“Wow” is right!
The mail came yesterday. Nestled in between junk mail and bills was the September Issue of “In Style” magazine.
It’s a good thing I was too weak from my cold to lift this heavy September issue and throw it in the trash. I CANNOT stand Anne Hathaway! She “Hathaway” of getting under my skin. An Oscar for cutting her hair and singing a song for two minutes? I guess that’ll get you on the cover of a magazine these days! And I LIKE this magazine!
“In Style” is the only “fashion” magazine I read on a regular basis.
You have to understand something. I’m not into “fashion” magazines. I stopped reading “Vogue” after it became what I deem a “Fashion Tabloid”—due to Wintour’s fascination with celebrity and placing Kardashian and West on the cover. I’m tired of “celebrities-as-models”. (Even “Z” list celebrities like Kardashian and West)
I USED to be a subscriber. I haven’t opened up an issue since the month before these *cough* “celebrities” (and I use that term loosely) graced the cover.
In addition, other than the wonderfully ethereal photo editorials that the great Grace Coddington creates, Vogue holds no interest for me.
This book was GREAT!!! Grace Coddington is THE classiest woman on earth! She never dug “dirt” on anyone in her book. It was an interesting read about the life of a talented woman. I love her!
Steven Meisel photographed this–but the creator was Grace Coddington. I actually wrote to her telling her that her photography editorials reminded me of Bonaparte’s grandfather’s photography, J. H. Lartigue. Bonaparte almost DIED when she wrote back that Lartigue is an inspiration of hers–AND she collects his photographs!! Amazing!
“Marie Claire” used to be pretty decent until a couple of years ago when the magazine changed direction to a more youthful vibe…
Marie Claire went too youthful. I am NOT “High School Momsicle” Check out how your Zip Code affects your weight?? WTF??
And “More” magazine is geared to women 40 plus. But I cannot stand that magazine. It reads like a cross between disease of the month and women-are-only-successful-if-they-have-a-six-figure-career. In short—”More” takes itself too seriously!
What–after 50 we no longer wear clothing???? Where’s 60, 70, 80????
Like those in search of the perfect cup of coffee—or those in search of the light at the end of the spiritual pilgrimage, I am in search of the perfect fashion magazine.
Visiting the Abbaye Le Thoronet in the South of France during the intense heat was a true spiritual pilgrimage for me. I was praying to the spirits for a breeze!
Yes. I’m deep. Deeply Shallow, but I’m honest about it. I want a fashion magazine loaded with affordable clothing rather than items so expensive I would need to take out a mortgage loan to afford them! I want to look at clothing that is classic and cut with simple lines. Oh. And I want age-appropriate models.
Is that too much to ask for? Apparently it is!
OK—let’s get back to “In Style” magazine. This magazine isn’t without fault. Again—every month I am forced to look at yet, another celebrity on the cover. For crissakes—no wonder models are so thin—the celebrities are forcing them out of a job! Bring back the waif-like models. Give them the chance to buy a steak at least once a year! Allow them to gain a pound or two.
Look at these poor girls! If the magazines would hire them as cover models then perhaps they would be able to afford to eat a meal once in a while!
Celebrities make enough money (and they aren’t worth it either) by acting in movies.
Put me on the cover!
That’s right. Put ME on the cover. I’ll work for food–you won’t even have to pay me!
Anyway, what I do like is that “In Style” magazine will mix affordable pieces into the clothing editorials. Granted, most of the clothing is still really expensive, but it’s easy to get decent ideas about how to plan an outfit.
It’s really hard for me to justify spending a ton of money on a skirt or a dress that you aren’t going to get many wears out of. For me, I try to figure out cost per wear when I invest in a decent article of clothing.
You know what? Let’s just look at some of the pics from the “In Style” September issue and I’ll give you my unwanted opinion! I’m also going to do some comparisons! Sit back and look with me….
Here’s an ad for Jordache Jeans. Sara Jessica Parker is the new spokesperson. These are $15.00. Walmart! I’m going to check this out for myself! Skinnies are my favorites and go well with everything. At fifteen bucks–these would be a great buy! Does SJP really wear these jeans???
SJP Wears Walmart Jeans. InStyle.com
If she does, she most likely pairs them with her SJP shoe brand Fawn shoes. I would never spend that kind of money for a celebrity brand shoe. Actually, I just would not spend that on any pair of heels!
Here we have Christian Louboutin Lipstick! The cost? $90.00!
Didn’t believe me? Read the print above. Ninety bucks for a lipstick that’ll be wiped off your mouth after that first cup of coffee in the morning! That is insane!
I have to say, I’m not a fan of the longline blazer. These look too boxy. I wouldn’t say the “longline” blazer is a key piece–it won’t work for everyone. You have to be tall and lean to carry this off…..
..I prefer the J. Crew schoolboy blazer. Which, BTW, I do believe is being discontinued. I just purchased my THIRD Navy Schoolboy blazer yesterday for $99.00 on the J. Crew website! Remember I wrote about the navy backup blazer–now I’ll have a backup to the backup! I DID order a size up so I can layer. The fitted cut and slight stretch works on my body much better than a long blazer!
