The New World of Fashion: Experts Weigh-In on How Technology is Shaping Style

Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I’m addicted to the affordable fashion favorite, H&M. My love declared, I have to admit, I do have one major qualm with the bargain retailer: H&M doesn’t offer online shopping for its U.S. customers.
 
Let me clarify, as much as I love online shopping, I hate online buying. Fabrics and colors look different in person, clothes never fit you as well as they fit the models, and returns are always a hassle. So why do I check my favorite retailers’ online sites, then? To see what’s new, to see what’s trendy, and to stay connected.
 
I, like every other modern day fashion addict, have become dependent on technology for my style.
 
This modern development in the fashion world has seeped past the limits of online shopping, though. I, like many others, find myself not only turning to my preferred retailers’ online sites for fashion advice, but also to fashion news sites and blogs. But technology’s role in the fashion world doesn’t stop there; it not only has played a crucial role in relaying information from the fashion world in recent years, but it has also provided consumers with the autonomy to share their personal style as well as influence others’ style, ultimately working towards breaking down the barriers of exclusivity within fashion.
 
The Rise of the Fashion Blog and the Impact of the Fashion Blogger
Of my laundry list of favorite fashion blogs, Dianna Baros’s "The Budget Babe" is at the very top. Baros not only has an eye for trends but also pays close attention to providing budget-friendly options for her readers. Her blog has attained substantial success, with over 1.6 million page views per month, numerous awards and significant nominations, and features in everything from The Wall Street Journal to People Style Watch.

Baros has a background in online media, as prior to taking on the role of “The Budget Babe,” she spent six years producing content for Oprah.com. She explains her motivation for creating her fashion blog: “The moment I started blogging, I felt I could turn it into something ‘big’ – I just had a ton of ideas … so I poured all my energy into making The Budget Babe the best budget fashion blog I could make it.”