I have been invited into another online fashion community... I am already actively involved in three (
wardrobe_remix,
modepass, and
chictopia) because I do like the idea of community and I have trouble saying no. But lately I have just felt so narcissistic about it all. Here my blog is flooded with images of me and now three other sites also have to deal with my face and it all just feels a bit too much... Ironically, there is a discussion
thread on w_r over narcissism and if it is a good thing or a bad thing, or if it even an applicable term to use for a group of people
sharing inspiration. I say "ironic" because I feel narcissistic in a bad way and yet I wouldn't know about this thread (or many other wonderful ones) if I wasn't involved in these groups and I love reading people's thoughts on these sorts of topics. All these communities are like finding friends with the same interests that I don't have here in person. To me, I think a lot of us feel alone/lost in our passions (I sometimes feel downright silly or frivolous for caring about this when no one else around me seems to) and it's nice to connect with others who have similar interests and at the end of the day are really clever. Also, I feel wrong partaking in discussions or commenting on other people's images if they don't know what I look like--my images serve as a sort of business card, as in "see this is me and I'm not crazy and I might know what I am talking about." Still, three is plenty, so I think I will have to let that last invitation slip away...
Narcissus and Echo, John William Waterhouse, 1903
Outfit details: shirt- H&M, shorts- Urban Outfitters, shoes- Urban Outfitters, necklace- Chinatown
64 comments:
Those shorts are amazing, to be quite honest! I love the high-waisted sailorness!
It's probably my first time seeing you in shorts and you look great!
I like to blog, especially about fashion, because there's no one around me that shares my passion. It's really great to be able to connect with others that share a interest with you.
how do you keep up with it all?!?! I think you made the right desicion by "letting the last invitation slip away..."
and the shorts and wooden necklace look great.
I can understand why you enjoy communicating with others through your blog. It appears that a lot of people, including me, enjoy looking at what you are wearing every day! I would like to put a few more pictures of myself, but this summer I have been painting a house, and so I haven't been dressing that nicely.
Adorable shorts. I love the buttons on the waistband.
Wow, you look really great in those shorts! I find that finding the right shorts is a struggle, but it seems you have found yours! And that necklace is so lovely.
You are great with shorts and about communities, I am in some of them, but I confess that I don´t ahve so much time for them...you know, blogging takes so much of our time...isn´t it?
a kiss!
no no as in you're that much more stylish and i can't believe you could get any better as you've always been so stylish! i am in love!
Those shorts are just too wonderful for words. You look
great* sorry.
I can understand you feel busy, me myself can't understand how you manage to update only ONE blog every day, and then all the communities over that.
Anyway, I just thought I should say that your blog never leaves me feeling bored. I was feeling so down today, restless you know, but somehow that awful feeling just disapeared when I took a look at your blog. Your photos are so beautiful, and your clothes too. There are so many fashion blogs out there where everyone looks the same as other, but not you, never you. There is something very refreshing with your blog. Thank you.
And this comes at a time when I am seriously considering reducing my blogging frequency as it turned out to be a MAJOR time consumer! *lol* I sincerely admire you for finding the time to regularly write posts, pose, take pictures, communicate with your readers, shop, work, eat, sleep, socialize AND take part in Internet communities. I wish I was that organized. Kudos!
The shorts are gorgeous. I am a huge fan of high waists, they give so much class to an outfit.
xx
Great shorts :)... I always neclect invitations to those communities... I think, wr, my blog and stylediary are enough... but it's not a matter of narcism (or the fear of being seen as narcistic) it's just the time... I don't like to spend the whole day online posting pictures of me...
Sharing interests with other people is why I started blogging. Most of my friends don't care about clothes so I am glad to share this interest with people who do care.
But like you, I sometimes feel narcissistic in a bad way by taking pictures of me ;-)
By the way those shorts fit you perfectly!
Cute shorts.
As for me, the blog takes up my online time. I don't have time/energy/desire to check in on MySpace or Facebook, let alone all the other communities I've joined/could join. It's too much. I figure if someone wants to interact with me, they can come to the blog.
It is an interesting concept indeed.
I'm on SO many various social networking sites, my picture is all over the internet.
I don't think it's narcissistic at all though. I think it's just as you said, it's sharing inspiration and connecting with people with like minds and interests.
None of my real life friends are anything like me. We don't watch the same tv, read the same books, listen to the same music or wear the same styles. Most of my friends don't really even know how to work a computer. Online, I've made many "friends" that enjoy the same things I do, distance and location being the only thing that separates us.
Honestly, in internet dealings, it does make me more comfortable to talk to people that are willing to put their face out there, in multiple ways. The internet is too full of lies and scary people to trust people that won't show their face.
