I hope your stomach feels better than mine does at the moment. Digestive problems aside, I'm here to write my second post from 'The Inspiration Series', where I'll finally start pinpointing sources of inspiration. This week, I'm focussing on fashion magazines.
I assume that most of you have this 'Jesus Christ, that's so obvious' look on their faces. Okay, I'm starting with something really obvious. Everyone knows that fashion magazines are great for inspiration. However, I feel that there are Magazines and 'magazines' and I want to draw a clear distinction between the two groups. Keep in mind that this post is entirely subjective and I don't expect everyone to agree with me. I'm ranking my magazine sources from 'Best' to 'less Great' to simplify the matter as much as I can.
VOGUE
Otherwise known as 'THE BIBLE', at least in my awesome world. Vogue is THE BIBLE. I honestly believe that you simply can't go wrong if you read Vogue regularly. It's true, most of the articles and spreads focus on expensive designer wear, but you can easily adapt those looks/trends using more affordable clothing. I personally prefer Vogue US to any other Vogue hands down! But that's just me: I have this huge style crush on Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington! There are many Vogue versions available, which are equally good. I love Vogue Paris (and their MANY Chanel adverts), Vogue Hellas (even though I can't read it. They have the most amazing pictures ever!), and Vogue Italia (God, Italians know fashion inside out). I also read British Vogue regularly because it's the most easily available Vogue magazine in Malta. Recently I've also been looking at issues from Vogue India and I must admit that I love it! It's so fresh and different to other 'Western' Vogues. I would also love to dip into Vogue Japan, but its issues are very hard to come by here in Malta :( Oh, and yes I do bother looking into Vogues I can't read/understand. Pictures and photos MATTER anyway, if not more than words. TeenVogue, is also a must if you're within that age group, but I guess I'm too old for it now *sob*.
GQ
I haven't forgotten the boys. GQ is as essential to every man as Vogue is to every woman. They do the best Men's style features by far. Their articles are spot-on and well written. I think a man that reads GQ regularly is more marriageable, well at least to yours truly. Strange as it may sound, I also recommend this magazine to the ladies. You might have noticed that I like male accents in my outfits. Guess where I get most of my cues from?
HARPER'S BAZAAR, ELLE, V MAGAZINE, W MAGAZINE
Okay, these magazines aren't in my number one spot simply because they're not Vogue, if you get what I mean. They're equally as respected and as influential, but they don't have Anna Wintour at the helm. W Magazine is awesome, so awesome it has won the gold medal for fashion photography for three consecutive years. Expect some mind-blowing photos, naturally. I recommend V Magazine and its male counterpart, VMan Magazine, for their eye-popping photos and their up to date reports. You can't miss out on any trends if you follow these magazines, I can vouch for that.
NYLON
I really would like to promote Nylon as my second favourite magazine ever, BUT I haven't read / seen enough issues to award it this highly coveted spot. PLEASE let me know if you spot any Nylon issues around Malta, I'm in desperate need! I'm having withdrawal symptoms too :( There are oh so many reasons why Nylon rocks my socks (although I prefer my socks to be made out of cotton. Got it, got it?). It's colourful, fresh, unconventional and bold! The qualities a man should have LOL :)
LOOK
Look out for Look! No, really, please do. Unlike many other mags, Look is a weekly magazine so it tends to be more up to date than some others. Look also does really good 'what's in store' reports with pictures, prices and outfit ideas, which I adore. That's probably my favourite element out of the entire magazine.
INSTYLE
Many people adore InStyle and they buy every single issue of it. I'm less convinced with it, somehow. I mean, I do like their reports and all, but I can't say I'm too big a fan of this magazine. I haven't as yet understood why. Up to now I decided that it's because it doesn't have a catchy name, but deep down inside, I know it has nothing to do with that. I'm probably a little bit challenged.
THE OTHERS
Please use a specific tone when reading 'The Others'. You know, something similar to when a mother speaks of her less talented, rebel son after speaking fondly of her other perfect, loving son. Don't hate me, but you know, I feel some mags really can't inspire anything fashion related, mostly because they're not really putting fashion as one of their ultimate priorities. I feel like they all speak about the same trend over and over again. Oh well, let's sigh together. These 'others' include Cosmopolitan, Marie Clare, Glamour, Shout, and as of late, Grazia as well. I liked Grazia, but lately it has descended into an abyss of Cheryl Cole related drama which is totally uninteresting. Well, you are free to read these magazines and I do have a look at them myself every once in a while. However, as I have emphasised already, they're not impressive and I can't say I learn anything from them!
My next post from the Inspiration Series will focus on 'Internet Websites', so if you have any suggestions let me know :)
-B
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