IFB has a history of putting their platformed foot in their mouth lately, but even this is a new low for the site that caters to the blogger hoping to rake in six figures faster than you can say “Messica Moved to Bloomington.” Their latest fuck up is courtesy the stupidest post on blogger body image I’ve read maybe ever.
On the flip side though, it feels like though these bloggers exist, not enough of them take center stage in “popular blog” culture (if that’s a thing). The majority of very visible, successful style bloggers are thin and beautiful – which isn’t their fault, nor should they be chastised for it. They’re “real women” too, just blessed (and perhaps very disciplined). [...]
To break away from these traditional molds of beauty, it’s not an argument of sheer numbers. The numbers, we got. The truth is, these “top tier” bloggers are not only equipped with camera-ready looks, but their blogs are also really good. They have high-quality images, consistent posting schedules, spot-on design and unique style.
In order for a more holistic image of fashionable women to permeate the top tier of blogging as well as traditional fashion media, there needs to be a serious commitment to higher-quality content. Plain and simple – there aren’t enough insanely good blogs that are run by these types of women.
There’s a lot wrong with this article, but let’s start with the incorrect notion that bloggers that aren’t blond, blue-eyed and skinny aren’t putting out high quality blogs.
Take, for example, The Curvy Blogger.
Or how about Franceta? (She was named by Teen Vogue as one of a few “curvy and plus-size fashion bloggers” they love, btw.)
And let’s not forget Allison of Curvy Girl Chic:
These are three. There are probably hundreds of high quality blogs out there featuring girls putting out content who don’t look like Emily Schuman carbon copies. I can’t even believe how insulting it is for IFB to insinuate that they aren’t getting the same press or recognition because of their content. The real reason that blogs featuring a curvy woman or a woman of color aren’t usually “top tier” bloggers like the Cuppys or the Atlantic-Pacifics of the blogging world is only because they don’t fulfill the warped stereotype that defines what fashion and style is for a lot of people. In other words, they aren’t skinny and blond or even just skinny. Whatever is to blame for people liking to look at skinny women or associating fashion with thinness has more to do with the our current culture, the media and the fashion industry.
IFB giving bad advice to bloggers is one thing, but insulting quality bloggers that have great blogs and good style is something else. Something pretty shitty. Don’t throw stones in glass houses, you assholes.
Cross posted via shampuff.com
“They’re ‘real women’ too, just blessed (and perhaps very disciplined).”
God that sentence is so insulting. We’re all “real women”, and the only thing that sets other women apart from skinny women is that other women are NOT blessed with something desirable?
“Hooray for all women, but the fats are ugly!”
“The fats are also lazy slobs!” (so undisciplined, y’all).
I would argue that the bloggers in those first 2 photos (can’t see the 3rd’s face!) are genetically blessed, more so than a lot of skinny people I’ve seen, but why drag the word “blessed” into something as subjective as aesthetics? I have a friend who thinks her permanent skinniness is more of a curse. Women with curly hair will buy flat irons and women with flat hair will buy curling irons. “Blessed” is in the eye of the beholder.
This happens to minorities in just about every situation so it’s no surprise it happens in the Blogosphere, too. In the workplace, they tell minorities they can’t get promoted because their work product isn’t as good as others. Everyone can see what has really happened, but management can always justify everyone else’s success because they “work so much harder.” The same with the gap between the super rich and the middle-class/poor. Oh, but the super rich “work so much harder, are so much more disciplined, have such a better work product.” Riiiiiiight. It’s an outrage, but there’s nothing us “introverted” cat ladies can do about it. After all, skinny, rich, white blondes work so much harder than the rest of us, they deserve to be rewarded with good things while the rest of us deserve debt, dead-end jobs and starvation.
Anyway, can we discuss this? http://www.alreadypretty.com/2012/07/come-to-my-book-launch-party.html
It’s so much more fun to be ragey about this clown than true social injustice because when I think about true social injustice, I get depressed. She’s having her self-published book launch party at a thrift store! LMAO!
After the smelly thrifted-sweater-gate on GOMI, I gag a bit every time I read about her.
I still can’t believe Corporette had her do a guest post. That was a riot too, some commenters called her out for featuring her given her questionable sanity, let alone ‘expertise’ on anything fashion-related.
