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Original poster

Style blogs and freebies

361 replies

FallonColby · 27/03/2014 09:47

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.

OP posts:
StyleOverSubstance · 29/03/2014 21:58

Just out of interest, has anyone bought anything that they have seen on any of the blogs? Lots of people posting on this thread saying the same thing - that they are very aware of the commercialism that has crept into a lot of the blogs. So just wondering if it seeing an item worn by a blogger has influenced anyone to actually buy the products, despite know that it may have been 'gifted'?

dexter73 · 29/03/2014 22:26

Awards dress - £330
Hire of jumpsuit - £50
Sheepskin boots - £120
Boots - £210
Coat - £75
sandals - £45
That's just from this month's posts so it certainly does mount up! Maybe I should start a blog!

Original poster
FallonColby · 29/03/2014 22:50

Styleoversubstance I haven't bought anything but have need inspired.

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 29/03/2014 23:20

I bought chinos from Gap I saw on Susiesoso, a Reiss scarf I saw on dmbl40, an All Saints Top seen on Poppystyle and am considering sandals from dmbl40, but they are expensive so still thinking about it, they will probably sell out before I press the button online!

JohnCusacksWife · 29/03/2014 23:33

Schoolgatestyle seems to be getting some stick here but I've found it one of the most practical, down to earth blogs. I think she always makes clear when she's been given something, there's no hiding anything. And how do people suppose bloggers make any money if not via advertising etc? I find most (not all) of the things mentioned on SGS are do-able and I like her style. Maybe not the most cutting edge but as Ronseal says "it does what it says on the tin".

So many blogs witter on about things that are way out of a normal person's price range that they just turn me off.

JohnCusacksWife · 29/03/2014 23:34

I've bought 2coats which I've seen on SGS - both Targetdry which I'd never heard of before i saw them on the blog and they have been fab. Also a necklace which gets comments, without fail, every time I wear it.

dexter73 · 30/03/2014 07:41

I suppose I was being a bit naive in not realising that bloggers write their blogs to make money. I thought that most of the ones I read were more of a 'This is what I am wearing today' post than a money-making venture.

MrsCampbellBlack · 30/03/2014 07:49

Some are I think dexter - I know the AWO ladies get nothing at all for doing their blog as they just do it for love Smile

LordPalmerston · 30/03/2014 07:51

oh i hate them

" my friends at slightly naff jewellery store" invited me to look at this and i just LOVED this was the best of a bad bunch this rococco clown necklace

you can get your own ceramic clown pendant with code lolz14 just for blog readers.

pop of colour, rocking the look, haul crap ad nauseum

LordPalmerston · 30/03/2014 07:52

i am bored of schoolgatestyles GARDEN FGS
get a hot tub

and primmos pink frickin front door

MrsCampbellBlack · 30/03/2014 07:52

I buy very very little I see on blogs, in fact I can't remember the last thing I did buy after seeing it on a blog.

I quite like Mission Style - she's very salesy but if similar build and local to me.

dexter73 · 30/03/2014 07:58

I do like AWO MrsCB, it's one of my favourites even though a lot of the clothes on it aren't for me. In fact, most of the blogs I like best have clothes that I wouldn't wear, but I like the bloggers so continue to read them.
I totally rock the ceramic clown pendant btw LordP!

MrsCampbellBlack · 30/03/2014 08:04

If they took freebies from NAP I could understand it after all Wink But I guess for some of them its their business and they know their target market likes a nice clown pendant

TheJumped · 30/03/2014 10:49

Lol at 'get a hot tub' Grin

One thing I do really like about DMBL40 is that she posts loads of pics and links. That's what I like best I think, 'today let's look at blue dresses' or whatever, then her picks from a broad range of shops. With pretty honest sounding appraisals. Combined with her outfit shots and general humour and chat, that's what works for me. Also she doesn't mind polyester, and neither do I - her budget is many times mine but I still find it relevant. I do click through a lot, sometimes Pin or add to a wishlist, I have actually bought stuff too (Ash wedges (returned, not me) and AH bag (resold, far too big) ok not great then!)

I'm considering blogging but don't want to show my face or identity. I'm stylish in my head but don't have much of a budget so it might not work - I haven't found a budget blog that doesn't look like she ran into Primark and came out with sparkly tat and scarves stuck to her.

MrsCampbellBlack · 30/03/2014 11:41

You see, I find dmbl40's fifty pictures of stuff she saw in m&s dull - I can look at a website myself and find stuff.

What I like really are lots of photos of the blogger in what they're actually wearing and if they're a similar size to me all the better.

pinkhousesarebest · 30/03/2014 13:03

I think DMBLB is quite good. Would never have thought of looking in M and S for a trench until she unearthed a gem. I haven't got time to sift through that unwieldy site. I am the opposite to you though MrsCB in that most bloggers -unless they are Wendy- look ....well like the rest of us.

WipsGlitter · 30/03/2014 17:07

I think DMBL is probably getting quite a bit of £££ from her links. They're affiliated shops so each click and purchase earns her money. So maybe not quite so unbiased!

giannna · 30/03/2014 20:56

I'm not too keen on DMBL40; a bit too much fake modesty/pretending to be on a budget going on there.....

I like SGS though. She's a similar age to me and wears the type of outfits that I do.

GeorginaWorsley · 30/03/2014 21:12

DMBL40 is my favourite.
I like the links to shops,don't mind if she is getting paid!
I like the fact that there are plenty of pictures and text with each post too.
Some of the other '40' bloggers are ok,but not in her league IMO.

LordPalmerston · 30/03/2014 21:17

gianna - god yes - recommends marks and wears Designer

giannna · 30/03/2014 21:18

Yes and all the fake surprise when she fits in a size 8 of anything

GeorginaWorsley · 30/03/2014 21:21

Yes lordP I understand what you mean.
She does seem to get her money's worth from her £££ stuff though.

hanginginthere1 · 30/03/2014 22:28

I really like Does my bum....., and also also Style Guile. I also follow another blog from a lady who lives in the North west, who bears quite a resemblance to Kat, and often seems to copy her look, wears the same clothes etc. Don't know what Kat makes of this?

LordPalmerston · 30/03/2014 22:56

It's chicken and egg

MrsCampbellBlack · 31/03/2014 06:12

Is that midlifestyle or somethng hanging? Things is I think Kat seems very lovely but agree she has a very decent budget - which is fair enough.

But I think a lot of blogs are similar in that its women of a certain age, wearing a lot of zara, the odd 'designer' handbag and they tend to be slim. So its not surprising they look similar.

I admire SGS's business spirit - I mean she only started that blog what a couple of years ago??

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