Tuesday 19 August 2014

Is this a fashion blog?

There was an interesting thread on Mumsnet this afternoon about fashion blogs. I jumped in with my big mouth and then I had to issue an apology!!!! It was mainly a thread where some women were being really bitchy about some fashion bloggers and their style - I mean REALLY catty and uncalled for comments. I issued my apology because I only read the first page of nasty comments and then called them all a bunch of bitches and then realised there were 5 more pages of comments and some of those were actually really nice and complimentary! I always jump in and then think 'shit'!

Anyway, it has me thinking. Is what I do fashion blogging? I guess in a loose term it is. It's a blog and it's about clothes so therefore it must be a fashion blog right? Urm not to me (and this has ONLY just occurred to me) - it's an outfit blog. I don't know anything about fashion, what is trendy, what most designers design, who they are or what's where and how to buy etc.



My GOAL is to show other women how to wear clothes we all have/we can all buy. I set up the outfit sharing site Avenue 57 two years ago for THAT VERY REASON. I think I should change this blog to 'she got dressed today' and not Avenue 57 Fashion Blog. What do you think?!!!

Here are some lovely NORMAL photos of me showing you how to wear NORMAL clothes every day of the week.













Thank you to Mumsnet for inspiring this blog post!

Fiona
xoxo
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23 comments :

  1. Unknown19 August 2014 at 10:25

    This is a really interesting blog post! Before I started my blog a few months ago, typing in 'mum fashion blog' in google threw up quite a lot of mumsnet threads. Like you I found a lot of them to be bitchy and sneering at many fashion blogs which made me apprehensive starting mine. Luckily I've only had good feedback so far, and like you say most people are positive, it's just a shame about the rest! I think you definitely have reason to call your blog a fashion blog as it's your style and fashion, regardless of whether it's designer/high street or following the latest trends or not :) x

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    1. Avenue 5719 August 2014 at 10:51

      Isn't it 'scary' out there?!!!! I didn't realise you'd only just started!

      Delete
  2. Style At Every Age19 August 2014 at 10:39

    There are so many types of fashion blog or style blog, I started out more news and you know I have to put the odd outfit post up as my readers now seem to demand it and I get far more comments despite my age and size, which to me proves it is all about real women. You don't have to be a fashion editor to show your outfits to the world and you started off with your Avenue 57 idea which is brilliant although you know me, hate to put my pic anywhere lol x

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    1. Avenue 5719 August 2014 at 10:53

      But style implies you have style and you know what you're talking about too! I do not! I just chuck it on and see what sticks. I KNOW I AM LUCKY I AM TALL and A SIZE 10 - but equally I can't wear a lot of things even though people think I can! I often take a boring outfit and add heels or a necklace - ANYONE, regardless of age or size can do that.

      You my friend are far too harsh on yourself

      Delete
  3. What Lou Wore 36519 August 2014 at 11:37

    I actually like reading those threads if you discount a lot of the really catty personal comments. They often have a lot of valuable critique that bloggers in general can learn from IMO. Mumsnet pull no punches for sure! Might go seek it out :)

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  4. Unknown19 August 2014 at 12:03

    I'd describe it as a style blog as in your own style Fiona. Fashion comes and goes and is transient. Style endures. I know which I'd prefer!! I love your style and the inspiration I get from Avenue 57. Thank you , Liz x (www.whatlizzyloves)

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  5. Anonymous19 August 2014 at 12:44

    Not being a mum, I'm not on Mumsnet, but I had to go and have a look. I don't think you owed anyone an apology - what a nasty bunch! Most of the comments no doubt come from jealousy! Just because you don't like an item of clothing on someone does not give you the right to publicly slate them! I'm hoping to start a blog next year - I can only imagine the comments my style would get on there!!!

