Why Blog? Why Fashion? Why Not?

This afternoon I came across a post on Confessions of a Fashion Editor entitled “Why, 'Fashion Bloggers, Why?'” which focused on a blog whose sole purpose – essentially – is to bash fashion bloggers. 

Well isn’t that pleasant.

So what did I do?  I went straight to Fashion Bloggers, Why? to check out what they had to say.

It was kind of like watching a train wreck – I couldn’t stop myself from reading the blog, and I found myself getting more and more irritated the more I read.

Then I began thinking - why do I blog?

Why did I pick a “fashion” blog?

It’s simple.  I love to write.  I love fashion.

Why not?

My love of writing was sparked by Mr. McMullen, an 8^th grade English teacher who would prove to be unlike any other.  It was simple really – he assigned weekly vocabulary words we were to use in a sentence.  He told us to be creative.  He told us to make it fun and enjoyable for ourselves.  So I did.

I began writing a story.  Each week I submitted my newest chapter to Mr. McMullen, and each week I waited anxiously for his remarks. 

Each week he commented – not just on my use of the vocabulary words, but on what was unfolding in my characters lives.  He became invested in my story and I developed a passion for writing.   This passion extended into college where I became an English major.  There were times were I planned to become a writer or teacher, but ultimately I was led down a different path.  I became a non-profit fundraiser, and although I still use my writing skills, it is in a different capacity.

In November I’ll be 35 years old.  Before starting this blog, I couldn’t remember the last time I did any creative writing.  I couldn’t remember the last time I wrote something for me.  That is how this blog was born.

I know this blog will evolve as I get back into my writing.  I know that the subject matter will vary considerably, although I plan to keep the focus fashion-oriented.  There will be comments on relationships and movies and music and life in general.   There will always be lots of photography.  But it will all be in my voice.  They will all be posts that mean something to me personally. 

Do I want readers?  Yes.  Of course I do.  It’s nice to have followers and readers.  It’s nice to read comments.  It’s nice to feel like other people out there understand where you are coming from.  It’s nice to think someone else actually might care what you have to say.  It's nice to be part of a community.  I know the content of this blog will never be for everyone.  I know readers will come and go.  Heck, I may bore everyone to death.  Sorry if I do bore you.  But ultimately I am writing for me.   

It's easy to get lost in the blog world.  As a new blogger, it's also really easy to think "why should I bother with this?" when you know you will never make any sort of dent in the world of fashion bloggers.  But it comes down to a question of "why?"  Why are you blogging?  Is it because you think that one day you will have thousands of followers and thousands of people reading your blog?  Ha.  Good luck with that.  

I'm not saying it can't happen.  It can - if the content in your blog drives that many people to it.  If it's unique enough.  If people really want to hear what you have to say.  But for most of us, very few people will read our blogs.  Very few people will decide to follow.  Hopefully we'll become friendly with those that do - because something you wrote resonated with them.  Hopefully you'll read their blogs and contribute to the blogging community as a whole.

My acquaintances don’t know I love fashion. They don’t know I like to follow trends.  That a great photography spread or a great pair of shoes can make my day.  That finding that perfect size 14 dress can make me smile for a week.  Some of my closest friends don’t even know, because they don’t “get it.”  It all seems so materialistic to them.  They don’t realize it doesn’t have to be materialistic – it can be about something else.

Fashion, as much as writing, is a way of expressing ourselves.  It’s a “voice” you can see, not just hear.

The writer of “Why, Fashion Bloggers, Why?” doesn’t understand that.  I am not saying she doesn’t make some valid points in her comments – there are some.  However, in my opinion, she loses any credibility she may have because of the way she is attacking the community of fashion bloggers.  It’s one thing to be critical.  If you can be critical AND witty, kudos to you.  I’d probably love to read your blog.  But her remarks aren’t critical – they are mean.  And they aren’t witty – they are childish.

I am all for freedom of speech, but I am sickened that someone out there is doing this.  Calling out individuals in the way she does just seems wrong to me.  Am I over-reacting?



All images courtesy of Google images.