So let’s talk about fashion… and more importantly, fashion blogs, shall we? I admit of late I have found myself drawn to them, seeking out inspiration for expressing my own style, seeing what kind of layouts I like, what kind of things people talk about and how they present themselves, what their clothing choices say about their personalities.
I admit I have been so fully entrenched in interior design blogs for such a long time that looking at fashion blogs was never part of my day-to-day. Suddenly here I am trying to do something with fashion on my own blog and I sort of thought, ‘what the hell am I even doing?’ (It’s possible you may be thinking the same, dear reader, which genuinely is okay – I promise we’ll figure it out together). So I thought I’d dip into another niche of blog, get to know some of the bigger, more well-known names and see if there were things I could perhaps learn or be inspired by…
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One thing became very clear very quickly. The biggest and most successful fashion bloggers out there are pretty much all white, all skinny, all roughly in their 20s. They are all incredibly beautiful as well, with professional styled shots that look more out of the pages of a fashion editorial than a blog. And I suppose you can say the same for interior design blogs – some of the biggest and well knownΒ are more magazines than they are snippets of peoples real lives so I do get it. But it also felt somewhat intimidating. Where was the diversity?
I had to dig much deeper and found a host of other another kind of fashion blogs. Plus-size bloggers are quite popular at the moment as well – women who do not give one solitary shit that they aren’t the size 0 ‘ideal’ and strut their stuff in whatever they like. A welcome relief from all the pretty perfection, absolutely, but I still felt like there should be more.
I looked – I really did – to find bloggers like me. Women who weren’t in the prime of youth, women who weren’t plus-sized nor a size 0 either. I wear between a 10 and a 12 myself but finding successful fashion bloggers around those sizes was like the proverbial needle in a haystack. I did find some older fashion bloggers, of course, but many of them are slip thin with wonderful envy-inducing figures, all lithe yoga bodies or tall and lean runner types. The truly successful fashion bloggers who fell outside of what society or the media might consider ‘the ideal’ were out there but they were few and far between.
And so I guess I had to decide that perhaps I’m not as well-represented as I thought I’d be. Maybe it’s strange to be a short 40-something Latina and a size medium who still likes to be fashionable and fun. And maybe based on my research, I will never be quite as successful at this lark as others who fit a more narrow version of ‘ideal’. Perhaps I just need to ignore all that and carve my own path. I posted this on Instagram the other day and it seemed to resonate with enough people so perhaps it will you too.
I was in London last week for the judging day at the Amara Interior Blog Awards. I rented a lovely little apartment for the day and evening, figuring I’d make the most of my short visit and whilst there, figured I’d do a little shoot. I’m still too awkward to go out and shoot outfits in public. You have to forgive me for that, I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point but baby steps here. I feel like I need to get comfortable in front of the camera myself before I feel comfortable in front of a camera that someone else (likely a professional who I’ve had to fork out money to hire) is holding.
And so with this big breezy flat all to myself with insane views over Tower Bridge and great lighting (unlike my own home), we have the result of my little self-photoshoot. Now, I got a top in River Island recently and simply fell in love with it. So I did what any other sane person would do when they find a top they fall in love with – I ordered it in another colour as well.
Two tops that are identical with the only difference in the colour could prove challenging. Can I make them look different enough so that other people wouldn’t notice? Well, I figured I’d give it a shot.
Now my normal uniform for ‘bottoms’ is skinny jeans. Well, that and yoga pants when I’m home on my own (which is pretty often, let’s be honest) and luckily this top pairs really nicely with jeans. The top itself is a bit more fitted in the body but with very on-trend puffy sleeves and a lovely long pleated bottom that flares out over the hips, it really does hide all manner of sins.
With the white top, I paired it with faded ‘fashionably ripped’ skinny jeans with my new favourites – a pair of shiny red heeled boots from Zara. They are insanely comfortable these shoes and with red being the fashion favourite of the moment, I think they’ll do me well for the coming year.
I also chose a small cream and gold cross-body bag from Mango which echoes my dream designer handbag – the Chloe Nile bag which I can’t even begin to afford – but the look is very similar and the light colour is just beautiful and surprisingly versatile. I get compliments on it every time I wear it out.
For the mustard yellow top, I slung on the faux leather jacket from Missguided that I purchased 2 autumns ago (this one is very similar). For faux leather, it’s still in great shape and I love the gold hardware on it. It just looks far more expensive than what I paid for it. I feel a bit like a badass in it as well which is always good for a bit of ego boost.
