I have stopped buying magazines, I have found that many of them cover bland topics and outfit collages that are boring if not unattainable with pricey items. The last magazine I bought and I’m still proud of is my December Vogue 2007 with Penelope Cruz on the cover, wearing a fabulous red couture gown. The spread featured a gypsy setting in the countryside of Spain with an amazing Torero (bullfight) theme. However, this year it was Jennifer Anniston who graced the main spotlight for December, in a boring dress and I don’t have anything against her but I am not paying my hard earned cash on a magazine with a stale cover.
I am tired of the monotony with our American magazines, I mean seriously, where have our inspiring spreads gone? Where is the risque and volatile creativity we need? Where is our fashion hope in this gloomy environment?
I picked up and looked through four American magazines while bumming around in Borders. I chose Elle, Harper’s Bazzar, Marie Claire and Vogue. I want to show you the usual pattern of these magazines and maybe you can see why I along with many other people have stopped spending money on these publications.
Let me start off with this month’s Harper’s Bazzar and Elle. I will compare the two side by side since they are almost identical.
Both magazines have an accessory section that looks the same, they also have a tough chic trend that is very similar, however I like Elle’s spread better since the clothes are more unique . The bright Spring lay-outs look interesting but honestly I have seem more creative sets made by bloggers and polyvore users.
The Fashion Spreads
ELLE – March 2009
I believe Jessica Alba is stunning however I do not like her much after her denial of being half Latina (her dad is Mexican) and saying she was embarrassed of her father’s nationality, the statement was ridiculous and ignorant. Anyway let me get back to the magazine, the spreads were not stellar but I did like the metallic and futuristic fashion story. I guess they also decided to throw Adriana Lima in the mix to add some sexiness along with Allessandra Ambrosio in that really bad street style story.
Harper’s Bazzar – March 2009
Sara Jessica Parker is always chic and she is a celebrity that always looks inviting, however here we go again with the repetitiveness of faux street style spreads, the recycled “look great at every age” guide and what I thought was a waste of paper, the spread with the geometric background, so Vogue summer 2007. However, I have to add that I did like one spread featuring Ed Westwick from Gossip Girl and a very raunchy The Graduate story, I would recommend to check it out if you can ;)
One magazine that I feel has let me down in these past months has been Vogue, why have you done this to me Anna, why?
I was ecstatic when I heard Mrs. Obama was going to be on the cover , I could not wait to see what wonderful couture outfits she would be wearing. The day the issue was released, I woke up early and went to my local stand, I picked up the magazine and skipped directly to her spread, what the… Michelle Obama in casual outfits?! I felt cheated, I couldn’t believe that such a stylish and elegant woman was staring back at me in stale routine ensembles that looked like a J-Crew catalog. Sigh, check it out for yourself…
I was ecstatic when I heard Mrs. Obama was going to be on the cover , I could not wait to see what wonderful couture outfits she would be wearing. The day the issue was released, I woke up early and went to my local stand, I picked up the magazine and skipped directly to her spread, what the… Michelle Obama in casual outfits?! I felt cheated, I couldn’t believe that such a stylish and elegant woman was staring back at me in stale routine ensembles that looked like a J-Crew catalog. Sigh, check it out for yourself…
Vogue – March 2009
Among all the style magazines some have resurfaced and are gaining popularity, for example Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire which are lifestyle oriented, offer helpful advice on relevant topics such as employment, sex, food and style on a budget. I really like Marie Claire’s upcoming April issue, I love the the colorful Mexican fashion collage along with a personal story, She Lives Off What We Throw Away, sounds interesting huh? The fashion spreads are still lacking the chic factor but I would get this publication for the cool advice and affordable items.
Marie Claire – April 2009
The Dying Magazine
I want to make clear that I fully respect the editors and everyone involved in our American magazines, however I feel that the publishing world is not keeping up with our changing style needs. I now stay up to date with wearable and fashionable trends through blogs and style sites. I know which are the latest trends before any of these magazines are released, we communicate more rapidly than ever before, our magazines need to show us something different, entertaining and inspiring. I know what the latest trends are, I know what Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton showed in the runway, I know how to make these pieces wearable, now why would I buy something that will only repeat what I already know? I hope publishers get the message, many magazine companies are closing and we have started to use the internet as our main source of style information. In addition, I have
also started to look at international and indie magazines for inspiration, maybe one day our publications will restore their fashion iconic status, do you still buy American fashion magazines?
also started to look at international and indie magazines for inspiration, maybe one day our publications will restore their fashion iconic status, do you still buy American fashion magazines?