---
In response to your comment on my blog, you do have great angles. You're a natural born poser. ;)
Those shorts look fantastic on you - not too teeny, and makes it look like you have legs for miles!
oh those shorts look great! shorts and great tee are my fave lately!
oo shorts! love them! you know sometimes I do feel incredibly narcissistic b/c I do a lot of surveys about myself haha & post occasional photos of me, but like you and I think like most of this blogosphere, the reason why we blog may not have intentionally been to find people with like interests (I mean we do obviously all love fashion, but I talking about more interests), but once you really start getting into this world you start to find that what draws you really is finding people who are similar to you. you start to notice that your friends in reality aren't fufulling everything you care about, and its really not that sad of a revalation, because the blogosphere so nicely covers everything you've been missing. for me its amazing to find others who actually read books, have some of your favorite books, actually like fashion (and don't feel guilty when admitting which designer they love the most, who don't find it really weird when you do "fashion icons" posts like i've been up to this week, I mean someone does probably care about the Chanel 2.55, but when you mention it to others they look at you like you've just wasted your time), watch movies, are peanutbutter addicts too (and share yummy recipes) etc. etc. etc. i think that's why i'm here basically, I like "networking" persay with people who I actually like & are like me. and unlike a real relationship, if you later find you aren't so compatible, well then you don't have to visit the blog hehe
your blog is always so interesting, which must make people keep coming back for more.
your shorts are great, and your jewellery is wonderful (as always!)
:)
I always find it hard to say no to people too. But pictures of you always inspire so keep them coming!
i'm loving those shorts...they'd transition perfectly into fall as well!
Awesome shorts.The whole outfit looks great.
You look lovely!
And I don't think it's narcissistic to show one's image in a blog . . . it's just one type of fashion publication. You should be proud of your work! I think it's important to have all different types of contributions in our little style blogosphere :)
xoxox,
CC
all I have to say is....Perfection!! (the shorts were BY FAR a great find)
I agree with you about the narcissism worry...I hesitated for a while before starting my blog because of that concern. But, like you put so well, I don't really have anyone else here to chat with about it. I love fashion and art, and I love to write, so in the end, I said 'what the hell' and did it. Sadly, I haven't even told many of friends I have a blog yet...
Those shorts look so good on you! They suit you to a T.
I don't see these activities as narcissistic in that you're in love with your own image and putting it out there for others to see. If you connect with people through blogging or online communities or social networking sites, you have to put a bit yourself out there to form any sort of sincere bond.
Oh, and don't feel bad about declining the invite to this other community. Between Facebook, MSN, email, my own blog, and Stylefinds, I'm already such an Internet whore. I don't know how you keep up with it all.
Nice shorts...I can't seem to find any that aren't slutty beyond belief.
The whole reason I started my blog and started posting on forums is because I don't have enough people in life who want to have an in-depth discussion about these kinds of things. They appreciate my look or whatever, but it doesn't go further than that.. So I think it's a positive to be in these communities. Some people do just post out of sheer vanity and not to trade inspiration or anything of that nature, but you can spot those people because they only ever post pictures and they don't comment on anyone elses. You're not one of those people. You're clearly super creative and a smart cookie, so you shouldn't worry.
x
I have the same problem with shorts.
BTW, I love Waterhouse!
I totally hear you about the narcissism concerns - I grapple with that too...
For what it's worth, I love your pictures which manage to be both lovely shots of clothing and (more relevantly) art, as far as I'm concerned. Let's face it, you have a great following because you model yourself in a fantastic way.
I don't think that's narcissitic. Simply artistic.
Oh, and I love those shorts so much I can't stand it. If I could find them I would get them in a snap.
So really your blog is all about public service :-)
I'm trying to keep my style network to just Chictopia for the time being as its so hard to keep up!
and also love the style and shape of the shorts, a good pair is hard to find I agree.
Those shorts look so fresh on you! I always felt weird about posting pics of my outfits, which is why I've never done it. But I don't mind showing glimpses of my outfit...
I think there are a lot of us who look to the blogosphere to find people we can relate to. It's funny that so many people have the same experience of not having many friends who are into what we're into.
www.shinylittlethings.com
I've been invited to modepass, lookbook, and chictopia too, but I just can't justify spending the time uploading images to yet another site when I'm already doing a blog and wardrobe remix. It's just too much of a time drain. I'm curious to know what you like about these sites though as I keep meaning to explore them...
sweet flats :)
Love the pictures!
Oh wow..I love the looseness of the shorts. I'm not much of a shorts person but these are nice.
Wow those are fantastic shorts! they're retro without being "too". I was also invited to join modepass, and put a couple of pictures on chictopia, but It really is incredibly difficult to keep up with more than the one forum (W.R.) that I do!!! don't like to be pulled in too many redundant corners, even though the thought of all the people that I'm missing out on meeting by not doing it can be to put it rather dramatically, haunting?
It's feels great to see these thoughts in writing. I think everyone here has thought about all these things at least once during their whereabouts in fashion blogosphere. Nice of you to take some of your time to record them.
And love the shorts! Very pin-up-girlish ;p
Yeay for shorts! Love the little pleated detail and the buttons in front. I wish Urban Outfitters would open a store in Norway...
I always love your outfits.
Oh, shorts are so hard. I gave up on them for a very long time, but have found a few pairs lately as well. It's like there is a little more attention being paid to the details and cuts right now. I hope it stays around...
