Style blogs and freebies

[FallonColby]

Is it just me or does anyone else get annoyed with the amount of freebies style bloggers get. For example, one blogger was berating the fact she had nothing to wear to an event, unsurprisingly she was then contacted by a company who gifted her a dress. I am sure this was not the bloggers intention but I am annoyed at seeing blogs I have previously enjoyed turn into a constant advert. It just takes the reality out of it.

I really admire Susie So So for her quest of perfection in everything she buys. She's very real.

Susie is lovely in RL - she's one if my favourite bloggers - she is so engaging (you can see that in the high number of comments she gets, too). Joanna of Poppy'sstyle is, lovely, too - also charismatic and fun. Both are genuinely buying what they like.

I like Joanna too even though I don't like her style but she seems like she is having fun doing her posts rather than just going through the motions. Her posts about her weight loss and the bikini posts were very brave.

Agree with the comments on SGS- I must remove it from my bloglovin, as I am more than a little bit over cheap viscose scarves with everything to add 'a pop of colour'.

I enjoy twentymumthing but am insanely jealous of her budget as my style is near identical - everything I eye up and add to my wishlist on likes of NAP, she seems to buy I feel like we could be on that Gok Wan programme where one model is dressed on a budget and the audience have to guess which - with my Primark skinnies and wedge trainers, and sweatshirt from Peacocks she'd clearly win but it is inspiring and aspirational for me

Santamaria novella I am intrigued by what you say re freebies and funding of some bloggers in general. Even when bloggers are outright and honest that things were c/o / free, it does still annoy me tbh. Susie So So and AWO - love both and haven't seen any freebies on either, which I like.

I've looked at SGS a few times from here and just looked again. I'm surprised at how commercial and different it looks, it's harsh on the eyes.

WIT does it all very prettily, still one of my faves. Freebies don't bother me at all, I'm sure she and Amber too, only do things with brands they like and would wear anyway - who wants a wardrobe of hideous freebies anyway. Still genuine, and good on them really.

Not a British blog but Atlantic Pacific gets a lot of freebies and has really made blogging work for her - she's gone from being a merchandiser at Old Navy to Director of Accessories at Tibi.
I find the way she dresses to be really quite ridiculous rather than aspirational, and her posts always make me chuckle when I read them first thing!

I agree with Marsha's comment about WIT, she does it all very prettily and tastefully and probably only accepts freebies from brands she actually likes. Being a fashion editor, she gets excellent discounts anyway, and as her family obviously have money, it's no wonder than she's able to indulge herself and buy expensive pieces.

On the whole I'm not a fan of sponsored posts as they're often not in keeping with the rest of the bloggers taste. I think the Frugality handles sponsored posts pretty well, particularly the lifestyle ones.

At present, it seems the same bloggers are being pursued by the same companies. It's all a little boring. John Lewis' The Edit is something that should have been really interesting. In reality it all felt rather flat as I think the bloggers chosen weren't diverse enough. I think Boden's last hang out featuring Fash'n'CHips, WIT and That's Not My Age was a really good mix of bloggers and didn't feel too contrived.

You've just reminded me "That's Not My Age" is a very good blog too.

The jumped, I honestly thought it was a known fact,some blogs look really professional, the writing,editing, photography , photoshop, is clearly not the work of a single blogger,more like a team.

I have gone off SGS recently and I couldn't quite work out why. Now I know, it's all the freebies, which are putting me off.

That's why I couldn't get on with Wendy lookbook. She seems to have nothing in her life other than clothes.

I really like Susie though, having only recently discovered her blog (am eyeing up some jewellery in her shop too). I quite like DMBL40, but she always has this smug, poser look on her face in her pics, which really really annoys me.

I like That's Not My Age, she genuinely knows her stuff rather than having just jumped on the fashion blog bandwagon.

The trouble is, even if a blogger only accepts freebies that they genuinely like, it still has a corrosive effect. It means that, whenever I read a recommendation, part of me is wondering if they've been paid to say that. And I'm less likely to come back.
Personally, if I really liked a blogger, I would rather pay a subscription in order to guarantee her independence. I realise I may be in a minority here But I really don't see the point of them if I can't trust what they're saying.