I saw that post, too, and wondered why on earth they would feature her because based on some (most?) of the comments, Corporette’s readership sound very … particular. It gave me a good laugh, though. I’m sort of tempted to stop by the ARC and check out ole Sal’s “book launch”, but I don’t want her to think I’m a reader or “fan” and I don’t want any of those thrift store ladies snapping photos of me there! Did you see her self-published manifesto costs $21+????!!! That’s insane. That’s the price of a NYT best-selling hardcover release!
OK, good. At first I was like, “SHE GOT A BOOK DEAL??” Was hoping I’d see ‘self-published’ in there. Thank ham the entire world hasn’t gone mad.
Brittany Gibbons is one of my all time favorite bloggers. Scratch that… THE favorite. She’s hilarious and curvy and also helps run, “Curvy Girls Guide”. This post made me ragey enough to actually comment, which I haven’t done much. Ever. The bloggers are there, and some of them like Brittany even have crazy-high readership and corporate sponsorships. IFB didn’t do due diligence in the least.
http://brittanyherself.com/
Thank you for posting that! After reading that story about the guy with one ball I am dying and have found a new blog to get obsessed over.
I removed the IFB logo from my blog this morning. They have made me annoyed time and time again, and I think it’s time for bloggers to start moving away from them. They’ve gone downhill since bringing on Taylor, who is a bad writer. They layout sucks and their advice is bland. They only like mainstream bloggers and think they’re being edgy when they talk about issues like body image. No thanks, IFB!
I removed it this weekend as well. What’s the point other than to promote IFB…who hasn’t been helpful in the least?
Also, it’s very discouraging that they have become a brand machine. Before it was an encouraging community to be apart of and I really felt like they supported all bloggers, but it’s clear that they are jumping on the Lucky Mag bandwagon and promoting bloggers that get the most press. If you as me, they are trying to rie the coat tails of popular bloggers. And don’t get me started on their $100+ “conference.”
Good for you! I think more bloggers should disassociate with them, honestly it’s the only way they’re going to cut this shit or at least lose credibility.
They’ve been on the downward slope ever since bring Taylor on, to be honest. I think Jennine also has grandiose visions of herself. I feel bad for beginner bloggers who fall into thinking IFB actually knows what they’re talking about.
What an insulting, inane, and completely condescending post! I have a personal style blog, and personal style has NOTHING to do with body shapes, hair color or age! EVERYONE can look fantastic with the right styles for their size and body. Personal style has everything to do with balance, creativity, originality, and contrast, etc., NOT with being thin or blonde, or even with my biggest pet peeve of all when it comes to blogs: constant shopping. Anyway, also although I’m part of IFB, it took them about 4 months and repeated e-mails, tweets, and Facebook messages for them to fix my login. Naturally, I don’t even use them anymore for anything, as they haven’t been helpful in the least.
Don’t even get me started on their Forums. They’re straight out of 1995.
Also, I think it’s great you cross posted this from Shamepuff, but you should be careful because if you do it too often, your SEO will get penalized. Not that GOMI is struggling for traffic, but it’s just important to keep in mind that Google penalizes if the same content is reposted.
I totally rolled my eyes at your comment — but then I searched this article name in Google and the GOMI version is the #1 result. The Shamepuff version isn’t anywhere on page 1, despite being the original source of the article. Google is clearly giving GOMI credit for being an older and more authoritative site, so no duh there.
The Awl family of sites does a good job with cross-posting articles, IMO. If a given article is of interest to another site’s audience, they tease it by republishing the first couple paragraphs, with a “read more” link (thus avoiding Google penalties). The comment thread lives one place — the site where the article really lives, which has the added benefit of getting new eyeballs on the affiliated site.
I can see how you would be skeptical–I only know this shiz because my company paid a shit ton of money for an SEO agency to tell us what to do and what not to do. GOMI won’t suffer for the replicated content, but Shamepuff will.
I like using the method you referenced. Also, to me, there was a more interesting and more lively convo over at Shamepuff whereas here it’s slower.
I’m not skeptical of SEO in general – in fact I’ve made my living as an SEO person (at an agency) for years :) I just didn’t expect to find such clear evidence that a site (in this case, Shamepuff) got docked for duplicate content.
Lucky you! I blew of SEO for like a year and a half and then realized, “Oh wow, I should probably worry about this.”