Images via: Zinio.com
I used to get Vogue, W, Allure and my guilty pleasure magazine Nylon. About a year ago when it was time to renew my subscriptions, I took the envelopes and dumped them in the trash. I still get letters from them asking to renew but I find that there is nothing there. I remember when I used to wait like a crack head for the magazines to come in the mail; I would then practically rip almost every page and tack it to my inspiration board. Those days are sadly gone. :-(
The english versions of these magazines are in the same state…
I have started sourcing more obscure magazines rather than vogue etc just so I can see something different.
x
It must be an international phenomenon, because here in Australia I’ve been noticing the same thing. Predictable, repetitive, and “safe”. Not very enticing at all. It seems that so many magazines have become too afraid to push the boundaries. It’s quite disappointing.Even some of the more “alternative” magazines have been dumbing down their content.
I’ve turned to magazines like NOI.SE,WUNDERLAND,Gothic Beauty, Fiend Magazine, and recently COILHOUSE (though not a fashion mag, still full of amazing imagery) for inspiration.
And yes, blogs.
Maybe as more and more people go searching elsewhere for more imaginative content, these commercial magazines may be forced to step up their game. We can hope, anyway.
I used to lllllove magazines and save them and hold on to them but I have slowly started to let my subscriptions lapse because they are repeating themselves. AND the clothes they’re showing are way out of my budget or realm of reality. I recently got a master’s degree in publishing with an emphasis on the digital side – it’s true, the publishing industry just doesn’t wan tto move with the times and unfortunately the magazines are dying a slow death. Viva la blog!
I miss magazine covers like the Linda Evangelista one I posted here:
http://wbjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/08/printed-page.html
On the other hand, I obviously enjoy blogs but they come and go in the blink of an eye. Someone goes to school, has a baby, or breaks up with her boyfriends and bye-bye blog. There’s no institutional memory like you get with magazines.
DWJ- In deed viva la blog and online mags ;)
Wendy: I agree some blogs are temporary until the person behind the blog has had a life change. However, current magazines are no longer memorable since they are pretty stale. It is the online world that has taken center stage, and I am not saying major publications will completely disappear but maybe evolving into online magazines where readers can be updated with info more quickly. I think the only on print magazines that will survive will be those are are unique and may be considered a collector’s item in the future.
DWJ- In deed viva la blog and online mags ;)
Wendy: I agree some blogs are temporary until the person behind the blog has had a life change. However, current magazines are no longer memorable since they are pretty stale. It is the online world that has taken center stage, and I am not saying major publications will completely disappear but maybe evolving into online magazines where readers can be updated with info more quickly. I think the only on print magazines that will survive will be those are are unique and may be considered a collector’s item in the future.
The same thing is happening in Canada. I picked up an “Elle Canada” yesterday, and found little of interest in it. Their was some cool jewellery featured, but I found that they are recycling trends and playing it way too safe.
The same thing is happening in Canada. I picked up an “Elle Canada” yesterday, and found little of interest in it. Their was some cool jewellery featured, but I found that they are recycling trends and playing it way too safe.
I agree that magazines are showing clothes and accessories that aren’t really affordable for anyone in these times. But to be honest, my favorite is Lucky. It’s definitely a shopping magazine and shows you how to wear the trends, not just showing the couture fashions. They often show designer clothing as well as items from Target and other mall-chain type stores. I’m also really starting to like Teen Vogue. Some of the articles in there are really good. In April’s new issue, they covered the drinking age being lowered, which I think, is an interesting topic I have been hearing some buzz about. I know it’s not really for my age group, but I think it’s fun to read and look at the things that the younger generation sees. Don’t give up Glendy…perhaps the summer will bring us some freshness!
I’ve been noticing lately too the same thing you wrote about in post. I was looking at a Harper’s Bazzer while I was at my salon and I noticed that almost every shoot and almost every article was not similar to a high fashion magazine like Elle or Vogue but rather to Teen Vogue. I was quite disappointed that I wasn’t reading and looking at something different.
wow, I guess I never really thought about it that way but you are so right. I guess I always just brought whichever one had the best cover. In high school I used to get teen vogue and I thought it was a bit different…thanks for checking out my blog.
-Birdnotes-
wow, I guess I never really thought about it that way but you are so right. I guess I always just brought whichever one had the best cover. In high school I used to get teen vogue and I thought it was a bit different…thanks for checking out my blog.
-Birdnotes-
I only buy March/April and September issues because that’s when they’re thickest, and I enjoy flipping through the pages and looking at the ads. I think part of the reason why blogs and street style websites are more up-to-date with trend-spotting is that these are forms of media that are more flexible and dynamic. Magazines are painstakingly planned and edited before they hit the newsstands, and the content is determined by editorial calendars made months in advance. It’s not as spontaneous a medium as blogs or websites.
