fashion and feminism in blogging
As well as writing here, for Lip, I also write a fashion blog – Australian Fatshion. I focus mainly on fashion trends for each season, where to get them in plus sizes and how to wear them. I sometimes run competitions and talk about clothes I’ve bought myself or things I want to buy.
I occasionally find it hard to reconcile writing for a feminist magazine and writing a fashion blog. I know the two can co-exist and I believe that fashion is a feminist issue, but I sometimes struggle with the writing I produce on my blog versus the writing I produce on Lip and the dissonance between the two.
I’ve set myself some pretty clear stipulations for what I post on my blog and I follow them mostly to the letter. I only really tend to discuss trends and clothing and don’t really post all that many pictures of myself because I’d prefer the blog to be more informative than anything. Not so much a rule book as a guide on clothing. I do all the legwork, including looking at the catwalk fashion shows, the clothing websites and in stores so people who don’t want to, or might not have time to already have that resource at hand. I find it fun.
Lip is where I discuss my politics, my fat, my feminism and my links to fashion. It’s where I can really let go and rant if I need to. This type of writing wouldn’t be “right” on Australian Fatshion.
Compartmentalising myself into almost two different people can be a bit tiring sometimes, though. I constantly think of the difference between the two outlets. However much I try to keep the two separate, some politics and feminism bleeds into Australian Fatshion.
On the one hand, in some Lip columns, I’ve lambasted certain plus sized brands for their stance and politics. Yet on the other hand, on my fashion blog, I’ve previously recommended them for clothing choices. I fear I may come across as hypocritical.
I remind myself that the blog isn’t only about me. I can make the choice not to shop at a store, because of the privileges I am afforded, but some readers might not be able to. Whether it’s because the store has the only clothing that fits, they can afford, or is the only place they can physically get to, they can’t make the same choices that I can make, should I stop recommending clothing from those stores because of my personal feelings and my politics, which may not be the same as someone else’s?
