It’s that time of year – holiday clothes are being packed away, ready for this season’s warmer wardrobe. But this autumn, in light of my student fees, I’ll be turning to my favourite fashion blogs, instead of women’s magazines. And it seems like I am part of a growing trend.
In August, the Audit Bureau of Circulations announced magazine sales have continued to decline over the first half of 2012, with women’s magazines such as Company suffering a drop in circulation of over twenty per cent (PressGazette.co.uk). In these tough economic times, perhaps this comes as little surprise, but it’s interesting that the figures coincide with digital versions rising in popularity.
Information can go online faster than it can be printed and there is a growing pressure on the media to provide instantaneous updates. Checking your favorite blogs can easily become part of your daily routine, as much as checking your Facebook or Twitter, for the latest news.
The advent of style bloggers has also given fashion fans a personal and down-to-earth view of style, often focusing on high street brands. This month’s InStyle cover shoot featured an outfit worth over £3500 – hardly accessible for a student budget! Though glossy monthlies are the perfect place to feature such high end fashion, there are plenty of blogs that focus on designer wear, with many posting photos of fashion weeks around the world. The world of blogging has opened the fashion world up to anyone, unlimited by location or experience, and has given a chance for women to have their say, maybe even earning money for it too. The British blogger, Liberty London Girl, racks up 8,500 hits a day (The Guardian), has collaborated with Mercedes Benz and Hunter boots, and has been voted one of the most influential people in Fashion Online by the Telegraph.
Magazines are being forced to evolve: several have heavily invested in their websites, started up their own blogs and established online networks for readers. They are beginning to look to bloggers, not just as columnists or employees, but also as interviewees, possessing fashion clout in their own right.
But are blogs a replacement for women’s monthlies, or just an alternative? Some of the most popular blogs, like the street style photographer, The Sartorialist, focus largely on pictures over writing and content. Fashion blogs may merely be viewed as another cog within the fashion industry.
My Favourite Blogs:
Liberty London Girl (http://www.libertylondongirl.com/): Not content with just posting about fashion, the English editor and journalist, Sasha Wilkins, also shows us her travels and her favourite food.
Atlantic-Pacific (http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.co.uk/): This San Francisco based blogger always looks amazing and isn’t afraid to try out something new.
Orchid Grey (http://orchidgrey.blogspot.co.uk/): Another American blogger, Julie has a passion for vintage clothing, posting a lot of Seventies-inspired outfits.
Tavi Gevinson (http://www.thestylerookie.com/): At 16 years old, Tavi has been blogging since she was 11! She created the teen style blog, Rookie. Her TED talk, ‘Still Figuring It Out’ is also well worth a view.