Rather than annoying everyone on Twitter, I thought it might be fun to create a monthly feature by the name of Becky Reads Company. Every month, I'll review the latest issue and tell you what I've loved, what I've hated and what has made me want to smash my face into a wall.
Funnily enough, I've actually found this issue pretty good. The number of typographical errors is well down and there was nothing especially infuriating. Let's look at it as a soft way to start the feature.
The good
I love the styling here! I might try it out but I think my hair will probably just end up looking like I crawled out of a ditch!
I have a bit of a love affair with coats, and as this was the coat edit, I had cosy inspiration everywhere. These two are my favourites: I love how these girls have styled their coats.
Matt is the new male columnist and his musings about wedding planning made me snort out loud.
I found Megan!
I have to admit: I started reading this article with a closed mind. I'm not religious and I am not a fan of people who preach about their religion to non-believers. However, this article was very balanced and the author was very considerate of people who may not be religious. Not at all preachy, just an explanation of her beliefs and how it has improved her lifestyle.
Look how beautiful this Halloween make up is! I'm definitely going to be trying this in a couple of weeks!
The bad
Please tell me I'm not the only person who has never ironed a coat!
Let's belittle science by putting stereotypical glasses on beauty products and naming them "geeks".
I used to love the Unlikely Style Icon features when they used Bungle and Pat Sharp. Now it's just getting a bit desperate.
Do we really need horoscopes in a modern magazine? Come on, we're all intelligent women.
I was really looking forward to this feature since I've just started up a Youtube channel. However, it was a bit misleading. The only thing about vlogging was a little feature about the Company beauty team creating a haul video. Nothing about becoming a "Youtube star" at all.
The ugly
What's going on with the capital letters in this subheading?
Stop adding "-spiration" to the end of every word!
"Essentsh"? Really?
That was a fun post! I'd love to know your thoughts- What did you like? Did you spot something I missed? Oh, and just as a reminder: This is just a tongue-in-cheek post. Don't take offence to my dissing your favourite magazine!
Company magazine irks me too much for me to enjoy it, haha
ReplyDeleteHaha I do understand that feeling!
DeleteA couple years ago I used to absolutely love Company, now I don't know if it's just me maturing or they're target audience has gone down several years, but the majority of it just bugs the hell out of it! I don't understand the whole 'hipster' twitter lets hashtag everything under the sun approach they seem to have with everything nowadays, and so many stereotypes?
ReplyDeleteI do still occasionally buy it though, in the hope it improves! Literally all the fashion seems to be 90s grunge too, so if you don't dress that way none of the editorials will be for you. xo
Oh, I know! The hashtagging and the making up of words does my head in! It does seem to be more aimed at teenagers these days.
DeleteI actually think you've said exactly what everyone is thinking! But I have to admit, I do like a good old horoscope just to indulge my logic-lacking self ;) I always think of Company as the more blogger-based magazine, so its a bit sad their youtube feature was lacking. A little reminiscent of their A-Z of blogging, albeit not as bad!
ReplyDeletexoxo
jessica
from
www.thecrownwings.blogspot.com
Haha at least you admit it ;)
DeleteWhat a great magazine review :D I only popped over to see the Briar Rose feature (not a fan of magazines generally!) but I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteSophie | onetenzeroseven
Thank you!
DeleteI actually love Company, I love the feel of the paper and the size. They also have bright and interesting use of type/layout which I find refreshing when most magazines are pretty much copies of each other. The articles aren't all 'how to please your man' or '30 sexy outfits to bag yourself a husband' that Glamour and many mags do or like high end ones where it is 95% adverts for expensive jewellery/watches etc.
ReplyDeleteSaying that the bad stuff you mentioned I agree with and not long back they did an anonymous article condoning anorexia/under-eating which made me want to stop buying. I do still buy it since the good outweighed the bad but I look forward to seeing your outlook on it :D
x http://soeast.blogspot.co.uk
Yep, I remember that article: http://www.beckybedbug.com/2013/05/an-open-letter-to-company-magazine.html
DeleteHaha I loved this post really made me smile...and nope I've never ironed a coat either I don't think it's essentsh ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteHaha oh no you didn't!
DeleteI have definitely never ironed a coat! :)
ReplyDeleteWho has time for that?
DeleteWhat did they say is trendy about Peckham?? Now that's what I'm interested in.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you... I do nt have time in my life to iron my coat!!!!!
If I remember, I'll take another look tomorrow and let you know!
DeleteGreat post! Love this magazine because of it's articles - I love a magazine that is not afraid to make a splash with feminist and religious articles. I do agree about the horoscopes though - I respect those who are into that kind of thing but it is not for me.