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    1. Avenue 5719 August 2014 at 12:45

      Bit nasty and uncalled for I think for 50% of the comments. Let me know if you have any questions about blogging, always happy to help and be honest (email me - fiona@avenue57.com)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21 August 2014 at 13:00

      Thanks Fiona - I may well do that xx

      Delete
  6. I won't wear sludge brown19 August 2014 at 13:15

    Gosh, very thought provoking. It's made me reassess my reasons for blogging. Am I a fashion blogger? No, I don't think I am. But I have a keen interest in current trends. I love reading blogs, newspaper articles, magazines, in fact anything about clothes. Quite simply I love clothes as does my mum. As does my daughter. As does my 13 year old son. We have a common passion and can spend many happy hour shopping together. I needed a creative outlet so started my blog and my goodness it has taught me so much and I've made some amazing friends along the way. Fashion blogger - no. Someone who 'enjoys' clothes and sharing her passion - yes that's me. All the best Fiona, I really enjoy your frank and honest blog, you've given me many belly laughs. Donna xx

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    1. Avenue 5720 August 2014 at 00:01

      But to the outside world you ARE a fashion blogger! That is what sits uncomfortably with me about my blog ..I also love clothes and playing around with them in the hope that what I put on helps someone else with an outfit idea - that is all!

      Delete
  7. Porcelina20 August 2014 at 02:57

    Gah, I just lost my comment!! I think I said that I was thinking about this issue a little while ago, and realised that I liked blogs about 'personal style' more than 'fashion', so now on my own blog I have 'my outfits' and 'fashion' items - the outfits are about my personal style, whereas the fashion stuff might be about trends I've seen or things I want in the shops. Oops to jumping in!! That's why I avoid reading those forums!! P x

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    1. Avenue 5720 August 2014 at 03:36

      I need to step away because I'm being drawn in again!
      I agree mine is about my style, not fashion

      Delete
  8. Mrsfjs20 August 2014 at 03:21

    I have been following that thread Fiona and think you got a really hard time on there.

    I'm not a blogger but love to read them and felt that a lot of the comments on Mumsnet were bitchy.

    Emma xx

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    1. Avenue 5720 August 2014 at 03:23

      I thought some of them were downright bitchy and the comments were unnecessary. Some of the comments were valid and others were lovely.

      I just couldn't stand by and not say anything!

      Delete
    2. Mrsfjs20 August 2014 at 03:35

      You're braver than me then!!!

      Delete
    3. Avenue 5720 August 2014 at 03:41

      Stupid perhaps?!

      Delete
  9. Sue20 August 2014 at 03:49

    Gosh - I was giving it some thought and it's a difficult one isn't it? I've always thought of my blog as just personal style rather than telling people what to wear and hope people see it as a personal journey rather than the latest on trends which it definitely is not. I get led up the garden path all the time with what's in currently and some things I take on board but in general I don't wear very on trend stuff - I like what I feel most comfortable in generally but unfortunately it doesn't make for good fashion bordering on boring. So what kind of blog does that make me?

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    1. Avenue 5720 August 2014 at 03:52

      A personal style blog? I'm with you, I might nod towards a trend if I like it/find it suits me.
      It's a hard one. The conversation is still going on on Mumsnet and apparently if you put your photo on the internet in the form of a blog then you have to accept what people think. I get that, everyone has the right to say what they think but some of the comments were firstly ridiculous (fat dog really!) and bitchy.

      Delete
  10. Unknown20 August 2014 at 15:15

    I think you were brave & sassy for sticking up for your own believes! I blog as I love clothes & fashion but can't say I'm an expert! I blog what I like & what I think suits me & want to inspire other women/mums like me on a budget! I follow blogs that don't necessary have a similar style to me because I like the writers & feel an empathy towards them & sometimes get inspired by what they buy/wear too so no not a fashion blog but a personal style journey! You have balls my dear & I admire you for that! Ax

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  11. Dorothy Camper24 August 2014 at 13:33

    Good on you, Fiona, for standing up to them! I've only recently started blogging but mine is a mixture of things: personal style, food, travels, etc... But should we really have to justify it and be pigeon holed anyway? Isn't it just a bit if fun?! Love avenue 57 anyway - just fantastic for supporting and celebrating different styles, shapes, sizes... Well done, you, Fiona. Lynne xx

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