Are Style bloggers wealthy as a result of their blogs or do only wealthy women actually blog in the first place?

[ClearlyUnlikeable]

Just wondering really as every single style blog I come across is written by someone who appears to have pots of cash and thinks an item reduced to £200 from £300 is a 'bargain'?

I seriously can't get over the amount most of them seem to spend on clothes!

No it's not. I know plenty of people who hate on her for valid reasons such as terrible vlogs consisting of her face and every plate of food she eats, bizarre purchases made in sale/outlets that are still expensive, not using a lead with her daschund and crying hysterically every time she goes missing, and whining that she's permanently ill. I've lost patience witb her vlogs - can you tell!

That said, she seems like a cool person!

Have also known DMBL40 for years and years through another forum. She is lovely and has always been great at putting outfits together. I'm a totally different shape to her but still manage to find inspiration. She is successful because she is very likeable and very good at what she does.

Omg is she on NetMums??!!

Not a massive blog fan though I do quite like DMBL40. Don't see the appeal of Trinny at all though an acquaintance has quite the fascination with her. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors involved in many of these blogs.

I think that companies are going to have to get a bit more nuanced about it as their product placement is all so obvious now. For example a while back Debenhams had obviously recruited a load of bloggers so within a couple of days they ALL had Debenhams embroidered clothes. It was so obvious it puts you off. Same with Air and Grace and Seven boot lane. If you are of a certain demographic you most likely follow a few of the same bloggers so when they all appear in the same gear it makes me less likely to follow their lead.

I love reading blogs but they have to be good - although I must admit it does make me spend more money! I think the good ones are The Edited, Little Spree, The Frugality, Style-mum and Victoria Genevieve. Lots of good ideas on how to put clothes together if, like me, you aren't a visual person...

Most fashion blogging is PR these days. I'm sure a lot of them are lovely and hardworking - PR people often are - but I no longer find them interesting. When I want ideas, I'd rather just go out and watch what people are wearing.
In fact I'd rather have a good old fashioned 'please buy our stuff' email. At least it's upfront about wanting my money and it'll probably be better written too.

I think that following a blogger has actually saved me money. Yes, I have bought a lot of stuff since following MF40s, but I have loved absolutely everything so far. And because she chooses pieces that usually work well together, and you can mix and match them, it's made my wardrobe more versatile.

I agree with so many of these posts.

While I think some are funded by their husbands, so many seems to be in bed with so many brands now that I suspect most of the things they blog about are either heavily discounted, on loan or free in exchange for coverage.

The lack of transparency between (most) bloggers and brands is reaching ridiculous levels. I also loathe the sycophancy between bloggers on Instagram. All of this needs to be addressed at some point as I think many bloggers will alienate and lose many of their followers if things carry on as they are.

I also hate how bloggers contradict themselves. I remember one deciding she was going to be all Scandi cool and only wear black, white, grey and navy. That lasted for about a week. Sometimes I want to ask in her comments what happened to that fashion vow!

I noticed The Frugality posted today about her trip to Rome. It was a sponsored post by Next. This was declared and even if it hadn't been, it was obvious given now many of her clothes were from Next. (It would have been nice if she'd have credited the restaurant recommendations to the people who actually gave them to her). However, what I found so irritating was the post that preceded it was about how/what she packed for Rome, and the differences between the clothing and accessories in that, and what appeared in her Rome blog were very very different. I just wish there was a bit of continuity.
(For the record I've always found The Frugality's blog totally misnamed. She's not frugal, not in the least.)

I wish it would become mandatory that all bloggers must declare what they've paid for, what's been loaned/borrowed, what's been discounted (and at what discount), and what's free. At least in magazines we know it's one big advertorial, and now blogs seem to have followed suit. A huge shame and so so boring.

I've stopped reading most blogs now as they're either ridiculous and unrelatable/unaffordable, full of affiliate links or they all feature the same brands/products. It's so boring. The only blogger I still enjoy reading and think has any integrity is Disneyrollergirl.

Anyway, sorry, I've probably gone off topic now but will finish by saying that I think it's clear some make a nice living out of their blogs be it through affiliate links or freebies.

The Frugality is my favourite. I like that she wears a lot of stuff from high street stores, plus she doesn't irritate me. On the whole I do enjoy a good browse of a blog and copying what I like. It doesn't matter if you don't have that knack for putting things together, there's someone else to do it for you!

Although yes, I did think ''yeah right' at her items from Next!

Excellent post Stella

I agree they are all 'in business' now. I doubt many are writing/posting because their love of fashion is reward enough.

I have unfollowed most of them too and I think until many others do the same, this form of Blanton the advertising won't change.

• blatant advertising

i think a lot of the fashion bloggers are privileged & don't have to worry too much about money. i get very annoyed with the frugality as stella says she's really not frugal! what she spends on one of her pricey items could get me a whole wardrobe of decent quality clobber plus footwear, she shouldn't use that name, i get sick of seeing her justify herself, trying to convince us how frugal she is.

stuck I think you're right, she seems to do a lot of justifying. Bought a London flat but makes sure to tell us about all the compromises made. Isn't that normal, not frugal? People who really have to be frugal are unlikely to be able to refurbish an entire property in London. Own it!

(For the record I've always found The Frugality's blog totally misnamed. She's not frugal, not in the least.)

Lol, this is why I rarely if ever look at her blog anymore. If she's frugal, then I guess I must be fucking miserly!

Am I the only person who stops reading blogs/following on Instagram once it's obvious that the blogger has made it their full time job?

I have zero interest in anyone whose sole purpose is convincing me to buy stuff - it's just advertising by another name.

Anyway, I stopped reading the Frugality about the time she gave up her job at the magazine as she became quite unrelateable.

Same here ruby bleu they loose their appeal when they start to make it a full time job. That's unachievable for me so I have no interest anymore.

(For the record I've always found The Frugality's blog totally misnamed. She's not frugal, not in the least.)

I just looked at her blog and had the same thought.

I have been unwell and have totally lost my way. I used to love fashion but lately it feels like an achievement to have a shower and put on clean pyjamas. A blog might help me find my way again - but I haven't found one that is me.

I've started unfollowing the bloggers who just seem to be adverts now @rubybleu , unfollowed the frugality ages ago as I just though she was disingenuous. It's a shame but once they monetise their blogs the content of both the posts and the clothes themselves change and are no longer useful or relatable. If I want pretty adverts I will buy a magazine.

As a case in point, I have just seen the latest post on MidLife Chic and everything is courtesy of M&S. It's basically one huge M&S holiday gear showcase, from clothes...to cosmetics...to luggage. Justified with some tenuous explanation that she once bought lots of holiday stuff from M&S, and liked it...

And, a lot of it is vile...there's some wide-legged, jungle print trousers (my Grandma would call them 'slacks') that are a visual slap in the mouth. Most of it is so frumpy-dumpy, and my Mum wouldn't give it wardrobe room (and she's 74).

@MaQueen is she wearing THE pink dress?

No, thank God...