Cleveland-raised Jordan Bigelow is a senior at West Virginia University studying journalism, fashion and strategic social media. She combines all of these interests in her blog, On Trend Under Budget. Jordan recently chatted with us via email about writing, fashion, and how Cleveland has influenced her. See her answers below:
What made you decide to start blogging?
Since I was young, I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. I took this passion and decided to major in journalism to further my writing career and gain skills to be able to write professionally. While I have taken just about every journalism class offered at West Virginia University, and I am a writer and president of the Ed on Campus chapter at WVU, I wanted a platform of my own where I can create and showcase my own work that I can be proud of and showcase publicly.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a lifestyle or fashion blog?
My advice for someone just starting a blog would be to find what makes you unique, and punctuate your blog on that unique quality. I’ve found that I have a knack for finding good deals, still having amazing style while only shopping clearance and thrifted clothing. That’s something that makes me unique because by not knowing where or how I get my clothes, you’d think I spend hundreds on my closet, but I don’t, and I’m proud of it!
Where do you find inspiration for your posts?
I’m inspired by the things going on in my life. Sometimes the things we encounter every day don’t seem as interesting as they may actually be, and I love to write about those things. Just because I think they’re boring and maybe even common sense, my unique shopping habits, beauty tips and tricks and other lifestyle activities are easy to write about, and my readers enjoy them as well!
How would you describe your personal style?
I would say that personal style is chic and experimental. I love to stay current with the trends but also add my own twist on every outfit, making it unique and not quite mainstream.
How does being from Cleveland influence you?
Being from Cleveland in my opinion always puts a chip on your shoulder. Cleveland for so long has been associated with bad sports teams and the burning river - two incredibly negative representations. Going to school so close to “Steeler Country" makes me proud of my Cleveland roots. So much has come from the city of Cleveland, and it's only going to keep growing and developing into a great place to live. I love Cleveland for its strength, unity and will to never submit to the stigma it has been associated with. Cleveland is a beautiful city full of artists, bloggers, creators and some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and I’m always proud to call it my city.
What is the best piece of style advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of style advice would probably come from my mom, and although it wasn’t verbal advice, it definitely made me feel like she accepted my stylistic decisions to this day: her silent acceptance that as a kid, as much as she’d yell at me not to, I’d always cut and shred my clothing to create new, stylish pieces. Her finally throwing in the towel and not getting mad at me for my expression through creative outlets showed me that she did see that I have a passion and love for style, and despite the threat of punishment or failure (like chopping up a brand new Limited Too shirt), I had my own style and I wanted to express that style.
Read more from Jordan at On Trend Under Budget.
