Why I Wish the “Best Over 40 Bloggers” Lists Were More Varied

Why I Wish the "Best Over 40 Bloggers" Lists Were More Varied | Not Dressed As Lamb

Earlier this year I was featured on Who What Wear as one of their “Stylish Fashion Bloggers Over Age 40” – I’m truly always so honoured to be featured and included among such stylish ladies.

However, the moment proved to be bittersweet (from my point of view at least) – whilst I was so flattered and pleased to be featured by Who What Wear (it doesn’t do my traffic any harm whatsoever), I realised that it was the third time they’d included me on a similar list-style post. To date, I’ve appeared in the following “best older bloggers” articles (at least these are the ones I’m aware of):

Style Wise: The 7 Best Blogs by Older Women
The Best Fashion Bloggers in Every Age Group
Meet the Stylish Fashion Bloggers Over Age 40
Fashion Bloggers and Fabulous
On Our Radar… Influencers Over 40
Fashion Blogs UK Top 20
13 Fashion Bloggers Over 40 You Should Follow Now
10 Best Fashion Blogs for Grown Ups

(Not including similar lists by other bloggers – I’ve only included large fashion sites and magazines, etc.)

Now pleeeease don’t think I’m tooting my own horn or being ungrateful (far from it – the exposure from these sites is amazing!) when I say this, but the crazy thing is that I’m nearly always featured on these “Best over 40 bloggers” lists… it makes me think, Why can’t they feature someone else for a change? Someone who should be celebrated at least once instead of me every time?

Here’s another interesting thing: There are about seven or eight bloggers, including myself, who are also regularly featured on these lists.

And therein lies the problem I have.

So yes I’m very happy (VERY happy) to be always featured on these lists along with Lyn, Alyson, Judith, Annette, Cathy, Melanie and Patti, but to be honest after the latest Who What Wear I felt somewhat disappointed that the same handful of bloggers were featured yet again – myself included. The list on Marie Claire Mexico’s site were five from the bloggers I just mentioned, no one new.

AFTER THE LATEST WHO WHAT WEAR ARTICLE I FELT SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE SAME HANDFUL OF BLOGGERS WERE FEATURED YET AGAIN – MYSELF INCLUDED.

I’m not sure what the reason for it is exactly, but I think it’s a combination of factors: Most of the bloggers I listed have been blogging for many years (I’ve been going nearly six years). Or they’ve exploded onto the scene because they’re at the older end of the 40+ spectrum and very, very modern style-wise (like Lyn, for example). Or it could be lazy journalism – how do you find over 40 bloggers if you have to write an article about them? Why, Google “over 40 bloggers”, of course. And what you tend to get is the same list recycled over and over again.

And not that I wish less success or recognition onto any of the bloggers I’ve mentioned – FAR from it. They deserve every last bit of it, like the modelling contracts/jobs that Judith, Lyn and Melanie have landed, for example. It makes me incredibly happy and proud that older woman are making waves in the fashion industry, and I want to see more and more of it.

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But what I also want to see is other bloggers getting recognition. There are so many that deserve it just as much as the list I mentioned. What worries me is that women who are searching for over 40 style bloggers to follow online will get these lists come up in their searches and think that there are only about seven or eight older fashion bloggers in the world because they’re the only ones being featured. In reality there are hundreds, possibly even thousands of them.

WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT WOMEN WHO ARE SEARCHING FOR OVER 40 STYLE BLOGGERS WILL THINK THAT THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT OLDER FASHION BLOGGERS IN THE WORLD BECAUSE THEY’RE THE ONLY ONES BEING FEATURED.

For example, Samantha of Fake Fabulous has been blogging for less than two years but is already making waves with her colourful style and fabulous thoughts on fashion for older women. Carelia of My Small Wardrobe is a fierce but wonderfully positive fashionista. Lisa of The Sequinist couldn’t be more chic, sophisticated and sparkly if she tried. Diane of Fashion on the Fourth Floor is gorgeous and stylish, spreading an endless supply of joy everywhere you see her.

And that’s just barely scratching the surface.

My own personal blogroll of over 40 fashion bloggers

In case you’ve not seen it before, I have a blogroll that includes a separate list of 56 over 40 bloggers, and I want to highlight them here as they are ALL deserving of the sort of recognition that Who What Wear (and other sites, I’m not purposely singling WWW out) give me and the other seven or eight!

 

So please click through and check them out – I know 56 is a lot but they’re all worth it, I promise you.

