Why I'm Not a Good Fashion Blogger
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
But I am not a good fashion blogger. I do not like trends. I do not like excessive consumption. And I certainly don't care about New York Fashion Week.
Instead, I want to think about style. I want to wear frilly dresses and lacey socks that I'm too old for and live in constant wonderment of the beauty around me. I am an accent to this beauty, not the main focus and I don't have a desire to change this truth. That is why I say this blog is a diary of personal style and art, but it is not really a fashion blog. That is why you do not see affiliate links. Not because I don't want any money (that's just silly), but because I do not want to encourage people to be me. You don't have to wear what I wear. Honestly, so much of my clothing was purchased second hand or has been in my closet for years so you wouldn't be able to buy it anyway. I only purchase things that spark joy in the soul, which means a few pieces a year, in most cases. That is why you see many pieces worn and restyled for what seems like thousands of times. They are always fresh and new to me.
In fact, I would rather someone take my posts as inspiration and comb through the treasure trove that is her own closet. Figure out what pieces she loves and create something new with them every day. Experiment. Don't fear wearing the same things all the time because the people who care that you already wore your favorite dress last week are not worth having in your life. The happiness of wearing your favorite dress should bring joy to them as it does to you. You don't need to prove yourself by buying into biweekly trends (though there is nothing wrong with buying into a trend if you genuinely like it) at H&M, especially if said piece will later contribute to the 10.5 million tons of textiles thrown in landfills each year.
Instead, it is so important to simply be yourself. Never, ever stop and think if an item of clothing makes you look like someone else, or even if someone else will like it. Because it doesn't matter. We are all creating our own art. We are all accents to this world and we are all contributing as best we can. Everyone's good enough is just that - good enough. What makes you happy is good enough for the rest of the world. So don't try to be anyone else - you are beautiful and your own style is beautiful. You don't need new Forever 21 items each month to have a great personal style and be noticed on the street. I get compliments from strangers all the time for my outfits, and I haven't bought very much this year at all. Besides replacing some basic tees and worn out shoes, I haven't bought anything new (though admittedly have thrifted several items) because I don't need anything new to confidently put together a new outfit at this point. I firmly believe that confidence is the best accessory and that everyone just needs a few good things that make us happy and encourage love.
And that, my friends, is why I'm not a good fashion blogger, but I am a damn good style blogger.
Well, look what I have done. Gone and gotten all moody on you! I'm sorry for preaching. I'm not really sure what sparked the potentially morose tone of this post. Maybe it's October infiltrating my lungs with its grey, hurricane crossed skies. Maybe it's the fact that I am listening to Plans as I type. Maybe it's because I've been thinking about this on and off all year. I've grown increasingly conscious of the world around me and the effect our decisions can have on society and the plant. How the buy, buy, buy, want, want, want mentality is hurting us all. Don't get me wrong, I would hate to tell others what to do, but it does pain me to see loved ones hurting financially yet knowing they purchase the latest and greatest phone/jeans/whatever. If we all made ourselves wait a week before deciding to purchase a new item, I think we would find ourselves not wanting nearly as many new things. Wants are fleeting.
I suppose I wrote many words just to say a few: I'm not a good fashion blogger. I just love the clothes and the life that I have and I really want to share the art of creating style. I hope, by taking this stance, that I can encourage others to find their own personal style and keep it just that - personal.
P.S. Does anyone crave mellow tones like Death Cab for Cutie each fall, or am I just throwing back to 2005 all alone?
