When I first started my personal blog, I was living back in Seattle. I couldn’t have felt farther away from the community that I was trying to establish myself in. I was just learning about Twitter, blogrolls, Bloglovin, (and IFB) and discovering what self-publishing online was all about. I didn’t include outfit photos as part of my posting repertoire because I didn’t really know if that was something I was ready to explore.
Flash forward two and a half years and as a blogger, I feel like a different person. Outfit posts make up half my content, I’m constantly online, and check my follower numbers compulsively. Living in New York City, ingraining myself in the blogging community through social media and meeting other bloggers at events and fashion week shows has helped me and my blog blossom. Sometimes though, I feel like now that I’m basically never not on the Internet, I have a completely skewed view of what’s important, what’s real and what matters. If you ask me, this is a sign that I’m becoming a real fashion blogger.
Here are 20 signs (both real and really silly) that you’re a real fashion blogger:
- Your blog contains at least 60% original photography
- Each blog post you create contains at least three full sentences of text
- Your smart phone camera roll is 90% pictures of things you’ve worn or bought
- Even if you don’t live there, you tend to dress for New York City
- You judge other bloggers based on who’s on their blogroll
- To you, the blogroll is like sacred internet real estate – a privilege, not a right
- Your blog isn’t just reblogs
- Your Tumblr is more than just images, or is just supplemental to your full site
- You’ve turned down a PR pitch because you knew it didn’t fit with your blog’s identity
- When any social plans come up, your first thoughts are: “Can I blog about this?”
- Sometimes you feel like an outfit wasn’t worth wearing unless someone liked it on Instagram
- You will not apologize for occasionally feeling closer to your internet friends than your real life friends
- Your blog does not play music
- Your Twitter handle is some version of your blog’s name, not your actual name
- Choosing your iPhone case was more difficult than picking your prom dress
- Your blog’s Facebook page has more “likes” than you have Facebook friends
- When getting dressed in the morning, your outfit arranges itself like a Polyvore set in your mind’s eye
- Shoes. Just, so many shoes.
- You can spot a Rebecca Minkoff bag from 3 blocks away
- In your vernacular, “Nasty Gal” is not a derogatory term for a woman with a certain way about her
If you agree with at least half of these, then you’re probably a real fashion blogger too! What are some other signs that you might be a real blogger? Let us know in the comments!
Note: Just because you are exhibiting these signs of fashion-blogger-itis doesn’t mean you’re not also a real person. We all have lives off the internet, and it’s important to balance the two as much as we can!
[Photos via my (shutupilovethat's) instagram account]
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hahah great article. I agree with many of the points.
You judge other bloggers based on who’s on their blogroll
^ And I am definitely guilty of this.
LOL! this is awesome
i’m definitely a fashion blogger 
xoxo,
Fashion Fractions
Also:
You know way more HTML code than you are strictly comfortable with.
You try to find post-worthy outfits even while camping.
You change handbags solely because “I’ve had the same bag in my last 5 posts!”
You know knockoffs are bad for the fashion industry but OMG I SO WANT THAT $38 STYLENANDA RIPOFF OF THE $900 CARVEN SWEATER!!!
Your boyfriend hordes his favorite socks so you don’t cut them up for sock buns.
Your boyfriend has asked you to give it a rest with the sock bun/topknot.
You cried when Marc and Lorenzo broke up.
Hmmm… I have a total different approach & opinion on the term Fashion Blogger. I like to think of bloggers whose content is mostly their outfit posts & own content to be style bloggers. Fashion can be bought and style is something you just have.
According this article I am nowhere close to being a Fashion Blogger. I don’t share my style photos or more than half of what is on this list. I am a freelance Fashion Designer and like to share what inspires me as a designer. Not sure what term I’d use for this type of blogger?
But, it’s a great article and I still consider myself quite new to this blogging arena. And IFB & it’s community has been a great help.
Thanks,
Faiza xo
VELVET MOON DIARIES
totally agree with you faiza.
If those are the signs then I’m officially a Real Fashion blogger!!!
“Real fashion blogger” ?
I’ve gotten used to reading mostly quality articles on IFB, but reads like a self-fulfilling, self-important list of horn-toots to me.
