Friday, October 17, 2008

From Paper to Online

Ever since I started blogging, it seemed like I would always refer to fashion bloggers for inspiration when deciding what to wear instead of the magazines laying around in my room. I've had times when I've wondered, "What kind of shoes is Karla wearing?" or "I wonder what Rumi's outfit looks like today." Has that ever happened to you?

Nowadays, it seems like the power of magazines, especially teen magazines are lowering as people catch on to the internet. What's in a magazine that's not online? Besides the scent of perfume, almost nothing. This topic came to mind when I heard that CosmoGirl! announced that their December 2008 issue would be it's last. However, they say that they're still going to continue their successful web site CosmoGirl.com.

When it comes to teen fashion and the younger generation, it seems that there's a whole lot more diversity in fashion than in the 30's and 40's age. So when you have so many different senses of style, how can you possibly incorporate all of that into one magazine? On the internet, however, there's less barriers and a lot of freedom to write about different fashions. And it's free for all of us to see. That's one reason why I think magazines, especially teen magazines, end up losing their readers. When your young, TeenVogue and Seventeen definitely relate to girls better than Vogue or Harper's Bazaar, but what relates better than you're favorite bloggers online or the websites that you always visit for advice?

I have to admit, I love the feeling of opening a magazine and just glazing at all the advertisements. The aroma of the newest perfumes and the creative spreads that lay on the pages just dazzle me. In some ways you can't beat a magazine... the writing is well written, the photos are good, and you can carry it around wherever you go. Of course, you can bring a laptop and surf through the internet in many places, but you can't hide it behind a chemistry book in class. Or what would you do on an airplane without a magazine? Right? So there's a part of me that feels heart-broken when I hear that magazines are folding - just the fact that our economy is that bad that companies aren't willing to pay to advertise in them is just so sad. Hopefully, as many people say, "Magazines are here to stay."

36 comments:

Bedroom Talk said...

I'm so glad you wrote about this because its soo true Mags have lost a bit of their zest. I still some how manage to always get a hard copy of Cosmopolitan and Nylon. I'm truly addicted.

Which are your fav magazines?

Have a great weekend!

Nicole Linette said...

I adore magazines. It's actually an obsession. I'm into fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar and TeenVogue, which do not relate to my friends like Seventeen does, so it's slightly disappointing to see CosmoGirl! go. Since I started blogging, I too, have opened my eyes to what style really is on real people.

peace&love
nicole.

Anonymous said...

i hope magazines stay too.
but i do find myself going to fashion bloggers for inspiration instead of magazines like i used too..

Elizabeth said...

I promise: As long as people want to advertise things, there will be print, and furthermore, magazines.

People have been foretelling the doom of magazines for at least a decade, due to the advent of the Interwebs, but so far, it hasn't happened. It won't as long as we have scores of new magazine launches every year, which we do.

Your theory is an interesting one: the younger generation turns to/relies on/loves the 'net. It's a very valid statement.

This may be part of the reason for the demise of "younger" jewels in the crowns of the publishing houses. Maybe younger girls just stopped buying magazines. Or maybe they just got smart, and realized that there are better titles for them (TeenVogue, Elle).

Copycat Sasha said...

Even though nothing will ever replace magazines for me, at least we're saving on paper!

MizzJ said...

True, there's just something more appealing to flipping magazine pages than scrolling down a screen ;) But I read way more blogs and get more inspiration from them than I do magazines probably. I do hope mags don't die though! We need them both!

AusAnna said...

as a blogger, i find i get my first source of information from magazines, then back it up with online. i gues being on the older side of of gen Y i still have faith in pen to paper. I hope we can overcome this economic crisis and the rest of the magazines can stay strong.

Siru said...

I love magazines to deth, it is where my love for fashion started, and I hope so much that blogs wouldn't kill them. It would make the point out of this.

juliet xxx

Adorably Juicy said...

i simply adore mags..
flipping through the pages..
they give you the general info
you could catch up on loads of things.
but browsing through blogs give me more options and inspiration.
I think it's also the fact that other people, like me, are actually the ones writing the stuff it has nothing to do with anything else
just the love of fashion <3

xoxo fashion princess

simplysteph said...

honestly, it is alllll about the blogs. I mean music, fashion. and it all is up to date, we dont have to wait for the next mag we can check up weekly if not daily. editorials can totally be picked up off a good blog. but that's just me. a blogging goon and just can't look back at my mag reading days the same again....

WendyB said...

At least magazines don't disappear every time someone breaks up with her girlfriend or has a hard algebra exam coming up! That's the problem with personal blogs.

JuliaFuentes said...

omg i didn't know that the december issue it would be the last one, i'm sad, i actually like more reading a magazine having it in my hands, and flip the pages, than seing it on the web, but that's my opinion

Angela said...

i really enjoyed reading this post.

it made me sad to see that our economy is sinking THIS MUCH and taking it's toll on things like magazines that used to be so popular. and as much as i love the internet and reading blogs to get a more "real" and personal feeling when it comes to style

...I couldn't imagine not having print in the future :(

Seeker said...