It could be the Shamepuff didn’t get scraped yet by Google or that GOMI will always be about Shamepuff, don’t you think? In any case, duplicate content should always be a no-no especially when you have a new site.
Gabi Fresh is the only fashion blogger I read and she’s definitely TOP TIER.
Why does this IFB bullshit exist? Do they have unicorn parties too?
Gabi is awesome, and she has connections and endorsements that most of the girls in the Lawndale High Fashion Club—oh, wait, I mean IFB— would kill for.
Also Nicollette Mason.
I think Jennine is holding some sort of grudge that she is not popular. Also love Nicolette!
Good lord. She hasn’t posted on her own blog since May and still has an academy awards banner up. She deserves to have the “Pro Blogger” title pulled!
Niki is awesome. She went to high school with me and was always reeking of cool.
Jealous! I wish I went to high school with people as cool as her!
Will look up Nicollette Mason.
Gabi has tons of endorsements and, unlike what many assume, she has tons of fans/readers who aren’t plus size. Just like chubs read skinny girl blogs for ideas, skinnies read chubs blogs. I mean the whole IFB thing makes no sense.
Also, I saw Gabi on the fucking Today Show about 1 month back. If that’s not Top Tier…I don’t know what is…
Just looked up Gabi. I love her blog. I honestly felt so excited just scrolling through it. My only criticism is I wish she posted MORE! She’s lovely.
They also resort to plaigarism.
BlogTrends May 18, 2012
http://www.blog-trends.com/2012/05/making-the-best-of-a-cliquey-situation/
IFB August 11, 2012
http://www.blog-trends.com/2012/05/making-the-best-of-a-cliquey-situation/
BlogTrends November 7, 2011
http://www.blog-trends.com/2011/11/blogtrends-designing-your-blog-like-a-pro-nov-7/
IFB March 6, 2012
http://heartifb.com/2012/03/06/blog-design-tips/
BlogTrends January 23, 2012
http://blogtrendschat.com/2012/01/what-really-makes-a-great-photo/
IFB January 24, 2012
http://heartifb.com/2012/01/24/back-to-photo-basics/
This isn’t the first time they’ve endorsed plagiarism and mark my words, it will not be the last. You should expose the or at least email Blog Trends.
BlogTrends is aware and has contacted them. IFB has not responded and refuses to acknoweldge an issue even though they started their Friday blog chats months after BlogTrends began. It will come out with time.
It’s already out–you just outed it! Hopefully something happens.
Like most bloggers, IFB’s idea of body image discussion is “let’s talk about this size 14 blogger.” That’s not body image. That’s just one aspect of body image. Of course, this is very typical of just about anyone in the fashion world, including body image people. As a smaller-framed woman, I always feel insulted when they imply that I’m “not real” or say that people who’re my size “look like 10 year old boys.” How would you like it if I called you fat? Think it’s mean? Well, I feel the same way.
I’m sick of this argument over “who’s real, who’s not.” IFB wants to capitalize on the conversation about body image online, but is failing miserably and wrecking their credibility at the same time.
I just posted this comment over at IFB. I’m SO FUCKING SICK OF THEIR SHIT. I deleted my IFB button, and I might just write a takedown post. I’m so annoyed at their bullshit. ugh.
“Other people have said it already, but I’m annoyed enough by this, yet another of IFB’s poorly researched and offensively written articles to say this myself.
If IFB is so concerned that there are no non-white/skinny/model-esque bloggers in the “top tier” (is that even a thing? I mean really…) then why don’t you FEATURE MORE OF THEM? Your blogger spotlights all feature the same type of woman. Your ads and promo images for IFB Con, and for articles are all slim, young, white women. You are actively contributing to the problem that you claim to be so concerned about.
And to insinuate that minority bloggers are not featured because their blogs are not up to par? Really? That’s what you’re going to go with?
It is convenient that you’ve neglected to acknowledge the social-political factors that contribute to things like this. Model-esque bloggers get more sponsorships because they reinforce the already established hierarchy within fashion. It’s not rocket-science. Bloggers who don’t fit that image will ALWAYS be at a disadvantage. That’s how privilege works ladies.
You’ve also only touched on one aspect of the situation. “Real women” are just women who wear a size 14. We come in all shapes and sizes, all race and ethnicities, all different cultures and beliefs, but you know, let’s not be mean to the popular, successful and yes, skinny bloggers them because they’re more disciplined than us. That would mean we’re just jealous.