 

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Why I Wish the "Best Over 40 Bloggers" Lists Were More Varied | Not Dressed As Lamb
I guess I’m just a champion of those who deserve good things but have to fight harder to get it. I’m going to be tweeting a link to this post to all those publications and the journalists who wrote them in an attempt to get more variety of older bloggers recognised and hopefully featured in the near future.

My one-man primary school crusade story

This post has reminded me of the time I was at primary school when the teachers were choosing pupils to star in the lead roles of the school play. Every single year the same boy and the same girl – David and Emily, names have been changed – were chosen to take the lead parts, and being something of a crusader even then(!), I took it upon myself, aged about 10, to complain to the teachers that they always chose the same two. I wanted someone else to be chosen for a change.

The result was that when the lead parts were announced, the lead female part went to…

ME. 😳

Oh sh*t, that wasn’t the outcome I wanted at all – I didn’t want the damn lead part! I wanted to paint the scenery or be the narrator (I liked art and reading out loud). So back I went to the teachers, saying that I wasn’t complaining because I wanted the part, I wanted someone else to be given a chance. I think they did choose someone else for the female lead in the end, who was really good and deserved the part, but not Emily.

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Since then I’ve been very careful about the causes that I champion…!

 

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What are YOUR thoughts?

I’d love to know your thoughts on this, and whether you’ve thought the same about these articles and the bloggers they choose. It’s a tricky subject to bring up – if you’re like me and are regularly featured, it could seem that you’re being ungrateful. However if you’re someone that isn’t featured and you bring it up, some may interpret it as jealousy or resentment of others.

You can’t win in other words – but this is the place to be honest and share your feelings about it in the comments. No judgement!

Link up: All that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!

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Thank you for joining the #SaturdayShareLinkUp! Designed to allow you to share anything you like on ANY topic, it goes live every Friday at 8pm UK time and will stay open for a week. You can share blog posts or Instagram posts, old posts or new posts, and link up as many as you like.

 

PLEASE be kind and leave a link somewhere on your post, and share your post using the hashtag #SaturdayShareLinkUp – if you tweet your link with the hashtag and tag me in @notlamb I’ll even retweet it to my followers for you 🙂

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Use clear, bright images (crop in close if necessary) and add a relevant, descriptive title (you’ve got 75 characters to use). These sorts of thumbnails and text always get the most clicks, so don’t waste the opportunity to increase traffic and engagement on your best work!

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WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR WEEK THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

 

Catherine

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33 Comments

  1. 26 April 2017 / 8:41 pm

    This was a really entertaining post. I had nearly missed it. It is so you Catherine. Even though it gives you great traffic, you still go on the barricades fot other to be in the limelight.which is exactly what the girls said about you at brunch Saturday. You are a good soul. And I am on your 40+ blog roll! Never knew that haha. Thanks a bundle.
    Greetje

  2. 15 April 2017 / 10:50 pm

    It's just being lazy I think, I see this all the time in these kind of lists. Same people over and over. It's not that they are not deserving but yeah you get a lot of exposure from these lists and it'd be nice to see some new people. Scottish lists are terrible there are about 6bloggers I see listed over and over, so boring
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx | bloglovin

  3. 10 April 2017 / 7:37 pm

    What do I think hmmm?…I think you're right about "journalists" taking the easy option for writing their brief. I'd say you're bang on about them hitting up Google for the list. I would also say you're one of the most sincere people I've ever met in my entire life! This is not only an incredibly generous post it's also completely authentic. Personally I'm a bit fed up with all the phoney love being spread on Instagram by self serving bloggers out for the affiliate money grab. Reading this article is the breath of fresh air I was in dire need of right about now. Thanks for reminding me there are a bunch of really awesome bloggers out there who are doing a fabulous job without being phoney or fake xxx

  4. 10 April 2017 / 7:36 pm

    What do I think hmmm?…I think you're right about "journalists" taking the easy option for writing their brief. I'd say you're bang on about them hitting up Google for the list. I would also say you're one of the most sincere people I've ever met in my entire life! This is not only an incredibly generous post it's also completely authentic. Personally I'm a bit fed up with all the phoney love being spread on Instagram by self serving bloggers out for the affiliate money grab. Reading this article is the breath of fresh air I was in dire need of right about now. Thanks for reminding me there are a bunch of really awesome bloggers out there who are doing a fabulous job without being phoney or fake xxx

  5. 10 April 2017 / 4:19 pm

    I think journalists do rehash previous 'research' in the same way that on Instagram, reposting accounts all repost the same handful of photos from OTHER reposting accounts. On one hand, I'm overjoyed at the success that Lynn and other mature bloggers have had, but I do look at other bloggers, like Samantha at Fake Fabulous (my blog girl crush!) and think WHY isn't she just EVERYWHERE?! She's gorgeous, articulate, charming, individual, and completely original. If I were a brand, I'd snap her up in a second.

