IS THE BLOGGING INDUSTRY BECOMING DELUSIVE? AND IS #OOTD A BIG FAT LIE?

Tuesday 9 April 2019


 [This post contains a gifted dress from Elvi Clothing]

In 2013, blogging was just picking up, I was sixteen, and I had just started a blog. After admiring so many other bloggers such as Charlotte Fisher, Victoria from InTheFrow, Helen Anderson, Kayla Hadlington, and so many more, I decided I wanted to try my hand at blogging..

Blogging back then was fabulous. A truly lovely community, and a community that I wish I had joined a few months prior because I might have had a chance of getting featured in Company Magazine alongside some of my idols in their monthly blogger feature.

Fashion blogging in particular was this fun and quirky thing. It was based around styling up clothes in your own unique style, and exploring different trends while documenting how you got on. From the JuJu Jellies craze, to tie-dye, pastel vibes, slogan tees, and chunky sandals – blogging in 2013/14 was marvellous. But has blogging, and fashion blogging more specifically, become delusive? And is it losing the originality that used to overflow within the community?

Times change, I get that. Things will always change, improve, and alter, and I am fully aware and accepting of this. But what about when something is becoming more delusive?

I've "ummed" and "ahhhed" about writing this post for the longest time, but almost six years of blogging experience means I am incredibly passionate about blogging, so here I am, sharing my opinions and comparing today's blogosphere with 2013's...


This is not directed at anyone, and I am not judging anyone. It's just hard as a blogger of six years who has always been genuine, true, and real to witness the direction in which blogging is going.

Back in 2013/14/15 things were very real within the blogging world. #OOTD meant a photo of an actual outfit that you actually wore on that day, but nowadays #OOTD is a meaningless hashtag that we are all guilty of using when you didn't actually wear something on that day.

I remember shooting my outfit photos in the spring of 2014. I had just bought a bridge camera off of eBay with my Christmas money, and I was so excited to finally become a 'proper blogger', so I styled up an outfit – a cream lace dress with a gorgeous kimono – I ruffled my hair up, and asked my mum to take a few shots of me outside our apartment. I rushed back inside, uploaded them straight away, wrote a blog post, and then published it instantly. I then wore that outfit out that day. Yep, that was an #OOTD back in 2014.

The same goes for when I started college later that year. Before or after my lectures, I'd get my mum to take photos of me in my outfit of the day outside of our apartment, and then later that day I'd write a post and publish it, that day.

I'd spend hours styling the outfits I'd wear, and I'd write blog posts dedicated to how I had styled it, why I teamed that with that, and why I loved it so much. Blogging back then was real, innocent, raw, and genuine.

I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite, because I don't exactly follow the above ritual anymore. But my outfits are still ALWAYS genuine, they are completely styled by me, and I do wear them for the FULL day (excluding two occasions where I shot two outfits in a day). But these days, many bloggers (fashion in-particular) mass-shoot outfits, never re-wear clothes on the gram, and you can tell that they probably won't wear it again in the future. It saddens me, because this isn't fashion blogging as I know it.

I miss the old-school #OOTD, and the spontaneity of hitting publish on a blog post and not "schedule". I do schedule posts in advance as I love to be prepared, and it's great to do so I can focus on my uni work without worrying about blogging – but I'm not a full-time blogger – I'm a full-time student with blogging as my hobby, so I guess it's understandable to some extent.

But if you are a full-time blogger, why on earth do you need to mass-shoot 20 outfits in a day, and schedule all of your blog and Instagram posts? If blogging is your job?

Blogging is something the majority of us do for joy, passion, and excitement. We get excited about showing off a new outfit we've bought, or something that we kindly get gifted from a brand. We get excited about styling an outfit up with a favourite garment or accessory that we might have had for years. And we feel a rush when a post we've worked hard on has gone live, and we keep refreshing the page to see if any of the community has commented yet. This is what blogging IS, this is what blogging SHOULD BE, and this is how I will always blog... with passion and excitement.


I understand that things have changed, and blogging is now a respected profession for many, but surely this doesn't mean that blogging can be abused in this way?

Not only this, but we have people calling themselves bloggers when they don't have a blog. According to google, the definition of 'blogger' is "a person who regularly writes material for a blog" – but that's none of my business.

I will always blog in the same way I have done since I started. Yeah, okay, my posts aren't as spontaneous as they used to be, but I don't have as much time as I used to. So yeah okay, I might shoot an outfit and not post it for three weeks, but rest assured that I wore that outfit all day long, styled it myself, and actually wore it because I LOVED it.

I didn't want to write this post to offend anyone, to bash anyone, or to upset anyone. I just needed to get this off of my chest. Blogging is something I'm passionate about, and something that will ALWAYS be a huge part of my life, and I just find it sad how it's changing so quickly into something that is no longer passion-filled, spontaneous, and personal.

Steal Mollie's Style

I'm wearing a black roll neck from M&S which was £4 in the sale (not bad, eh?), with my gorgeous new Helga Double Breasted Dress that Elvi Clothing kindly gifted me.

