Why Do I share My Outfits?
Lately I’ve been in a battle with myself and my blog. With what I want my blog to be, and what my time allows for.
I realize part of the problem at the moment is the time of the year. The later parts of spring and the first half of summer are always rough for myself and Patrick, as it is the time that leads up to a huge work conference for Patrick, which leaves us with limited time to go out. Also, since moving to California we have found ourselves with extremely busy social schedules. Birthdays, random social events, etc. cut down on the time we have to visit unique destinations and museums, often leaving me with just an outfit post here and there, which is something I’ve wanted to work on shying away from. However, recently I had a bit of a revelation.
My recent post Saturday at Knott’s received zero comments. Nada. Zilch. Goose egg. None. This outfit honestly ranks among one of my favorites that I’ve shared, so the lack of comments was a hard blow. It made me feel like my favorite styling was one of zero interest to my readers. But here is the thing…I know that western attire, or even my personal style that I’ve developed, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But what I hope any of my outfits do is inspire. You don’t have to like what I wear, but I would hope that the out-there-ness of my style choices inspires you to go out there and create your own personal style.
No matter what I have on my body, I just want to inspire you to be yourself, wear what makes you happy, and what makes you feel good. That’s the point of clothing; show off your personality. If you’re out there reading this, and you want to start wearing a certain kind of style, I want you do be inspired, to be bold, and do it. Rock whatever kind of style you want, no matter what anyone else says. It’s okay to be different and to stand out. The Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood said it best, “Being different isn’t a bad thing. It means you’re brave enough to be yourself.”
My biggest piece of advice on fashion is the following: do not listen to trends. It’s seriously one of the biggest disservices you can do to yourself. Do not allow some random magazine dictate what you should and should not wear. You will be nothing but unhappy, and you will spend more money on clothing, buying items that will be “out of style” in a matter of months, and sometimes you’ll end up talking yourself into buying something you don’t actually like just because it’s what’s “in” this season.
I started out wearing vintage on a regular basis because I liked its styling, and quality. I focused on being period perfect for a very long time, but honestly, that got boring and stressful. I realized I was still allowing something else dictate my fashion choices, albeit sources from decades past. I chose to ignore the desires I had for some elements from current fashion, because I was so hyper focused on looking like I stepped out of a 40s magazine. Today I just shop and when I see something I like, I just get it. I don’t care anymore if it’s vintage or not. I must admit I often still prefer vintage garments, because their craftsmanship and fit is often superior to that of contemporary clothing. However I have found many newer, quality items second hand at various resale shops, like Buffalo Exchange. The purchasing of clothing brand new has been an issue for me in recent years, and not just because of quality, but because of ethics. Books like Overdressed and news stories about working conditions and sustainability make shopping an ethical act. While this isn’t necessarily a style or fashion choice, it is one that plays into my shopping habits, and reinforces my desires to buy used clothing.
Now, as I’ve said before, I still want this blog to be more than just outfit posts, but sometimes that’s all that I have time for. I really think this blog comes down to sharing and inspiring. The United States is one great big amusement park, full of bizarre roadside destinations that I am just chomping at the bit to explore and share, historical locations that offer people chances to reach out and touch history, museums that work to preserve that history, and offering my unique style as a form of inspiration to those who may be struggling and fearful of wearing whatever they want to. At the end of the day, I want people to learn from history, support their local economy, and be inspired to be themselves, and I hope that is what this blog does for you.
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I’ve been reading your blog forever. I don’t really post comments, but I read every entry you post. I started reading them because of your outfits. I actually miss you posting more of your heavy outfit posts, and especially your dresses!! Absolutely loved your posts from about 5 or more years ago! You’ve inspired my wardrobe many times when I was into vintage dress. And thanks for the encouragement on wearing what you want! I’ve been having a slight dilemma going on in my head with fashion and aging lately.
Thank you for your kind words! Yes, I think many struggle with fashion and aging, thinking they “out grow” certain looks, and begin to think about what garments are “age appropriate” but if I’ve learned anything of value in the blog-esphere, it’s that age doesn’t matter! I love looking at the outfits that the women on Advanced Style have.
I’m another long time reader who doesn’t comment much. Despite the lack of comments, you are providing the inspiration you are aiming for. Yours is one of a few blogs that I started to follow back when you had a more generic vintage style that has since evolved into something more unique. Even though the Western styling is not my thing to wear, it suits you and it’s interesting and your love for it is clear. I enjoy seeing personal style develop and people have fun with clothes. So I’m glad you keep the outfit posts up among the other content.
