I couldn’t decide whether to write this post or not. What put me off is that it completely sounds like #FirstWorldProblems but at the same time it is how I’ve been feeling about blogging and why I haven’t been posting as regularly.
Recently I have been feeling under pressure when it comes to blogging. Since I redesigned and changed the direction Life’s a Catwalk was heading in I’ve been really keen to keep up the quality of my content and images. I feel like the blog is a closer representation of me now. While there is more of a lifestyle element with regards to the content, the images are all about fashion.
Now comes the bit that makes me sound like a spoilt brat. I like designer. I’m not saying everything I buy must be designer just that I tend to prefer more high quality particularly when it comes to accessories. I want Life’s a Catwalk to have a more luxury feel just because that’s what I like. I do buy the majority of my clothes from high street stores and online from places like Asos Missguided so it’s not that I’m a complete label snob.
The more I have been taking outfit photos the more I have been feeling dissatisfied with my wardrobe. I would love to be able to go out and splash some cash on a whole new wardrobe but that just isn’t realistic. I am self employed and my income isn’t exactly reliable so to be completely honest I just can’t justify the expense. I come up with new content for the blog all the time but I find it frustrating that to keep things looking fresh I need to be posting looks that you guys haven’t seen before.
I guess half the problem is that I know where I want my blog to go and I can’t help but compare myself to other fashion/ lifestyle bloggers and their designer wardrobes who I think are already there. Of course I don’t begrudge people who work hard for what they have! As ridiculous as it sounds it is almost like I think I am going to be happier, look better and be more successful if I own a continuous stream of stunning outfits.
It can’t just be fashion bloggers that feel like this, beauty bloggers must also be under pressure. I mean can you be a beauty blogger if you haven’t tried out all the latest makeup launches, have super shiny hair and immaculate nails.
I need to try and turn how I have been feeling into something more positive without compromising my aims for the blog. I want to combine my love of designer with shopping on a budget so that is what I’m going to try and do. With this in mind my next few posts will be about getting the look without getting myself into debt! I am also going to be raiding my wardrobe for clothes that fit with the new season and that can be put together with pieces that have been seen before to create new looks. I hate being wasteful so I want to get as much wear as possible out of what I already have while trying to keep things fresh for autumn.
I would love to know if anyone else has been feeling under pressure like this so please tweet me or leave a comment!
Totally get what your saying! It is difficult! Blogging means I spend so much money it is hard to keep up! 😀
Sophiekate.co.uk
Author
I have just been through my wardrobe and put four outfits together that haven’t been seen before so I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself 🙂 x P.S I love your new hair!
This is a great honest post. Maybe the frustration could lead you in a slightly new direction with your images? It might be an open door to a more creative you! Either way looking forward to more posts like this.
Author
Thanks! I actually thought of you when I was writing it, sort of ‘what would Ally do?’lol I would love to try something different with images, just not sure what yet. I’m just going to go with the flow.
I get what you mean, I feel like I can’t write completely about beauty and skincare because money’s always a boundary. I.e I’d love to do a top ten luxury facial cleansers post – but I can’t afford that many and cant bank on getting all of that for free for review. There are limits, but I try work around it and remember most of my readers will be on some sort of budget too. Great post ^.^
Author
Thank you 🙂 That’s actually a really good point, most of my readers are probably on a budget too I’d never really thought about that!
I totally relate to this. I’m only just getting back into blogging because I actually felt too overwhelmed and too broke to continue with it a while back. I’m definitely trying to get back into blogging on a budget so what ever tips you might come across please do share!
Author
I’m definitely going to try and find a way to keep posting without compromising my style or how I want the blog to look. I have a couple of ideas for different posts on budgeting so I just need to start putting things together 🙂
I totally get what you mean!
A good post on a sensitive matter to us, the bloggers. I totally fell you…I have been missing from my own blog for more than 1 year due to lack of time to post (I have a full time demanding job) and also to the lack of imagination/unlimited budget. I had already put on my blog almost my entire wardrobe. Well, I admit I still am somehow frustrated when I see all kinds of kept women pretending that they only buy “budget clothing” and making fashion so superficial and even malefic. But this month I came back and revived my blog. It’s my hobby and why giving it up forever?
Thank you for this post, it’s a well spent couple of minutes from my time!
https://chezdaiana.com/2016/09/17/the-come-back-time/
Author
I wasn’t sure how people would react but it’s how I felt. I think I’m probably going to be be posting my whole wardrobe too. I’m glad you decided to revive your blog!
