INTERVIEW : FOXXTAILZ AKA JESS AYTON
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In the last few years, I've noticed that I've been taking more of an interest in a different style of clothing. My go to used to be heeled boots, jackets, and skinny jeans - but my wardrobe now consists of patterned shirts, loose fit mom jeans, oversized shirts and thrifted clothing. I'm always looking for new ways to style the clothes I already own and my Pinterest board is full of 90's inspired and grungey style clothing, I think I have 300 pins and counting. I stumbled on Jess's blog Foxxtailz a number of months ago and fell in love with her unique and colourful style immediately. She
doesn't just wear something that is trending at the moment, she simply wears what she loves and I am ALL for it. I was delighted when she agreed to let me interview her and I hope you'll check out her blog after this post. Click the picture below to head straight to her blog:
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EILIS: What inspired you to start blogging?
I've always documented my outfits/latest buys/ bargains on some form of platform, be it Instagram/Tumblr. It wasn't until a few years ago there was specific platform to do that on, so I moved from writing anywhere on the internet about my style to blogger :)
E: You state on your Instagram that you’re an advocate for personal style. Could you explain what you mean by this?
I think personal style is very important - its all about being yourself. When I was younger I was too worried to dress and express myself the way I do now as I was worried about what people would think if I decided to do something a little ''out there'' or different, which ultimately made me miserable. The older I got, the less I seemed to worry about what people thought of me and my sense of style. finally, after years, I had learned to embrace, it. And that's what I like to encourage people to do, to find and embrace their own personal style, to do what makes them happy.
E: For someone who wants to start styling themselves in a grungey/alternative way, in your opinion what are some key items of clothing you should add to your wardrobe?
Grunge ''traditionally'' is wearing a lot of dark or blacks. I absolutely hate wearing dark or black clothing - it just isn't me. However, alternative style to me is all about experimentation with clothes and fashion. My alternative wardrobe staple has got to be, my creepers, a pair of fishnets and my tartan trousers - I wear them to death!
E: Who do you look to in terms of style inspiration?
Hayley Williams hands down everytime. I have loved and followed Paramore since I was 15. For me, I find Hayley very inspirational when it comes to expressing yourself. I loved her I'll wear what the heck I want attitude so much that it pushed me to do it for myself. She not afraid of self-expression.
E: From one blogger to another, do you find sometimes that sponsored posts are risky? When taking on a sponsored post do you follow a set criteria before taking part?
Yes and no. I don't take on every sponsored post I'm offered. Purely because if that doesn't fit me or my brand I don't want to do it. I want to keep my space as authentic as possible. I'm not going to pretend to like something just because someone has paid me to do so. I'll always be 100% truthful
E: What advice would you have for someone who wants to run an alternative style blog as opposed to a regular fashion blog?
If it's alternative fashion they love then I reckon it wouldn't be any different to a regular fashion blog. The only thing I guess to be aware of it that the fashion isn't always to everyone's taste.
A PRIME EXAMPLE OF JESS' EFFORTLESSLY COOL STYLE
E: Are there any tips you could give to new bloggers about running social media relating to your blog?
Self-promotion is key! Knowing your audience is key! I like to post quite regularly on Instagram and use it as another tool to drive traffic to my site.
E: How much personal input do you have on your blog? Is it something you work on entirely on your own or something you collaborate on with friends.
Honestly, if it wasn't for my boyfriend I wouldn't know how I'd be able to do what I do. He takes the main bulk of my photos. However, I do the editing and the copy. If I'm meeting up with blogger pals then we will always try to fit in time to squeeze in a shoot.
E: Do you think that there is a legitimate issue among bloggers today about the idea of authenticity?
I don't think there is a problem per se. I guess it's what you mean by authentic. This year I have noticed a lot of imitation in blogging. I think there's a fine line between taking inspiration [which everyone does] and outright taking someone's ideas. I don't know its a hard one and after being on the receiving end of it, it can be very very annoying and disheartening.
E: To someone reading this that may want to start a blog, what do you think is most important when starting out?
If it's something you wanna do just go for it. Start out and see where it takes you. When I first started I did it as a bit of fun [which I still do now, just I take it more seriously now]
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Interviewing Jess reassured me that sticking to writing about what I love is the way forward for me. For years I've worried about trying to fit in with the bloggers around me and have put out posts that I hadn't put my heart and soul into. I'm still trying to figure out where exactly my blog fits in among the thousands and thousands out there, but you can be sure that I won't repeat the same post twice.
Thank you as always for taking the time to read my little blog!
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