8 Pros and Cons to being a fashion blogger in the UK
I absolutely adore being a fashion blogger, even more so being a UK fashion blogger, but living in a country like England can have its drawbacks when it comes to creating content for the blog and succeeding as a fashion blogger with a career. I thought it might be fun to share with you the pros and cons, the good, the bad, the happiness and the struggles that I encounter while being a UK fashion blogger! I was lucky enough to be able to become self employed just over a year ago with my blogging work, so I have been a professional blogger for quite a while now. It’s definitely not been easy and since I started blogging about 8 years ago in total, it’s been one long journey and learning curve to get to where I am today, and I’m still not considering myself to be in the big league. I do wonder if it might be because of where I live and the opportunities I have missed out on in the past, but who knows? Here are my pros and cons to fashion blogging from the UK.
Pro – Countryside Locations
One of the biggest pros for me is the countryside locations. As I live in the countryside myself, I’m lucky enough to have endless fields and country roads as the settings for my photos if I want them. I absolutely love living in the country as a permanent place and prefer to visit big cities like London instead of living there, so the different scenery I encounter here in Bath is wonderful. I’m able to have cows and farm animals in my photos, little derelict and bumpy roads, rows of fields which might contain flowers or some type of crops in them and a general country vibe to the location. I know there are countryside locations in other countries, of course, but I find there to be something quite alluring and calming about the British countryside. It’s much more green and quaint, in my opinion.
Pro – Changing Seasons
I know a lot of countries or states in the US don’t get to experience proper changing seasons. LA doesn’t get very cold and never goes through a harsh Autumn and Winter like it does here in the UK and some tropical countries are sunny year round. In the UK (even though the weather can be bad, which I mention below) we are lucky to experience the seasons in full force. We go through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter over the year and you can really tell the difference. This is a pro for me purely because it’s nice to have different seasonal settings as locations for photoshoots. One area can look entirely different in the Spring compared to what it does in the Autumn, so I love how everything changes so physically. Autumn has to be my favourite as you can’t beat the rich jewel tones it creates from the leaves. I know it’s a favourite for many fashion bloggers as it enhances your photos so much.
Pro – Old Fashioned Towns & Iconic Heritage
As you have probably seen in the movies numerous times and you probably think it’s what England is known for, and it is, but we have some gorgeous old towns, scenery and iconic landmarks here. I’m not just talking about Big Ben, Westminster Abbey or the likes of Portobello Market, Notting Hill etc, which of course are gorgeous, but you can find little cobble stone paths and ancient buildings in most towns. Roman and Victorian architecture remains strong in my city which happens to be one of the few World Heritage Cities left, but everywhere in England will always have that British feel to it if you look for it. Granted, it’s not like this everywhere as a lot of towns are modern, but you will find lovely little old fashion places too. Not to mention there’s usually a red phone box or post box lurking somewhere.
Pro – Things Are Never ‘That’ Far Away
Given the fact that England is a tiny island in the United Kingdom, things are never ‘that’ far away. Our country is extremely small as I’m sure you have seen from the map, so compared to a country like the United States, France, Russia etc, you are in driving distance from one end to another within a day. You can drive from Penzance at the very bottom of the country down in Cornwall all the way to Glasgow in Scotland in less than 10 hours, so compared to driving in North America, everything is close by if you want to hop on a train or take the car. This is always a pro point for me as finding new locations and getting to different places, from a blogging point of view, is extremely important.
Con – The Weather
Even though I love the fact that we have changing seasons, the weather in England is one of the worst things a UK fashion blogger is put through. It can go from being sunny and warm to raining, thundering, extremely windy and cold in the same hour, let alone the same day. Predicting English weather is a nightmare and I don’t think it’s just me when I say Brits check the weather app numerous times a day. We always have to take an umbrella as a precaution and planning outfit shoots can easily be ruined when it starts to downpour the moment you walk out the door (yes, this happens to me regularly). Instead of planning an outfit shoot based around your outfit and what you want to wear, I find that UK fashion bloggers need to dress for the weather that day instead. I’ve lived to regret it if I don’t. Plus, it can ruin your hair entirely after you have just done it! I have to mention that the often grey and overcast sky makes the lighting really bad for photos a lot of the time too. It makes them dull and not as crisp as we would like.
