The Non GQ/Esquire Thread

There was another thread that discussed this however, I would be curious to know if there are any electronic magazine versions out there? I don't mind the brit Esquire over the American one or GQ but it also seems to be heading the Maxim route. As I prefer using a tablet now (Ipad if you will), are there some electronic magazines available that are worth checking out?

I don't mind the app called Valet. It does contain some good info but it is not a full magazine.

Unfortunately print as an advertising vehicle ain't what it used to be, and these publications are being forced to generate ad dollars in ways outside of simply including the actual print ads. All these must have lists, top 10 features and brand whoring are examples of this. Sadly, the actual content becomes secondary; GQ is basically a brand catalog at this point; their content sucks (aside from some of the editorials, but who really reads GQ for the non fashion articles)?

 

SF is one of the best mens fashion resources in the world. 

The Rake is by far the best English-language menswear publication around right now.

 

Most of the Japanese menswear magazines are amazing - and utterly obsessive about details. But, unfortunately for most of us, in Japanese.

Yes but each picture is still worth a thousand words.

I can't stand reading GQ any more. I was offered a cut rate subscription a few months back and decided to give it a try; it's mostly pages upon pages of ads. In fact, in the most recent publication, they have this new thing called GQ Live, wherein you hover your iPad, iPhone, or Android enabled device over specific pages while using their GQ Live app, and it generates some extensive content not in the mag. Cool, right? Well, kinda, because as it says in the introductory wording: EVERY AD uses GQ Live, try it out! Oh... great... now the 88 pages of ads in your 156 page magazine (that's just the pure ads, not counting the aformentioned obvious lists spewing outrageous implications of what to buy based on... nothing) contain an exponential amount of additional crap content. Tremendous.

Used to have a GQ sub (for a couple of bucks through magazine discount sites) before knowing about SF and men's blog, pinterest boards, etc...Between the ads and shrinking men's style content, I'm glad I never paid full price for it. Now, I think that with forums like SF, blogs, and pinterest boards, you don't need a magazine at all. Grab a few rss feeds and you're set.

I didn't realize it was a site but yeah, that's it.

 

I pinterest often, especially with regards to men's style. I find it pretty relieving, and actually very informative, that so many people have so little else to do with their time other than take pictures of gentlemen walking to work in NYC/Europe. I recognize that's a backhanded compliment, as it is intended to be, but I sincerely do pinterest to see what's going on in the blogosphere.

Yes, the best ones these days are Leon, Men's Ex and Free & Easy.

 

In my own, humble, opinion: I believe that the publishers and editors and publication houses have reached the point of profit over product. They, as it has come to be the status quo, now see the dollar signs over the substance of their product. If they can peddle the latest designs, the wake of fashion shows and unreal opinions from dressers/stylists/fashionistas/designers who apply androgyny and Lady Gaga-like attire to what they believe is real life, every day style, and maximize profits, why choose to pay writers to actually write and engage in a debate or otherwise opine in such a fashion that either turns certain readers away (e.g. the one who want "high fashion") or takes away ad space for the luxury brands (some of which who cater to the traditional stylish man, some of which who fuse Nike Air Max soles onto leather wingtips). I believe you've nailed it, and now the majority of men's magazines have turned from being a medium by which knowledge is shared and insiders are able to proliferate the best of their travels and experiences, to now serve as one more, albeit old school and non-digital, way to channel the whims of the fashion world to the masses, season after season. No discussion needed: these are the top selling items and top interest pieces at fashion week, these are the most expensive, so here's our "Top 10 must haves for summer!", go fetch!