I’ve wanted to post something like this for quite a while, but I like the fact that my blog/newsletter/recalcitrant messenger isn’t very rooted in my day-to-day life—it’s more a detached aesthetic barometer that may vaguely reflect my moods, my obsessions, my purchases, my failures, but at the end of the day, it’s impossible for me to have a fashion blog that reveals or tracks my quotidian experiences with clothes.
Bravo. You should not be ashamed of this, and in telling you that you should not be ashamed of this, you have made me tell myself that I should not be ashamed to be the same. It is painfully relatable, but a feeling caused by something so absorbingly bittersweet. I earn enough to pay my rent and put food on the table, but 'living'? No. 'It will come' I tell myself.
Fabulous post. So appreciate your honesty and vulnerability Em. You have absolutely nothing to be shamed about. So many young people pursuing their passions do it on a shoestring budget. Doesn’t matter if you are an artist, a musician, a dog trainer, a chef - many fields take time to break in, build a resume, develop awareness, etc. Keep putting yourself out there, ask for help, ask for free stuff(!), and as long as you still have the passion, then keep on working at it. I’m sure you’re not the only one having these feelings and struggles, you are definitely not alone! Best of luck and I’ll keep reading you.
Such a fantastic piece - thank you for writing it, and being honest! 100% feel you, and I think it's very much overall in nowadays creative industries. The reason I started a magazine too, was to dig deeper, and be honest as you are, no gatekeeping. I also feel you, having expensive hobbies that are hard to match the wallet, thanks for being true <3
Facts! Transparency! Always appreciated. I still get emails from people thanking me for writing about budgeting for fashion pieces from a piece I wrote in my BLOGSPOT (rip blog spot) in high school, before TRR was even around. Fashions pressure is real. I don’t really acquire pieces anymore so the public facing consumption or diary aspect of it feels like a net negative to me most of the time now.
Such a lovely post. Thank you for being so honest- i feel like the vast majority of fashion substacks - many of which I very much enjoy and subscribe to!- are written by people who are significantly older and wealthier than I am, and while it’s fun and aspirational I do really appreciate your perspective. Like half of my clothes are hand me downs from my (wealthy, fashionable) family and half are thrifted for $5 and I think I look lovely, but your focus on style and certain moods or inspirations rather than specific pieces is so appreciated and genuinely helpful to me in styling myself. Sorry for this long rambly comment !
What a nice thing to ask! You can always subscribe to the paid version of my Substack and/or like and share your favorite posts. Everything is extremely helpful and deeply appreciated!
Last night felt the anguish over finding an exact version of a jacket I’ve been longing for only to find out (I could estimate, just didn’t want to) it costs the same as rent or the deposit I put into my partner and I’s savings each month. When my mom worked in fashion before having me, she had to stop looking at magazines and runways because she said it was too tempting and she would’ve never been able to afford having a family with how much the things she wanted cost. I just wish having to sacrifice one thing for another wasn’t the most obvious option 💔
Loved this! Have been working in fashion since I was 18 in college full time working full time, and nothing has changed. I’ve evolved and added more collegiate experience to an already established career as well as wearing multiple hats. Covid hit me hard… I was forced to take jobs I never would have imagined. I’m shocked at the interns who live in the West Village by themselves and somehow have the clothes I want but are 15 years younger. Fashion is a tough business but the people who make it great are the ones who work their asses off and have an opinion( you! ) . So keep on resoleing those shoes that put you in debt and know you are appreciated even if it’s under appreciated financially right now. Thank you for posting ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I imagine this was difficult to share, but it's a truly refreshing and appreciated perspective. Also, re: numbers, I truly think you should (and deserve to) lean hard into the Magasin byline!! You wield a lot of influence there.
Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable piece. As a newer Substack writer, I often wish I'd started earlier. But I have to remind myself not to feel bad because the living wage of it all is just so challenging. Your points really resonated with me.
Bravo. You should not be ashamed of this, and in telling you that you should not be ashamed of this, you have made me tell myself that I should not be ashamed to be the same. It is painfully relatable, but a feeling caused by something so absorbingly bittersweet. I earn enough to pay my rent and put food on the table, but 'living'? No. 'It will come' I tell myself.
Fabulous post. So appreciate your honesty and vulnerability Em. You have absolutely nothing to be shamed about. So many young people pursuing their passions do it on a shoestring budget. Doesn’t matter if you are an artist, a musician, a dog trainer, a chef - many fields take time to break in, build a resume, develop awareness, etc. Keep putting yourself out there, ask for help, ask for free stuff(!), and as long as you still have the passion, then keep on working at it. I’m sure you’re not the only one having these feelings and struggles, you are definitely not alone! Best of luck and I’ll keep reading you.
Such a fantastic piece - thank you for writing it, and being honest! 100% feel you, and I think it's very much overall in nowadays creative industries. The reason I started a magazine too, was to dig deeper, and be honest as you are, no gatekeeping. I also feel you, having expensive hobbies that are hard to match the wallet, thanks for being true <3
Thank you!! 🪷🪷
Facts! Transparency! Always appreciated. I still get emails from people thanking me for writing about budgeting for fashion pieces from a piece I wrote in my BLOGSPOT (rip blog spot) in high school, before TRR was even around. Fashions pressure is real. I don’t really acquire pieces anymore so the public facing consumption or diary aspect of it feels like a net negative to me most of the time now.
Such a lovely post. Thank you for being so honest- i feel like the vast majority of fashion substacks - many of which I very much enjoy and subscribe to!- are written by people who are significantly older and wealthier than I am, and while it’s fun and aspirational I do really appreciate your perspective. Like half of my clothes are hand me downs from my (wealthy, fashionable) family and half are thrifted for $5 and I think I look lovely, but your focus on style and certain moods or inspirations rather than specific pieces is so appreciated and genuinely helpful to me in styling myself. Sorry for this long rambly comment !
Wow! How bold and undoubtedly the real story. How can I support you in your journey?
What a nice thing to ask! You can always subscribe to the paid version of my Substack and/or like and share your favorite posts. Everything is extremely helpful and deeply appreciated!
Last night felt the anguish over finding an exact version of a jacket I’ve been longing for only to find out (I could estimate, just didn’t want to) it costs the same as rent or the deposit I put into my partner and I’s savings each month. When my mom worked in fashion before having me, she had to stop looking at magazines and runways because she said it was too tempting and she would’ve never been able to afford having a family with how much the things she wanted cost. I just wish having to sacrifice one thing for another wasn’t the most obvious option 💔
Loved this! Have been working in fashion since I was 18 in college full time working full time, and nothing has changed. I’ve evolved and added more collegiate experience to an already established career as well as wearing multiple hats. Covid hit me hard… I was forced to take jobs I never would have imagined. I’m shocked at the interns who live in the West Village by themselves and somehow have the clothes I want but are 15 years younger. Fashion is a tough business but the people who make it great are the ones who work their asses off and have an opinion( you! ) . So keep on resoleing those shoes that put you in debt and know you are appreciated even if it’s under appreciated financially right now. Thank you for posting ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.
An excellent read. Subscribed. xx
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I imagine this was difficult to share, but it's a truly refreshing and appreciated perspective. Also, re: numbers, I truly think you should (and deserve to) lean hard into the Magasin byline!! You wield a lot of influence there.
Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable piece. As a newer Substack writer, I often wish I'd started earlier. But I have to remind myself not to feel bad because the living wage of it all is just so challenging. Your points really resonated with me.