Thank you so much!
Janey you do a phenomenal job and “educate and entertain” all of your fans. Maybe you’re trying to squeeze in too many blogs especially now with other commitments and feel the pressure. I loved the last Knotts Saturday blog and especially love the vintage cowboy attire. You can’t please everyone but there IS something for everyone. You do inspire and enrich our lives. We are kindred spirits I post our travels and musical festivals on FB to enrich and inspire my friends to go and do. So I understand your desire to share.
I only comment occasionally on your blog when I think I can contribute but I’m certain that a lack of comments is not a lack of appreciation and interest. We love you- you have a real gift to share your unique talents. You ably interweave your love of period attire & collections with historical and special events or locations. Wow! So please keep up your special blog there’s no other like it. And besides you’re so darn cute!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I also totally can relate to you about why you don’t often comment. I find myself in the same boat when I read other blogs. It’s so much like “Cute outfit!” “Love the shoes!” and I feel so silly!
I enjoy your blog, I should have commented long ago! Love your style and your posts on quirky places. Keep going! I’ll be here.
I know it doesn’t matter, but I’ve never disliked an outfit you born. I may not comment on everything, but I enjoy every post I read and think your sense of style is magic is pure magic.
I’m also not one to reply, but I always admire your posts and how you are so creative at capturing the spirit of your visit in your outfits. I admire vintage fashion, although I may only wear a pin here or a style fo shoe there; I do love looking at it!
I love your personal style and is a key reason why I look at your blog. I don’t usually comment but promise to do more so in the future. And I really enjoyed your collection post last week. Best wishes, Alli, Australis
Thank you so much! I hope to do more collection posts, as that one received such a wonderful reception.
I’ll join the crowd of enthusiastic commenters- I love your blog, and for exactly the reasons you wrote about! Western wear is not my thing, but your corner of the internet is always so fun, quirky, and inspiring! I love how you share what *you* love- that’s what attracts me to people.
Keep on keeping on! Your blog is a delight. 🙂 I’m so sorry about the lack of commenting- that’s got to be the biggest discouragement in blogging. I promised myself that when I started my blog I’d always leave comments when I felt inclined… but I fall short of that frequently. Rest assured that though your followers may sometimes be quiet, we’re still present. <3
Thank you for such kind words on my blog! That really made my day!
I think a lot of people including fellow bloggers (myself 200% included) have fallen down in the commenting. Blogs used to be much more interactive before everyone spread between various social media like Instagram, etc. It’s definitely put a damper in me wanting to share over the years, but also I know I’m part of the problem. I really need to work on that. There’s only so much online-ness I can take with work/life/crafting/etc, ha ha! I feel spread too thin and then I find myself retreating from interacting at all.
That being said, I’ve always loved your unique sense of style and often have gotten little tidbits of ideas from you over the years. You always put things together in such inspiring ways. I’m sorry if I don’t comment *nearly* as often as I should, because I always enjoy your posts. 🙂
I can completely relate. Sometimes I am just so busy or have a hard time sitting in front of the computer for longer than it takes to blog, meaning I just don’t comment on other blogs! Or sometimes I just feel like I have nothing to say, aside from “Cute!” “Love the shoes!” etc.
I love your outfits and how you match your destinations. I just don’t know what to say – and sometimes I’m just too in love with your Egyptian pieces for words.
Thank you!! Sometimes I must think people think I’m silly how I do that with locations and outfits, but it’s fun and I love a good theme!
Thank you! I really want more of it in my wardrobe, but Egyptian elements are getting harder to find, and more expensive!
I didn’t get around to reading your last post yet (I’m really behind on everyone’s stuff because I’ve been so busy!) but for what it’s worth I still really enjoy your outfits! Sadly I think blogs in general are losing out a lot to other platforms (…Instagram) and engagement seems to be decreasing a lot but I think people do still read blog even if they don’t comment as often as they used to.
Thank you! Yes, Instagram is so easy! And while I like it, I just don’t ever feel like I can fully express myself to the degree I want to with it, which means blogging.
I love your blog and it’s what got me interested in vintage. Also watching your own style evolution as you allowed yourself to experiment more and not be held back by “rules” helped me give myself permission to do the same as I switched between different styles and feel guilty about never concretely being in one or the other.
But I always look forward to your posts, no matter what they are. Though I especially love when you talk about historical things, both fashion and otherwise.
