Your blogger marketing strategy is no longer working on me.
I saw this sweater in my blog feed from A Devine Life and liked it enough to include it in my top five for the week…
Then 2 weeks ago when I stumbled into Forever 21 (the first time in what must be almost 8 months) I spotted the same sweater.
I loved the sweater.
Super cute.
But I'd seen it on one of the bloggers I follow and therefore did not want to buy it.
That's right.
I didn't want to buy it because I'd seen it on another blogger.
It was stale for me.
Sure I could style it differently but in the end I'd still be wearing something that isn't unique and I certainly wouldn't want to take a photo of myself in it for the blog.
Let's be totally honest here…if I can't take a photo of myself wearing it for the blog it ain't coming home with me. Isn't that an unwritten rule in the book of Style Bloggers?
While I was in Forever 21 I noticed that nothing appealed to me. It started to feel just what it is…cheap fast fashion.
And although I will admit I hesitated a nanosecond before deciding that sweater wasn't for me because I'd seen it on another blogger I was happy to leave Forever 21 without buying a thing. In fact I felt lighter just leaving the mall.
Not the same feeling that I get at all when I shop vintage, consignment or thrift. I have much less guilt attached to any purchase I've thrifted. I kinda feel like I discovered a one-of-a-kind personal treasure.
Yes it takes time to shop thrift. But like everything in life you get out of something what you put in.
I'm not infallable since Anthropologie, Mod Cloth and Ruche can still lure me into purchasing never-before-worn items but I have given up almost all other shops in favour of consignment/thrift/vintage.
Have you ever decided to not buy something because you saw it on another style blogger?
Tres interessant! I haven’t not bought something knowingly, but I do believe I may have unknowingly. Like skorts. They’re silly to start with. And way too young for me, although I don’t let that stop me on other things like tutus and overalls, but I don’t want to wear what I have seen. You sum it up perfectly. Thrifting all the way. Although it would be better if not everyone thought that way because then you wouldn’t be able to pick this jumper up in ten years time and wear it retro!
That sounds like exactly the sort of thing I would do. I do shop at normal, inexpensive stores for the most part, because that’s what fits my budget…though I prefer shopping in Asia… but I am quite stubborn about the kind of clothes I like and when “everyone’s” got it…I, most emphatically, do not want to have it. 😛
“Let’s be totally honest here…if I can’t take a photo of myself wearing it for the blog it ain’t coming home with me. Isn’t that an unwritten rule in the book of Style Bloggers?”
So. True.
Also, I think there is a fine line between seeing it somewhere and seeing it or a trend like it EVERYwhere too. When it is everywhere it can feel silly to buy it too.
Oddly enough, I tend to feel more guilt from buying vintage because sometimes they are more impulse-ish buys, at least if I buy from shops near me. If I am travelling and buy vintage, no regrets. I’m weird.
That’s an interesting analysis, and I know what you mean. I don’t think I’ve done that, but I’ve avoided buying lots of leopard because it was just everywhere in the blogosphere. Buying secondhand definitely makes a more interesting wardrobe!
I don’t think I’ve done that yet because most of the trendy stuff bloggers wear doesn’t come in my size.
Plus I just prefer thrifting. I get better stuff for cheaper prices.
I haven’t been in hte mall since I can’t remember when. No appeal for me!
I have, but only when it is one of my blogger friends… No one ants to dress like “twinsies” at this age 😉 Haha
xx,
miranda
thechicstreet.com
I prefer thrift shopping by far- the things you find are so unbelievable! – I’m not infallable either – Modcloth has yes indeed adorable stuff – this is where i got my bunny cardi, remember? Anthropologie, i know! i love too, they have a shop downtown – I go when they have sales –
I will have look at Ruche..
Forever 21, getting tired of it too, but sometimes if admit i find stuff there –
Arianexo
That’s a great thing though, since fast fashion has such horrible effects for the environment & of course humans, as shown in Bangladesh. If it makes other bloggers/blog readers happy to pursue thrifted instead, I’d be completely thrilled, and am so happy to hear you’d rather thrift an original piece! I have to admit that I’m not that optimistic though, and think that especially non-bloggers who wouldn’t have the hesitation of being seen in the same sweater as another blogger might still jump on the cute trend they saw styled by their favorite blogger still. but i don’t mean to say any of that to disregard you point, just sharing my thoughts as well and love that you brought this up!
Cuddly Cacti
Mitla Moda
I have just recently started to feel that way more and more. I used to be totally inspired by pieces that I would see my favorite bloggers wear – but part of the appeal was that those pieces were often times things that they’ve had in their closet for seasons, and the fun was looking for something similar or thinking about how I could translate what I enjoyed about the look, using items that I already own. Now with all the affiliate links, you see so many of the moment items being worn on every blog (the majority being fast fashion pieces), people seem to be showcasing what they want to make money off of, opposed to their actual unique personal style. It’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about a lot when it comes to my own blog.