Con – Missing Out On LA Events
Los Angeles is home to most of the leading fashion bloggers (it’s like the blogging capital) and it’s the premium denim capital, as well as celebrity central in Hollywood, so I do get a lot of invites to LA events which unfortunately I’m never there to attend. I know some bloggers do it and will take the 10 hour plane ride to head out there for an event, but it’s extremely expensive and if it’s just a store opening, a new product launch or something like that, the trip often isn’t worth the journey. I got invited to the Teen Choice Awards once, to attend the red carpet and everything, however they only gave me 2 days notice as they thought I lived in LA, so I missed out on that one. As I have a fear of flying, it’s not easy for me to just up and go to events in a completely different country which is thousands of miles away and I have a close relationship with so many of the LA brands that I have worked with, it’s always sad when I miss out on something cool.
Con – Locations Always Look Similar
Like I mentioned above with England having great locations for photoshoots, they can often look the same unfortunately. The rich, green countryside looks the same whether you are north or south of the country and a lot of the old buildings have a similar vibe to them. Iconic black railings that you find in London are often found in other cities too, so are our red phone boxes and mail boxes, and with the weather often being bad, it does mean a lot of locations you choose can look very similar to before. When I scout around other fashion blogs, I can always instantly tell if they are a UK fashion blogger or not just from looking at the scenery in their photos. I find us Brits have to work extra hard to make sure our settings look different enough from others. Or is that just me?
Con – A Bit Behind The United States
I don’t know whether this counts or not, but I have found England to be a lot slower on realising that fashion blogging can actually be a career. I noticed a few years ago that US bloggers, especially in LA, were being taken so seriously a while ago and there were even blogging laws enforced way before anything was introduced here in the UK. The UK has been a bit behind the times on noticing this and sometimes still when I mention that I’m a fashion blogger, I may get looked at funny or people will wonder how that can even be a career, if they know what it is. I can’t say for certain as I don’t live in the US or Los Angeles, but it seems like it’s a much more common thing over there and a lot more widespread as a job. I’m still stared at when we shoot photos out in the street whereas I know from hearing other peoples thoughts over in the states (LA and NY especially) that nobody really takes a second look at someone taking photos as it’s quite a common thing to do.
Overall Thoughts
My personal thoughts on it are completely mixed. The biggest issues for me really are having bad weather for most of the year which makes the one thing us fashion bloggers need to do (take outfit photos) a real chore and problem a lot of the time, but like I mentioned above, the UK does have a lot to offer with its locations, heritage and cute, quaint feel to it. So I personally found 4 pros and 4 cons for being a UK fashion blogger, but I would definitely love to hear your opinions on your struggles and happiness when blogging from your country, be it the UK or not. Lorna xx.
P.S. – Let me know if you like these types of posts as I have more planned!
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I’m always impressed by the range of different locations that you use in your shoots and, also, how cleverly you reuse some locations in very different ways. The range is brilliant. It’s great that you have your countryside life and access to the city too. (I have that in reverse in that I live in a city but can easily access the countryside). 🙂
I completely sympathize about the problem the weather gives you. It must make planning ahead a complete nightmare at times – probably this very weekend is such a time too? Crazy weather. 😀
I wonder if you being stared at in photoshoots is as much to do with the pace of life as anything else? Here in the quieter parts of the UK people still have time to stop and exercise their curiosity – that might not be so much the case in the more frantic big cities whether in the USA or UK where everything has to happen yesterday and the pace of life is so frantic?
Great post! Yes, it would be nice to read more like this. 🙂
Author
Yes, you are right! This weekend was especially tough for photos with the rain on and off and how awful it was being one moment to the next! Not easy! And you might be right about the pace of life being why people look at photos going on. I guess it helps I live in a tourist city, but the farm folk are more inclined to stare than anyone else as I guess it doesn’t happen as much round their parts lol. Maybe they have more time to stop and look as apposed to those who are on a mission to get from A to B. And I’m glad you like these types of posts, I have lots more lined up 😀
Oh yes, speaking as someone who grew up on a farm in a village I can absolutely confirm that anything at all that happens outside of the ordinary routine is a matter of interest. Not that I ever saw any fashion shoots in my old village… 😀
Author
Ha ha 🙂 Good to know!
