I’ve heard style bloggers refer to themselves as narcissistic, full-of-themselves, egomaniacs, etc., just for posting outfit pictures everyday. Or they’re embarrassed to admit to friends/family that they have a personal style blog because they think it’s silly (or at least will be perceived as such) to maintain a blog full of pictures of themselves.
So, I wonder, what makes us (those of us who consider ourselves to be fashion bloggers/personal style bloggers) WANT to post outfit pictures everyday? What’s the drive behind it? I can only speak for myself, but here’s why I do it:
- When I started posting pictures of myself (with my head cut off) in 2004 there weren’t many other people doing it. And the ones who WERE doing it then were generally one size: small. I wanted to show women of my size & shape (12-14 & CURVY!!!) that they could wear contemporary designer pieces too, and how to style them. I didn’t have any delusions of grandeur or fame, I just perceived that there was a gap in personal style photos at the time and tried to fill it.
- Readers love them. I’ve struggled many times over the years with posting outfit pictures – especially during the cycles when I gained 10-15 pounds – but outfit pictures are consistently the most commented on posts on Grechen’s Closet. If I’m feeling particularly unmotivated or schlumpy, I won’t post an outfit picture, but I do try and give a glimpse into what I’m wearing most days.
- It’s all about me. Yes, I do think you have to be somewhat narcissistic to post pictures of yourself online! Some style bloggers definitely tend more that way than others, but we all love attention. And we love showing off our latest finds & styling abilities – it’s all part of who we are. We are not attention-whores, our love of attention is not what defines us, but it does enable us to do what we do. I do it because I want to be an example for the women who find me online, or see me on the street, to be creative, and look outside the mall or magazine dos and don’ts for inspiration; I try to always wear one thing that will get a reaction. And my blog(s) are very personal – I’ve always written about what I love, and have been lucky enough to have an audience of women who love the same. It feels only natural to post pictures of myself in that context – how can you really “know” a person without seeing pictures?
- I use outfit pictures to enhance my shopping blog – as a means of showing that I do buy what I talk about; that I practice what I preach!
(one of my favorite recent outfit pictures 
Personal style/fashion bloggers are much loved and hated precisely because we aren’t afraid to post pictures of ourselves online – we actually like it. Most of us consider ourselves to be the tastemakers and stylists, not sticking only to what we see in magazines, and that draws ire from all corners (how dare we?). You can’t win with everyone, and you have to be able to stand up to criticism and hate bloggers, but we do it because we love it. Even if no one is looking…
Why do you do it? How long have you been posting outfit pictures? how often do you post them? If you don’t post outfit pictures of yourself, why not?
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Funny you ask this as I was just telling someone about this! I started when I was asked a few times over to do so… I was happy sharing information and tips- then with the uptick in outift posts, my readers wanted to see me as well…
Which is always interesting as my style is a bit more laid back and polished… I have begun to like it although I do not always get to have my semi pro sister take my pics- I make do!
This is why I love you! I hope you know- you have been a guiding light by raising the questions, keeping things real, and paying it forward!
you have to make do with what you have available – but that’s another post LOL!
i love to see your outfit pictures, i guess for me, it’s just a deeper window into a person, you know?
A really thought provoking post G–and especially timely for me! I tend to overthink and I’m especially shy about putting myself out there. I find the blogs that I enjoy the most come from people who really love something and blog about it, even if no one else reads it. And that feels the most genuine and connect-able to me.
As you know, I am one of those who is shy about my friends and family finding out about it. Since it goes with my job, I don’t think anyone would question it, but it feels very strange to say it out loud. Kind of like I am pretending to be an expert, which I guess I am claiming to be since I dress people for a living. I am full of oxymorons, I guess.
I do it because I LOVE to see what others are wearing, and I want to share as well. I hope it is also a way for clients to get to know a little bit more about me and my style.
I could ramble on and on about this one….great post!!!
I started posting outfits around December of this year and I really enjoy it. It’s such a fun creative process! My favorite posts to read are always outfit posts, so it makes sense that I’d want to jump in and create them myself.