I totally see what you mean, I use to feel the same way but I’m in a stage now in which I have my stuff a little mixed and looking good 🙂
Good luck <3
http://annesperks.blogspot.com/
Author
That’s great, I hope I get to that stage too! 🙂
I can completely relate to this! Sometimes I have to stop myself spending outside my means. I recently started my blog from scratch again and have tried to be more lighthearted and easier on myself when it comes to spending and content.
Really liked this post – I feel like you handled a sensitive topic really nicely.
Author
Ahh thank you! I was a bit worried about posting it but I wanted to be honest about how I felt. I definitely need to stop spending on my credit card!
Oh I am so sorry you feel like that but rather than give up, why not try to recreate new season styles from what you’ve got? Go on a sewing course or hit the charity shops. It’s worth s try. Great post 🙂
Author
Thank you, that’s a great idea I forgot all about charity shops! I’m thoroughly raiding my wardrobe too 🙂
I totally know how you feel – I ended up getting into credit card debt because of it! A couple of years on and I’ve got that under control. If you don’t have heaps of money or stacks of PR samples the best thing to do is be more creative. I try to teach people how to use products, or what to look for, so perhaps you could post about how to re-style the same item, or shop for bargains on luxury products?
Author
I do keep using my credit card which I must stop doing! I actually have a ‘how to get the luxe look for less’ post planned. I love the how to restyle the same item idea!
I think it’s ALL bloggers that feel like this! I’m a lifestyle blogger and I feel the pressure to have a domain, professional looking template, and a better camera, but I can’t pay for all of that! Everybody’s like “make payments” even if you do that, what if you don’t pay it or forget if you pay for a year in advance. I mean, nobody really understands that.
Author
Recently I moved to self hosted and got a new template which was more expensive than I thought. I couldn’t even consider a new camera right now especially going up to christmas.
I know there are cheap templates out there, but I like using the free ones on WordPress if they work on mine. I’m just perfectly fine with the whole “free” section for a little while longer! 🙂
Author
I did use a free template for three years before deciding to pay for this one. They always worked well for me it’s only because I fancied more of a change that I paid for one 🙂
Yeah I understand that.
As for me, I am too broke nor am I a techie like that, my luck I’d screw something up and have to pay more than I should.
Author
I did get help because I’m a complete idiot when it comes to do with technology!
Well I give you kudos for that! Lol 🙂
I feel the same way as well! I hate the fact that I have to be under pressure and my that my expenses are rising like crazy. So what I do is I mix designer, high street, charity shop stuff in one outfit to create a unique look…. The thing is bring a fashion blogger is damn tough and what I found out is that you really need to love what you are doing. So, I wear what I really love and re-wear things that I have in my closet in a different way.
I really love your honest post and love your blog!
http://www.afashionholicslife.blogspot.com
Author
I love being a fashion blogger so I intend to mix high street with the few designer pieces I own and love. I’m planning posts around things I already own right now 🙂
I have to agree. I used to feel the pressure before. But now that I know what my niche is, it’s easier to create content without regularly buying items. I usually take a break from product reviews by doing tags, random topics, recaps and giving tips. I have breaks from blogging too to avoid consumerism.
Author
I did take a break from blogging for quite a while as I had no idea what direction I wanted to go in. I have started giving more tips so mix things up a bit and those posts seem to go down well.
This is definitely something I’ve thought of before. When I first started blogging, some of my friends told me that I needed to buy the real expensive stuff to get anywhere with it. But I feel like an outstanding blogger is one who knows how to wear the items that they DO have in more ways than one can imagine. So no, I don’t think you need to be particularly rich or up-to-date with trend to blog (or even be a tremendous blogger). Plus, there are definitely more ways than one to inject life and spirit into a wardrobe aside from keep buying new—which just adds to the world’s waste, actually, so I wouldn’t recommend—such as capsule wardrobe and remixing clothes. Lastly, thrifting is always an option, even with high fashion brands 🙂
P.S: I know I’ve commented this on fb but I’d like to spread the message to your readers as well
Alive as Always
Author
Thank you for posting here too. I hate waste and I aim to shop in ethical and sustainable stores. I don’t want to buy stuff jus for the sake of it and that’s the point I was trying to make. I’m going to be mixing up what I have already and will only be buying if I absolutely love something. I think cost per wear is really important. I always donate clothes to charity but I need to get better at looking there for things too!