Your narcissism topic is a very interesting one. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and everyone's interpretations. I believe that your treatment of the medium- here, defined on this webspace- is so vital to defining your actions though. In my opinion, some of the best blogs are intimate windows into the lives of real people. Writing is personal and thoughtful. Pictures posted are akin to personal photo albums, or drawers filled with art and scraps of inspiration. It is exciting and a wonderful opportunity for the public to have access to others through this media. In short, I think your sharing = caring!
i've been browsing (okay obsessing over) many a fashion/style blog the past few months and yours is one of my faves. this post is so true and thus i've decided to start my own little blog (thefashionmaven.blogger.com) for the very purpose of having an online identity and more easily sharing in this "community" i'm so happy to have found. to hell with anyone who thinks we are doing it for attention or to boost our own self esteem. they're the same ones who always ask "why are you so dressed up?".
(the correct answer is: CAUSE IT'S WAY MORE FUN!)
lovelovelove the shorts!
love your shorts, and the bird necklace is perfect!
the shorts look fantastic on you! Great find :)
I just realized I've never seen you in shorts. Those look really nice.
I always feel weird joining "fashion networking" sites because I never keep up with them, and like no one wants t o see the same picture of me 2 or 3 times over.
i think that narcassism discussion is an interesting one..
i'm being completely honest when i say that I don't find your photos to look pose-y, but there are other style blogs out there that leave the subject looking contrived and fake, and I think this is the main danger with taking photos of oneself..
hmm.
once again, i totaly get what you say. i've only joined one of those communities and am hesitant to join another one. and i like that picture of narciss you included :)
but, since i enjoy looking at your pictures so much, here's my comment on your shorts: i wish i found a pair like these, they seem to fit perfectly. i always feel weird in shorts and am still not convinced that they would look good on me. but you look cute as a button!
Re narcissism - I agree with discothequechic. There is a very fine line between style as self expression/art and style as a way of gaining attention. It all depends on the whether the subject is being true to themselves or whether they are simply saying 'hey look at me'.
I totally agree with your comment about blogs and communities as being conductors of friendship with those from afar. I think any kind of outright narcissism would be immediately evident in a person's blog and the majority, if not all of the one's I've read, don't have that mark of exceeding pride.
And I love those shorts! Such a great buy!
I really like that your blog is so thoughtful and not only about "this is me and this is what I wore". and that's exactly why you couldn't be narcissistic.
I understand that you might feel a bit of a narcissist posting your outfits everywhere, but then again why shouldn't you post your lovely, wonderful, amazing outfits everywhere? your style is not something to miss out on so you should definitely spread your pictures of your outfits everywhere ;)
xxx
I have been thinking about climbing trees a lot lately actually! But those shorts look way to nice to do that in! I love the colour of them, they are really cool
x
After I left my first message I thought some more about why i enjoy your blog. Its not usually for fashion advice, because the dresses you wear are usually too short waisted for me. I think its because it makes me happy to see you enjoying your clothes so much, just like I do.
gorgeous shorts!!!
In my opinion. It depends on what each fashion sharing site does. Some cultivate more of a community and offer more than others to the participants (such as advice, critique, contests, activities). Whereas some is just hype...
you seem to be more of the first type, who genuinely gets a lot out of the communities you participate in. And I think that, ultimately, the ones that stick around are the ones that have this strong community/ network. And IS more than just showing off your pictures.
those shorts fit so nicely! they look great.
You are FAR from narcissistic.
Those shorts are a beautiful cut for and on you, and that amber light is exquisite.
The debate about narcissism is really interesting and popular in this period... I followed it through W_R at first and then Bits&Bobbins, Style Bubble, etc...well, there are really loads of different opinions! I simply think in the internet era you can't think at narcissism in the same way as before. We post pictures of ourselves, sharing parts of us but not necessarily in an egoistic way. We do it, keeping track of our years, moods and memories, living in a community where we can talk about those parts of us we usually "hide" in our everyday life. Years ago there were diaries, pen pals and photo albums. Now there is the internet but I think the purposes are not so different...
I know what you mean with the narcissism... For me blogging is sort of an unpersonal-personal thing. Like, I set the thought narcissism aside in one way, even though it's still there and sometimes I think I approach blogging from a slightly cynical point of view (ummm, I do have a point here but I'm not sure I'm able to put it in short writing suitable for a comment :)
The problem for me with all these forums and their invitations is that I just don't have time to maintin my profles/sites or take part in any topics, modepass for example.
Anyway -I've been away frmo the internet for a couple of weeks and I've missed so many of my fav blogs' posts! You've had a great set of pictures while I was away!
These shorts look great on you. the outfit is nice and simple - what I like to see :)
You have some lovely outfits, I understand that you want to show them off! I have a "new" blog, I've only been writing for a little over a week, but I don't think I would feel comfortable either with having photos of my lovely self all over the internet!
Bonne journée,
Mademoiselle M.
I adore your detail (up close) shots! so artsy...I bet they would look great blown up...
xCC
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