‘Tis the last Friday of July 2012, and to bring things to a close, a new first: Profiling an up-and-coming blogger who has yet to write her first post.
For this final Follow Friday profile of the month, we head over to Lexington, Kentucky — my city’s collegiate rival — to interview Alex McLean of the upcoming Lex What Wear, the sister blog to Louisville’s own Lou What Wear. Make the jump to learn more about what prompted McLean to jump into the fray of fashion blogging, how having a mentor influenced the direction she plans to take with her blog, and how Lexington stands out in comparison to the rest of the fashion world.
Alex McLean of Lex What Wear posing in her summer outfit, perfect for the humid temps in her native Lexington, Kentucky.
Name of Blog: Lex What Wear
Date of Founding: August 2012
A Short Description of Your Blog: “Style Spotting In Lexington So You Don’t Have To.” Lex What Wear will be an outlet of style inspiration. The blog will feature tips, photos, other bloggers, accessories and how to wear them, tricks and tools for shopping for certain occasions, and many fashion DIY experiments.
Lex What Wear will also give helpful information to shopping in Lexington, brands to shop, how to put certain outfits together, and several style guest posts.
Put into a few words, I hope Lex What Wear inspires others and makes style easy.
How did you find your way into fashion blogging?
McLean: I have been reading fashion books and magazines for years. I started getting into blogs when I was in college. I now read fashion blogs every morning before I get moving and grooving at work. Basically, what I saw as inspiration through these blogs inspired me to create something for Lexington… and the wheels started turning. I had always wanted to do a project such as this, and through knowing Danielle [Rudy Davis, founder of Lou What Wear -- Editor], I was able to follow in her footsteps and get a true idea for what this whole world of blogging consisted of.
What is the story behind the name of your blog?
McLean: Lex What Wear is a branch off of Lou What Wear. It fits the concept of style spotting in Lexington.
You helped Danielle Davis of Lou What Wear in the early stages of that blog’s founding, as well as appeared on her blog from time to time. In turn, you’ve asked her hand in the current preparations for Lex What Wear. What experiences have you gained from being on both sides of the same coin?
McLean: Danielle has been a huge influential figure in my life. With her knowledge, I was able to gain the skills and knowledge for myself to navigate the social media world in terms of blogging.
The experience I have gained over the past year is something I value on a ridiculous level. I watched her site grow from drafts to published work, and I appeared on her site from time to time, and I could never replace those experiences.
I think through Lou What Wear, and working with Danielle, I have learned what followers and readers like, and how to grab the attention of potential viewers. I have also learned how to be successful while having fun
How would you describe Lexington’s fashion scene, and how does it compare/contrast to the scenes in places such as New York, London and Louisville?
McLean: Lexington may be a small town in comparison to your iconic fashion cities, but we’re known for our impeccable charm, and also our adaptability to big city trends.
I think Lexington definitely has room for growth in the fashion scene, but in my honest opinion, Lexington is doing pretty good for itself. I like to think style here is classy, and represents who we are and where we were raised.
If any of my readers were to visit Lexington, what should they know about your city and its culture, as well as recommendations for lodging, dining, shopping et al?
McLean: Lexington is, well, gorgeous. Besides sightseeing and touring the beautiful horse farms, any visitor to Lexington will notice this is a warm-hearted, young and driven community. Lexington has traditional southern tendencies, but adapts quickly to new trends and new ideas, and is growing and thriving with young-adult, inspired professionals.
Shopping for me is small business-focused. I love the boutiques here on Woodland: Bluetique, Calypso, Black Market. You can always go for a good bite to eat at a few of my faves — Nick Ryan’s, Grey Goose, Drake’s — and enjoy a little music and food at Tin Roof.
My final recommendation is to stay at a bed and breakfast. You can’t beat it.
Alex and her mother posing for the camera during a baseball game.
McLean: Upon my official launch of Lex What Wear, I would have to say the day my guest post came out on Lou What Wear announcing my blog and introducing myself was pretty darn cool.
Why blogging?
McLean: Blogging for me is a way to creatively express my love for fashion and style. It is an outlet I have always explored and wanted to dive into. Now, I am finally doing it.
If you had to pick one thing that my readers should know about you and/or your upcoming endeavour, what would it be?
McLean: I am just a mid-20s girl who in finding herself has found a desire to inspire others to dress for themselves. What has gotten me to this point to be able to share with others is a new-found confidence in myself. The key is always to remember to forget passing judgment on others, and REALLY forget those who pass judgment on your style.
What one piece of advice would you offer to my readers regarding…
Style: Be true to yourself, and always represent who you are through your style.
Writing (blogging, journalism et al): Write from your heart and be creative. My parents were both journalists, so I have learned that creativity and punctuality are my best friend in this blogging endeavor.
Life in general: Never take life too seriously, and laugh A LOT!
Who will your blog be for?
McLean: I want this blog to be for anyone who finds it and likes it; primarily for girls/guys who are searching for a little inspiration to find their inner style.
Any final words?
McLean: Just as I say in my about page on my blog: “Life is a party dress, like it.” Be you.
You can find McLean’s blog at www.lexwhatwear.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo credits: Wikipedia (title card) + Alex McLean.
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