If you love fashion... (InStyle)

Member Name: Charliewhippet

Product:	InStyle
Date:	26/01/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Will inspire you to create your own look.

Disadvantages: Pages of adverts....

This is the only magazine I buy on a regular basis. I keep them in a big stack underneath my stereo, where their pretty colours and glossy exterior brighten up the place. Call me a saddo, but I read them over and over. They're ideal if you have half an hour to fill and you don't want to start a big heavy book.

All the other magazines at the moment seem to feature "stars" of Big brother and other reality shows I have never watched and have no interest in. I don't look up to these people as role models or fashion icons, and this time next year, they will be long forgotten. So why should I read about them now? Thankfully, Instyle concentrates on genuine stars. It is definitely a magazine which is all about aesthetics rather than deep thoughts. They don't have any of the usual women's magazine staples - there is no sex, no problem page, nothing about how to deal with your mean boss or your toxic friends. It's all about the clothes, baby.

I always find it amusing to read the page on "Which products do you use?" where Hollywood startlets primped to within an inch of their lives will claim "Oh, I hack away at my own hair, no I don't have a stylist, I never wear makeup, it makes my face itch. I'm soooo down to earth." Who do they think they are kidding? There is enough botox behind those pretty eyes to take down the military.

Well, the disadvantages are: It's £3.40 a month (which is why I'm re-reading old issues rather than buying any new ones.) There ARE a lot of adverts (though not as many as you get in Vogue.) But it proves that, while fashions come and go, style is forever. If you love fashion and interior design, this magazine will inspire you to experiment. It doesn't matter if you're looking at an issue that came out a year ago, you may just think "Hey, I've got a dress like that... Hmm, I could try wearing it with biker boots, too." This is basically a shiny picture book for grown ups. Enjoy!

Summary: Delicious pictures, shame about the lack of words.....