Completely understand! I’m not a fashion blogger but when you have bloggers such as inthefrow who features mainly designer goods, I can imagine how difficult it must feel! I think sometimes we have to try and close our eyes, forget all those other people and their blogs and concentrate primarily on own work! Your allowed to go for a rut though, maybe a break will help you refocus! 🙂
Musings & More
Author
Great advice! I’m just going to ignore what everyone else is doing and just focus on doing what I enjoy. I’ve come up with some new ideas and I’m feeling enthusiastic again 🙂
I totally understand this and I feel it too. It seems all the top fashion bloggers always have the newest and most expensive stuff. When I look at my Instagram feed I feel it’s just the same thing over and over again, and it’s a bit boring. I do however think that style has nothing to do with money and not being rich forces us to be more creative with our content creation. Instead of buying something new all the time, try to find different ways of styling the things you already have. Lately I’ve been loving the idea of minimalism. I think some of the best bloggers out there have a surprisingly minimalistic style. It does not have to be boring if you style it well. 🙂 That being said I think you have great style and I don’t find your content and outfits boring at all. 🙂
Author
Ahh thank you! I definitely agree that money doesn’t buy good taste. I love the minimal look, i think it’s so chic 🙂
Hey!
I’m a fashion blogger too and I feel the same thing than you. I always compare myself to the other blogger and I thought that I had to buy new stuff to have content but it’s not true.
Thank you for your honesty and it’s good to see people think like that
Author
I was worried about posting but I’m so glad to see I’m not alone. I’m going to focus on my blog from now on and ignore what others are doing
YES! This is exactly how I feel.
Blogging is very expensive despite your aesthetic/taste, but especially when you have a very high-end/luxury taste and feel like you need to keep up with the op fashion bloggers who are gifted crazy amounts of the best stuff out on the market. I’ve become really bad at the comparing game…not in a envious way, but in a that-could-be-me-if-I-had-the-money kind of way.
To keep up, I had started ordering clothes + accessories from Shopbop and NAP that I could NOT afford, using them for shoots and then returning them. It was SUCH a headache and I always felt bad because even though I was only ‘wearing’ them for maybe 20 minutes, it was still using them, you know?
Alas, I’ve been trying to stop myself from comparing myself to bloggers who are veterans in this game and have taken years learning, mastering, a perfecting this. I’m sure at one point they were overwhelmed with coveting things they saw other bloggers/celebs wearing as well.
The thing is, these fashions/beauty/lifestyle bloggers are being sent 90% of these things by brands who are after exposure. So I’ve made the decision to
I do think beauty is much more manageable since even designer beauty products are less expensive than designer handbags, shoes, etc. But it does definitely add up.
Still completely struggling with this, but for now the solution is to invest in select pieces that I actually can afford from brands who are active about reposting on social media and reaching out to brand’s PR team after featuring them on my blog. So far the PR girls (note: from beauty brands) who I’ve reached out to have been responsive and gracious. They offered to become a part of their affiliate programs, which is great for monetization of my blog, but not in the terms of receiving goods. But I’m focusing on featuring responsive brands that I’m passionate about more and more, figuring eventually they will make an offer.
Author
It is human nature to compare yourself to others but like you say these bloggers have mastered what they are doing. People have suggested that I photograph clothes and then return them but I don’t feel comfortable doing that. I am just going to invest in the pieces I absolutely love and know I will get the wear from and then restyle what I already own to make new outfits.
Definitely. Sounds like a plan. It’s all about strategically planning and building your wardrobe with key versatile pieces that can be mix and matched. Having fewer things makes is good for creativity and it’s more relatable.
I need to move house so every single penny needs to be saved if I can help it. I am on a sort of spending ban (excluding 2 holidays and other things that have already been paid for last year) and this is not going to end any time soon. I do understand what you are saying about the pressure to have the latest items to keep up to date with everyone. However my life is my own and my blog is a hobby so if I want to get to wear I want to be I need to make the changes to do it. It must be so must harder if you blog full time. I am, even saying no to social functions, dinner invites and all sorts so I can move next year. I understand photography clothes and returning them, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that.
Could you talk about fashion issues, fashion trends, history of designer brands, interview with designers etc and showcase you accessories, jewellery etc.
Author
I’m actually planning a summer accessories post and a jewellery post. Thank you for all the ideas!