The September Issue(s)
I don’t usually post on the weekend, but felt I had to catch up after being relatively absent during my illness this week. While I may have been silent on the blog, that didn’t mean I wasn’t wrapped up in fashion. If anything, this week finally gave me a chance to catch up on my September Issues of fashion magazines – huge tomes from Vogue
, Bazaar
, Real Simple
, Allure
, Lucky
, and Marie Claire
(yep, I get all of these plus Spin
, National Geographic
, Bust
, Bitch, Living, Whole Living
, Washingtonian
, and Redbook
. Disclosure – some are free subscriptions that just arrived in my blog’s name, Spin was free with my Bonnaroo ticket, and some I have gotten free from different online promotions. All get recycled or passed to friends and family after reading). These magazines practically broke the back of my mail woman, but brought me hours of delight as I lay in bed recovering.
I bet you’re wondering why I included Real Simple with all the other fashion magazines. Every month, Real Simple does exactly what it states on their month’s cover – it offers Fashion Made Easy. It breaks down trends, showing them in wearable combinations from easily-accessible and usually reasonably priced mass retailers. While Real Simple does rock for its quick and delish recipes, great cleaning tips, and personal stories and opinions from fellow readers and great writers; it is also one of my favorite fashion magazines for the everyday woman. If you haven’t ever read Real Simple or haven’t picked up a copy in a long while, I suggest you give it a try with this month’s issue. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
As always, Harper’s Bazaar was my favorite of all these September Issues. While Vogue may be considered The Bible to many fashionistas, I find Bazaar to be a more useful tool for women who love fashion, but aren’t part of the fashion world. Harper’s Bazaar provides so much inspiration, no matter a woman’s age or income. They break down current trends by age, offer entertaining reads from celebs like Rita Wilson (though have to say Ashton Kutcher’s article this month was stupid), and interesting articles not always about fashion or beauty. This month’s issue had recollections of strong women like Margaret Thatcher and Diana Vreeland that were insightful and enjoyable to read. Speaking of the amazing Vreeland, this quote from the article really resonated with me:
I think of a recent post I wrote that ruffled the feathers of a few of you readers (and a blogger or two). I think Vreeland’s quote states exactly what I was attempting to convey. While using another’s style as inspiration is understandable, and even copying the style of another is a natural way to find what works for you personally, there is a difference between being fashionable and possessing style. And that difference is originality.
While you don’t have to wear crazy get-ups, traffic-stopping looks and one-of-a-kind garments to be stylish – hell you don’t even have to wear a different entire ensemble from another to be stylish… you DO need your spin on it to be so.
It’s wearing clothes and not letting the clothes wear you. Go ahead and wear your version of Olivia Palermo’s red carpet look or try to replicate the outfit of a blogger. There’s nothing wrong with that, I do it myself. But before you leave your home take a good look in the mirror. Do you still look like you? Do you FEEL like you? You may feel a bit strange in those heels or a new styling of a belt, but it shouldn’t feel like a costume, it shouldn’t feel emotionally awkward. That’s the difference between fashion and style.
I know I have gone on a bit of a tangent, but good magazines can do that – excite, stimulate, inspire. Do you read (or do you still read) fashion magazines? What are your favorites and why?
Did you like what you just read?
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Oh, I love knowing that you read Bitch! It is one of my favorite magazines ever. I also love Brain, Child.
LOL, Brain, Child is a good one. Now that Mothering is defunct, I may have to ask for it for Christmas!
September is well for color combinations. I love this month. The picture you post has nice collection to become fashionable. It’s so important to respect your own personal style. And that experimentation is great as long as the results flatter and make your day more fun! Great post! I get so discouraged when I try to interpret what the “fashion bloggers’ are doing and feel I look ridiculous so much of the time!
charlie jade dress
My fave continues to be IN STYLE.
It’s a easy read and I get a lot of inspired by looks from them. I think they have picture of stuff you can actually WEAR !
I take Oprah. It’s not strictly a fashion magazine although it usually does send me off looking for some new cosmetic. I buy glossies when I travel and then it’s usually Vogue or Harper’s. Both for a cross-country trip!
I have to agree that Harpers’s is my favorite. They seem to have more photos and be more focused on retail, not that it’s affordable retail. I love the “Keep, Store, Get=rid-of” column.
I’m a new comer to your blog – which I find enjoyable, btw! (I can’t recall how I came across it now…hmm…) Anyhoo…your post poses a timely question for me as I was just going through my annual magazine renewal/purge fest 🙂
My regular subscriptions are InStyle and Lucky, but I’ve been wanting more, so I added Harper’s Bazaar and Elle to the mix. I always love seeing all the outfits and finding ways to make them my own – whether that means making them more practical for every day/office wear, or making them more comfortable for my personal tastes. I get great joy when I see a new one in the mailbox, and I love going through each page, soaking it all in, and then going back to my closet to see what I have already and how I can make what I have work with what’s “in” or “trendy” while making it my own.
The Real Simple website has some good coverage of everyday fashion. Oprah’s website does as well.
Lucky is great, In Style, and Real Simple – those are my three tops!
I rarely read fashion mags anymore! Blogs have taken their place for me. I will occasionally enjoy one at the MD office but I probably purchase one a year. I enjoy seeing real women in real (affordable and accessible) clothes on blogs. I used to tear pics out for inspiration but now we have pinterest!
heehee, i’m like Patti – i just read them at the newstands, i don’t subscribe t any. Marie Clare has some nice outfit ideas, mostly i read W for the amazing jewelry ads. But nothing is better than a big stack of mags when you’re stuck in bed feeling like crud!
“You may feel a bit strange in those heels or a new styling of a belt,
but it shouldn’t feel like a costume, it shouldn’t feel emotionally
awkward. That’s the difference between fashion and style.” i couldn’t have said this better! really good point and something very worth keeping in mind.
i’m very happy to hear you are feeling better! steph
I loved this month’s Real Simple for the color combinations. You can bet I’ll mixing up some of those combinations shortly.
Loved the tangent, btw! 🙂
I read Lucky for the shear simplicity of it. Just photos and not too many articles. I like People Style magazine because the clothes seem so accessible. I read Real Simple for the articles and they have great tips too.
Glad you’re feeling better! I don’t receive any fashion mags but I read them at Barnes and Noble with my coffee and cookie : > I too like Real Simple’s style articles. For pure eye candy, I like InStyle, Lucky and HB. I’ve never liked Vogue all that much – it’s so inaccessible.
I have a free subscription to Marie Claire, because it was the best of what was available, but I prefer InStyle and I love Real Simple.
I read a couple of magazines a month when I find time. I like Yoga Journal, Self and Glamour of all things. I think some of the looks the latter two espouse are too young for me nowadays, though, so thanks for the Harper’s Bazaar recommendation. I might have to check it out. Thanks for a great post and keep feeling better.