This is my third time at fashion week in New York and I enjoyed it more than ever before. My friends and I took it slow and rather than rush show to show, we enjoyed drinks, food, and fashion at our own pace.
I heard a lot about “fomo” from bloggers who haven’t been or couldn’t go and I thought it would be fun to share the real truth about NYFW and what I experience.
Pink Cropped Leather and Fur Jacket
#1 People don’t always look like their photos. As bloggers we know how to take photos, from angles to face tune to wearing sunglasses, we know how to make ourselves look good. Don’t get me wrong, some are stunning in person, but many, like me, hide our face with sunglasses or our hair. My truth to you, I wear sunglasses and hide my eyes because in some ways I feel like you can’t really tell who I am or if I’m having a bad day. I find your eyes give away how you feel. And I have these lines under my eyes I really dislike. Eye cream people – start early and everyday :)! I do try to share a few photos on my feed as well as videos daily showing who I am. But some really, don’t look like their photos. Height is another thing you can’t predict! Some are way taller and shorter than I thought.
#2 Some bloggers never go to any shows and show up for photos, the parties, and leave within 1-2 days. Fomo plays a big part in this so many come to certain parties or to hang with blogger friends as a quick getaway. And the photo opportunities are plenty!
#3 Runway shows and presentations are harder to go to than you think. It takes a lot of planning and emailing and networking to get into shows. Because you are blogger doesn’t mean you’ll get into anything. Searching who to email, who you should know, and how to get in is a big part of joining in on NYFW. And sometimes there is a comparison game on who got into what.
#4 Not all bloggers are friends and friendly. This is just a general thing, blogging creates competition, comparison, and a high school mentality. The people I know are lovely and I am so grateful for the friendships I have, but I’ve definitely had my fair share of people who are unwelcoming and unfriendly due to their “high” numbers or who knows what. Being a style blogger is a competitive business and sometimes it can wear on me. NYFW can look glamorous and be glamorous but girl drama does happen :).
#5 Going to fashion week is expensive. Not everyone can get comped hotels or free clothes and some may let it seem that it is comped but it’s really hard work and negotiating to get everything for free (plus you need the social numbers to back it). NYFW is a great time for hotels in New York to raise rates 😉 and so many girls are going that collaborations are harder to nail down. From hotels, airfair, luggage fees (what bloggers come with a carry on), to new clothes, shoes, accessories, the cab and uber fees, restaurants, and drinks, it adds up! Even for 2-4 days, it isn’t a cheap trip. I shared a room with two friends, tickets were amazing at $250 from Chicago and I didn’t buy any new clothes because I own my own clothing brand. I bought zero new shoes or accessories and pretty much carried one handbag. I was on a budget and did not shop at all either! I spent most on the hotel, food, drinks and getting around. I needed a mini break and some fun and it was the perfect 4 days away. But overall, most buy new outfits/accessories, etc to go as photography/fashion is such a big part of going to NYFW. The pressure to look good is definitely on.
Back at home with my boys and to work. I do love a good trip and LOVE the fashion and the shows but I wanted to also show a realistic view of NYFW. Photos just show the pretty stuff. I am lucky to have the opportunity to go, to have great friends who love the same things and helped me get into shows (Janet and Corri :), and dancing the night away this past weekend relieved some stresses in my life. You can’t be stressed out dancing now can you? Fun times for sure, now onto paying the bills.
If you went, anything you would like to add to my blogger truths?
Oh my gosh this is all so incredibly true. This was my first year going to fashion week and I was seriously surprised at everything! Somehow, I managed to make my trip cost under $600 TOTAL but that's only because I'm lucky enough to have a wife who is a budgeting and deal finding guru [don't worry, that's going to be a post]. but oh my gosh, yes. I knew there was going to be rudeness and cattiness but i was not anticipating some of the yelling that happened. And while I got invited to 6 shows, I only actually got in to three! Thanks for sharing some real talk about NYFW. I appreciate you. xoxo,Danniewww.stilefotocibo.com
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