I was that way with the bubble necklaces, suddenly they were every where and I just couldn’t buy it any more. I love thrift / vintage shopping, thredup.com has become my go to shop right now. though I do like some new items once in a while.
The very reason I only wear vintage is that I cannot bear to see someone in something I own. For a while in the 1990s when i had a large, disposable income I did buy the occasional new thing from Topshop only from my friends to go out and copy . I hate it, imitation isn’t flattery, it’s unoriginal and depressing! x
i might be opposite…something i would normally never buy now appeals to me because i see it styled in an out-of-the-box way. i totally get what you’re saying though…thrifting/vintage is so unique and one of a kind!
I’m with you on the vintage/thrift/consignment store circuit. Estate sales are my most important source for the unusual. It’s become a lifestyle, and I like it.
I doubt that lots of this fast fashion stuff will last 10 years to be honest.
BTW…totally agree on the whole skorts escapade. I just don’t l like them…unless I’m playing tennis or jogging.
Now that does not surprise me one bit : ) part of the reason I adore you.
So funny about the vintage. Maybe you feel guilty because they aren’t the “best” pieces or you feel like they don’t have as much value because you didn’t pay as much for them. I’ve learned to really *try* to be picky about the thrift store/consignment just as much as I would regular stores. I’m less likely to buy something just because it’s cheap.
You definately have unique tastes and I can see that you go out of your way not to dress like everyone else. I admire that.
The only malls that still appeal to me a bit are the Outlets. I’m trying to get over that addiction though.
You have great luck thrifting and are always so creative with your finds.
So true…
I often do jewelry shows and once I was at one wearing an H&M dress and was simply horrified when another gal walked in my booth wearing the same dress. I made light of it, saying we both had great taste…but really in the end that was a big lesson for me about buying from H&M.
Oh…see I do love that dang bunny sweater. Why oh why do you have to make such cute clothes ModCloth?
Ruche is good, less expensive than ModCloth but often I worry about their clothes being lots of fast fashion too.
I’m happy to say I’ve weened myself off of H&M and Forever 21 now.
Thanks for popping by Dus.
I have to agree…I feel like a bit of dust in an sandstorm. I’m writing an article on fast fashion I hope to have by next week. It is horrifying.
So true. You can really see when one company is promoting a certain item…every big time blogger is out there flogging it.
This is a great post Suzanne! I think you’ve come to honed in your style that you know what works for you. Unfortunately for me, I am highly influenced by what I see. The more I see it the more I think I need it in my life. I do love all these graphic sweaters and have decided whatever I have in my closet is enough. They are too trendy and it’s not something I can wear in my conservative office.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I wish that something like thredup was available in Canada. It is fantastic.
I would venture to guess that no one has ever walked into one of your trunk shows wearing the same outfit as you. Ever. You are like your clothes….one of a kind.
I think initially when I first started blogging I was more likely to be influenced. Now the pendulum has swung the other direction entirely for me. I used to think it was great to buy new stuff at H&M super cheap. Now I’m starting to pay more attention to the impact this is having on the earth and other people. I’m not judging anyone else. I am finding it harder to justify to myself.
My husband and I have gotten the “estate sale” bug. Getting up crazy early on the weekends and waiting with loads of other people in our car in the dark…tickets in hand…excitement building. It’s quite a buzz. So far I haven’t scored anything nearly as cool as you. But it is fun just for the excitement of it all even if we don’t end up buying anything.
It is hard to get off the fashion treadmill. The more we expose ourselves to it, like you wrote…the more you think you need it.
You are right about the graphic sweaters. They are super trendy and will be dated very quickly. Plus…not the greatest thing when you work in a bank! LOL Can you imagine? Someone comes in and wants a loan and you are wearing a sweatshirt that says, ” That’s What She Said!” LOL
Ooooh, great post. Seeing so many people wearing the same graphic T’s is partly what drives me to make my own and mutilate tops. I often feel lighter leaving a store when I don’t get anything too, but that goes for thrift as well. The rare stuff I like in the chains is usually left for the sale racks at the end. I do enjoy the thrifting experience so much more – customer attitudes, uniqueness of styles, range of quality… I often go through Holt Renfrew for inspiration, NEVER to purchase.
That’s an interesting theory. I’m not a style blogger but follow several. I have only ever purchased one I garment I have seen a blogger featuring. I am more interested in how a blogger pulls an outfit together than any single item that might be featured in an OOTD.
Just catching up on posts now – sorry for the late comment
Yes! I absolutely avoid certain pieces. Especially bubble necklaces and those studded heels everyone seems to have.
I think my avoidance has to do with these items being “statement” pieces. But when 1000’s of bloggers have the same statement piece, it is no longer a statement. It becomes annoying to see the same item over and over…
PS: Great topic!
That sums up exactly what I was trying to say perfectly.