Starting a Fashion Blog; What You’ll Need

So you want to start a fashion blog? If so, that’s great! It’s exciting, fun, and challenging all at once. It’s a great outlet and hobby for anyone that truly loves fashion!

Today I’ll be sharing a few things that I find crucial for running a fashion blog. If you want to learn more read on.

A Blog is an Investment

For the duration of this post I’ll be referencing starting a fashion blog but for the record any type of blog is an investment. It’s a business, and like all businesses you have to invest in your blog in order for it to blossom and become successful!

If you’re not in the position to invest right now, that’s okay. You can still get started.

You don’t have to invest right away. But you have to have the mentality that eventually to move forward you’re going to have to put in more to get more out. For starters the only things you need to invest in are a website and most of your “free time.” Investing time is duly as important as investing money.

So if you can’t afford to invest in camera gear, a photog, or clothing items right now you can still start. But if you’re serious about starting a blog start saving up. Be ready to invest when the opportunity is ripe.

Things You Should Invest in When You Can

This item might be slightly controversial, but in my opinion its worth investing in a camera if you want to start a fashion blog. However, this totally depends on the type of vibe you want your work to have.

There are countless bloggers and influencers that make it work beautifully with just an iPhone. For me, I am much more interested in the look of professional photography. It allows me to create the type of content I always imagined I would create. I’m not saying you can’t do this with an iPhone but I find it much easier to create editorial style, higher quality images with a camera. Decide what you’re in to and go from there. I know for me and my business a camera was one of the best investments I ever made.

Here is the camera I started out with. It is a great starting point. It’s very user friendly, and a great way to learn the gist of cameras. If you take a particular liking for photography or just want to upgrade theres tons of options!

Invest in a few staple pieces that will aid your looks for years to come.

This is something that can definitely wait until you’re fully comfortable and ready to spend a little extra on your closet, so don’t feel rushed. But when the time is right I suggest investing in a few staple pieces that will make countless looks come together.

These pieces are different for everyone. Some girls need that CHANEL handbag (talk about a splurge) or their favorite Ray Bans. For me it’s pretty much boots and hats. I spend the most money on these items, and it’s so worth it in my opinion. I wear both of these things with pretty much everything, in all seasons. Find what you consider to be highly wearable complimentary pieces to a majority of your looks, and invest in them!

And lastly, but no least get a steamer!  If you want to take blogging seriously a steamer is so important, and it’s so affordable. I recommend getting a portable one so that you can take it on trips, shoots, etc.

In reality most of the clothes you’ll receive will be via the mail and in order to be packaged they have to compacted and therefore they get VERY wrinkly. Steaming is so much more convenient than ironing, and some fabrics can only be tamed with a steamer.

Here is the one I have and I love it!

Some Things Money Can’t Buy

There’s a lot of things you can invest in that will improve and excel your blog and your business. But there is also things you can’t buy. For example, a sense of style. If you want to be a fashion blogger you’ve got to naturally have a sense of style. I’m not saying you have to like the styles everyone else likes, but you’ve got to be confident in your personal style. And you have to be passionate and excited about fashion. These should be obvious, but you’d be surprised.

I think some people want to get into blogging to get free clothes, make money, or something along those lines. And quite frankly, if those are your motives you aren’t going to get very far. All of those things are added bonuses of being a fashion blogger. But the foundation of every good fashion blog stems from the creators love for fashion and styling.

You don’t need a full blown wardrobe to start a fashion blog.

I think a lot of people have the misconception that you need an endless amount of clothes to be a fashion blogger. This is not true. When I first started my blog I did have a ton of clothes because that was always what I chose to spend my money on. (Living proof that my love of fashion is not a front hah!)

However you can absolutely start a fashion blog with a small collection of clothes. It comes back to your styling capabilities and your creativity. Both are necessary for being a fashion blogger BTW. Your audience will love to see things styled in a multitude of ways. So get creative with it and style the hell out of your pieces like theres no tomorrow!

Also keep in mind when you are “growing your wardrobe” so to speak, it doesn’t need to be full of flashy expensive items. Some of my favorite bloggers thrift on a regular basis and I am constantly impressed by their abilities to make old look new. And if you work hard at your blog and stay on your hustle companies will be sending you clothes to bulk up your closet in no time. Just wait!

I hope this post was helpful and informative. If you guys have any industry related questions feel free to drop them in the comments below and I will add them to my list of industry topics! Talk soon Xx

Shop The Look Below

Pants – Here

Top (similar) – Here

Shoes (similar) – Here

Hat – Here

Photography by Clayton Wenner @claytondavidphoto

Special thanks to GoJane for partnering up on this post