IFB loves to posit itself as this all-inclusive venue where bloggers can come for a sense of community, but over the last year especially, you have actively been alienating the base that built you. You have the power to FIX THIS PROBLEM. Instead, you ride the coattails of those who are already established. Nothing is going to change unless you change it. We’ve been doing our part by creating our blogs and sharing out experiences. If even places like IFB shut us out, where do we go? There is a reason I don’t read any of those blogs anymore. They reflect nothing of myself or my life or my experience. But there are blogs that do. Why not feature those blogs? Why not direct the community at large to bloggers who are doing great things and deserve to be recognized instead of reinforcing the same old tropes?
All in all, this was a poor excuse for an article. You want to be taken seriously as journalists too? Then you need to do the work that journalists do. Research, fact, references. You can’t just pull shit out of midair.”
I hope they approve that one. They claim comments are on moderation. If they do, I’m tracking your blog down and following it ASAP!
I just checked. I posted this comment and two or three others and they were ALL deleted. I posted them anonymously because I didn’t want any backlash on my blog, but IFB is the SOLE REASON why I’ve moved my blog more towards culture and away from fashion. They have made me disenchanted with the fashion blogging world, and I hate them. They are lame. I really hope the shit hits the fan in a BIG way.
But you can still check out my blog if you want! I know blog pimping is a no-no on GOMI, but you brought it up so I figure I’ll be forgiven! http://www.promiscuouslola.com/
I also just wrote this, because I’m that annoyed:
http://www.promiscuouslola.com/2012/08/sound-off-this-is-not-how-apologies.html
yes! this. exactly.
And the sad thing is, some women will read that shit they wrote and will feel bad about themselves.
Here’s a thought IFB; instead of offending ‘real’ women, go out and surf the blogosphere for new blogs. I’m pretty sure you’ll find some fantastic ones (that are not size zero ‘s) to feature.
Oh but take your head out of your ass first.
GOMY, why did you bring race into it again?
Why are “blonde, blue–eyed” types pilloried by you at every turn?
The article you quoted didn’t mention race. It mentioned thin and beautiful women. By tagging “blonde and blue-eyed” onto that in your rebuttal/response, are you revealing to us that subconsciously you link beauty and thinness with blonde hair and blue eyes; that dark haired, dark-eyed (or dark-skinned) women can’t ALSO be thin and beautiful too; that the article (when it refers to the over-abundance of blogs made my thin, beautiful women) couldn’t be including thin beautiful women of COLOR in that category too?
Why the assumption that “thin and beautiful” means blonde and blue-eyed?
Odd.
I didn’t know that ‘blond hair and blue eyes’ was a race now.
The more I know, I guess,
Really Dude? I guess I give you a D for trying.
If you need to ask why blonde and blue-eyed were mentioned, you clearly don’t pay much attention to fashion blogs. Good job not using the internet to avoid making idiotic comments.
LOL.
Um, the shamepuff crosspost note above says “shampuff”.
Ugh. So many things wrong with this, but I agree that the truly recognizable, well known bloggers that have the most mainstream audience and more opportunity do tend to be thin and traditionally pretty Do I think it’s because other bloggers are not churning out quality content? No, but there is truth to that assertion, like it or not. The thin, “pretty” bloggers will be likely to garner more media, especially tv, appearances and the likes because that’s the nature of the beast and it sucks, but not because they aren’t talented.
Also, in terms of plus or curvy bloggers, nearly all the really popular ones very much so have traditionally pretty faces, like Gabi Fresh for example and proportional, hourglass shapes. They’re still traditionally beautiful, just larger.
I can’t believe they had the gall to post that, not to mention it reinforces the notion that they themselves favor said ‘thin, pretty bloggers’. I do have to point out something, though..one very, very popular food blogger started her blog with extremely attractive ‘blonder’ photos, but is now what you would consider curvy and larger..with dark brown hair. Too late..she already got her gargantuan following..so no one is turning her away, even if she gains another 40 lbs.
By the way…I wouldn’t call a certain ranch wife ‘young, thin and pretty’, but then again, she started her blog long before the ‘young, thin and pretties’ took over.
IFB sucks shit.
Food blogs and whatever Pioneer Woman are aren’t really the same about appearance policing as fashion blogs, though.