Blouse – Evans
Jeans and blazer – New Look
Shoes – Beth Ditto
I know, I know – where’s my Five Take post, right? So why am I faffing about near the tree in my back garden instead of posing in my Five Take outfit? Well, the tree was the husband being “arty”, the non-Five Take post? A bad case of “Mendoukusai”. I have the Five Take outfit all sorted in my head, but I don’t have the motivation to put it all on. I’ve been feeling quite dis-enchanted with the whole blogesphere recently. It doesn’t feel like the community I was adopted so readily into two years ago.
There appears to be a divide amongst bloggers and it makes me sad – especially in the plus sized bloggers community. It’s not as much fun any more and everything seems like a competition – who has the most stats, who’s got the biggest number of followers, who gets more freebies from brands – which fucks me off and yesterday I even debated giving up blogging altogether.
So why did I start blogging? Well, I actually started blogging in 2003 , when I was in Japan. It was a quick way for my family and friends to see what I was up to – it’s still out there my travel blog, languishing in the void of cyberspace. I started fatshion blogging after being inspired by the likes of Lilli, Lauren and a few who don’t blog anymore, plus many more! But also because I often had friends, colleagues and even random strangers say they admired my style. Plus I love clothes.
Entering the blogging community – especially the plus size one has opened my mind to more places to spend my money and – more importantly – my attitude towards my body. What it hasn’t given me is loads of freebies or automatic entrance to blogging events. The first event I went to was Plus London last year. The only “freebies” I have got have been from the wonderful people at Simply Be - and I didn’t ask for them!
So for now, I am taking this blog back to its roots. I’m going to concentrate on my blog being a way to express my style (if that’s what you want to call it) and to hopefully inspire people of any size to dress how they want to. If that means I have to miss out on a few events (not that I’m fighting the invites off mind you!), then so be it. It’s the price I will pay to try to reclaim some of the happiness I felt about my blog six months ago.
So thank you Em - for last night starting the tweet chat on why we blog. Its given me food for thought and helped me refocus.
As for today’s outfit – it’s what I wore for Monday. Its part of my 30 for 30, kinda. That’s fallen by the way side. I have a wardrobe full of clothes I want to wear and need wearing so 30 for 30 is taking a wee break. Also I wore my Beth Ditto pumps for the FIRST TIME despite having them for a year! tut tut!
They are pretty darn cool and they only gave me one blister! I endeavour to wear them more!
You look bloody gorgeous in these shots. And I’m really glad you haven’t given up the blog….DON’T LEAVE!!!
Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere just yet!
Those shoes are RAD.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about blogging and why you blog. I’ve gone through a few stages of blogging, where I tried really hard and blogged really consistently, to ignoring my blog and only posting once every few weeks. Through it all, I’ve had loyal followers and friends (like you!) stick with me. I don’t do giveaways really, I don’t get free stuff ever (the exception being a few dresses from eShakti, which has been nice, but not the norm!).
I’d like to make my blog a more regular extension of my personal stylist business and post about my clients and different things that I do. That’s a goal for me, but for now I’m in a casual mood about my blogging.
I think it’ll be really interesting blogging about your clients. I do miss your outfit posts but I talk to you often enough
I guess twitter has a lot to answer for with the competitivness and everyone knowing who gets invited where or what freebies people get.
I think you have to do what is best for you. When I first discovered Fatshion blogs yours was one of the first I came across and it has been inspiring for me.
Twitter doesn’t have to be. But then people use twitter in their own way. Thank you for the lovely comment! X
Inspiring post and inspiring outfit., your blog was the first that made me consider dressing as if I really loved my body, not just tolerated it.x
I’m glad I did! It shows my plans for world domination are doing well – slowly but surely
as a regular reader of your blog i hope you keep on blogging – i love your style and you’ve given me a lot of inspiration, both for outfits and for loving my plus-sized body. Love those green jeans today
Thanks Fiona. I never think I have a style – isn’t that funny?
That’s why I don’t blog any more. I used to but it was about my life and my family and it helped me come to terms with loosing my dad. It all too quickly seemed to be a case of ‘Keeping up with the Bloggers !!!!!’ look what I have got kind of thing. I like your blog Claire as it has given me confidence to wear clothes in different ways. I must confess that I often wonder where some folk get there money from as all they seem to do is buy new stuff and I soon stop reading the blogs where you know it’s just ingratiating crap to get their faces in where they think it counts.
))
Keep coming up with the new outfit combos Claire, that’s why I keep coming back.
I have wondered the same. I do spend a fair bit on clothes each month (much to the husband’s dismay!) but at the same time I sell a lot on eBay. But yes, there are some bloggers out there who get the newest bits as soon as they hit – and I’m like “how?”.
Cute shoes.
I know. Its terrible I waited a whole year to wear them!
You look stunning in this, love the shoes!
I’m glad you haven’t given up your blog! I hope you’ll feel happier about it soon.
Thanks Katha.
I love this post Claire.
I like the art based tree shots… I think the OHs who take our photos need that kind of licence. Mine does! Darcy lived in Japan for ages – next time he asks me why I haven’t done something, I’m gonna be all like – Mendokusai!
I have felt really dismayed lately by the mindset of UK based blogging and so, wanted to start that conversation. I really enjoyed it and think most people GOT what I was doing and what most people were saying through the conversations. I like that is was about WHY WE STARTED blogging.