I teamed this with some black shades, and my favourite black Paula Handbag by Lulu Guinness. With black loafers from Kurt Geiger.


What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that #OOTD is a big fat lie? 




16 comments

  1. I was thinking about this the other day! I used to take snaps of my makeup I was using as I applied it, now it is thought about a week in advance to get the photo - I hoped it was due to how busy I am now, but the reality the urge for it to be the perfect shot is now at the forefront. - which sucks. I feel like I am now stuck between professional and hobby blogger, and I don't know where I fit, but as long as I enjoy it I will continue! As long as you remain as passionate about it as you are now just keep going! :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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    1. Thanks so much for reading, Erin! Blogging is becoming such a high-pressure outlet.. whether you're a hobby blogger or full-time blogger. I have no issue with posts/photos that are taken/written in advance, it's just I feel that it's changed an awful lot so quickly (and I feel that this is down to the whole Instagram culture and full-time bloggers who aren't being authentic). Again, thank you so much for reading. By the way, you're SMASHING midwifery, and I am so excited to see how you get on in the future. Lots of love xxx

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  2. This is so true!! It takes so much planning now!

    Jennifer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

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    1. It really does!! Thank you so much for reading, Jennifer! xxx

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  3. Yeap, things changed so much and even though this is understandable, I miss the old-school blogs and posts. I rarely post the actual outfit of the day, don't really have much time during the day for a photoshoot unless my husband is at home and the weather is really nice for photos. Beautiful post Mollie!!

    Yiota
    pinkdaisyloves.blogspot.com

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    1. Me too my love! Yeah I totally understand that real #OOTDs are difficult due to being busy.. I wish I had more time to take more outfit photos and authentic outfit of the days, and you're right, weather is a BIG factor. Plus, I do love having a few outfits shot and on the back burner in case I get an idea for an article or something. My main issue is with full time bloggers who don't do any authentic OOTDs yet call themselves full-time (if you get me?) haha! Thank you so much for reading, Yiota!! By the way I am LOVING your content at the moment. Sending lots of love your way xxxxx

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  4. Even though I've only recently started blogging, I can agree with you on these points - especially about how much things have changed. There is a certain lack of sincerity in the whole, but I'm hopeful that for those who work hard and stay true to themselves, their effort will be acknowledged! This was a great read, and I can tell how passionate you are about this💛

    www.sundaydahlias.com

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    1. Thank you so much gorgeous! I am so happy that you agree with me, I was so worried about posting this! I totally agree with you my love! Thank you so so much for reading xxx

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  5. It's so tricky isn't it? I know I've been guilty of tagging OOTD when I haven't worn that outfit that day, and I've got lots of content 'for the gram' with 2, 3 or 4 outfits in one go. For me, it's about showing things I would usually wear, but can't always get a good photo of. Things have definitely changed since 2013 though, and I miss sharing more 'in the moment' content on my blog and IG!

    Megan at lazythoughts.co.uk

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    1. Yes it definitely is! I am exactly the same! I try and get as many pictures in advance as I can if I am busy/or know I will be for the next week or so. I just think there's a lack of originality and authenticity within the community (mainly with bigger bloggers who get sent clothing to wear, and just chuck it on without any thought, and then move onto the next outfit). Thanks so much for reading, Megan. xxxxx

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  6. I really loved reading this post, because it has been on my mind a lot recently. But maybe from rather different angle. I think it's fine if you shoot outfit one day, or do few shoots a day (not everyone has time or anyone by side to take pictures every day and cannot afford be spontaneous). But I agree that blogging era has changed :( Honestly, I blame this on Instagram :)) Because Instagram perception it's very different, it's like fast thing, it's not same as blogging. But blog feels much more genuine and authentic. I also agree about a "blogger" term. One girl was calling herself a blogger, when I asked where is her blog that I can read, she said that Instagram was her blog :)

    Thanks for sharing your opinion <3

    Kisses,
    Bri | https://www.brigitadaisy.com

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    1. Hiya Bri! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. I am so pleased you loved reading this!! Yeah I do agree with you on shooting a couple of outfits in a day if you need to etc.. I myself have been guilty of this due to other commitments and being busy. My main issue is with the full-time bloggers who are completely wiping out #OOTD and its authenticity. I too blame Instagram.. I LOVE Instagram, but at the same time, it can be a really strange online environment! It is SO weird isn't it, when people call themselves bloggers, yet don't write a blog/say that Instagram is their blog? It really baffles me!

      Again, thanks so much for reading, I am so chuffed you loved it. Lots of love xxxx

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  7. Loved this post! I started my blog in 2014 and agree that things have definitely changed, especially with Instagram. I think it's important to follow your passions and stay true to yourself.

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  8. You look wonderful elegant and cool in this look!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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  9. Such a great post! I started blogging in 2015 and can see the changes. I often still post things on the same day I wear them but there are others that have to wait a few days whilst I have time to write them up. Love the outfit here you look stunning! Have a lovely weekend.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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Thanks for reading this post! Let me know what you thought of it below?