This is a waistcoat that I’ve had for a little while, but isn’t it amazing! I think it might be my favourite car boot find to date (asides from this gold elephant-shaped side table that I didn’t buy and I’ve been kicking myself for ever since!) I feel like I should be the fifth member of The Beatles in these clothes. My shirt is vintage too. It’s Shop Jessthetics stock that I haven’t added to the site yet. I shot my first ever lookbook yesterday for the shop (including this shirt) and I love how the photos have come out. I’ll probably share them on the blog soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that! This outfit is pretty autumn appropriate and as you can see from the photos it’s feeling pretty autumnal already. Yay! The sunsets during September are the prettiest sunsets of the year I think, the sun has a lovely golden quality at the moment. I took these photos a little while ago by the canal at home in Leicestershire. Sigh, the countryside at home is so pretty, I’m going to miss it now that I live in the city.
Outfit Details: Waistcoat, Vintage (Car Boot) / Top, Vintage (Shop Jessthetics) / Mom Jeans, ASOS / Chelsea Boots, New Look / Sunglasses, ASOS
I actually blogged about this exact same waistcoat this time last year and I’ve featured these mom jeans and boots a lot. When you blog about what you wear you can feel pressured to blog about new clothes all the time. I sometimes decide not to take photos of what I’m wearing because I’ve featured those clothes on the blog before, but really that’s a little silly. Even if you, as a reader of my blog, remember that I wrote about this waistcoat a year ago you probably don’t care. I post outfit posts around once a week, and to only wear things on the blog that are new to me would be so expensive, and even more so if I blogged only about fashion! I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what it means to blog in a way that is genuine or realistic. Obviously people are always going to choose what they share on their blog or any social media channel, and these representations of our lives are always going to be curated and therefore to some extent artificial but I think that bloggers shouldn’t encourage people to aspire to something that is unrealistic. I don’t read women’s magazines anymore because (amongst other reasons) they create unattainable beauty standards and assume that women have an unlimited disposable income to spend on things like clothes and makeup. Who buys a whole “new wardrobe” every season?!? For me, blogs are more interesting than magazines because they are more realistic, more human and more accessible. In aspiring to look like fashion magazines (for example by featuring only new clothes, most of which are usually gifted) I think blogs take a step away from what made them stand out in the first place. It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into though! I’m not sure exactly what I think on the topic. I’m not against sponsored content or product gifting or anything like that, but I find it strange that some blogs are aspirational whilst that particular lifestyle is only possible when you have a successful blog. I’d love to know what you think! I might try and organise my thoughts a bit more and write another post about it.
Nice place !
Jess,
This canal is so lovely! I wish I was there! Your waist coat is so bohemian.. love it. That’s such a good point about the messages that magazines send. I have sort of a magazine addiction I think… but I have been trying to do better at previewing them… because oftentimes I am just not interested in all of the ‘trends’ and the ads that take up the space. I try to choose a more eclectic blend… like flea market style, faerie magazine and natural health. I do get fashion magazines too, but I am trying to be more choosy.
It’s not healthy to see so much consumerism you are absolutely right. + it is refreshing to read this take on blogging… because sometimes I feel like the most successful bloggers or many* that I end up reading all sort of fit the same mold.. I want to feel like I am reading about someone authentic though! 
XO
Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I definitely agree with you about trends. I’ll wear a trend if I’m into it but I’m not going stop myself from wearing something because it’s not “on trend!” My favourite blogs are definitely ones that are more out there, or are just doing their own thing.
Gorgeous area Jess and you look so great! Definitely 5th member of The Beatles. I 100% agree with what you’re saying… I’ve basically stopped doing outfit posts for other reasons but I do agree there is a weird pressure to constantly feature new clothes. I always appreciate blogs who re-wear clothes and present a more realistic depiction of their wardrobe! It’s very difficult to have a constantly new wardrobe xx
xX
Thanks! Yeah, having a constantly new wardrobe is definitely not realistic, and I do tend to wear the things that I like to death anyway, so it would be weird not to repeat them on here!
Dear Jess, your post reminded me of several articles I wanted to look up and share with you (below). I’ve been concerned for some time about sewing bloggers’ emphasis on always creating something new, with new fabric & pattern. Frankly, I assumed that once I had a year’s worth of clothing, I’d knock off doing much blogging, or shift to a different slant. (Am still thinking about this one!)
All the articles came from reading Lizzie’s blog, http://thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com/. And there are plenty more in similar veins, and many other areas. Perhaps you & your readers might take a look and find something(s) to enjoy & enliven your interests!
xx del
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2014/05/op-ed-fashion-magazines-brands-power.html
http://unmakingthings.rca.ac.uk/2014/sportaville-fashion-show-1960-a-novelty-nut-dream-find-2/
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/could-the-clothes-on-your-back-halt-global-warming/
Thanks Del, I really appreciate the links! I’m very interested in sustainable fashion, and obviously that extends to sewers too and not just people who buy their clothes ready made. Making clothes from vintage patterns and fabrics is cheaper and can be a lot of fun! xx
It does look very autumnal already but this is what makes the pictures so perfect! That waistcoat is a lovely find, I should definitely visit more car boot sales!
-Kati
Thanks Kati
Car boot sales are the best! I highly reccomend you try and visit x
Your outfit is perfect and the canal looks stunning!
Hayley-Eszti
http://www.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com
Oh, you’re so sweet. I’m definitely going to miss the countryside!
I swear I have the exact same waistcoat in black. I picked it up in a charity shop and fell in love but just never knew how to style it so thanks for the inspiration. Also, I couldn’t agree with you more, who on earth has the money to buy a new wardrobe every time a new trend crops up?! I’ve only just started blogging again but I am not shy to post the same item of clothing numerous times. Thats how wardrobes work, you mix and match everything. I’d love to read a post about your thoughts on it cos I think with the new age of blogging and gifted items ect we’re in danger of becoming like magazines ourselves!
Cats in Crop Tops
You’re welcome! I love the waistcoat, but it definitely doesn’t go with everything. I love that you post about clothes more than once – I think encouraging other people to buy new clothes all the time is not a good example to set either. Thanks for the idea, maybe I will post about it again! xx