Yes, I still read magazines and my preference is to read the physical magazine vs. an online version of it. I know, I need to just jump headfirst into reading online, and I might as the subscriptions renew. When I was still working, I'd read magazines on my lunch hour while sitting at a restaurant or fast food place eating. I passed the time and I could tune out all the people around me. :)
I'm so sorry, the email letting me know you responded to my comment got lost in my inbox. :( I read a Dallas local magazine (90% ads), Texas Monthly, Travel & Leisure, Consumer Reports and Bookmarks. I wind up letting them pile up and then spend a day getting caught up.
Same same same! I do still read magazines and subscribe to them, and I prefer anything printed to digital. It's just a whole different experience to hold something in your hands. I love ELLE, Red, Stylist, Women's Health, sometimes VOGUE, at times GRAZIA. I miss GLAMOUR and Marie Claire.
My MIL gets Vogue and usually passes it along to me. Most of the pages are advertisements but I enjoy the cover feature article. Magazines were a HUGE part of my childhood/teen years and I'd love to bring back the habit if there are any that are worth the cost. My mom recently got my kids a subscription for Ranger Rick!
I used to subscribe to a number of hard-copy mags ... Mad Magazine when I was younger, Sports Illustrated as a young man, and later when I was older (and somewhat wiser) it was National Geographic and eventually, The Atlantic.
Today is just ... different. As a Substack writer/essayist, I now focus on spreading my own stuff while subscribing to about 20 other Substacks. I still get briefs from the WaPo and NYI, but it's not the same as holding real newsprint in my hands.
I find that newspapers in the hand offer many more opportunities for articles you wouldn't necessarily read online. For example, I may read a sports story in the sports section but I wouldn't click on "Sports" in the online edition. Same with business. I like having all of the sections in hand.
I do! Magazines feel like such a treat, and they've been so cheap in the last few years. I remember growing up begging my mom for a sub to YM or Seventeen, and I can't remember how much it cost, but it felt like such a luxury. Now I subscribe to a ton of magazines because they're literally $5-$10/year.
Magazines were pure magic to me when I was a teenager. I would buy from the grocery store checkout line copies of “Teen,” “Seventeen” and “YM” and then read, and reread, and reread them for years on end, until I had them just about memorized. When I was 16, I discovered Vogue, which led to my lifelong love of fashion. I had a subscription to that one for a few years. I’ve been buying back copies of the issues I used to own (they are much more expensive now, haha) and I can still instantly recognize the editorials, the ads, everything I devoured as a teen. I subscribe to National Geographic and Vanity Fair today to give myself something paper I can pick up during those interstitial moments when I would otherwise mindlessly scroll through on my phone. I used to subscribe to Elle, but today’s fashion mags don’t give me the same thrill Vogue did when I was 16.
Your first paragraph resumed my teenage years! I think reading magazines is the main reason I pursued a career in fashion as soon as I graduated from school. (I did my internship at Grazia and yes, as all, I was obsessed with TDWP). However these days I find myself just like Samantha Irby said in one of her essays; that it takes her 4 months to finish a magazine. I've started to take them with me to lunch breaks tho, and that works for me!
I really enjoy reading print magazines, and find the online versions almost annoying - they just don't have the same spirit and sincerity (for me at least) as having the pages between my fingers to flick through. I buy UK Vogue a few times a year, and others here and there as they take my fancy, like Harpers Bazaar, but I get a copy of Red every month and thoroughly enjoy the eclectic features which actually feel like they add value and inspiration to my life ✨ would recommend!
I was a magazine subscriber - to many monthly publications - for years. Some of the magazines I loved, including Gourmet and La Cucina Italiana, are gone. RIP. I kept many issues, too sad to recycle. They’ve moved with me and will be boxed-up to move again soon. I still get a few print magazines but the quality has diminished over the years. What excites me are the independent publications; they’re more expensive, but clearly so much more work and effort goes into their production. I don’t mind supporting these creative endeavors and hope that many of them will succeed for years to come.