One blogger who actually sells herself as not wearing 'fun' prints just because she's a Mum of a certain age (or something like that) has obviously seen them through fresh eyes now they're supplying freebies

I've "known" her from "elsewhere" on t'internet for years, and she's always bought some Boden stuff.

I think the big blogs by people in fashion like WIT - well or course she gets freebies. But she has a gift of making everything in her life look so incredibly gorgeous that I don't mind - sure she's glad to know that She also replies to tweets so I like her.

But your everyday blogger and their boden freebies - well I'm not interested in that and don't really read any that do that any more.

Just looked at SGS for the first time in months - I wonder how much money she makes from it - can't be much surely.

TheJumped you must have pretty awesome style then! I used to love that show, though I must confess I was always rooting for Brix Smith-Start - I love her and Start carry such a great range.

WIT will probably get a shed load of vouchers/discounts with her press credentials but I imagine she chooses her own stuff in the main.

DMBL40 is plugging a shop today - she must be reading this!!

When I first discovered fashion blogs several years ago, they seemed really different from anything else that was out there. I hardly read them now but hadn't thought about why.

I doubt whether those early bloggers ever received a single freebie - they were far too forthright and that was why they were worth reading. As soon as blogging becomes a career move and you start taking the corporate shilling then, as far as I'm concerned, you lose the very thing that made you interesting in the first place. Quite frankly I now see most fashion blogs as just one step up from those 'Get the edit!' emails that clog up my inbox.

I don't go to blogs directly either, MR and Camille end up on my pin a lot. WiT gets linked so I end up on there too. And she does the fashiony lifestyle thing (the nice end of it) well.

The Man Repeller is good if you are looking for decent independent writing. It feels fresh and new. But more on fashion as a whole than a single product. Actually that's just what I have read, I'm sure she does products too. You definitely get that her views are her own.

Thanks, Marsha I shall check her out.

Fair play to Leandra, she's a great example of someone who has managed to make a career of their blog without compromising her integrity. She even has a staff of contributors now but it feels really authentic.

I just noticed the other writers. I like her style the best.

Obviously I look at yours Amber, but that goes without saying!

As much as I am not keen on SGS layout and look, and sales approach she did get on that school gate thing early on.

I like to read about new products,look at various photos of people from different cities,more international blogs, ,I like caroline blomst,(she has two blogs),and elin Kling,again several blogs, their blogs are very professional,after all they are fashion insiders,

,there are ADs,and sponsors,their blogs are more like digital magazines,but its very professionally done.

I think atlantic pacific is hilarious,those weird poses,and weirder fashion sense is really repulsive,I can't imagine anyone wanting to wear that much bracelets or necklaces,and not end up looking bonkers!

Amber blog,is great mixture for workwear and off duty looks

I know she is a fav here but I don't like DMBL40, too much going on it hurts the eye

I've just been for a quick look at Man Repeller and I have to say, I'm impressed. I don't know how she's managed it but, despite all the high end advertising, it does has the feel of something she's knocked out in her bedroom.

Fab glad you like it!

She's got a good idea. Writes well and I like the fashion city thing too.

Santa agree in AP accessory overload.

I'm really going off these too. I liked dmbl40 and still read it, but recently she has gone a bit off the boil, there is no way someone with her style could like the polka dot trousers she had on recently or the beige suede lace ups. She seems to have a bit of an edge to her style and these don't, obviously free.
All the bloggers seem obsessed with the same things- new balance trainers and hush cardigans at the moment. I not find them original either- how many variations of jacket and scarf can you have mymidlifefashion? Or skinnys and a scarf she sells herself at schoolgatestyle.
One thing I do like at dmbl40 is when she picks a great item and really works it in lots of different looks. She has great by malene birger jeans she wears to death , I would too, they are fab. Great coats too and bags. Quality items she gets loads of wear out of.
I love Poppystyle. You never know what will be next, really varied and fun, I wouldn't wear a lot of it, but have been inspired a few times.
Also Allwornout is good, different styles, realistic budgets and lives and having fun with their wardrobes. Susiesoso is good too.

I do wonder if SGS actually makes much out of her's though