    I love reading blogs but I have so little time to read all the ones I know I love and I definitely don't have time to explore new ones. I'm grateful for the lists and round-ups that you do because you do the all the legwork that I don't have time to do!

    Thank you so much for mentioning my little sparkly blog. I am certainly not everyone's cup of tea style wise (especially the next post I'm doing :-D) but I'm glad you like what I do!

    I can totally see you being that little girl fighting for the underdog, just like you are today! Your real personality pours out of your blog and your style, which is why so many people enjoy you. xxx

  6. 10 April 2017 / 2:45 am

    i know you say "no judgement" and sure that's fine between bloggers. But as a reader, heck, yeah I need judgement. There are hundreds and hundreds of shall we say… not so good sites. When I sit down with a cup of tea, I want to go straight to a site that will entertain and inspire me. I don't have time to search for good sites because my tea would be cold before I found one. I think if you are going to list sites you like, you do need to be brave and express your opinion. Otherwise your list is pointless.

    On the other hand, Why journalists don't do a bit of research, I don't know. That is disappointing.

  7. 9 April 2017 / 8:54 pm

    What interesting comments to a very thoughtful approach to a problem seen in the blog industry. Im in the over 50 group, a designer with a 35 yr old successful firm. Recently my new partner, of 30 years younger wanted to start a blog. littleblackdomicile.com After two months it is on fire and we are very grateful to all age followers and the number of views. When we started we decided to take advantage of our age difference and make it a part of our posts. Fashion, like decor needs to fit all age groups. You gals have this figured out. Bravo!-Laurel Bledsoe

  8. 9 April 2017 / 8:06 am

    I am startled every time I am on a list. My photos aren't great, my numbers are not famously impressive, my content is all over the map, I don't do sponsored posts (except for twice), and my style wobbles here and there. So let this give everyone HOPE!!! Truly!

    Also, you can't please everyone. No way. So it would help to be slightly thick-skinned, which I'm not.

    And one thing is CERTAIN: tides change. People get bored. Be READY!!

    And absolutely, make sure you have some high-res photos on stand-by in case you get asked. I do lower-res for my blog, which a couple of times has left me scrambling at the last minute with my tripod in the rain or snow. Also, it's probably a good idea to have a mix of portrait and landscape photos.

    Finally, there haven't been modelling contracts for me, just that really cool job I did for a local designer. That was great, I admit, but soooo scary.

    • 12 April 2017 / 4:33 pm

      I have to comment on this comment.
      Melanie sums up exactly why she is on so many "lists"…. because people love her!
      She is not "What about me? I'm brilliant!!!".
      She is just honest and genuine and uniquely fabulous.
      Complete with low res images (that are often completely bonkers) and her wonderful musings.
      Of course a killer figure and a unique sense of style helps too!!!
      XXX
      Samantha

  9. 8 April 2017 / 9:26 pm

    I've been giving this issue some thought Catherine and wonder if it's partly how we sell ourselves as bloggers. I.e. I'm a late '30s blogger, a Welsh blogger, a vintage blogger, a thrifting blogger – but you might not know all that unless you regularly read my blog. If bloggers like yourself use the selling point of 40plus in particular then I guess you're more likely to be 'found' in that category? Food for thought anyway! Xx

  10. 8 April 2017 / 5:37 pm

    Lol. I am almost 50 and I just blog about what I want to and see in the world. I go by my own rules. Going to do some shameless self-promotion here, my blog is Adventures in Weseland and the url is http://www.csuhpat1blogspot.com. It is not about fashion but what I see in my travels.

  11. 8 April 2017 / 3:02 pm

    How very true and what generosity of spirit you show in your endeavour to widen the sphere. Thank you for the opportunity to link up with other like minded bloggers and to promote my efforts.
    Sarah
    Aka badassbabyboomer! ❤������

  12. 8 April 2017 / 1:49 pm

    What a great post, Catherine. You are right, of course. I'm frequently seeing the same bloggers pop up in such lists and it would be lovely to see some other bloggers recognised at the same time. Samantha and Lisa for example are uber worthy of recognition!!
    I loved reading about you trying to get the lead roles given to others at school. I laughed out loud when I read they gave it to you lol. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  13. 8 April 2017 / 1:46 pm

    This is a great post and every thing you have said I have thought a thousand times. Only, I couldn't say it, it took someone who has been nominated to say it because if anyone else says it they look like sore losers. I do think it's lazy journalism. They just don't want to do the research so they keep rehashing the same names over and over again. I also get frustrated with this list because I don't follow any of these bloggers (other than you ). I follow blogs of women who wear clothes I could actually wear. It seems most famous over forty fashion bloggers are very eccentric.