My black over the knee boots get a lot of wear as well with a big chunky heel which balances out my bigger legs (I look ridiculous in spindly stilettos plus I can’t walk in them) and I love this little leopard print clutch from Dorothy Perkins to finish it off.
And so that, my dears, is a little where my brain is at the moment with this whole fashion malarky. I imagine it’s like anything else. You find your feet first, you find a bit of confidence, you discover something about yourself and if you are a blogger like me, you share your findings with the world, no matter how awkward and self-aware it may be.
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So now tell me, who am I missing out on? Do you have a favourite fashion blogger? Also, what do you do when you feel under-represented in any arena?Β
Are you kidding me? You are gorgeous! There isn’t a person out there who is insecure about one part of their body… And I LOVE the way you dress… Perfect outfit…and I covet those oxblood boots.
xoxo Barbara, the Anglophile from Boston
i love everything about this and think you are adorable and i feel you! approaching 40 with thick thighs(with dimples!) and wrinkles, but i still like to dress fashionably!
I think you look great! You have a snazzy sense of style and you pull it off with aplomb. Keep on blogging fashion – we love it!
You look great Kimberley and carry off your own style with confidence and I think that’s all we all need to do! I’m 50 and still interested in fashion but I’ve learnt to pick and choose what I knows suits me whilst still having my own style. I look back to pictures of me in my 20’s and feel I look way better now than I did then – despite the wrinkles and sagging skin! And I think that all comes down to confidence. I’m not saying I have loads of it – far from it – but I’ve grown into my skin as I’ve aged and become more confident about what I wear. And yes, I’m totally with you on young skinny immaculate fashionista bloggers. Where’s the diversity? Surely, those people aren’t real anyway….lol!
I love that you are venturing into this arena! Bravo, I love the mustard version of that top.
If you ever fancy meeting up for a little outfit shoot, I can shoot you and you can shoot me?! If nothing else it’d be a laugh!
Completely with you on the message, we all need to see ourselves (whoever we are) represented.
Love that mustard top, such a shame it’s not my colour! I also just thought I’d point out that I get the sense that you’re hiding in every picture – either behind your hair, sunglasses or a coquettish pose! I’m sure you look lovely behind it all.
I loved reading this post and I’m looking forward to following your new journey. You look gorgeous, as always! I hope the Amara Interior Awards judging day was fun! xx
You rock. I think it’s a splendid idea and would definitely love to read your fashion blog. Laura from Leeds x
Everyone is right, you are gorgeous. That top was made for you, so glad you got two colors. Since you had such a hard time finding bloggers in your age/size, just add more fashion to your blog. You do it well and your writing is so much better and more interesting than most fashion blogs I read. Chop, chop! Do this!
“Perhaps I just need to ignore all that and carve my own path.” <– THIS.
If you're looking for such fashion bloggers online, so are so many other people. It's fab that you're taking the plunge, putting yourself out there and being a role model for so many others out there just like you (well, not exactly like you, there's only one Kimberly Duran!) By being brave and doing your own thing you'll inspire others to do just the same xx
Kimberly, Shut up, you are completely gorgeous!!! But I totally agree with you , us curvier (but not plus sized) and older girls do struggle with inspiration. More of this please and I adore that New top in mustard ! Love ππJulia xxx
Love this Kimberly! The top and the way you’ve styled is is so lovely but accessible and is fab for us short curvy girls. My issue is that I’m 5″3 with boobs and tops like this are an absolute saviour as they magically balance everything out. Thanks for ruining my bank balance and now making me want to buy that top and those delightful red patent boots you’ve styled the white one with ππ.
Keep making your own mark and don’t compare yourself to others. There are other bloggers out there with similar figures and curves but you have your own style so continue to be you xxxx
I have to admit I’d never even read a fashion blog until last week. But I can imagine that most fashion bloggers look like models. I’d much rather read a post about fashion by someone like you. I can relate to you. You make it feel accessible and fun. So please keep on going down this path. I’d like to see where it’s going.
Kimberly, you are totally adorable. I’m 62 and recently started following a few fashion blogs to see how out of date I actually am. So many of them, young and old, are working with a budget that is way out my range. I wish I could afford a $800 dress or coat. I have found a few that are reasonable. Love that you have kept a reasonable price range for the “everyday person”. Love your blog on decor and it looks like you will be excellent at fashion too.
