Shortlist v Stylist
Now, don’t get me wrong. Despite doing my AH English dissertation on Angela Carter’s use of fairy tales to explore female sexuality, I definitely would not describe myself as a feminist. What I would describe myself as, however, is an equalist. Men and women are clearly different, and can be complementary if everything’s running smoothly.
What irks me, therefore,* is the “Shortlist” and “Stylist” magazines. Handed out freely each week, the former is the “men’s magazine”, the later intended for women. In principle, nothing wrong with that whatsoever. The Stylist is much newer than its brother publication, and while some parts of the Shortlist are quite interesting, I really don’t care which length of tie is in this season. So when Stylist appeared on the scene, describing itself as “the thinking woman’s magazine”, I thought “Ooh, that sounds quite good”. And in fairness, it does have a *few* good articles each week, in between product placements.
Nevertheless, as the magazines are published on different days, and I’m always up for some reading fodder for the train, I still read both magazines, allowing me to compare and contrast the two. And some things are just so stupid. The promotion of ‘Technology’ in Shortlist for example, while it is just not mentioned in the Stylist (the furthest Stylist got to a tech-section was the week after the iPad was announced, when they basically said “Shiney thing makes it all better”. But, I mean, fair enough - not everyone likes to acknowledge that a critical knowledge of current tech is rather useful, and I suppose that I do find the sports section of Shortlist, which again is not replicated in Stylist, quite boring
This week, however, the difference between the two was incredibly marked. Stylist had a “Fashion Week Special”, with a “designer” front cover by Vivienne Westwood declaring “Loyalty 2 Gaia”. Shortlist, on the other hand, had an interview with David Cameron. David Cameron! Potential future Prime Minister! But, you know, nobody important… in fact, nothing for us girls to bother our pretty fluffy brains marshmallow head-stuffing with. What was I saying? Oooh, I think I see something sparkly over there… pretty!
HAVING GOT THAT RANT over, the article with David Cameron in Shortlist was actually quite funny. It’s particularly funny if you imagine him saying the things he says in a really posh English accent, while trying to appear approachable and “down with the working-middle classes”. Full article here, but highlights in my opinion:
Do you have an iPod?
I do. My children have actually just broken it, which I’m incredibly cross about. I got one of those connections for the car and my daughter is obsessed by Lily Allen, who I think is slightly unsuitable, so a bit of a fight takes place, “I want to listen to Lily Allen,” “No it’s The Jungle Book, etc etc…” And in the tussle it broke.
[…]
Do you buy your own suits?
I do. Where do I shop? Gap and Marks & Spencer’s are very good.
Is that for suits as well?
Suits? Paul Smith is my favourite. I like his suits. I have a couple of smart ones for when you’ve got to look smart.
*(in fairness, there are a plethora of things which irk me regarding this topic, but in particular…)
