Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Take Notes: What I've Learned from Fashion Blogs

I've been blogging for almost a year and a half now.  I started my blog because I'd been reading fashion blogs for a while and one of the things that struck me one day was the evolution I would see in my favorite bloggers.  Change is often not visible to those who are undergoing it and those watching it on a daily basis.  However, for someone who doesn't know us, the change can be stark just by reading an early entry and a current one.  I saw that blogging really pushed my favorite reads to be more creative in their closet and as a result, their style became much more developed and easy to see.  So I decided to jump in and hit that publish button and hoped for the best.

I love blogging.  I am very thankful that I don't make my living from this blog because I don't think it would be nearly as fun if it was something I had to do, instead of something that I enjoy and find to be a stress reliever.  One of my favorite things about blogging is the unbelievable friendships I've made with women I don't even know, yet really feel like I know! The sheer amount of knowledge out in the blogosphere just blows my mind.  I decided to share with you some of the best tricks, tips and lessons I've learned from my favorite bloggers in the last year and a half.

FIT & CLOSET CHOICES
Image from Alterations Needed
Tailor, Tailor, Tailor Everything.  This post from Kelly at Alterations Needed changed my life.  Before I read this, I was often frustrated that I could see a celebrity with a cute shirt and it never looked the same on me even if I was the same size or shape!  Celebrities tailor everything from camisoles and tees to red carpet wear.  I still don't tailor tees and camis, but I've learned to tailor blouses, pants, coats and the items that I absolutely love.
Image from Extra Petite
DIY Can Really Elevate Your Look. Jean at Extra Petite is the queen of DIY solutions to common styling problems.  Her DIY Bra-Converter is a game changer because you will never shell out $80 for a fancy bra when you can use $5 to modify the ones in your closet! She also transforms thrift store finds, and off-the-rack clothes become one of a kind with small adjustments.  See this dress, coat (professionally tailored, but her idea), and skirt.
Image from Wardrobe Oxygen
Buy Clothes That Multi-Task. I LOVE the Capsule Wardrobe Posts by Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen. I first saw one before the holidays last year and I referenced it when packing for our Thanksgiving holiday. Recently, I bookmarked both her Stay At Home Mom Capsule because I'm home much more now and her Cruise Capsule because my husband and I booked a cruise for this summer last month.  

TIPS & TRICKS
Image from Franish
How to Layer a Button Down Under a Sweater & Turn a Tee Into a Scarf.  I always just used very thin and fitted shirts under my sweaters.  Franziska blogs at Franish and has an absolutely genius idea to create the perfect layered look in this post. She also teaches you to turn your favorite tee into a stylish scarf here.
Image from Wendy's Lookbook
25 Ways to Tie a Scarf.  This short video by Wendy of Wendy's Lookbook has changed the way I look at scarves.  I still struggle to do anything other than just drape mine, but I try to change it up from time to time and this tutorial makes it really easy to change the look every once in a while.
Image from Kendi Everyday
How to Respond to Backhanded Compliments At Work. I love Kendi of Kendi Everyday, she was one of my first fashion reads and I still lurk over there alot. As someone who has been known to wear sweater dusters to work, I've often been on the receiving end of a backhanded compliment ("I didn't know you liked Stevie Nicks!" "I love that you take fashion risks, it's so boring when everyone just looks good." etc.) I was thrilled to read this post about her sunshine tights and I decided to make my co-workers (and family!) commit to the insult.
Image from Blue Paper Lanterns
How to Make a Sock Bun. I learned to make a sock bun through this post on Blue Paper Lanterns and because I posted about it when I first started blogging, I figured no one would ever read it and also stole the title of Kimmie's post.  Such a rookie screw up.  I promise I know better now...or do I?
Image from I Am Style-Ish
How to Pack a Carry-On.  I was asked by a couple of readers to do a packing post after a couple of trips last year and in both cases I refered them to this post on Packing Tips by Tiffany of I Am Style-Ish (I even have those packing cubes!) and 3-4 Days in a Tote Bag by Jean of Extra Petite because I have absolutely nothing new to add and I just follow these tips to ensure that I never have to check a bag or leave a crucial item behind!

These are just some of my favorite tips & tricks that I've picked up along the way.  There are so many more and I am thinking of highlighting all the ideas I want to copy try to recreate in an upcoming post.

What are your favorite tips & tricks? I'd love to take a peek!

11 comments:

  1. This is a great list of tips! I have to hem almost every pair of pants I own because I'm so petite.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    February Group Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I learn so much from my fellow bloggers! I love your list, it includes some of my favorite blogs. Like you, I learn so much from Jean at Extra Petite!

    ReplyDelete
  3. All of my favorites!! I also appreciate the bloggers who reach out to newbies, support fellow bloggers, and make it a positive hobby for me - you included! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Caroline! I also appreciate it when the "big" bloggers are sweet and answer us "smaller" bloggers back! :)

      Delete
  4. Hi there ! Found you on extra-petite and loved your really sweet and loyal comment, so I thought I'd say hi ;) I'm nicely surprised :) Thanks for the great post, I didn't know many of them bloggers ! :D

    ps: that video changed my way of seeing scarves too ! Since then I started to accumulate them :D

    xx from France

    www.l-iconoclaste.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, that is such a strange situation. Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

      Delete
  5. thank you for including me - I'm honored to be in the same company as those girls. They're such wonderful bloggers and women, and I've also learned so much from them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. great post and lost of great tips. I always wanted to learn how to do a sock bun, will check out the post. Also i agree with tailoring, I use to never get my pants hemmed and once I did, made a big difference.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great fashion blog tips! I love Franish's tip the most because I have been telling other people about it. haha... :)

    xo – Sheila
    Enter to win Dr. Hauschka Regenerating Eye Cream!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, all! I appreciate your comments very much! Thanks so much for reading!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love Kendi's positive attitude about wearing what makes one feel good inside! Style sometimes just comes down to a positive attitude. I wore my new bright red pants -- featured on my blog tomorrow (Tuesday!) -- and got quite a few raised eyebrows and one "Oh wow, those caught my attention." I just smiled and went about the work conversation. ;)

    ReplyDelete

Tell me what you think, but be nice! You catch more flies with sugar than spice!