I have seen some people talk about “politics” on twitter yesterday and others ranting about how “no one can tell them how to blog”… but I think they missed the point. I miss our community. I do agree that there has been a stepping up in competitiveness on twitter lately. The tweeting of stats, brandishing of invites and general attempts at gaining status are really woeful – and embarrassing, actually. I actually feel embarrassed FOR people who don’t realise NONE of it matters. Is it cool? Sure, some of it MAY feel a little bit cool – maybe – and for them, status may FEEL great – but NONE of it matters.
One of the things that dismayed me a while back was people complaining about cliques… And not realising that some of us who have blogged for a long time are actually now friends. GENUINE friends. I never assumed when I started blogging that is would be easy to break into a group of established people – I just started conversations and slowly it happened.
I started because I like fashion. I felt inspired by Gabifresh and a few other bloggers and wanted to contribute. I liked that it was FREE and CREATIVE. I never expected to get clothes from my fashion blogging. I never expected to work with a brand as closely as I do. I certainly never thought I was entitled to any of it. I certainly don’t feel entitled now. I feel LUCKY. AND I am happy that I can love my blog so much. I love it.
I also say “no” to quite a few “offers” (freebies, invites, opportunities) that come to me through the blog
For me, when I started, I was much more involved with a more INTERNATIONAL community. I was in contact with a lot more Aussies, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians as well as UK based bloggers. I have decided just to focus where I find that positivity again. Reconnect with some of those amazing bloggers who inspired me and stay connected with the new ones who do. Love the local bloggers who love community and kind of let the ones who don’t pass me by.
I have no time for accusations of passive aggressiveness or cliques. I am too direct and honest. I value my time too much. I value our community too much.
Ultimately though? I’m in this for the FASHION blogging. I don’t feel a need to churn out posts, I just WANT to talk fashion. Fashion is what inspired me to start. Those are the types of blogs I want to read. Those are the blogs that keep my attention.
I AM glad for the positive side of our community that comes with the fashion blogging. So, from now on – the positive side is all I want to see, participate in and focus on.
I am glad so many of us feel the same way. It means it should be easy to get it all back.
Great post. x.
Looking good lady!
I’ve been blogging for years – mainly about my struggle to lose weight and more recently started another blog documenting the outfits I wear and trying to accept that I can be plus sized and look good. Yours was one of the first blogs I found that inspired me to do this so don’t go anywhere! I love to see people in every day clothes looking amazing, in all shapes and sizes.
I’ve never had any freebies or attended any events – my blog is not about that for me. It’s about building my confidence and expressing myself.
I hope you don’t go anywhere!
x
Thanks Linz. Thats what I really like about reading blogs – seeing what other people wear. Ultimate noisiness!
I only discovered plus size fatshion blogs this year and they have totaly opened my eyes and done wonders for my self confidence. I’m not looking at blogs for new outfits all the time, that is beyond the reach of most of us, I like to see how you put things together and are inpired by trends. I also like to see things you have chosen to spend your money on, not freebies given to promote a brand. I hope you can recapture the joy of bogging because I certainly enjoy reading your posts.
Claire,
I really enjoyed this post. Your outfit is gorgeous, but your thoughts on blogging really let me think about some things. I don’t feel the divide as much as you feel, but maybe that’s because (mostly) I’m reading the same blogs I’ve been reading for a year+. I admit that I disengage pretty often if I need to, and I’ll disappear from Twitter for a week or so and regroup. There are times where I see certain blogs being recognized and their content is content that I don’t value, but I’m sure there are people out there who feel the same way about me. Like you said, I think it’s all about us focusing on the types of blogs that make us happy, the type of blogging that meets our aims, and letting “recognition” /competitions and such fall to the wayside. Keep going in the direction you’re going. I know I’ll be here reading
Oh my god
my heart stopped beating for a moment. I got scared you were going the leave the blog scene and i’m overly happy that you didn’t cause i really like reading you.
i’m already blogging for several years. Got a lot of critics being not professionnal being to personal on my blog but hey its mine right so i can do and write what i want. I also started a new blog on wordpress because i had the same feeling about the french plus size community where i was blogging. It almost ended by only critising other bloggers being the most famous one ect what was not my aim to blog for. I want to be able to write about my interests thats why i left VLR and startd fresh. Since then i almost have no comms but i feel better about it. Doing my thing you know and you’re damn right to do that too. Some bloggers get sucked in too but others are only interested int the commercial side of it.
Thansk for this awaking post and i’ve too say: shame on you not wearing these marvellous shoes before. They’re awesome!! love the pants too xxxx
What Em said.
I agree with what you’ve written as well. I’m not a blogger and I’ve got a bit bored by the twitter debates and subsequent love ins, but I’m aware of the situation and it does feel different to how it was about 18 months ago. It seems to me that some want constant validation from others/brands and get stroppy if they don’t get it. I’ve got no time for it.
i am not a blogger. i think there is a lot of anger flying about – as a lurker on twitter and reader of blogs i can see why. there are lots of valid points. what if you all just talk to who you like and don’t worry about other people? things will get better. i just wish it could all be happy and fashiony again.
I couldn’t agree more. I hope to take it back to that. Thank you for commenting – I don’t want to loose my lurkers
Hi I’m a lurker too – I only discovered fatshion blogging a few months ago and I love reading your posts. I’ve been completely inspired to try new outfits and have just received the stripy sundress from Dominodollhouse that I love! I don’t look at twitter so haven’t been aware of any problems but please don’t stop blogging!
Hello, I’m a lurker too (though I did once randomly email you in a slightly stalikerish way because i’d spotted you out and about in London…), and I just wanted to tell you that when I check my fashion blog feeds, I always save looking at your blog until last because it is my favourite.
I think it’s important to blog because it gives you joy. Anything else is just trimming.
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