I used to love cosmo and elle and things like that. I feel like they were a real go to guide when I was a teen. More recently, I did subscribe to a mag over here (UK) called oh comely, it is a slow going mag I’d say with lovely pieces, lots of book recos and lots on wellbeing mindfulness etc i loved it, I just can’t justify the price of them any more. I have a stack in my house somewhere I was thinking just recently of getting out and rereading. (There’s also the fact I tend to hoard these things and don’t have space to store them which is why I read so much online as well.)
My mom always saves her magazines and I re-read them all the time when I go. I have stacks of some of my favorites, too, and I keep them up in my attic. Every so often though I force myself to purge them because my collections become dusty!
I'm also a big magazine girl from my Seventeen days. At one point in my youth I subscribed to both People AND Us, back when Us was a monthly (that's why they call it Us Weekly now!). EW, Premiere, Glamour, Mademoiselle. O, Allure, InStyle and Real Simple for years (I also resubscribed to RS, I swear I thought it had gone out of business). I also used to rotate between Vogue, W and Town and Country, currently have Elle and re upped to T&C. My husband subscribed to Vanity Fair for decades, he let it go a few years ago when he no longer knew who the people on the cover were (sad but true).
I tried really hard to get my young adult children into magazines, but no go. After the American Girl/Zoobooks ages, they weren't interested. And unfortunately, they aren't alone, which is one reason for the state of the magazine business.
You know, I had never subscribed to it before, and thought I’d try it. I was looking for a ‘younger’ take vs Vogue, and I’ve never liked Bazaar (sorry). I’m neutral about it.
I used to read every fashion mag I could get my hands on. Vogue, Glamour, In Style, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. When we moved when I was in high school my mom discovered my stash in the attic-hundreds! Stacked neatly by date. And the Sept issue of Vogue, my bible. Sadly, haven’t picked one up in years. I miss them. You have inspired me to go pick a few up!
I still love print magazines. I read Garden and Gun and Southern Living and the occasional House Beautiful. I'm also in the process of building a collection of old Sassy magazines (oh, how I loved these!) from the resale sites. They hold up!
Gosh, so many thoughts here. I recall loving the tactile feel of the magazine if that makes sense - the pages seemed thicker and "matte" rather than glossy - it had an expensive, arty feel and the writing was real not all "how to lose ten pounds and get a boyfriend." - more of a feminist point of view? What do you think?
Love this post! I’ve been a magazine junkie since I was a kid. While I still subscribe to a few (but really miss InStyle and Lucky) I’ve found a few I love for my tween. We like Anyway and Kazoo.
Oh my goodness, my teen self adoooored Lucky! It made me think about pursuing a life in fashion magazine writing. I ended up being a writer anyway, but not covering clothes (except my Substack is slowly veering more and more into the realm of style).
I've subscribed to Garden & Gun since they launched...incredible writing, beautiful photography, and recommendations that are spot on. Makes me smile every time I see it in the mailbox!
I love getting magazines in the mail. It's kind of like a Substack post. Feels much more special than seeing something quick online. Or just reading headlines.
Yes, I still read magazines and my preference is to read the physical magazine vs. an online version of it. I know, I need to just jump headfirst into reading online, and I might as the subscriptions renew. When I was still working, I'd read magazines on my lunch hour while sitting at a restaurant or fast food place eating. I passed the time and I could tune out all the people around me. :)
I completely agree. You get lost in the pages!! Which ones do you read?
I'm so sorry, the email letting me know you responded to my comment got lost in my inbox. :( I read a Dallas local magazine (90% ads), Texas Monthly, Travel & Leisure, Consumer Reports and Bookmarks. I wind up letting them pile up and then spend a day getting caught up.
Same same same! I do still read magazines and subscribe to them, and I prefer anything printed to digital. It's just a whole different experience to hold something in your hands. I love ELLE, Red, Stylist, Women's Health, sometimes VOGUE, at times GRAZIA. I miss GLAMOUR and Marie Claire.