One of the things I DO like–and like a lot–is that the magazine mixes in very affordable pieces like this skirt–but……
…this skirt I purchased on final sale at Old Navy about five years ago cost me $5.00. FIVE BUCKS! I wear it all the time. The fit is amazing and I’ve washed it a million times and it still hasn’t faded or lost shape!
This skirt is ridiculous. A shredded hem, Merino wool by Rhie. It costs $425.00. How many wears will you get with it?
This embroidered POLYESTER clutch is $1,230. It would be easy to create a DIY knockoff with a remnant of upholstery fabric, heavy thread, and some embellishments.
A page filled with ideas for basic black. Most of the items are overpriced for we average women..but……
This dress from Loft is just as stylish and tasteful. I paid around forty bucks or even less. Sale!
I like what is said about the biker jacket and slim pants–bit check out the boots. Suede is sooooo delicate in the winter. One bad snow and the suede is ruined. At $440.00 that is a lot of money….
They aren’t suede, but these boots (well, I only took a pic of one boot) cost me $39.99 at DSW last year. A knock-off of the 50/50 boot, they look great and are comfortable!
Those shoes. They are adorable–but for the amount of wear time for a pair of flats, $278.00 isn’t justifiable….
I can shop in my closet for a similar shoe. I LOVE these blue suede shoes from Via Spiga. I think they cost me maybe $35.00 at Nordstrom Rack a couple of years back.
“In Style” magazine loves shoes! These are $625.00 by Chelsea Paris. They are a rather sensual number–aren’t they?
My $39.99 Nine West little hotties! I purchased these three years ago for a wedding. I wore them three times! ( I really need to go somewhere and wear these more!!!) I love black strappy shoes with a red pedi!
Honestly. This runway look is just not attractive. I don’t understand why models cannot be made to look pleasant..and I don’t understand why the editors of magazines don’t give their HONEST opinions of looks like this!
I KNOW, It’s Dolce & Gabbana. This skirt is actually bringing me nice memories of some of the skirts my mother wore when I was very young..that late ’50’s early ’60’s vibe! On a police officer’s salary, my father definitely could not afford to pay for a skirt like this. But I wonder WHO wears this? And when they do HOW many times do they wear it??? I’m too fat to wear a skirt like this, but for those who would look great–check out vintage shops. A skirt like this would be so affordable at a vintage shop or flea market!!
Wherever you get your fashionable ideas from–the internet, a close relative, magazines—or even celebrities as icons. Be sure to include YOUR personality in whatever you wear. Wear it well, wear it happy and remember….
Isn’t this adorable? It was printed on an overpriced T-shirt in Nordstrom!!! I HAD to take a pic for you! XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh..and I couldn’t resist. You know that pic of my blue suede shoes? Well…..
Catherine,
maybe you have just found a new category for your blog, and I think you would have a lot of readers : beautiful fashion for real people with real bodies working for a living (with your own beautiful words of course) 😉
Ohhhh…Isabel..Thank you so much for that category suggestion! I really get so confused with categories and tags! It’s crazy!! XOXOXOXOX!!!
Yes, categories, tags, menus, and pages 🙁 I must have something against pages as I can’t seem to get them right and keep sending into blogosphere an about page that I did yesterday 🙁
But what I meant is that you have such an eye for fashion and such good common sense that you could make your own fashion magazine inside your blog :):)
Catherine, this is fun, high-energy review of fashion magazines! I agree that the messages they send can be a bit unimpressive, but I usually just skim through one in the checkout line for ideas. Then I head to Target or the Gap to find things that I can buy without feeling guilty of spending more money than could feed a family for a year in some places. 😛 Thanks for sharing!
Oh you are quite welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed my fashion magazine review! I’ll tell you, when my daughter, Oona, was a “tween” and into her teens I forbade fashion magazines in the house. The messages to teenaged girls was worse! I never wanted my daughter to feel less than beautiful because she wasn’t built like a Q-tip!!! I could go on………XOXOXOXO!!!
Oh you are quite welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed my fashion magazine review! I’ll tell you, when my daughter, Oona, was a “tween” and into her teens I forbade fashion magazines in the house. The messages to teenaged girls was worse! I never wanted my daughter to feel less than beautiful because she wasn’t built like a Q-tip!!! I could go on………XOXOXOXO!!!
Hello Catherine,
I would be honest.
Fashion is Greek and Latin to me 😀 😀 😀
I have not read even a single fashion magazine in my whole life.
But I love your sense of humor and the third picture where beautiful ladies are standing below tree with a cute dog is superb in particular.