  14. 8 April 2017 / 1:25 pm

    This is a great post and great food for thought. As an "over 60" blogger, I sometimes feel like the outsider looking in. I write about fashion, and beauty and life over 60 from a humorous and human POV. Those who follow my blog are a great group of women–and I consider them my friends. There is no smoke and mirrors in my blog–and that's why I have a loyal following.
    And that is why I am never included in "lists" of sorts. I think the industries are looking for a more professional look, professional photos, etc. I don't know if a blog with "stories" per se is their cuppa tea. *shrugs* it is what it is. But I wish the lists would include more blogs with a humorous tone–like mine!! Lol! https://atypical60.com/

    • 8 April 2017 / 1:32 pm

      Are you on WordPress?? I tried getting into your blog but it's on Google Plus ( as is mine–but I use my WordPress link). I can't stand Google plus but your blog looks so darn intriguing to me!!! I think I'll love it!

  15. 8 April 2017 / 9:42 am

    Your childhood story is so funny! Good on you for raising the issue at such a young age. I don't think you come across as ungrateful talking about this subject at all. You have such a valid point that it is often the same people that get picked over and over. Like you say, there are so many talented people out there, why not mix things up a bit? After all, variety is the spice of life! I love reading fashion posts by 40+ bloggers. I'm not quite 40 yet, but it won't be long so they are my inspiration! : )

    ❤️ Carly Susanne – A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

  16. 8 April 2017 / 7:33 am

    Well I'm 61 and do my own thing and now you've mentioned it I suppose I have seen the same people pop up time and again. It's the ones like yourself that inspire or interest me that I return to but some I skip over I'm afraid.
    My Mr Dapper Chap husband Philip is getting more of a look in these days so I'm going to link Saturdays outing as he's got a waistcoat on with a story

  17. 8 April 2017 / 7:29 am

    Okay…..I am Dutch so I can be brutal honest…..Forgive me. First of all your Blogroll, wich I had never seen, is fantastic! Next week I will take the time to look at it properly. Second, I am not jealouse, but it is true that there are always the same bloggers are being featured! I always join your linkups and never been featured! Now again , I am not jalouse, it Just tells me I am not interesting enough. But I still love to read your blog and other ,,known,, bloggers because you all have great style and Nice stories to tell. But hey, you wanted honesty! Happy weekend!

  18. 8 April 2017 / 6:34 am

    Great article! It is true that I see the same bloggers everywhere but I like most of them so I don't mind. I just wish I was more creative or knew my cyber tricks to be listed. So I'm joining your linkup!

  19. 8 April 2017 / 4:47 am

    Hi Catherine! This is a very interesting post and honestly, I never paid attention to this. Now that you bring this up ( and by the way, thanks for thinking of me ) I just realized that I've been recognized in several websites and even on print magazines, however, only a very few times as part of a list of 40+ women. The latest mention I had as a group of 40+ was on whowhatwear.uk and I was very surprised by it. But honestly, I can't complain with the number of times that I've been recognized (individual) and I'm so thankful for every single one (http://www.mysmallwardrobe.com/2014/07/featured.html ). Maybe, I'm used to being happy with little.
    Catherine, this is a great topic and I'm sure we all appreciate your support. Once again, thanks so much for thinking of us.
    xo
    Carelia
    Mysmallwardrobe.com

  20. 8 April 2017 / 12:22 am

    Yep. #neverchosen
    I couldn't agree with you more, Catherine. I think lazy journalism IS probably the reason.
    Of course I wish all congratulations to the #chosenfew.
    But there ARE hundreds of us over-40s blogging.
    WE ARE LEGION!

    My link this week features some fresh older faces. Some of them are in Ari Seth Cohen's second book, "Advanced Style, Older and Wiser". Have any of them made those lists? Not sure. Well, some don't blog, but they ARE on Instagram and aren't on those lists either.
    I could go on and on, but I'll stop griping and just go ahead and be my crazy cat lady art teacher self.