As for showing Michelle Obama in ordinary clothes, I thought it was a very smart move on Vogue’s part. Vogue seems to be trying to come across as less elitist, more relevant in an uncertain economy; there was a section of under $100frugal finds and the editorial spreads had one-liners about drugstore beauty products used in the shoot. Photographing the new First Lady in costly couture sends the wrong message when a lot of Americans are losing jobs, don’t you think?
Lisa- I see your point and although I used to buy the biggest issues every year, especially in September I have decided to stop doing so. I know magazines work through an editorial calendar and cannot keep up to pace with online media. However many magazines like Lucky, Allure and Marie Claire are known for having affordable spreads and this is the reason why many of these magazines are doing well now. However Vogue has not been doing so well in newsstands, I not only blame the economy for this but the lack of quality, they have jumped on the bandwagon just like Elle and instead of raising the bar and being the icon for American fashion, they are starting to look like every other magazine. I think their bargain spreads are good but I do not buy Vogue for this purpose, I should be picking up this magazine for inspiration. I also respect your point with Michelle Obama’s fashion lay-out but again I was disappointed, this was her time to shine she could’ve done the catalog inspired spread in any other magazine. I guess over all I hope the fashion magazine industry picks-up and who knows maybe this year and with the help of the “September Issue” movie, Vogue will be the iconic Publication it was in the past. Thanks so much for your comment and insights :)
Tiffany-
You know i thought I was the only one seeing this, Teen Vogue for the past year has been looking better and the spreads are cute, inspiring and some very affordable. The art direction of some of the spreads are truly amazing.
Thanks to all of you for your comments and please feel free to express your thoughts on this issue
very interesting post, you’ve done a great deal of work. what’s upsetting is that at a time when magazines are being shut down those which are still around are not stepping up their game to reinforce why people should still be buying them.
*bisous*
I totally agree! They need to buck up if they want the industry to keep going :/
i rely on Numero and Arena, Nylon for my fashion mag fix, for vogue, its always best to get the international ones with models as covers vs the USA’s Celebs.
Really great detailed post! I do not buy magazines anymore. Jane magazine was my favorite for years, but they went under. Nylon is losing it’s luster for me, it’s also full of spelling errors. I find I get what I need from the blogs, and the International editorials they upload.
oh my god I totally agree.. i just got the elle mag with Jessica Alba on it and was totally like BLAH about it… everything looked so repetitive and boring… i was looking for inspiration and got ZAP OUT OF IT…
Yes! Yes! You are so right! I have saved all of my Vogues from the 90′s, and they are 10,000 times more inspirational than anything, anymore. Every time I buy a Vogue now I am disappointed. Thank you for this article, I couldn’t agree more!!
Yes! Yes! You are so right! I have saved all of my Vogues from the 90′s, and they are 10,000 times more inspirational than anything, anymore. Every time I buy a Vogue now I am disappointed. Thank you for this article, I couldn’t agree more!!
I am based in the UK and after being a total mag junkie I now only buy Living etc, Grazia and Elle. I often indulge in NYLON but find that it never lives up to what it promises. In the past I have bought random issues of US Elle and Marie Claire but find them too generic and also that thing where you have go to page 150 to finish the article annoys me. Why can’t the article run over two or three pages? Saying that I do like Teen Vogue.
They are definitely going to be in the limelight as far as fashion! Their outfit are from J. Crew. Michelle Obama chose a great color but the material of her dress was not flattering on her.
Michelle Obama already has established her individuality through her fashion choices, but with a self-assurance and far-reaching influence similar to her predecessors. But I’m sure she also works out.
Thanks,
Sujan
my site
They are definitely going to be in the limelight as far as fashion! Their outfit are from J. Crew. Michelle Obama chose a great color but the material of her dress was not flattering on her.
Michelle Obama already has established her individuality through her fashion choices, but with a self-assurance and far-reaching influence similar to her predecessors. But I’m sure she also works out.
Thanks,
Sujan
my site
I found that girl with a bunny-suited guy editorial REALLY creepy
what is the deal with that anyway?
also i agree, i really hated the elle ‘street fashion’ spread…more like street hooker, yes?
I also wanted to point out that I think maybe the reason all the mags are getting so bland now is because in these “hard economic times” (haha) they think that they have to stick to what’s worked in the past and play it safe in order to sell copies and please advertisers. I wish they’d go the opposite route and offer something exciting to make us actually want to waste money on them.
Many thanks for the post. I enjoyed reading it. You have a very nice site.
Allow me to rephrase your post…
“I have stopped buying fashion magazines because I have been reading Jenny Noeh’s magazines, since 2008.”
=D
I agree completely, its no wonder people just dont get it. In this day and age its imperative.