I recently came across Substack, where many of us who love reading actual blogs exist. We love the long-form content, the beautiful images that seamlessly come across the digital pages, and the way the words look on the minimal application. I miss reading long blogs about fashion, about style, and how I view style and fashion these days. Everything is so fast now, which is why I find myself less and less on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where I now rarely post. I am missing that slow platform where I could see my friends, and read long blogs while drinking something warm. I am constantly searching for that cozy feeling while online – which is what led me to Substack. It showed me a whole new area of fashionistas that I had never seen. Not the video creators on Instagram, not the TikTok girls- I’m talking about the writers. The people who work in fashion, who live and breathe fashion and style. Even if they don’t work in the industry, they have something to say. And I love reading that. Video platforms like Instagram don’t grab me as much, nor do they inspire me anymore. I am no longer motivated to post a video about my clothing and spend hours editing it to just get 10 views on something. I know I have an eye for style – why should I prove myself? Reading a 5-minute long blog keeps me engaged, and keeps me thinking about engaging fashion. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, seeing a million creators and fashion girls who I don’t feel inspired by or enjoy. I respect the amount of time they put into their craft – carefully curating a feed and making 1-minute videos to catch your attention. That isnt who I am. This constant pressure in the back of my head is always there saying: ” Jessica you need to update your Instagram, you need to post, you need to be creative.” But then I drag in out for another week, never creating because I feel this constant pressure. That is a terrible feeling. That feeling came from the incessant pressure we all feel to constantly be creating, constantly be making something out of nothing, to always be creative, to always keep up with social media trends. But why does it matter?
I know right now, no one is going to read this but I am writing it anyway. Because I don’t talk to anyone about fashion – I work from home and enjoy my own company. My fashion peeps live away from me, so online readers are all I have. I got off-topic.
I am just saying that I want to focus more on long-form content- things people actually want to read instead of just seeing 1 minute of a style video. That says very little about me. I would rather you read a 5-minute blog about my fashion thoughts, my findings or a style suggestion that I am giving. Anyway, I miss long-form content and will be writing more. But let’s get back to what I am currently thinking about in fashion.
Currently thinking about…
- How I miss long-form content, and how I can channel that into my social media and blog
- Fall, fall fall fall, and more fall fashion. I am talking chunky sweaters, boots, and my favorite: JACKETS. Particularly y2k penny lane coats. I am the proud owner of 3. That number will increase, don’t worry.
- How the the Alexander McQueen show improved from last season. I was very very happy to see my favorite designer back into the element with actual inspiration from Lee, and homage to his past collections in this season. It was a huge upgrade from his last show. Truly inspiring.
- What I want to make this blog be, and what Pepper & Platinum is about in 2024. God, I am proud of that name – it is so original and mine. No one else has it and that makes me happy.
- My style guide post from 2020 was on the front page of Google for “fashion style guides” results – just found that out yesterday. It beat Vogue. Yes, vogue. No, I am not paid for these articles – they are written out of passion.
- When I am going to thrift again. It is my birthday next week, so believe me – itll happen. My little treat to myself is thrifting and coffee.
In my tabs:
- Cari | Aesthetics website: For all the aesthetics. I don’t like mushing fashion into aesthetics, but they are so fun to look at. This site has inspirational images, references and all the info you could want on any era.
2. My wishlist items: y2k patterened tops and whimsy celestial mugs.
3. How much I am becoming a whimsygoth girl. Its just a beautiful vibe.
I will be writing these weekly, or maybe a few times a week as I have a lot of fashion thoughts and ramblings. Hope you enjoy!