  21. 7 April 2017 / 8:45 pm

    Catherine,
    First can I say how honoured I am at you mentioning me in this post….I am all shy and "Aww shucks" about it!
    You are always so generous with your comments.
    AND always the first person to nurture, support and encourage us smaller fish.
    As for the subject…..
    I would guess that many of these lists are written by someone researching "Best bloggers over 40" then selecting a few from a couple of previously written lists.
    Once you are on a (prestigious) list then that must be a great way to get onto another one.
    Before you know it you are all over the place….and rightly so Mrs!
    That aside, when I am looking for like-minded and inspiring women I want to see someone new.
    Seeing the bloggers I already follow regurgitated is not very helpful.
    I want some more options!
    People with different styles, body shapes.
    Not necessarily high-fashion or eclectic either (although I do love these ladies)… more people like me.
    Normal women, without huge clothing budgets, who love style and refuse to disappear as they get older.
    More women with their own story.
    The people researching these kind of articles need to do a little more research, dig a little deeper and help us all find each other.
    The more the merrier as far as I am concerned!!
    Thank you again for your kind words.
    XXX
    Samantha
    Fake Fabulous | Fashion & Style, over 40

  22. 7 April 2017 / 8:26 pm

    Well said Catherine. I have found it hard to find UK over 50 bloggers like myself.Two years down the line, I have found loads from the states and a mere handful from the UK.Have a great weekend xx
    http://www.vanityandmestyle.com

  23. 7 April 2017 / 8:10 pm

    This was very interesting. I am 46 and have had great success over the past two years with over 60,000 page views a month. However I do not blog to make that much money, just for fun and I also include food and lifestyle posts besides my Wednesday fashion link-up. To be honest with you I just read an article that there are over 1 million fashion blogs out there in the world so I would like to think thousands of those are ladies over 40. I was surprised that many of my favorites were not on your list as I read over 300 blogs a week. So yes, I do you think this is just the tip of the iceberg.

  24. 7 April 2017 / 8:07 pm

    So my conundrum would be how to get these lists to see us "not as famous" blogs?? I guess the answer would be I need to cold call the big fashion sites?? Or is it who you know?? Or are they looking for something in particular that I don't have??
    You do bring up such a good point, Catherine. So I'll be super bold and ask if I could be included on your list?
    I'd love to gain some exposure, but I bet the majority of us don't even know the first beans about going about to do that!! Maybe if I were a marketing genius?? Who knows?? Sounds like another great subject for a future blog post if you ask me…ha ha!!
    Jodie
    http://Www.jtouchofstyle.com

  25. 7 April 2017 / 7:58 pm

    Thanks for saying this, Catherine. I love your blog…that's why I subscribe. And I love many other blogs which are featured on these lists. But "best" doesn't always mean those with the most traffic. There are many great "small" blogs written by women over 40, over 50 and even…gulp… almost 61, like me. I've been blogging for three years now and have a small but loyal following. Perhaps writing about fashion exclusively might help my stats….but then I wouldn't have conversations with readers about travel or books or whatever I'm interested in. I'm always looking to expand the roster of blogs to which I subscribe and they are hard to find. And many times these repetitive lists don't help much. But saying that can always sound like sour grapes. So thanks very much for stepping up… and speaking up:)

  26. 7 April 2017 / 7:54 pm

    I have to say, I feel the same! I'm in the 30+ category and I searched for a long time to find bloggers that were like me! I have to say, finding your blog has meant I've found loads of other bloggers from a range of ages and I love it! Thanks!

    Kat |Kitty & B

  27. 7 April 2017 / 7:52 pm

    Catherine,

    What a fabulous topic and you've done a marvelous job of presenting the issues. I appreciate your championing of the lesser known bloggers. Thank you for the link up and opportunities for spreading awareness of other blogs.

    Rena
    http://www.finewhateverblog.com

  28. 7 April 2017 / 7:45 pm

    I so agree with this. Honest to goodness, I was literally trawling the internet this week for some interesting over 40 bloggers to follow. I do enjoy the fashion ones, and there seem to be lots of good ones in that niche, but, I wanted to find interesting, all subject, lifestyle blogs, and I struggled to find many. Thats why I love your Saturday link up, Iv found a couple of non-fashion ones on it so am grateful of that!

  29. 7 April 2017 / 7:40 pm

    Hello Catherine, I have been featured with you a couple of times too with more or less the same bunch. The reason I think is less research ( it is easier to write something already written- Copy paste) What really annoys me is that they never dared, until Mango came along and got Lyn in their advertising, to feature us one at a time in depth. That would be worth it, but then again extra work for over worked journist???
    And I couldn´t agree more with you about the amount of inspiration and fabulous bloggers about.
    Always spot on.
    Much love, dear friend

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