Good point about the staring…I live in the Central Coast of CA which is not even close to the size of LA or SF, so people definitely stare when I’m doing shoots for my blog. I think you’re right, it has mostly to do with the pace of the city/town 😉
xo Lana
http://www.decadentdissonance.com
Author
I never expected people to stare at you, Lana! Not living in CA, but that’s why I love these kind of posts as I love everyone’s opinions on what I’m thinking 😀
Awesome post! I think it’s interesting to learn about the struggles and advantages of being a fashion blogger outside of LA and the US. I’m just getting started myself with a denim blog and although I do live in the US, I am quite far from LA or any other fashion “capital” in the country. Thank you for your post!
Author
I’m glad you liked the post! Your denim website sounds cool, I’m going to check it out! Which smaller city or state are you from in the US, Thomas?
It was an interesting post, I look forward to the next one for sure! Thank you so much, I would be honored for you to check my blog out! I’m still working on my first post and I’m hoping to have it finished soon! I can keep you posted by Twitter. I believe we follow each other (I’m “The Denim Dude” which is also the name of the blog haha). I live in a small town in the state of Idaho. Not exactly a denim mecca, but thank goodness for the internet! We do have some gorgeous landscapes here though!
Author
Oh wow yeah I’m sure you do have some great landscapes there! I can imagine they are beautiful. I checked it out, I recognise that username from the interaction on Twitter so I know it, but I didn’t see any posts yet. Will they be soon?
Yes, I should have my first post up by tomorrow, and I’m excited to get the ball rolling! Haha I was inspired in large part to start a denim blog by you, so thank you for the inspiration!
Author
I hope it works out for you! And I’m happy to be inspiration, that’s really nice of you to say!
Thank you for the encouragement! If you feel so inclined, you can now check out my first ever post on my new denim blog! It isn’t much, but it’s a start and I’m excited to get started! 🙂
http://thedenimdude501.blogspot.com
Author
I checked it out 😀
Not too sure about the CON’s…
I feel that being in USA, for example, makes everything similar. Your style is indigenous to Europe and, more precisely, to the UK. That makes you stand out as a good thing. Also your looks put you in a different league from the rest.
The others are all part of the same factory. You’re a piece of artisanry.
Be proud!
Author
Well that’s really kind of you! I do feel like every personal style blogger has their own individual style, but that’s nice of you to say mine is very British! I know a lot of people think us Brits wear top hats and tails most of the time, or old fashioned clothing, ha ha.
Amazing looks <3
Federica
http://www.thecutielicious.com
The Cutielicious
Author
Thank you!
Great photos as always, Lorna. Honestly, I’d rather live in England than the States. Love these kinds of posts, it adds flavor to your blog. ??❤️
Author
I think that’s how most people feel about places they do live in, unless they moved there of course. Glad you liked the post!
Nice post Lorna! I am neither a fashion blogger nor I am even remotely connected to blogging but I have been following your blog since its beginning (stumbled upon your posts on Google Images) and have been hooked on to it since then. Am pursuing my Ph.D in English Literature with a passion for almost all things fashion. I follow 17 fashion blogs on a regular basis and and am glad to let you know that Denimblog, The Jeans Blog and of course, Raindrops of Sapphire are 3 of them. Really happy to have witnessed the growth of your blog over the years. What makes your blog stand out are your very detailed and interactive posts and your unbeatable denim expertise. So am sure your USPs will always work in your favour. Wish you more success ahead, against all odds!
Author
Hi Kalpana,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I actually recognise your username so I’m familiar with you following me! It’s really nice to know I have readers out there who don’t often comment and interact, but still love my blog as much as I enjoy posting to it. It’s heartwarming to hear such nice things like that, thank you!
