Friend Friday: Did you really wear that?

This week’s Friend Friday* subject is a bit of a mixed bag—one part blending blog and work wear, one part blog wear reality check. In introducing this week’s topic, Katy wrote:

…how many times have you looked at a post and thought the blogger was adorable but probably wore the outfit only to take pictures and post to the blog?

My immediate response is: never. I don’t really care whether someone wore an outfit featured in a blog post in reality or not. The only thing that pops in my head is whether I like the outfit or not. And the overall photography and effect. But on to the questions…

When it comes to outfit posts on your own blog, be honest, are they what you actually wore that day? 
Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. I don’t promise anything on my blog in terms of fashion; the only thing I will say is that the pieces I wear on my blog are indeed from my closet—they are not costumes. I have worn everything photographed on my blog in real life, in some manifestation or another, at some point. I tend to dress on the edge a bit—it’s not just blog fodder.

Below is a menagerie of ensembles I actually wore—shopping, to church, to the movies, to my car dealership (and even to the doctor)—on the day I shot the photo.

Can you guess what I wore where?**

If you’re so inclined, answers appear below.

For a fashion blogger, working in a corporate environment can be tricky. How do you mesh your day job with your personal style choices? 
I did a whole post on this after I was asked a question on Formspring about whether I dress more conservatively for work, and then a commenter asked for tips on office dresssing. To read my philosophy on work wear and my strategies for blending work wear/blog wear/casual wear, see Worker V 1.1 (+ My Office Wear Strategy). Check back soon for a Worker V post that specifically addresses remixing components of outfits I’ve worn on the blog for the office.

Oh, and by the way, I just discovered the bloody Formspring link in my post footer was broken. Sheesh. It’s fixed now, so feel free to use it!  

When you get dressed in the morning, do you think what should I wear to work or what should I wear for the blog? 
If I’m going into the office, I am only concerned about my appearance there. It takes precedence. When I shoot office wear for the blog, I do it at the end of the day, when I get home from work. If I’m at home and just want to shoot some fun stuff for the blog, only then do I think, what should I wear for the blog?

Do professionals you interact with ever make comments about your clothing choices? 
Yes, all the time. They are usually compliments, or people ask where I purchased a particular piece. There is a lovely South American woman in my work commissary that calls me “elegant lady” in her fantastic accent, every time I see her, without fail. I adore her. And the cashiers in my work cafeteria regularly peek over the counter to check out my shoes and comment on them. That happened just yesterday, in fact. What’s not to love? It makes me smile and I try to be gracious and appreciative.

Some bloggers openly admit to wearing outfits only for the blog post. What’s your opinion on that?
I occasionally wear something just for a blog photo shoot, but as I wrote above, everything I wear I’ve worn before, in my personal life. And again, I could care less whether someone plays dress up for their blog or not. If I like it, I like it.

As far as my blog goes, it is a creative outlet for me, first and foremost; I don’t feel compelled to follow any rules other than to be true to myself. If I started posting what I wear when I’m sitting around watching TV, I’m pretty sure I’d lose all my readers, stat. The blogs I find most compelling are not the girl-next-door-shoots-a-photo-in-the-middle-of-her-street-with-the-same-cutesy-mouth-slightly-agape-look. I’ve never subscribed to saccharine, cheerleader-type normality. I’m far more interested in shoots of the Vogue Gone Rogue ilk, or really creative (and quirky) mixups of trends and everyday wear, like on Style of a Fashionista and Beckerman Bite Plate. I want to be inspired, stimulated, even provoked. I read a variety of blogs, but the ones I love most are daring, intelligent, and sarcastic.

For me, fashion blogs are largely entertainment. And to some degree, they must be entertainment for you as well since  (interestingly enough), my two most commented posts are also a couple of my most OTT looks…funny, that…

*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.

**Answers to what I wore, where:

1. Shopping, minus the trench.
2. To church.
3. A lace dress for a doctor appointment…oh yes I did.
4. Shopping, my outfit for the day. One of my faves.
5. To church.
6. Shopping, and no, I’m not kidding. I wore a bikini cover up over a bikini top and leggings—to the mall.
7. To the car dealership for a service.
8. To see Sex and the City 2 with a gal pal.

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