I guess you’re trying to be amusing/fun, but this seems to clash with the rest of the community, wherein the point is to encourage, not to discourage w/ a list that sings “I’m a real blogger and you’re not, haha, let me count the ways!”
I can see that as potentially discouraging to a wiiiide range of people who use this site.
While I can see this as harmless on a personal blog, it seems irresponsible of those who moderate this community to let this fly as an “article” for the community (much less promote it in a news letter).
I assume you guys want honest feedback, so that’s my 2¢.
And it’s important to point out that it’s the principle of this sort of post that I find stands out in contrast to what I assumed the mission of IFB is — not that the post is super harsh/horrible.
I found this list kind of snob, and it´s sad because I was actually excited to read it. If I would religiously scale myself up to this qualifications, then I don´t qualify as a real fashion blogger. And that blogroll being not a right? And judging a blog according to that online real estate? Hah! You should see the Kingdom of Style and observe how that blog defers from most, they share the love unsnobly. Once you approach the queens, you don´t get that feeling “I don´t belong here.”! There is no elitism, the show support. Sadly that´s rare.
I absolutely agree with Mishka.
Hi Mischka,
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. We absolutely want honest feedback from our community on anything and everything, so thank you for your openness. I am terribly sorry if you found this post offensive, it was supposed to be light-hearted and fun, and I think that it is. I drew these ideas up from my knowledge of this community, as well as from personal experience, and it is in no way a wrap sheet of “haha” call outs. Many of the traits listed, such as naming your Twitter handle after your blog, turning down PR pitches, and not having music playing on your site are actual constructive tips to help bloggers, not make fun. Hope you can see the value in balancing a little silly in with the serious. Best, Taylor
i agreed with 13..the one i want to mention is that PR pitch thing..i got contacted by a Washington based online website to write for them..but it was clear even if they praised my posts and style of writing they wanted me to write about something they wanted not really my original style..i was sad but i turned them down.i couldn’t come up with what they wanted.i am happy with my blog..
another sign you are a real blogger (fashion or otherwise) is that you actually respond to the PR ladies that offer you “editorial content” (e.g. sales promotions or other types of advertorials) that really isn’t, with a “no thanks” and work with those who understand you are a serious journalist!
why haven’t you mentioned featuring interviews you get by international fashion designers on your blog?!
i suppose i’m aiming from the fashion journalist end, but check out my tumblr, there’s also a facebook fan page!
http://www.edgefashionblog.com
x
Hello All. Ummmm, I actually loved this post and I totally get it. It is the kind of humor I often Twitter from. When I read the title, I was so driven with anticipation- to see how I stacked up to the “blogger game.” Phew, lucky for me, I found myself in a lot of it. This was by no means meant to offend anyone, but written from a standpoint of Pointers for staying relavant and competitive in the blogosphere. Now, if your blog is a hobby then you still know where you stand also.
What RoseLovesFashion said.
I don’t fall into all categories, but that doesn’t mean the fashion blogging police is gonna come get me. It was a fun read.
Most of these are so true. Rebloging is not blogging, and I will always choose to follow a personal style/ outfit blog over a blogger that just posts editorials and wish lists.
Well, it’s nice to know I’m a fashion blogger! Agreed with about 75%.
ahhh that’s so funny! I can totally relate. I think that when i’ve just started out I do tend to question the truth of calling myself a blogger. I enjoyed reading this list and feeling a bit closer to a professional in this arena. It’s exciting really! Thanks for posting and boosting my confidence in my own fashion blog: wearinla.com
thank you! xoxo kate
‘You’ve turned down a PR pitch because you knew it didn’t fit with your blog’s identity’
I have turn down so many PR pitch that I felt bad at times! Cuz they took time to write & find my blog! So I am so glad that this is in the list! Now I don’t feel half as bad!
Add on points, Fashion bloggers will never repeat any piece of outfit, shoes, bags & accessories on outfit post.
Good post! light & fun! Well, fashion is fun!
Thanks!
Moey
This truly made me day; you know you’re confident when you can make fun of yourself!