My MIL gets Vogue and usually passes it along to me. Most of the pages are advertisements but I enjoy the cover feature article. Magazines were a HUGE part of my childhood/teen years and I'd love to bring back the habit if there are any that are worth the cost. My mom recently got my kids a subscription for Ranger Rick!
I used to love Ranger Rick! I also still buy my little one Highlights b/c it's so fun to do the scavenger hunt and little puzzles!
I used to subscribe to a number of hard-copy mags ... Mad Magazine when I was younger, Sports Illustrated as a young man, and later when I was older (and somewhat wiser) it was National Geographic and eventually, The Atlantic.
Today is just ... different. As a Substack writer/essayist, I now focus on spreading my own stuff while subscribing to about 20 other Substacks. I still get briefs from the WaPo and NYI, but it's not the same as holding real newsprint in my hands.
I find that newspapers in the hand offer many more opportunities for articles you wouldn't necessarily read online. For example, I may read a sports story in the sports section but I wouldn't click on "Sports" in the online edition. Same with business. I like having all of the sections in hand.
I do! Magazines feel like such a treat, and they've been so cheap in the last few years. I remember growing up begging my mom for a sub to YM or Seventeen, and I can't remember how much it cost, but it felt like such a luxury. Now I subscribe to a ton of magazines because they're literally $5-$10/year.
I know, it's actually crazy how much they're pretty much giving them away. Which ones do you like best these days?
I subscribe to Vanity Fair and Reader's Digest currently, but I also love Real Simple.
Magazines were pure magic to me when I was a teenager. I would buy from the grocery store checkout line copies of “Teen,” “Seventeen” and “YM” and then read, and reread, and reread them for years on end, until I had them just about memorized. When I was 16, I discovered Vogue, which led to my lifelong love of fashion. I had a subscription to that one for a few years. I’ve been buying back copies of the issues I used to own (they are much more expensive now, haha) and I can still instantly recognize the editorials, the ads, everything I devoured as a teen. I subscribe to National Geographic and Vanity Fair today to give myself something paper I can pick up during those interstitial moments when I would otherwise mindlessly scroll through on my phone. I used to subscribe to Elle, but today’s fashion mags don’t give me the same thrill Vogue did when I was 16.
Magic!!! I agree. Maybe the role of magazines changes as we age. Maybe we need them more when we're young. Do you still like VF?
Your first paragraph resumed my teenage years! I think reading magazines is the main reason I pursued a career in fashion as soon as I graduated from school. (I did my internship at Grazia and yes, as all, I was obsessed with TDWP). However these days I find myself just like Samantha Irby said in one of her essays; that it takes her 4 months to finish a magazine. I've started to take them with me to lunch breaks tho, and that works for me!
Which ones are you reading these days?
I really enjoy reading print magazines, and find the online versions almost annoying - they just don't have the same spirit and sincerity (for me at least) as having the pages between my fingers to flick through. I buy UK Vogue a few times a year, and others here and there as they take my fancy, like Harpers Bazaar, but I get a copy of Red every month and thoroughly enjoy the eclectic features which actually feel like they add value and inspiration to my life ✨ would recommend!
OOh. I don't know Red! I'll look into it! Thanks for the recommendation.
Ah you're welcome - enjoy!
I was a magazine subscriber - to many monthly publications - for years. Some of the magazines I loved, including Gourmet and La Cucina Italiana, are gone. RIP. I kept many issues, too sad to recycle. They’ve moved with me and will be boxed-up to move again soon. I still get a few print magazines but the quality has diminished over the years. What excites me are the independent publications; they’re more expensive, but clearly so much more work and effort goes into their production. I don’t mind supporting these creative endeavors and hope that many of them will succeed for years to come.
You're right. Some of the indie mags are so fun to read, and they're def worth saving.
What are some of your favorite indie magazines/journals???
