Look Sharp, Sconnie - Midwestern Fashion Nerd, Chronic Over-thinker

Are You Smarter Than A Fashion Blogger?

Probably.

Then again, The Blonde Salad's probably not all she's not chalked up to be. so

beware.


In truth (and maybe I'm [definitely] biased here), I think it takes a fair amount of intelligence in order to hold one's own in the fashion blog-o-sphereo.

Note I didn't not say "to blog". Obviously, any monkey with a mac can toss their two cents into the ether, but it takes a special breed of entrepreneur to convert their material obsessions and inklings of narcissism into monetary (or at least social) success.

(Note 2: This is in no way self-aggrandizing. I am poor.)




I realize a platinum blonde bowl of leafy greens hardly canonizes intelligence; but I don't think you'll deny the fact that the ability to transform what was a beautiful face and a below-average blog into a global sensation does.

Which brings me to my main, (very very very) oft-asked, but rarely-answered question: Why does everyone and their mother think that they're smarter than a fashion blogger?

Well, I can't answer it for you, but I certainly can draw up some totally un-subtantiated conclusions based on no real evidence whatsoever (i.e. what I assumed before starting a blog).

#you'rewelcome

I think our first problem is the word "blogger".
In general, bloggers are seen as fans and devotees of true professionals. The man's creations trickle down to our little laptop screens for us in our dingy too-small apartments to regurgitate or filter, at best.

The word also inherently connotes an amateur status. 
When was the last time you heard of an ultra-celebrity shunning fame and fortune only to return to her 2-D, selfie-centered blog.

"Those who can't be, blog."

So obviously all of us are desperate enough to try, but not talented enough to succeed.
Second, 
any women interested in clothing and shoes is clearly shallow and dumb.


Even when the ensemble is relatively tame (hey, I'm wearing a blazer!), anything beyond a simple pants suit seems to connote some sort of underlying lack of intelligence. 

What confuses me is why when men are passionate about clothing, they're not "stupid", they're narcissistic. 

Their interest in sartorial materials seems to be construed as tactful and self-centered, while ours is merely frivolous.
Maybe the issue lies in the misconception that an interest in material clothing goods correlates to an obsession with appearance. 
With ourselves.



Those who use clothing as a tool to propel their own careers, relationships, etc (like the men mentioned above) assume that our intentions are the same - That our use of clothing is for narcissistic purposes.

But I derive just as much joy from seeing a beautiful sketch, oggling a perfectly-tailored runway ensemble, or dressing a friend, as I do from cladding myself in such wares. 
More so, in fact. 

So would you assume, then, that an artist was emotionally infatuated with his or her blank canvas?

A sculptor with a chunk of stone?
boots: Jeffrey Campbell, pants: BDG, blazer, H&M, shirt: Gap
Probably not. 

The fact that the canvas is ourselves is coincidental, 
and women who approach clothing like this use it as a form of self-expression, rather than as a means to an end. (Unless of course, you decide to devote your life to your art, in which case you Blonde Salad, Man Repeller, Fashion Toast-it up and succeed at world domination.)

So instead of walking around holding a canvas, 
or dancing on point shoes, 
or playing the violin, 
we walk around in Alexander Wang heels with Proenza Schueler bags 
(in our dreams, of course).

Thank god, too.
'Cause I suck at the violin.

Cheers.


PS: feel free to disagree with me. maybe you do think that fashion bloggers are dumb. 
I won't be offended. 
Well, I probably will. But lay it on me anyways. 


PSS: I'm kind of done with all that stupid reward style stuff. If you guys would like to know where to find something, e-mail me, or I can link to things if anyone asks.




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11 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    It's unfortunate that we have gotten to a point where you almost feel embarrassed to say you are a "blogger". Honestly I'm sick of the negative connotation and stigmas attached. You are very right, any monkey can blog (in fact it seems like there are way too many monkeys blogging :) ) I just wish those that actually have talent wouldn't be lumped in with those that don't...... I realize that sounds really snobby..... But oh well haha!!! Fawesome as always
    Brooke @ what2wear

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    1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2013 at 10:07 PM

      It's OK. I'm a snob too.

      Though I think (know) that a lot of my posts are based out of an insecurity that I'm becoming that which I dislike, so I'm on shakey ground.

      Thanks for writing. Love your comments, always.

