Shit Fashion Bloggers Do: Not Another Outfit Post…
A question: Have you ever seen a blog post like this?
‘Hi guyz, here are some photos of me looking fierce with my new Strobe watch by Limit. Hope u all had a good day xo’
So back to that question at the top of the page. Ever seen a blog post like this? Wait, no need to reply, I already know the answer. It’s ‘OF COURSE I HAVE, STU.’ Yup, poorly written #OOTD posts with eleven photos that are just barely perceptibly different (seriously, it’s like a game of spot the difference sometimes) are the bread and butter of far too many fashion bloggers.
Yeah, yeah, I get it – it’s hard to write something nice about every bit of swag you’re getting sent by PRs (first world probs, much?), but I know I’m not the only one who’s bored to death by this. On the off chance people make it through all the same-y photos, six words isn’t really going to sell them on a product. Which is why the PR sent you it, after all…
What to do? Well, making your photoshoot more interesting is a good place to start. Take The Hundreds, for example. For their Autumn (/Fall, whatever) 2012 lookbook, they did a photoshoot with a wolf. A FUCKING WOLF.
I literally can’t think of anything cooler than that. But you don’t need to look up your nearest husky sanctuary down the road just yet. You can do something much simpler (and less dangerous…) than this, and it still be interesting. Take Katy‘s outfit posts, which usually make use of mirror effects.
AND, shock horror, she actually has an opinion on the clothes she writes about! You know, one other than ‘this is nice.’
I know I’m going close to the bone by writing a series called ‘Shit Fashion Bloggers Do’, but it’s done with love. Seriously. A blog is your space, and it’s up to you what you do with it, but unless you do something interesting or inspiring with it you run the risk of becoming absolutely replaceable.
I was recently speaking with the founder of a fashion company about whether or not, with so many teenagers and twentysomethings getting into blogging, the market is going to become oversaturated. We both agreed that it’s probably inevitable, and that the face of blogging will undergo some kind of change over the next couple of years. And, whatever that change might be, ‘hope u all had a good day xo’ isn’t going to get you your next gig.
‘Til next time.
Well said. I see too many blog posts with about a dozen photos of similar poses in the same outfit, and my thoughts are: I get it, that’s what you wore on Tuesday. I get it.
A couple of close-ups and a full-length shot are all you need.
I agree, it’s a gift.
Not every blogger can be as rock n roll as me:
http://patterns4life.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/you-cant-be-me-im-rockstar.html
P.S. I own this shiz, haven’t even begun to get PRs involved in my act. But if any PRs to want to send me anything, feel free to get in touch.
Points for the N.E.R.D reference.
What is with people signing off with ‘XO’? Or anything at all? A blog post does NOT need a signature with hearts and Xs and vom all over it..!
Other stuff that sucks:
1. The word ‘penchant’.
2. Anything to do with cupcakes, tea-drinking, second-hand bookshops, Cath Kidston; you know, twee-ass shit.
3. Anyone who is a self-confessed ‘obsessive’.
4. In fact, anyone who uses the word ‘self-confessed’.
5. Anything to do with Glossyboxes.
6. Anyone who starts an event or sample review with ‘I was lucky enough to…’
7. Fashion bloggers who put up about a zillion pictures of the same outfit for no reason other than their own self-indulgence. There is one in particular who takes a ‘crotch’ shot of the space between her naval and thighs with her hands crossed in front of her for EVERY SINGLE OUTFIT.
8. People who describe all PR people as ‘lovely’.
9. ‘Twenty-somethings’.
10. Anyone who is ‘addicted’ to things that are not addictive. Like shoes, green tea or ‘popping bubble wrap’.
…And breathe.
Great post, as usual. Love your refreshing take on things. x
I lol’d endlessly. If I didn’t have already enough material for more posts on this stuff, I would now!x
Agreed, also – I think sponsored/gift posts should be labeled. I try to do a bit of writing on all personal style posts, but I’ll be sure to keep this in mind when I’m feeling stingy w/ the words!
I think most people do, but I only recently learned that you’re not allowed to do them on the free version of WordPress! The rules around that aren’t too clear…
Long as the photos are interesting, it’s all good – it’s just when the pics and writing are both ‘bleh’ that there’s a problem.
Haha I am sick of this…but like you said each to their own so who am I to judge!?
Also In regards to the wolf picture, I had a thought that reminded me of something I saw on regretsy and that maybe there could be a market for a ‘fashion blogger’ package
– http://www.regretsy.com/2012/07/21/weekend-flashback-more-bars-in-more-places/
- Charlotte x
You’re a good man, Stu!!
LOve this blog – even when it shows me where I’ve been going so baaadly wrong!
Always innerestin, an challengin, an a bit chiilin (god, did i just say that ??!!!
I had an RSS clearout recently and that was the reason most of the fashion blogs got scrapped. I’m all for a filler post every so often (we’ve all been there), but when it’s every week because said blogger is ‘so busy’ and ‘so important’ then I stop reading.
Oh dear Lord YES this does my head in. When I do do (ha) outfit posts I do maybe two shots and then perhaps some close ups of any interesting details. And then whether I bought the item or not (most of them I buy!) I’ll talk a bit about it- why I bought it, what else I think it’d look good with, when I’d wear it etc.
No one wants to see 12 self appreciating shots of someone and a KTHXBAI. When there are a lot of shots, all very samey samey I scroll to the writing and so when there’s nothing substantial there too, I click off, never to return again!
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I bloody love Katy! I think you are right, I’m all for having a good old rant and ramble with my OOTD less outfit post more therapy perhaps! Haha
I know some people don’t have much time, but word are what I tend to focus on so if there are none I get bored.
Sure, it’s like everything else – sometimes you don’t have time to say/do everything you’d like, and you end up posting a quickie. It’s only when it’s like this every time that it becomes kinda stagnant!
I really, really like your blog!
It’s really refreshing to have a male fashion blogger on the scene and your writing is a complete pleasure to read.
I’ll definitely be back for more!
Loved this post and sadly you are right!
A blog is your space, and it’s up to you what you do with it, but unless you do something interesting or inspiring with it you run the risk of becoming absolutely replaceable. – Quote of the Day…Loves it!
hahaha! That is so funny! The picture with the wolf! I thought to my self “Wow that is pretty epic, its a wolf” . It is definitely inspiring me to take some steps with my pictures.