I like magazines, but I just have my Vogue signature, because I think the information is all about in internet, one just needs to search ok.
And furthermore are leed three in danger.
But I like hen my mag arrives the feeling that I have gettin contact with the prints, the smell...
It's more attractive...

Great post
xoxo

hidzume said...

I really hope they're here to stay because I just love the fact of owning way too many ^^ (it looks kinda nice in my room:))

xoxo

Tricia said...

I like to read a hard copy, I get a headache looking at a screen too long!

Kickingcouture said...

i love love cosmo girl but i find their website annoying and slow. Oh well im still going to read the website, im gonna need a cosmo girl !

Oh well least its free! haha

TheSundayBest said...

I think in order for magazines to survive they need to demonstrate what they do well over the internet - namely longer pieces, larger editorials, etc. Magazines that try too hard to mimic the online world are more likely to fail.

Anonymous said...

I agree: I get my main fashion fix online, but truly enjoy my mags. Something about sitting down with a cuppa and a copy is deeply relaxing.

Anonymous said...

The internet for sure is doing a great hit over magazines, yet who doesnot enjoy readin a newspaper " in its hard copy ..printed papers, in a high quality fabrics...." than surfing the internet ??! I do both and I enjoy both, but for me internet is quite easier and cheaper.

michelle said...

I do believe that magazines will be fading so that by the next generation they will be outdated like a newspaper is for us now.

{Tara} said...

I agree with you -- I still really love magazines, and would be very sad if some of my favorites folded. I think it is more about the full experience with a magazine -- the smell, the great photos, the "insider" info.

christina said...

I adore magazines. It still hurts me a little inside when I have to cut something out or rip a page out. Although the internet is doing its job providing us with information, there's always something to talk and report about that magazines can do so with just as much flair, or more!

ryder said...

i adore magazines myself. well, not teenage ones :)
and my fav part always is first look at all ad campaigns!

Lee Jones said...

i have to say, i'm definitly getting more inspiration from the web than from magazines.

Blicious said...

so true!!! i love inspiration from bloggers!

Lauren said...

i always think its sad when magazines cease their publication :( it has happened to some favorites of mine!

Anonymous said...

I dunno about that...diversity in fashion is what you make of your style. I have always been cautious of growing older (I turned 30 last year) and have always been in tune with matching my style to my age appropriately.

I definitely am happy to say that I don't dress like I am 16, especially when I'm not, because nothing is more annoying than watching a 45 year old woman scuffing around in platform flip flops (which are cute on 13 year old girls who meet at Mio Gelato and talk about gross boys).

But to me, turning 30 ENTITLES me to a new stage in life: Investment in style. Christian Louboutin (Happy Birthday to me). Galliano, Burberry, Marni, Vintage Louis Vuitton luggage sets, fine Italian Leather gloves, Incredible leather shoes made in Brazil, the list goes on and on.

I am a thrifter, mostly because I like the exclusion of what I have in my closet...but I am a firm believer in allowing style to transcend the boundaries of age, so long as it does not linger in a place it obviously does not belong. But age definitely does not limit choices, in fact, it amplifies them. I am excited for you as you get older, just as I am excited for me as I do...it means we get the time to fine tune what we love, before we can zero in on the big ticket items we will have for our whole lives.

x|o respect! LuVvy

T said...

I definitely agree. The internet is obviously accessible and you can find a ton of information. But magazines are magazines! You can carry them, fold them, cut out the photos, anything you want! And besides, Vogue magazines smell AMAZING.

yiqin; said...

OMG I know what you mean!!!!!! There were times I didnt know what to wear & I'll go, Hey what is Clothes Horse wearing today? What About Rumi & lulu! Haha

Anonymous said...

i love the ad campaigns its my fav bit!!

but most of the time i dont find the articles and the mag's taste in clothing very unique

Lisa said...

I buy the April and September issues of the big name mags for the ads and the trend forecasts and lots of summer mags because it's the time of year when I need something fluffy to flip through. Otherwise I'm just addicted to blogs.

Erika said...

gosh...i thought i was the only magazine addict. even though its all online there is something about a magazine that cant compare to the website. we should start a magazine.

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

It's true, it's so much easier to look for info online--not to mention it's free. But as a journalist who has studied the medium for years, it's sad to imagine a world without magazines =(

elanatheone said...

we all love magazines but the truth is that the internet can get you all lot of the same information cheaper and often more quickly, if you're really on top of all the "news". In economic times like these, it's no wonder we all buy less magazines. Only the best will survive the next several years. I hope Lucky never shuts down!

http://ebayfashionaddict.wordpress.com

enterrement vie de jeune fille said...

Les magazines c'est aussi mon inspiration plus que tout autre support.

Séréna