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  By Linda Loi

Above the Rest: Why I Like "Glamour" Magazine

Around the 15th of every month, a rush of anxiety comes over me when I open up my mailbox. Although the anxiety caused by my monthly bills has a similar affect, this anxiety is due more to anticipation and not fear from bills. My long awaited issue of "Glamour" magazine arrives around the 15th of every month. Like a creature of habit, I turn directly to the last page of the magazine to examine the "Dos & Don'ts" section of the past month. This section consists of a seasonal theme of common fashion mistakes which also includes suggestions for improvements. The "Dos & Don'ts" section sums up all the reasons why I enjoy reading "Glamour" above the many other fashion magazines. The fashion no-nos of each issues displays the fashion mistakes of common people in their common attire. The section does not display weekly trends that teens would just die for, nor are the outfits from a fashion model's closet. This section is very real and applies to women of my age. Women who are not interested in the "favorite food of some celebrity heart throb" or the "million and one sexual positions that would turn a man into putty." "Glamour" includes real life issues. Whether the issue is as unimportant as a fashion or make-up mistake or as serious as a warning for the new date-rape drug.

While my nose is buried into the magazine, I try not to trip over anything during my walk back to my apartment. I examine this particular section first because the "Dos & Don'ts" section usually reflects the quality of the other features in each issue. If I role my eyes in disappointment at this section, I will not spend a lot of the time with the rest of the magazine. Fortunately, "Glamour" generally publishes well rounded and interesting issues which includes very funny and yet helpful "Dos & Don'ts" sections. A further dissection of the magazine takes place as I look through the fashion section first, then the health and lastly the questions and answers section, which is similar to "Dear Abby." Unlike the other fashion magazines, "Glamour" maintains my interest throughout its issues because it has content. It is not a magazine which most of its content is 3/4 advertisement. "Glamour" clearly understands their readers and publishes towards their needs. This is why it stands above the rest.

(Linda Loi is a junior majoring in Asian American Studies.)