I am quite guilty of these! Even though I’m based out of a town who thinks the GAP is high fashion; these points are pretty relatable! Fashion bloggers of the world unite! (Some things never change!)
Thankfully I can say Check, Check and Check
This was a good read. I remember when someone was encouraging me to do reblogs/reposts often. It only took a couple of times before I felt like I looked as if I was trying to compensate for a lack of creativity, originality, and writing ability. That’s just not for me. I’ll say 80% applies to me. Nice to see this list.
you make everything you do in your everyday life into a blog opportunity
I really not agree with the first one.
I kind of hate fashion blogs that tend to write about themselves and only post outfit pictures. I almost never post outfit pictures and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
This is so fun. I’m totally there with over half of them. “Can I blog about this?” is the best.
So agree!!
Especially with the dressing for New York even if you don’t live there, and the minute someone suggests doing something you think ‘can I blog about this’!!
Much Love
Roisin Elizabeth
xoxox
hahaha, I LOVE this! I cab identify with literally 95% of those points. The funniest is that I sooooo dress for NYC and I live alllll way in Philly! hahaha… great post!
hahaha this list is so funny and SO true! well i guess i’m glad i’m a REAL fashion blogger
love this post! i am a real fashion blogger!
adding to the list:
… you whip out your SLR and arrange your shopping loot like styling for a fashion editorial as soon as you get home from a shopping spree!
heheheheh I like this post! It`s funny & true. I guess I`m a fashion blogger
)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’m just it!!! Loved this article! ♥
I love the comment above about trying to find post worthy outfits even while camping. I totally did that this last weekend.
You have a lovely blog! Glad that I came across it! Please check out my blog Style-new arrivals clothes
Would appreciate your feedback:-)
fashion and change are in sync with each other.Indian fashion is too good with the trends in fashion and with the advent of western influence in the indian designs ladies’ smile gets wider with the quest of new arrivals clothes.Be it any online store in India or elsewhere, New-In section on websites get most clicks..I would like to open some clothing website in India.
I really enjoyed this post. I am not even close to being as good as many of you and have only just started to get to know this community. However I enjoyed the humor and understood some of the hidden advice behind the humor. Life is so much better when taken with a grain of salt
. Blogging should be fun because fun is, more often the not, the inspiration to fashion. At least in my opinion.
I agree and have to say I am a Blogger according to this list. Which is #fashulous btw XXOO
Awesome! And when shopping for the tons of shoes you ask yourself if these shoes will photograph well for the blog..black is so hard to see!
I thought this was a really fun and cute article. Loved reading the list and seeing what items are true for me and my blog. I heart IFB for bringing me inspiring and/or lighthearted posts such as this that truly make me feel like part of a growing community!
its ironic …..bt true…i am agree…
with the truth
Pretty awesome/true/hilarious.
This list is scarily true.
My blog fits with at least 10 of these points, but I don’t consider myself a fashion blogger. Perhaps I should consider myself delusional.
Interesting read. Suppose I should take it lightly with a pinch of salt.
I don’t completely fit the shoe based on that list but then again, I’m very finicky about the shoes I buy and wear.
I will be honest though, I proclaimed myself a real fashion blogger the second I promised myself and my blog that I would only upload 80% original content and 20% googled information or info provided by another source.
Reason being, I believe the point of becoming a blogger and one of this nature, is to provide consumers with your own personal and original take on fashion and style.
I don’t do outfit posts at the moment, and that’s because I’m just not ready for that. So instead, I focus on copy driven editorial pieces, profiling articles on brand and personalities that have an effect on fashion and style in my country, South Africa.
So, I would hope, IFB, would consider that real fashion blogging too.
xoxo
The Renaissance Men
Hey there, I got a lot of mixed comments on this post – and you’re dead on. Take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh. It’s just fashion blogging after all, and we should be able to laugh at ourselves and some of the silly things we do. Of course being a real fashion blogger takes much more than just outfit photos and expensive sunglasses. Like you said, it’s about original content and self-publishing your own thoughts and opinions. Please may I direct you to Part II of this post? http://heartifb.com/2011/12/12/20-other-signs-youre-a-real-fashion-blogger/ – Thanks for writing! Best, Taylor