I am in my mid 40s and I can honestly say that this has given me hope to try to love myself again after feeling ‘too fat’, ‘too old’, ‘too useless’, for the past few years… When i read blogs like this it gives me hope that i too can (re) capture that feeling i once had…the one where i didnt HAVE to worry about a big night out and what the hell to wear…these days that is ALL that is on my mind!!!! I thank u so much for your candour and ‘out- theredness’!!!! (if that’s a word! :) U r an inspiration!!! And I thank you x
You look amazing in these pictures! Love how you’ve taken the same top in different colours and styled them completely differently. I’ve done the same thing before – loved a top so bought it in two colours – but usually I leave everything else about the outfit the same when I wear them (so unimaginative!!) but you’ve created two completely different looks here.
I’m trying to decide which colour I like best on you – I think it’s the white. By a narrow margin. Although they both look so good – two fantastic outfits. I love the closer up picture of you in the white laughing – such a beautiful picture!
Keep doing what you’re doing Kimbo – I love your inspiration in all areas… interiors, fashion, beauty. And the things you find are so reasonably priced – folllowing all your links in this post, I was marvelling at your shopping ability – finding all these great buys all over the place! xx
Keep up the great work Kimberley. If I find something I like I buy multiple colours. If the shoe fits and all that :-).
I’ve been following Maria Sadler on Looking Stylish for a few years now – she may not be ultra famous but her advice has really helped me. So just go for it, the more diversity the better.
Remember we all follow you for your ability to connect with us through your writing and who you are as a person – that’s the same whatever the subject :-)
I LOVE your gold sunnies – want them!
I do find the fashion world is set for young women, and not many shops have outfits that work for women other than that. You look amazing, and I was gob smacked when I found out your age, you are amazing, and beautiful. Keep loving yourself…..you deserve it
Thank you so much for doing new and fun things on your blog. I look forward to reading your blog and enjoying the fact that you have a wonderful eye for fashion and design. You look fabulous and the outfits were great. Keep doing what you do Kimberly.
Hello Kimberley,
i used to love fashion and my body. and then i got pregnant.
my body seriously let my head down. i had to re-write my fashion rules…..like about every 2 weeks…. my body changed that fast. my head just couldn’t keep up with my new shape(s!) nothing fit, nothing looked right, nothing could make me feel better.
…….and then i went looking online for women who looked pregnant like me – i.e. all over! Bump, bum, boobs, legs expanded – the lot! And i couldn’t find anyone who looked like me (online) ………i was so lost, under-confident and uninspired. NOT where you want to be when expecting the most miraculous event in your life.
so i guess my point is: there’s a section of the market that is totally unrepresented and needs a hell of a lot of encouragement and inspiration…. do you know of any bloggers who could help?
thanks for your realistic view on the fashion world – so refreshing!
Oh Milse, I’m so sorry you are feeling defeated! There’s nothing worse! I doubt you are alone in not recognising your body though. As I don’t know what your figure is like at the moment, it’s hard for me to make a recommendation, however here are a few blogs with some great maternity fashion content that may help? These are all really great fashion blogs for different figures! Good luck hun!! xx
https://girlwithcurves.com/?s=maternity&post_type=post
http://www.foreveramber.co.uk/?s=maternity
http://hannahgale.co.uk/?s=maternity
Lovely post and really looking forward to seeing more of you!
Oh Kimberly, those overly perfect blogs are a total snoozefest π There is nothing average about you! You are badass, inspiring, real, relatable and absolutely gorgeous!! π
You go girl you look beautiful and so full of confidence on these photo’s xxx
You’ve styled these tops beautifully and they wouldn’t look anywhere near as good on a ‘size 0’ so we definitely need people like you to help give some perspective and diversity in the fashion blogger world!
Nicely done. No we donβt all look like supermodels. But most times, the supermodel in the picture doesnβt look like that either. LOL! Iβm a size 8 curvy African American woman. And you know whatβs crazy? Theyβll never say it, but those size-0 chasers dig me too. Ha! So turn down the noise, love the skin youβre in, and do your thing girl.
You are truly beautiful and I love your outfits! I can see your personality shine and that makes a fashion post interesting and fun. I’m petite and in my late 30s so I appreciate fashion blogs with different styles, sizes, and heights! As I get older I’m trying to express myself more with how I dress. I love seeing women that are 40+ with amazing style. Keep it up!
I do follow some of the over40βs fashion bloggers but I havenβt yet come across a 40+ plus size fashion blogger? Maybe I need to keep looking. Love the longer line tops you have here. Thatβs totally my bag. π
Check out wardrobe oxygen. The owner of that blog is short, curvy, and over 40. Iβve gotten so many great ideas there, and her writing style is so down to earth. Love your blog too! I just discovered it, and as a new homeowner, Iβm grateful for all this inspiration!
Oh thanks so much for the suggestion, will definitely have a look! :) And thank you, so happy you’re enjoying the blog! xxx