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    2. Pardon My FashionMarch 1, 2013 at 9:33 AM

      Agree w/ Brooke! Wish those that had talent weren't lumped with the monkeys! But whatever, everybody just be doin' their thing!

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  2. KatjaFebruary 26, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    I don't think it's about stupid or intelligent. It's more about being creative and knowing how to express your individuality. Be different and stand out from the crowd. It's easy to follow trends in be like every other blog but that is just plain boring. I follow bloggers who really have their own style and who an write a constructive and critical content such as yourself.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2013 at 4:58 PM

      Good point.

      "intelligence" is kind of a dumb word.

      So is dumb.
      oops.

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  3. Susie DicksonFebruary 26, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    I love this post – and I appreciate you going through all the misconceptions (that aren't always misconceptions). Sucks that blogger has become this lame label – but I think posting stuff like this (and the interesting reads you usually post) are steps in the right direction for bloggers.

    Sea and Swank


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  4. UnknownFebruary 26, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    I think the stereotyping with bloggers is just that, another stereotype. With any stereotype unfortunately there are people who seem to perpetuate the assumptions. Just cause there are bloggers who are kinda baseless out there, I don't think by any means all or really even the majority of bloggers are empty headed. For instance, even though I only recently started reading our blog I like how you write with substance :) As for you outfit, since this is a style blog, I love the pattern of the patten with the texture of the shoes. Awesome choice

    Mili from call me, Maeby

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  5. CollectionsFebruary 26, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    I'm going to throw my two cents into this discussion and totally be a beotch. I do not in any way shape or form think they are smart. I'm sorry, it's just the truth. Take some of the most famous bloggers out there... there are some who were the first to do this, and they have lots of followers because of it. There are others who's boyfriends are professional photographers and others who's boyfriends own bloglovin. And then there are those who are models.

    You're smart. Your content is smart. For the most part, I don't even like what the big bloggers wear (aside from ManRepeller and Susie Lau) but they're also smart. You know how you can tell? They actually WRITE on their blogs. They don't just wear whats in trend, take pictures and call it a day. They actually hold discussions for people to comment on. Not only that but they've created a brand for themselves. Not just by going out and being fashionable but by having legitimate ideas and creative concepts.

    You know who else is smart? Fashionsteele. If you haven't read her blog do it. That is a girl who knows what she's doing. Not only does she have great videos to help others become a blogger, she holds freaking vintage tours on the weekends for people in the city. Its HER own original thing. In my mind she's almost created a brand. I was so impressed last night reading her blog and all the different things she does with it.

    Again, I never talk on my blog so I guess (based on my rules above) I'm actually stupid myself. BUT what can I say I'm a hypocrite lol

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    1. UnknownFebruary 26, 2013 at 10:10 PM

      gabyyyyyyy

      be as big of a beotch as you'd like. it's fun.

      I really like when you're so honest. Frankly, I don't disagree with most of this, so - as controversial as it sounds, I'm pretty much on your side.

      I do, however, find it a bit difficult to know exactly what goes on behind the scenes. Maybe it looks shallow and simple on the surface, but there's a lot of thought-out strategy going on behind the scenes. I do think that those who got in the game early have it a lot easier, though. Their content gets a lot more recognition with a lot lower standards than those who followed in their footsteps. I don't know whether or not that's fair (they did have foresight, I guess), but it seems to be a fact.

      And I think different people get different things out of their blogs/hobbies. If you're getting what you want, then it's not stupid.

      At all.

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  6. CollectionsFebruary 26, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    One other thing, I've always, one hundred percent thought that fashion/style is art so I'm in TOTAL agreement with you there

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  7. KeitFebruary 27, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    I don't think it's about who's stupid and who is intelligent. There are many bloggers who in real life are intelligent and quite interesting, but they don't write on the blog, for reasons of their own. And yet, there are those who take photos with the good quality camera, write comments like "pls follow me back". And then, there are bloggers who I have no fucking idea why they got famous.
    You mentioned, "the blonde salad", well, I really don't find anything in it, anything at all that is the least inspiring or interesting. And yet, she is crammed in everybody's faces and made into a fashion icon...
    I think that blogging, just like anything in life, shouldn't be taken so serious. It should be something you do for fun, it should be something you love.
    Love your fancy pants :P

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