STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Glamour

cahabo · Kate Spade

I like the extra articles. I really don't read stuff like that anywhere else. Usually the stories aren't stuff you regularly see on the news.

Teresa · Kate Spade

personally, i dont want to hear their opinions on politics and world events. It especially pisses me off when they bring up womens rights issues, such as abortion. (mainly because they almost always assume just because you are a woman reading their magazine you are pro-choice) if i want to read about politics, i read newsweek. i think they should stick to beauty/fashion.

littlebean · Kate Spade

I used to hate those articles, but Marie Claire has recently become one of my favorite women's magazines because of them! I find that Marie Claire has had really interesting and inspiring articles and photo spreads lately that show great women around the world (or just what women's lives/clothes are like around the world). I remember one photoshoot of what people were wearing on Capitol Hill, etc. I love that kind of stuff! It's not preachy or political, just ever so slightly more substantive and interesting to me than some of the other women's magazines, while still being great for fashion, beauty, etc.

Kelly · Hermes

I can't decide. On the one hand, some of them are interesting. But really... usually I skip them. It's not that I dont' care about the issues, etc., but because when I'm reading a fashion magazine it's usually when I'm lounging in my pajamas eating oreos. So it's when I'm least likely to want to really use my brainpower. When I want to read something political or stimulating, I'm also not going to turn to those magazines because the stories are flufflier than I want. So it's like, no matter what mood I'm in I don't want to read them.

But I do agree that I really dislike how they assume that I agree with their views, like collegegirl5858 said about abortion. Even when I do agree, it makes me mad that they're taking that for granted instead of telling both sides.

NCshopper · Hermes

I can't stand those kinds of articles. When I want a fashion or beauty magazine, that's all I'm after. I watch the news, read the newspaper, and read stuff on the internet to make myself informed about what's going on in the world. These articles make me so annoyed in fact that I only subscribe to InStyle and Lucky. I can't remember the last time I even read Glamour.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

ttara123 wrote:

I can't decide. On the one hand, some of them are interesting. But really... usually I skip them. It's not that I dont' care about the issues, etc., but because when I'm reading a fashion magazine it's usually when I'm lounging in my pajamas eating oreos. So it's when I'm least likely to want to really use my brainpower. When I want to read something political or stimulating, I'm also not going to turn to those magazines because the stories are flufflier than I want. So it's like, no matter what mood I'm in I don't want to read them.

I wish I had the willpower to skip them, but I just can't resist. I always regret reading them because the stories are so horrible and depressing--especially because they are sensationalized. I'm definitely in fashion-mode when I'm reading fashion magazines too.

Kelly · Hermes

ha, pollyjean23, we should help each other out. I usuall feel really guilty for not reading them, because it's like, "what? people dying in a foreign country? I don't care. Where's the swimsuit article?" and sometimes I try to force myself to read them. On the rare occasion that I try to read them, I don't know if I've ever made it all the way through one.

Hermes

pollyjean23 wrote:

What do you think about magazines that are known as a source for fashion and beauty information carrying articles about dramatic stories, crimes, human/women's/children's rights, etc.?

For example, I have a subscription to Glamour. When I think of Glamour, I think of fashion, beauty, shopping, etc.

Honor killings in Iraq, unsolved murders in Michigan, persecutuion of women in the Middle East, and other disturbing stories are not what I expect from magazines such as Glamour (and Marie Claire and others).

Maybe it's just easy for me to complain about this because I read the news, I listen to NPR almost every day, I occasionally watch Frontline. I'll pick up of the NY Times or visit the Guardian UK.

I guess it's good for someone who never does these things and only reads fashion mags but jeez!

I think it's also bad because they make these stories sound so sensational. It's like a darn Lifetime made for tv movie.

But, alas, I still read them!

I have been reading Glamour forever (since I was 10, probably.) It has always targeted a college/educated audience, and has always had stories on current events and issues. That's why it like it, actually...

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I have been reading Glamour forever (since I was 10, probably.) It has always targeted a college/educated audience, and has always had stories on current events and issues. That's why it like it, actually...I've been reading Glamour for about the past 8 years, and I agree. I like that they have more than just fashion and beauty info.

Not that this is related, but has anyone felt that Glamour has been a bit boring lately? I groaned when I saw Jennifer Lopez on the cover.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

For the most part, I 'sometimes' read/glance at their 'non fashion/beauty' articles, but I'm really just interested in their beauty & fashion tips. LOL But as stated, some of the articles are interesting.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I like the mix of politics, often they give alternative views or expose injustices around the world. I definately think there is a lack of exposure in the mews media for women's issues and these articles can help raise awareness to people who aren't normally interested or wouldn't go out of their way to seek it out.

honey · Gucci

my problem with most of the "news" articles in mags, is that there is such a strong editorial bias that it makes it hard for me to appreciate the articles.

i actually got really disgusted with glamour (i don't read it regularly) recently. they had an article on a girl who was a virgin when she got married. i think the point was supposed to be about new abstinence movements, but the first two paragraphs consisted of the author writing about how she expected the girl to be some sort of freak of nature b/c she *gasp* waited to have sex until she got married. i was so turned off by the blatant stereotyping that i couldn't finish the article.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

ttara123 wrote:

ha, pollyjean23, we should help each other out. I usuall feel really guilty for not reading them, because it's like, "what? people dying in a foreign country? I don't care. Where's the swimsuit article?" and sometimes I try to force myself to read them. On the rare occasion that I try to read them, I don't know if I've ever made it all the way through one.

Totally. I get sucked into them!

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

honey wrote:
i actually got really disgusted with glamour (i don't read it regularly) recently. they had an article on a girl who was a virgin when she got married. i think the point was supposed to be about new abstinence movements, but the first two paragraphs consisted of the author writing about how she expected the girl to be some sort of freak of nature b/c she *gasp* waited to have sex until she got married. i was so turned off by the blatant stereotyping that i couldn't finish the article.

Actually, I think she expected her to be a freak because she pledged her virginity to her Dad at a purity ball, IIRC.

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

NCshopper wrote:

When I want a fashion or beauty magazine, that's all I'm after.

Yep, that's why I subscribe to Lucky. In a fashion mag I like to see clothes and how they're styled, as opposed to personal interest and news stories. I'd get a different mag for that stuff.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I dont know. I guess it depends on the magazine. I dont like it in Marie Claire or Glamour, but I don't mind the ones in Vanity Fair and Vogue so much. Sometimes the Vogue ones are really interesting.

erin · Chanel

ILoveChoo wrote:

I dont know. I guess it depends on the magazine. I dont like it in Marie Claire or Glamour, but I don't mind the ones in Vanity Fair and Vogue so much. Sometimes the Vogue ones are really interesting.

exactly how i feel.