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Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2008

Magazines offer fashion cues and confidence

Some people say reading magazines is an unhealthy habit, a waste of time and money. Some say magazines undermine women by using stick-thin models in every ad. Well, I don't know what magazines those people are reading, but magazines such as Glamour and Seventeen are exactly what females need.

As a young girl, I thought Seventeen magazine was something only 17-year-olds could read, but at the age of 13, I discovered exactly what was behind those pages, and it inspired me.

Like many teenagers, I struggled with my self-image when I was younger. I wanted boys to like me and girls to be my friends. However, my tomboyish looks probably scared them both a little. When I finally took interest in the clothes I wore, I was hesitant to shop, worried that my new clothes wouldn't fit in, or even worse - they'd stand out.

In Seventeen magazine, I began to read about fashion and make-up. The magazine said fashion was a way of expressing oneself through clothing. The girls in the issue wore simple clothes such as jeans and T-shirts, just like me. A new sort of confidence grew within me as I wore my new clothes to school the next day. I was thrilled when no one made fun of my clothes.

I became brave as I went through middle school, wearing clothes with bright colors and knock-off brand name clothing. I clung to every fashion trend like my life depended on it.

I must say the worst fashion trend I ever went through was my "punk" stage. With black nails, dark jeans and band T-shirts, I completed my look with about 20 bracelets on each wrist. My eyes were encircled with black eyeliner, matching my outfit from head to toe. My parents must have thought I looked ridiculous - because I did, I just was unaware.

As soon as that stage was finished, it was back to simple clothing. I picked up an issue of Seventeen, which I hadn't done in a year or two, and read the magazine from cover to cover. When finished, I had the strange urge to purge my closet of all the clothes that didn't express me. Reading Seventeen reminded me that while trends are fun, it's better to dress to impress yourself, not others.

When I got a job during high school, I began to shop for clothes I liked. Having committed numerous fashion crimes in the past, I now feel as though everything I wear symbolizes some part of my never ending personality.

As for the rest of the magazine, the humiliating stories sent in by other teens assured me I was normal. The real-life features and sections about female health have taught me some valuable lessons.

Glamour magazine is full of stories on heroic women, health and hygiene information, embarrassing moments and fashion.

As for labeling magazines bad for girls' self-esteem, maybe people should take a second look.

Both Glamour and Seventeen support females in loving their bodies and taking care of themselves.

The magazines run different support campaigns for body acceptance and feature ways to exercise and eat healthy in every issue.

It is because of positive magazines such as these that I'm OK with my fashion choices and the decision to embrace my curly hair. Their issues pushed me to be myself.

Though basing my self-esteem off of a magazine may sound shallow, think of it like this: Millions of teenage girls fight with body image and social acceptance every day. The one thing thousands of us have in common is we all can relate to magazines that influence us to think of ourselves as beautiful individuals.

Rebekah Smith is a senior at Mary Persons High School.