Lorna, I think this is interesting to see the good and bad… we have similar weather in Nova Scotia… the joke here is if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes 🙂
I think your location shoots are wonderful, I can tell you put a lot of effort into them xox ♡♡
Author
Ha ha! That’s just like here, that’s what I do when it’s raining. I just wait it out as I know it will probably stop soon as it’s just a shower or some sort. Glad you liked the post and my blog, Launna. Always appreciate your comments 🙂
I am a French girl living in the UK who has just started blogging, and I think I can totally relate to your arguments. It leaves a negative feel to it though. The US as you know is so much bigger than the UK so obvs, opportunities are found in bigger quantities and in multiple ways. No doubt you’re a proud British blogger 🙂 ! Margaux x
http://www.bonjourwhite.com
Author
I definitely don’t hate where I come from and I am proud to be me, live where I do, but I’m open to most places/countries and their possibilities and learning about them mostly. Definitely didn’t mean it to leave a negative feel, I make the most of what I can here and like you said, the US is a much bigger country and has a lot more to offer which is why it’s ahead of the UK, among other countries, but it does make us more unique 🙂
You inspire me to mix things up on my own blog a little, with more personal, insightful posts like this! It really helps create more of a relationship with your readers as well as offering other bloggers ideas and advice! I actually found this very interesting as I’m often jealous of all the pros you mentioned up there hahaha. It’s true, it would be nice if California actually had seasons! And I’ve been to Bath, I miss how beautiful it is. But wherever we all live as bloggers, we make the most of it and I think that’s part of the fun and what keeps it interesting, as well as meeting bloggers from different environments and situations all over the world thanks to articles like this 😀
xo Lana
http://www.decadentdissonance.com
Author
Absolutely 😀 Really glad it inspired you, Lana! That’s what blogging is all about I find, inspiration from others and sharing your own views. You are right about making the most of what we have, which is what I try to do everyday and make it work from a unique point of view. Sometimes I would love to have the LA weather for a while, but I know everyone always finds faults in where they live, it’s just what happens once we get accustomed to it!
This is a fascinating post. It sounds like there are lots of pluses to being a fashion blogger in the UK (somewhere I would LOVE to visit one day). I can see how the weather could be a problem. I didn’t realize it could change that much, that fast. Yikes! Definitely makes taking photos a bit tricky. Here’s to sunny or overcast days ahead. 🙂
Author
Yep, the weather here in England is insane! It’s usually the first topic of conversation for most people when they meet up, that’s how unpredictable it is to us, ha ha 🙂
I think there are pros and cons to every location –Hanna Lei
Latest Post: Review: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
Author
There definitely are, just depends on what you love and don’t like as well.
Hi Lorna,
I actually love these kinds of posts because it makes me feel good to know that I’m not alone in the blogging world. What I mean is that, there aren’t that many people that know what it’s like, and even though I do live in L.A. there is soooooooooooo much competition out there. I feel that it takes so much work to put out as much content as some of the most popular bloggers out here are able to put out. Number one, I think is that you must have someone to photograph you for sure. I don’t, so I do so much on my own or with friends. I really have to work on connecting more with other photographers! Thanks for this awesome post.
Much Love,
Tania
http://inspiremyfancy.blogspot.com/
Author
Absolutely, I think finding your own pace and your own blogging voice is what it’s all about to give you a unique feel compared to the others out there. Apparently there’s something like hundreds of thousands of blogs being created every single day, so it’s definitely a massive blog pool out there. I always admire those who don’t have a permanent photographer and manage to make it work on their own, so that’s amazing.
Interesting post Lorna, thanks for sharing!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
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Author
Thank you!
I do understand you, about location. I live in Finland, the place where someone asked from me, while I was visiting in USA…Polar bears in streets? 😀 This is a very small country, not too much people and lot´s of county side. Less of citys. I love, of course, this place..sometimes though I was thinking to move in England, but then..I found my man. Blogging here about fashion..well…to be honest… we are so far from that issue, mostly. So, I write about my style, which is far from fashion..now. Maybe one day. That was so interesting to hear your opinion as being fashion blogger, there is two sides in everything. Please, more like this too ;).