I read a Dutch (I read it in German) magazine 'FLOW.' And 'The Simple Things.' a UK magazine.
I don't know either one, but I do love reading magazines from other countries. It gives you great insight into the sensibility and style of a place.
I agree. 🩷
I used to love cosmo and elle and things like that. I feel like they were a real go to guide when I was a teen. More recently, I did subscribe to a mag over here (UK) called oh comely, it is a slow going mag I’d say with lovely pieces, lots of book recos and lots on wellbeing mindfulness etc i loved it, I just can’t justify the price of them any more. I have a stack in my house somewhere I was thinking just recently of getting out and rereading. (There’s also the fact I tend to hoard these things and don’t have space to store them which is why I read so much online as well.)
My mom always saves her magazines and I re-read them all the time when I go. I have stacks of some of my favorites, too, and I keep them up in my attic. Every so often though I force myself to purge them because my collections become dusty!
I'm also a big magazine girl from my Seventeen days. At one point in my youth I subscribed to both People AND Us, back when Us was a monthly (that's why they call it Us Weekly now!). EW, Premiere, Glamour, Mademoiselle. O, Allure, InStyle and Real Simple for years (I also resubscribed to RS, I swear I thought it had gone out of business). I also used to rotate between Vogue, W and Town and Country, currently have Elle and re upped to T&C. My husband subscribed to Vanity Fair for decades, he let it go a few years ago when he no longer knew who the people on the cover were (sad but true).
I tried really hard to get my young adult children into magazines, but no go. After the American Girl/Zoobooks ages, they weren't interested. And unfortunately, they aren't alone, which is one reason for the state of the magazine business.
What are you liking about Elle these days?
You know, I had never subscribed to it before, and thought I’d try it. I was looking for a ‘younger’ take vs Vogue, and I’ve never liked Bazaar (sorry). I’m neutral about it.
I used to read every fashion mag I could get my hands on. Vogue, Glamour, In Style, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. When we moved when I was in high school my mom discovered my stash in the attic-hundreds! Stacked neatly by date. And the Sept issue of Vogue, my bible. Sadly, haven’t picked one up in years. I miss them. You have inspired me to go pick a few up!
That's so sweet about finding them in the attic. I had a visual of a box of faded magazines with all of these dated hair on the cover. :)))
I still love print magazines. I read Garden and Gun and Southern Living and the occasional House Beautiful. I'm also in the process of building a collection of old Sassy magazines (oh, how I loved these!) from the resale sites. They hold up!
What was it about Sassy? I need to write about that! Why are so many of us so connected to Sassy?
Gosh, so many thoughts here. I recall loving the tactile feel of the magazine if that makes sense - the pages seemed thicker and "matte" rather than glossy - it had an expensive, arty feel and the writing was real not all "how to lose ten pounds and get a boyfriend." - more of a feminist point of view? What do you think?
I still read magazines I get them from my library and always request subscriptions as gifts as their costs are a little too much for my budget.
There’s a quiet luxury to sitting down with a bunch of my favorite titles with a cup of coffee on my chair by the window …
A quiet luxury is the perfect description. Which ones do you read these days?
Love this post! I’ve been a magazine junkie since I was a kid. While I still subscribe to a few (but really miss InStyle and Lucky) I’ve found a few I love for my tween. We like Anyway and Kazoo.
Oh my goodness, my teen self adoooored Lucky! It made me think about pursuing a life in fashion magazine writing. I ended up being a writer anyway, but not covering clothes (except my Substack is slowly veering more and more into the realm of style).
Isn't that funny? That fashionista is still in there somewhere!
Hi! What is Kazoo?
Great kids magazine! https://kazoomagazine.com
I've subscribed to Garden & Gun since they launched...incredible writing, beautiful photography, and recommendations that are spot on. Makes me smile every time I see it in the mailbox!
I love getting magazines in the mail. It's kind of like a Substack post. Feels much more special than seeing something quick online. Or just reading headlines.