I wish you very best,
Anand
Hello, In Style is my favorite magazine, too — for the same reason. It makes me get in my closet and re-look at pieces with fresh eyes. Also, when I find one of those outfits they’ve put together that I really like, I make finding similar pieces at affordable prices a game. Anyway, I enjoyed your comments and musings, along with the images. 🙂
Hi Francesca. I’m so glad you enjoyed my musings and pics!! I have to tell you–this September issue was not as “classic” as I like it to be. I’m still scratching my head over that “car wash” shredded hem on that skirt! I can’t process that!! But I definitely DO need to take those shoes for a night on the town. Bonaparte saw the picture and suggested I wear them on our next restaurant night!! XOXOXOXOXO!
Oh, and you definitely need to take those lovely Nine West shoes and your red pedicure for a night on the town!
I thoroughly enjoyed that post! I have no fashion sense and am so envious of those who can just “throw themselves together” and look great. I struggle with style, and never mind wearing cute shoes! My feet hurt! I should buy “comfortable” shoes in the Men’s shoe department! Lucky for me, I now live in Utah………….
Hey, are you feeling better?
Hi Leslie! I’ve seen pics of you and you are very stylish!! I’m feeling much better than the past two days. No more fever but the watery eyes are still bugging me–my voice is slightly back but it’s very hoarse! Bonaparte is still happy!!! XOXOXOXOX!!!
I gave up on InStyle a few years ago. Waaay too much celebrity-fawning. I’m down to two fashion magazines these days: Porter, a newer entry in its second year of publication, is issued 6 times a year, and the monthly U.K. version of Bazaar. Both feature high end stuff (naturally), but have a different tone than a lot of US publications. There’s far less emphasis on very young “celebrities” I’ve never heard of. (Because hey, I’m old now. Sheesh.)
Hi Susan. Yeah–I’ve noticed that the European fashion magazines don’t have such a jones for the celebrities as the American ones do! I’ve seen the UK Bazaar quite a few times–it’s not bad at all. I’ll have to check out Porter. It drives me up a wall to have to look at celebrities–especially young REALLY young ones gracing the covers AND pages. XOXOXOXO!
I just stumbled upon your blog and love it!
I think you’ve identified a void in the magazine market re “What–after 50 we no longer wear clothing???? Where’s 60, 70, 80????”
Would you consider starting a new blog called “Put ME on the cover.” If so, please let me know. I’d sign up.
Of course the first cover would feature you!
Hi Jennifer! I’m glad you stumbled upon my blog–and I’m even more glad that you are enjoying it! Oh yeah, and after 50 we no longer wear pointy-toed shoes, or wear makeup or wear push up bras or thongs. It’s so bothersome. Advertisers insist on showing twenty-somethings in designer frocks when that same demographic shops at Forever 21 and other fast clothing stores! LOL! You are signed up for the second cover! XOXOXOXO!!!
I haven’t looked at fashion magazines since I read “Seventeen”. I gasped when I saw those anorexic models. There should be a law protecting those poor girls! I was hooked on interior decorating magazines for decades. Your blogs must take hours to do! They’re always very entertaining! Thank you!
Couldn’t agree more with this post. I get enraged with story lines regarding fashion, hair styles, makeup, etc in your 30s, 40s and 50s. Enraged, I tell you! What are we recluses staying in our robes all day, bald and blotchy skinned? Bed bound, what?! And some of those looks. Could you see me trotting around sarasota wearing an extra eyebrow like the picture you posted? Why if I copied that look in a state with the age of us Floridians I’d be picked up and whisked off to a home so fast I wouldn’t know what happened. I no longer read fashion magazines, just fashion articles in women’s magazines. Saw a great looking pair of golf shoes in O magazine a few years ago. A real bargain at $3200.00. Speaking of, the September O had a big spread about her friend Gail cleaning out her handbag collection. I could be misquoting but I believe she had around 250. Then whined around all cutesy as to why she couldn’t possibly part with any. I was thoroughly disgusted and embarrassed for her. It all just seemed wrong. On numerous levels.
Glad you’re feeling better.
Jean..It’s amazing–isn’t it? Who dictates how we should be dressing when we are “older” but better!!! I’ll tell you, I’m not a fan of O magazine. Come on. $3,200.00 for golf shoes? I’ll take the Happy Gilmore school of golf dressing! 250 handbags? That is so entitled and spoiled–especially to whine about parting with them. Ugh!!!! This makes me feel sick again–just kiddin’! XOXOXOXO!
You’re like the female counterpart to Badfish! I chuckled all the way through that. And I agreed with it all. Someone told me once if you want to know how makeup should look on you don’t look at fashion articles about it, look at a Penney’s catalog. I wonder what we’d have to look at to see clothes for normal folks…
Hi Cheryl! Thanks for the comparison to Badfish! To see clothes for normal folks..hmmmm…that is a great, great challenge, I have to say. I would observe and watch customers in malls and Walmart. The normal is somewhere in between both! But–I love the thing about the Penney’s catalog!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
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Just to let you know, I’ve called The Salvation Army to see if they can do anything for those poor, unfortunate 14-year-old waifs modelling for In Style magazine. (They said if they can play tambourine, they’ll take ’em.)