Unfortunately I rarely ever comment on blog posts, as another poster pointed out, there are so many different social media platforms now that it often makes it hard. (I most frequently use instagram but even then rarely comment on most of what I follow). It’s sad because a large number of blogs I’ve followed since 09/10 have largely gone defunct and I miss being able to get a glimpse into other people’s experiences and thought processes in the way that blogs allow. (Though Youtube comes close)
Thank you so much for your kind words, and it brings me such joy knowing I’ve helped you in that way, because that is so much what I want to do! I went through much of my younger life worrying what others thought of what I wore, and I wish I could go back and tell younger me it’s okay, and to wear what you want!
Like you, many blogs I once followed have gone belly up, or post so infrequently it’s hard to remember the personalities behind them.
I like your oufit posts, even if I dont comment. So many bnlogers have left the traditonal blog platform its nice to still hang on to the few that do. We may not comment, but I think you still have a lot of readers here.
Thank you!
I rarely comment either, but I too enjoy the quirky western outfits. They make me smile and I love your blog. Keep it up. Hey, you should visit Lone Pine, CA! The Alabama Hills, the Western Movie Museum and all the history there. Your outfits would be the star there!
I’ll add those to my list! Thank you!
I get inspired by your outfit posts. I’ve been trying to dress in a vintage way for a year now and your outfits always give me ideas.
I wonder if there are technical reasons why blog commenting generally isn’t happening so much? I tend to read in a feeder (Newsblur) and would have to click out as I have done now, to comment; too many steps… Also reading on a mobile phone – when I do that I never comment cos anything that takes a bit of thought isn’t served by the small comment boxes and keyboard. I am glad for your like button and always try to at least click that to acknowledge the post when I am on your blog.
I like your quirky personal style and the way you own that. I follow for those reasons not for pristine vintage styling (love your Jackalope outfit). I am also a collector of things that are ephemeral and enjoy how you have passions and collections and that you work them into your everyday life. Reading vintage and style blogs like yours has given me the confidence to turn an early 2000 dress found at Savers into a 1930’s garden party frock and next month wear it to a play set in the 1930’s. I may be the only person in costume but I don’t care. I have also been inspired by your Mexican tourist jackets. I am too fat to find one online but have found a lightweight 1990’s red swing jacket and will be doing felt applique as a bit of an ongoing project. I think I haven’t commented when these thoughts have jumped into being because I don’t want to sound like a ‘gunna’ [do this] all talk and no results.
I totally know what you mean, reading and commenting is a process. I use a feeder too, Bloglovin’ and while I do like reading on a phone as well sometimes, I never comment! Sometimes the log in, prove you’re not a bot process is just too much on a phone.
That is so wonderful about your dress! And I love that you’re into ephemera! I love it too, but have had to curb it some.
I appreciate your comments about being true to yourself in appearance. I’m fond of long dresses and long skirts, and I occasionally get terrible comments on the street—people telling me it’s too early for Halloween or asking if I am Amish. Your always personal fashion sense is one of the reasons I enjoy reading your blog so much. I love knowing that even if there aren’t very many people in the area where I currently live (the very-conformist silicon valley) who are brave enough to wear what they really like, that there are interesting and nice people out there who are willing to share what they like on the internet and support each others’ passions.
People really say and ask that!? Wow! I’m really getting into longer skirts though. They can be so dramatic!
I admire that you always dress like yourself. It does inspire, because you’re being genuinely you, which is the most excellent thing a person can be.
Thank you!
I don’t comment very often, though I should do, because I enjoy all your posts. I love seeing your outfits, all of them, and I enjoy all your posts on history and culture. I think you do a fantastic job of your blog.
Thank you! I really hope to do more history and culture posts.
I think this is my first comment on here. 🙂 You are a great inspiration…I love seeing the different outfits you create. I enjoy learning about your local culture and know you must put a lot of work in your blog. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to many future posts…..
Best wishes,
Dee
Thank you! I really want to work on more posts about local history and culture. I’ve been continuing to add to the list of places to visit and write about.
I certainly read and enjoy your posts and outfits too! I don’t really comment on blogs very often, I’m not entirely sure why. I always get excited when I get a couple of comments on mine! I think I just assume that since your photos and outfits looks so professional and well done that you must already be getting so many comments that I don’t even check. You are on the list of my favourite vintage style blogs though! I hope lack of comments don’t discourage you too much, you can now see how many people enjoy your blog and style!