since March.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks for the article, LaP. I agree today's ensemble is relatable. I was even thinking to myself, "I need a white tank top that is not opaque. Wonder where I should shop for one." THEN I saw the bag and suddenly I could not see past that bag. I studied it and forgot all about everything else.

6 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

LOL, I see that Forever Amber has already been mentioned! Yes, she is very transparent about blogging and how it works these days. It's complex.

On seasonal confusion. I was talking about this with a friend of mine in Southern California and she mentioned that many of these outfits are perfectly wearable where she lives. Sandals with heavy jackets, puffy vests with thing dresses, etc. The "California look" may have a very strong influence on all bloggers, regardless of situation.

6 years ago

Anonymous

I agree, Suz. I am much better when people are upfront of about how they make money from a blog. It doesn't seem to bother me when they acknowledge it. In fact, I am sympathetic to them and their need to support their families.

And yes, an empty bag is an affront to everything I stand for in life. I was instantly offended to my core.

Years ago, I subscribed to a multitude of magazines. I knew the pictures I was seeing in the magazines were pure fantasy. I never derived any useful information from the pictures or the articles because neither had any remote relation to real life, in my opinion. Yet, I liked to look at the rich fantasy that was presented. I embraced blogs as more realistic and more applicable to real life. I found their content easier to consume. I might have believed a bit too much though.

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Ginger, I think you're right about that -- and I just can't get over my envy of California weather!

Also..."wearable" is relative to what one is used to, as well. We wear big puffy jackets so much of the year where I live that we'd feel hot in them in the kind of weather where they might seem appropriate to a Californian. I know the Bay area fog can be chilly and Rachy swears by her puffies, but she runs cold, and besides, hers are not the monster puffers we wear up here. Here, we call the fashion type down "sweaters" and they're just one layer among many...

6 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Ginger -- I will be checking Forever Amber out later today.

I have yet to incorporate instagram in my electronic life. I'm not sure why though. I encourage you to start your own instagram of daily outfits. It could be really fun. I would follow you on instagram.

6 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I quite like 'Hostess of the Humble Bungalow' - a stylish recently retired teacher. She often posts outfits hanging on the back of a door, but also on her own (normal) body. I don't think I ever saw her in high heels. Her blog also features food, books, gardening, etc. She is also an artist and photographer, so her site is real eye candy.

FWIW, fashion mags rarely reflect reality, and yet I used to be a fan. I always liked (and still do) features that showed interesting ways to wear items. My favourite mags are no longer in print and I rarely buy them now. I DO like blogs that feature some written content in addition to pretty pictures. I don't know of any blogs that invite folks to post WIW's like YLF, and have to thank everyone who shares their outfits and styling tips. 5 years on and I am still amazed by the stylishness reflected on this forum!

6 years ago

Anonymous

Suz -- I understand exactly what you are saying about wearable being relative. I just picked up one of those wonderful fashion-type down "sweaters." It will be perfect for my climate and I will feel quite fashionable. My Minnesota relatives would die laughing.

6 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

Suz, you're so right. Temperature and wearable clothing is SO relative. I know that my cold and really cold weather are nothing to yours; that's fine. It doesn't change that I feel it like that and need to dress appropriately. But sometimes people seem to get in competitions for how truly cold or hot their climates are. Common sense and some perspective would be helpful at those times!

6 years ago

Anonymous

Hi RunCarla -- I have heard of the Hostess of the Humble Bungalow.

I was certainly a fan of fashion magazines, but I don't remember really deriving any useful fashion or styling tips from the magazines. From my perceptive, they were all eye candy and fantasy. I liked looking at the fantasy, knowing it had to relation to my real life. For that simple reason, I rarely ever felt influenced to buy .... except for those "10 most needed wardrobe item" lists. I always read those lists and took notes. Those items never served me well. Yet, I am still seduced into reading any "10 most need wardrobe item" lists. I can't help myself. I just need to know what they are.