ReplyDeletetheemeralddove21.blogspot.co.uk
It's a bit irrelevant to Company, I think. Maybe more like Chat It's Fate!
DeleteHahahaha. What a shame there weren't many bloopers this month.. and by bloopers I mean those entire articles where I shake my head in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate-read things anymore (I just find they took up too much of my energy).. maybe I will just live vicariously through this monthly post!
X
Haha I was pretty shocked that there wasn't one of those this month!
DeleteI've loved Company since my teens, but I've found myself slowly enjoying it less and less this year. The over use of hash tags, made up words, and 'hipster' everything is pretty irritating, but I do love how much their magazine supports bloggers instead of filling every other page with celeb gossip. Oh, and I've definitely never ironed a coat before in my life- who does that?!
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating! I find that language patronising and superficial.
DeleteI like company and it's articles, but really dislike hipsters. But, I will probably buy this because Lucy Hale is on it, and, I love her.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I don't know who she is! Sorry!
DeleteI have a similar position on Company. I like the accessibility and it have made me think about different potential career ideas and how to go about working towards them, but sometimes it feels like every other page is either filled with ridiculous words and type choices or is being just plain patronising. On the plus side it largely leaves out all the celeb gossip which is nice!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! It's trying too hard to be edgy and just comes across as a bit desperate.
DeleteMy mum does iron some coats. Her old winter one gets all creased when washed but mines fleecy so it just gets dried and hung up. I used to get Company regularly along with Glamour but it got the stage that I couldn't really afford both and as it was just after the skinny club/anorexia article I decided it had to be the one to go. I've also been buying Glamour a lot longer and find it's more well-rounded with articles and features and fashion, also shallow thing they tend to have more free gifts XD
ReplyDeleteAaw, bless her! Yep, I remember that article. I much prefer Glamour! I actually had the very first issue. My grandma bought it for me. I was about 11 haha- I don't think she understood the target audience!
DeleteLove the idea of this type of post, especially because Company seems to be the most controversial magazine at the moment! I wrote a blog post about it earlier this year (to which the magazine's editor said a sarcastic 'thanks' to me on twitter) if you're interested in reading that! http://cantshutitup.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/bad-company.html
ReplyDeleteI LOVED your post! Company is the absolute worst for errors. I'm pretty sure I spot every single error and I'm just a teacher, not a magazine employee!
DeleteSurely the writer should check and double-check their article, which should then be checked and double-checked by the sub-editor, and then checked and double-checked by the editor. Or, if that's too much effort, hire a proofreader purely for that reason! Computers are unnecessary.
I definitely think it devalues the magazine, especially when compared to similar magazines such as Glamour and Cosmo which rarely, if ever, seem to have grammatical errors.
Oh, and I can't believe she was that unprofessional on Twitter!
DeleteThis is a great post! Might try something similar
ReplyDeleteMegan x | MeganRoisinn
I'm so glad you wrote this post I completely agree! I have just cancelled my Company subscription as it was starting to really irritate me and I used to love it :-(
ReplyDeleteI do really like the style of the magazine (the size, paper etc) and that it's not full of 'how to win a man' rubbish (bleughh). Company used to really appeal to me as it was a bit more off beat, seemed to grasp the growing relevance of bloggers early on and had some fun features like the crafty bits and the unlikely style icon. Now though it feels as if it's aimed at (younger) teenagers who also have no attention span. The vast majority of articles are short and fluffy to the point of banality, there's far too many pointless hash tags and don't get me started on the made up words grrrrr.
I remember seeing the magazine circulation drop statistics on (I think) BBB a while ago and I can't say I'm really surprised. I think quite a few magazines are purchased just for the free gifts (I'm certainly guilty of this) and the ones with Company are never as good as other magazines. I only read Vintage Life and Marie Claire now. Even though I think I'm younger than MC's target audience I feel it has a bit more substance.
It's a shame really Company has a huge amount of potential! I'd love to see it become more creative and less #ZOMGSUPPERBLOGGERZ!
Once again awesome post and I'm really sorry for the epic comment! x
I loved this post. Really simple idea but great to read! And no, I don't believe I have ever ironed a coat, although I do have one that is probably in need of an iron!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this, I'm looking forward reading more!
ReplyDeleteNadia
I love this new feature! I haven't read my copy yet but I already know that my favourite thing is a teeny tiny picture of my nails on page 147! Oh and that Halloween makeup looks incredible, can't wait to see your take on it.
ReplyDeleteAli xx
I think I can honestly say I have never read Company magazine... It looks a little boring?xx
ReplyDelete