What is it about fashion and blogging that makes such a cute couple? It could be the appeal of literally staying up-to-the-minute on trends, people watching and snooping inside someone else’s closet, all in the comfort of your decidedly unfashionable jammies. There’s no doubt that fashion blogs are some of the most popular and recognisable names in the blogging business.
Even if you’ve been living under a (glam) rock, you’ve probably heard of The Sartorialist, Go Fug Yourself and Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP (although you’re desperately trying to forget this last one).
So how does Australia fare in this fashion-conscious battle of the blogs? Take this virtual tour of couture to find out…
Think of fashion blogs as the Interwebz cross between magazines and Bridget Jones’ Diary, all plush photographs and frank real-world confessions. For the uninitiated, there are several breeds of this fashion blog animal:
1. Celebrity style blogs complete with bitchy rating system a la Go Fug Yourself. Expect plenty of pics of stars caught mixing zebra print with paisley and getting lampooned for it. Catty, catty heaven.
2. Bargainista blogs for the stingy, but stylish. Find tip-offs to warehouse sales and instructions for knitting your own maxi-dress from Yak-hair wool to replica Drew Barrymore’s from this year’s Oscars red carpet.
3. Fashion insider blogs by ex- or current models and fashion editors. ‘Cos you’re busting to hear if supermodels really share a single Tic-Tac for lunch and magazine workers really have the best gosh darn job on earth. (The answer to both? Hells, yeah.)
4. Child prodigy fashion blogs. Pipsqueaks do Prada, showing amazingly sophisticated tastes and PhD-worthy vocabularies. Sure, my 8-year-old self had a fashion passion too, but I exercised it in healthy, non-profitable childhood pursuits, like dressing my Barbie. Garance Dore, anyone?
5. “How to” blogs teaching vital life skills like expert eyeliner application and rocking a playsuit Katy Perry-style. I mock, but bet your Balenciaga I use the advice from time to time.
6. “Look at my cool outfit” blogs written by the pathologically narcissistic. Gushing galore about recent purchases and obsessing over outfit choices. It’s strangely compelling if you ignore the stalker-ish vibe.
7. Street fashion blogs find beauty in everyday Joes by papping them in a city near you. If you spot a glow-in-the-dark nerd sporting a $4,000 camera coming atcha on the sidewalk, sprint for your life or strike a pose, depending on your disposition.
8. Designer desirer blogs, where label lovers overanalyse catwalk collections to their hearts’ content and wallets’ detriment.
9. Accessory blogs for shoes fetishists, nail polish nuts and handbag hags.
10. Wedding blogs supplying prospective brides with inspiration boards and a safe, non-judgemental environment in which to take their inner Bridezillas for a walk.
Now you know your ass from your Armani, let’s take a look at some of my fave Australian examples.
Leading the charge as a fine specimen of menu item five above is An Australian Wintour by Megan Aney. This sleek site has killer how tos, what tos and where tos coming out the wazoo and is gloriously tailored to Aussie girls’ needs. Wanna know the best shopping spots on the Gold Coast? Tick. What to wear on a first date or job interview? Tick and tick. You’re left with the proud effect of thinking Australia might not be quite such a sartorial backwater after all. Hooray!
Sassy Bella is a designer desirer blog, giving you the lowdown on high fashion from the likes of Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, Missoni, Estee Lauder and friends. Delish.
Dustjacket Attic has the true indie fashionista aesthetic down pat. It’s all gorgeous photos of pouty models in dreamy locations and quirky-cool clothes, catalogued by model, fashion editor, photographer and magazine. There’s even mood music emanating from a virtual iPod. A blissful experience.
Frock & Roll is a newcomer on the scene, but I just can’t get enough of it. It’s actually a more rounded offering than purely a fashion blog, incorporating lifestyle, travel, music, beauty and more. I first came across it by a link to the extremely helpful three-part guide to blogging and stayed for the funny, engaging writing style and invaluable advice. Definitely a star on the rise.
Kitschy and cute Super Kawaii Mama is for vintage glamour gals who still know how to work these new-fangled computer gizmos. Click fanciful candy-coloured doors to the shop, closet, beauty parlour and more. Full of purdy pictures and retro inspiration.
Finally, for blushing Bridezillas-to-be, there’s Polka Dot Bride, a stunning mix of real weddings, Martha Stewart-esque DIY projects and honeymoon reviews. Having been featured in Shop Til You Drop, Madison, Cleo and Real Weddings magazines, this blog has serious wedding fashion cred.
All these irresistible specimens inspired you to start your own Aussie style success story? Check out the guide below to becoming the next big thing in the beautiful blogosphere.
How to Start Your Own Fashion Blog*
1. Names, Dahling
Choose a (preferably short) name for your blog. Bonus points for coining a new word or phrase that develops a cult following.
2. Style Stalker
Read as many fashion blogs as possible. Notice the stark white templates, crisp photos and frequent references to eating sushi/reading Vogue/the writer’s teacup chihuahua.
3. Be the Same
Tight-knit fashion blogging folk don’t take kindly to freaks who stray too far from the pack. Same-saminess is a survival rule you’ll do well to follow.
4. Be Unique
Yes, I know what I just said! Walk the line between being an incurable copycat and being brilliantly avant-garde and blogging superstardom awaits. Offer your readers an experience they can’t access elsewhere, whether it be gorgeous pictures, juicy news, unbeatable style tips or the jump on the hottest designer sales and they won’t be able to resist returning for more.
5. Social Media It Up, Baby
Work your contacts through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, carrier pigeon and whatever else is at your disposal. Post early and often on your socialite lifestyle. Pretend to be fascinating and sooner or later, someone will believe it.
* May be entirely composed of bollocks and conjecture. Read at your own risk.
You can read more of Rebecca’s work at her blog, becks-carrie.blogspot.com.