6 years ago

anchie

Veteran

I don't follow many blogs, but I do understand that blogging is a business, and that we have to accept everything what we see with the grain of salt. Just like with fashion magazines, there is lot of fantasy and lot of advertisement. But you can find also some good advises and inspiration. What I don't like is when a blogger have too many sponsored posts - because they are the least authentic and mostly only about selling things.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Off to l look at Forever Amber....

Sterling - I currently like reading blogs written by women my age with lives and issues and concerns that I can relate to, and with interests outside of just the latest sale at Nordstrom. That's Not My Age, High Heels in the Wilderness, une femme.net (sometimes ) .... , Keep it Chic (although her lifestyle makes me laugh at how financially rich it is, but I can still dream.....it's her eye and her style I aspire to) , The Style Bee (obviously too young to want to totally emulate, but she's into responsible and sustainable manufacturing and style, and is not shopping -crazed )...and then the rest are now on Instagram. I kind of like Vivienne Files for concepts , but she's too conservative for me to emulate style-wise. Just checking my bookmarks on my computer.....A Note on Style is another one I've started reading.....

6 years ago

Muffin

Veteran

I really don't follow blogs much anymore because most don't have anything to say other than "Guys, look at this great (fill in the blank) from (fill in the blank store)! Click, click, click". Super annoying. As Ginger pointed out many have moved to Instagram and that's where I follow these "outfit/fashion" bloggers so I don't need to read and can click if I feel the need. I don't think of YFL in the same way- I come here to get real (& aspirational) ideas, learn about, color, fit, proportion.

Sterling, I actually have this bag and I do put things in it! Not my most practical choice by far but it definitely adds something to my summer looks. I find it works best with small pouches instead of just dumping my items in.

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sterling, and all you lovely ladies. Allow me to give you my two cents on the back story as a fashion professional.

First, outfit bloggers and fashion bloggers are different. Outfit bloggers showcase their outfits daily on a social media platform, and some or many of the items that they wear are gifted or sponsored by retailers. It's a source of income, a business, and their JOB. They are not trying to be authentic with what they show and wear, nor are they trying to build their wardrobes in the best way. This is not their goal, so they shouldn't be criticized for it. Their goal is to show a KILLER visual of an outfit that is inspiring to others. Bonus that we see outfits across a diverse set of women. MUCH better than fashion magazines that showcase one body type and age.

Some outfit bloggers straddle the lines between accepting gifts from retailers to advertise, and trying to be authentic about their styles and wardrobes. Personally, this is when I don't think it works. I don't think you can accept gifts and be authentic about your style. It's better to NOT be authentic about it. OR, don't accept gifts.

Then there are fashion bloggers who write about fashion and style, but don't showcase their outfits (or at least, not regularly). I am one of those people. Uniquely, I am a fashion stylist and style activist who has a clientele and a very engaged forum, which forms the inspiration for my daily blog content. YLF has never been about me - it's about YOU and how you can be your own fashion stylist. I share my experiences and musings with you because it's a calling. When you click on a link on YLF and make a purchase, we earn a very small commission and that is it unless you chose to support YLF as a patron. THERE ARE NO ADS ON YLF. Everything is free.

When I did outfit posts, I did them on the condition that they were 100% authentic. Items from my wardrobe and outfits that I wear - no free gifts from retailers. I explained my outfit and why it worked for me, so that it might be of benefit to you in some way.

You can follow or not follow outfit and fashion bloggers for all sorts of reasons, and it's all good. Everyone is trying to earn a living in some way, and I respect that there is a LOT of work and emotional strain that goes along with it. I know because I do it! Putting yourself out there when you have a large following is not easy. My hat off to all successful bloggers.

6 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t read fashion blogs except for YLF. I do occasionally read Bag and a Beret.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Interesting! Angie is the only fashion blogger I follow and will check out ones mentioned in this discussion. I have dropped bloggers who used to be all about home decor and then added fashion. So now it is all about fashion and modeling from a store’s dressing room or another site and clearly these are not items purchased but modeled and returned after the shoot. I am fine with people making a living and being transparent about it. Several of these bloggers are stay at home moms and linking their interest in fashion to a store (s) enables them to earn a living. YLF is a cut above as this is real life and Angie embraces our community first and serving. She is way over the top good!

6 years ago

Category