Author
Definitely don’t be put off by your location though, I think Finland would make some amazing settings and backdrops for your photos. One of the famous bloggers, Marianna, is from Finland and she makes it work well for her. Never see any polar bears in the streets in her posts, ha ha! 😀 I have a list of posts like this in my fashion blogging series I have planned, so there will be more! So glad you liked it!
interesting post!
xo
http://www.cherry-mag.com
Author
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think you are on the forefront of blogging in the UK at that’s so important. Keep up the great work. I never get sick of your locations!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Author
Thank you, Kathrine! So glad you like my locations and blog so much!
This was such an informative post for me – seeing as I live in the US. It sounds like there are challenges with being a UK fashion blogger, but it also seems sophisticated + chic! You are gorgeous
xx http://www.qustomquinns.com/blog
Author
Thank you! I’m really glad you liked the post!
This is such a thoughtful post! I love the countryside backdrops for your pictures and your outfits are always so gorgeous! The rain can definitely be a downer though…
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
Author
Yeah, it can. It’s really irritating as nobody wants to take wellies and umbrella photos all the time… lol.
Fantastic post! I think you have laid out both the advantages and disadvantages really well. Behind our blog post,no one can really see the effort, obstacles and all the hard work that goes into it. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Keisha xo
Author
You’re welcome! Really glad you liked it!
Very interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at fashion blogging. 🙂
Author
Thank you 🙂
very interesting! kiss
http://www.mammaaltop.com
Author
Thank you!
Such a great and honest post, Lorna! I personally love the UK but I think you might be right that blogging in the US has become a career for many of, including myself. We do have laws here, and I know many bloggers who turned they blog into an actual business. However, I’m sure that you will get there as well! The UK and the US aren’t too different at all. On a different note: I love your style! And the countryside does look amazing!
Love ya!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Author
Oh I’m actually already self employed and blogging is my business, like those in the US, but the laws here are a lot different and it’s not as popular 🙂 So glad you like my style though! Thank you!
Great list of pros and cons! So jealous of your pretty countryside locations 🙂
XO
Molly
http://www.trendychickadee.com
Author
Thank you 🙂
well, I never knew you started like eight years ago, I think you’re doing a great job on your blog and I’m sure things will change in the future also in England…
And well, sometimes I think there must be a secret that makes people emerge in the blogging world but I really don’t know what it is…
let’s see what happens next
http://www.theitalianglam.com/
Author
I think there is a secret for some, or maybe they might pay for advertising or know some important people in the industry, or are really good at marketing themselves at events etc. I have no idea, I’m sure there’s something though!
It’s the same to me even though I’m UK based nor living in the country (I’m lucky enough to have a huge park around). Very nice to read it all in one place.
Author
Glad you agree!
This is a really well-written and insightful post Lorna, and you’ve made lots of thought-provoking points about being a UK-Based fashion blogger. I agree, we’re so lucky to have amazing locations and iconic landmarks, but the weather can be so problematic when you can only manage to shoot at a given time, and have to make it work. I share your fear of flying and really dread going through customs (when people rifle through my belongings carelessly it causes me a lot of tension!). It’s a shame that blogging is not recognised as a real profession in the UK yet, and laws have been slow to catch up. We’re a long way off from having trade unions for bloggers! But hopefully this will change in the near future.
This was a great post and yes, I’d love to see more posts like it!
Saba xx
http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.com
Author
Thank you, Saba! I’m really glad you liked this post and gosh yes, that would be horrible with the customs issue! I wasn’t overly fond of putting all my stuff in the x-ray machine when I took the eurostar lol!
Yes! More of these types of posts please, it’s an interesting and refreshing read. I agree about US being the frontrunner in the blogging world, it’s not only UK is a little left behind, I think Canada is the same.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Author
That’s interesting to know about Canada too. Really glad you liked the post!
I’d argue we’re not so much as behind the USA but in front of it with our closer neighbours Denmark showing us the way we should be heading. The US is it’s own beast and can only dream of what fashions we share in Europe.
Great article. Very informative.
~liam
http://www.divinetrash.co.uk
Author
Glad you liked it!