Five Top Fashion Magazines

Five Top Fashion Magazines - Every woman loves fashion magazines. We may not be able to afford the clothes, but most woman can shell out a few dollars to get the dream books that Vogue and other magazines publish, especially their twice-a-year fashion marathon issues. Here, in my opinion, are the top five fashion magazines.

Vogue is the grandmother of them all. The quality of photography in the ads and editorials is amazingly creative and original. Since photography is my hobby, I make it a point to study it. The Spring and Fall fashion issues are worth their (hefty) weight in gold with its photography and fashion. The issues also usually put in some more serious articles that are often first person.

Elle in some cases could almost be considered Vogue imitator. Like Vogue, there are a large number of editorial fashion pages, with the prices helpfully printed on each page. The Fall and Spring issues, like Vogue, can induce arm strain if lifted. But Elle has more. Elle has a streak of hard journalism in its bones, and another key difference is E. Jean, the advice columnist whose gushy but witty style makes you wish she could come off the pages of magazine and into your life. In addition to the regular Elle there are also Elle Decor (home decoration) and Elle Accessories.

In Style, unlike the other fashion magazines on the list, caters (slightly) to more of a middle-class audience. Another key difference is that this magazine uses entertainers as fashion avatars for fashion, make up and exercise. If you're like me and need a celebrity fix, this is the magazine to do it. In addition, there is a large number of how-to articles in this magazine to illuminate readers on how they can look better. There are also articles on home decor. There aren't any serious articles in the magazine, so just admire the pretty pictures.

Harper's Bazaar is almost totally fashion, aside from a few light articles. Its focus is on the absolute now of fashion, right from the runways. Their covers are more artistic than any of the other fashion magazines. Like Elle, the prices are listed on the page on which the fashions are featured and are always gasp-worthy. Also, Harper's Bazaar does numerous spreads on putting clothes together for the latest looks.

W is not just a letter. It is perhaps the chicest magazine of them all and for the wealthiest clientèle of all. Although it does have fashion, a large number of articles are about the latest in the art world. And there articles about the good life. One lengthy article in the January 2008 issue was about truffles that cost almost $3000 a pound. So you can bet that there are no coupons in this magazine. Additionally, there are a number of serious articles about designers, artists and other taste makers.

Fashion magazines can be starting-off point for creativity in art and fashion...and, darn it, reading them are so much fun.