Like you I’m a 12/14 and curvy, and still to this day there aren’t as many of us posting photos as the cute young slender bloggers, so I feel there’s still a need there that’s not being filled. You can see beautiful models in magazines, but the only place you can see real women wearing their own clothes styled their own way is in personal style blogs.
Love,
Heather
Outfit posts have been something I struggled with for a long time, not having time, not having a professional camera, not being confident in my style. As I continue blogging, I’ve realized that outfit posts are the fun of fashion blogging and I needn’t take them so seriously. I post outfits for all the same reasons you do, because it’s something my readers care about and it adds a personal (me) touch to my blog.
Love this post Grechen! Please submit it to Links A La Mode.
thanks fajr…just submitted it!! had been meaning to do that for a while now.
outfit posts ARE fun, but they can be pretty intimidating – i still have trouble posting the “real” pictures sometimes!! but i know that’s what our readers want to see – someone they can relate to
Like many of the commentors above (Hey Marie, hey Fajr! *waves*), I struggled at first with posting outfits as well. My blog started out simply as a place for me to rant & rave about my personal fashion choices, my favorite brands, celebrity style and the like.
After following so many other amazing style bloggers for months and seeing them display their sense of style with absolutely no reserve, I decided to do so too. I found a few good photogs who were willing to work with me for exposure and I took off and now – like you, Gretchen – my outfit posts are truly the most commented pieces on my site. The people love em! And hell, if they do, why shouldn’t I? I’m proud of my outfits. If I wear them for the world anyway when I walk outside my home, why can’t I wear them for my blog followers?
Jennine of The Coveted instructed me to do more outfit posts because “readers love them.” Jennine always knows what’s what, so I obeyed.
Twitter: vogueampvintage
June 20, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I use to post on a regular base when I started my blog in 2008. On my blog, on Chictopia all of the fashion sites, now I have a more demanding job and no tripod let alone time to stage a photo. So I have taken a different avenue. I do enjoy personal style blogs I just think mines has evolved with my life into a different type I sight. I must admit some days I look at myself and I’m like I need to document this look!
xoxo,
Vogue & Vintage
Twitter: CorrieFeld
June 22, 2011 at 8:13 am
I had actually started posting outfit photos to more or less document my style evolution. At the time I had started my blog, I had a pretty manilla style as result of years and years in corporate environments, and had long ago lost my funky art school student style I was known for and loved.
It’s funny for me looking back at my posts now thinking “why did I think that looked good!” LOL! Important thing though is I really do think my style now reflects ME much much better, plus looking at all those photos also helped me realize what kind of garments work better for my body, so I’m a much better shopper for it. I’ve also learned my tailor is my BFF.
One of my absolute favorite things to do as a blog reader when I find a new street style blog I adore is to go through that blogger’s archive and look at their very first post. For me it’s really interesting seeing where that blogger started. Looking at all the big name fashion bloggers now, when you look at their first few posts, it’s obvious how far they’ve evolved their style through their blogging. It also reminds me everyone starts somewhere, and the important thing is to just keep at it because if you don’t, you’ll never get to where you want to go.
XO-Corrie
I wondered myself some days ago. 1 year ago I would never have posted pictures of myself online, but then I saw these amazing pictures of others and I found them very inspiring. Especially the 365 project of self portraits by Anna Gay. I thought it would make my blog more personal and more relatable. After the first time, I liked the feedback I got and started to do it more. I have found that it actually helped me accept myself more. I also force myself to be more creative with my clothes and to become a better photographer. I would also like to photograph other 40+ women to showcase their style. So it’s only fair that I showcase myself as well. The only problem I have with it now is, as you say, the ridicule of others, friends and family who really don’t understand it…
.-= Sylvia´s last blog ..My favorite dresses for women over 40 from the fall 2011 designer collections =-.
Hi,I’m starting posting outfits few months ago. I’ve come up with this style blog just to show to my readers that being chic doesn’t need to be expensive. The purpose is to solely show how to reuse clothes.
.-= Dess´s last blog ..Manic Monday =-.
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