Top women's magazines

This list of top women's magazine in the world is an electric mix of publications that cater to the urban woman's reading needs. The cost of subscription to these magazines can range from as less as $5 to $20 for 12 months. Featuring in this list of best women's magazines in US and around the world in no particular order.

Vogue

No woman is unfamiliar with Vogue Magazine. Published by Conde Nast Publications since 1909, Vogue meaning 'in fashion' is a beauty, fashion and lifestyle magazine for women. Vogue is essentially an American magazine which is currently published in about 19 countries across the globe.

The famous current Editor-In-Chief at Vogue Magazine is Anna Wintour. She is said to have dramatically changed the face of Vogue under her leadership since 1988. In December 2006, critic Caroline Weber called Vogue one of the most influential fashion magazines of the world.

Vogue Magazine covers the entire spectrum of women's interest. From beauty guides to Best Dressed lists, from latest ramp collections to celebrity parties, from lifestyle topics such as Art, Film, Theater, Travel to issues of social interest. Vogue also covers a lot of community projects and reflects on current political ongoing and agendas.

On a single flip, Vogue looks like a glossy ad manual which features the best of brands, celebrities and fashion. However, it is actually said to have undertaken many influential international projects such as Vogue's Annual Fashion Night Out, a charity event to its recent coverage on the backstage developments of the London Olympics in 2012.

Vogue has also published many sub editions under its brand umbrella. This includes Teen Vogue, Men's Vogue, Vogue Girl, Vogue Living and Vogue Patterns amongst many others. Interestingly, this top women's magazine has featured only 4 men on its cover until now. This includes Richard Gere, George Clooney, LeBron James and Ryan Lochte.

Women's Health

Amongst numerous health magazines published in America and Worldwide, Women's Health Magazine has carved a niche of its own since its' recent launch in 2005. Published by Rodale publications, it is a sister concern to the famous Men's Health magazine.

This magazine caters to the urban, smart, up market and self conscious woman who is aware and concerned about her mind and body. The magazine offers an in depth, detailed coverage on topics like sex, fitness, food, weight loss, health, beauty and style. Being the only one to cater specifically to the subject of Health in this list of top women's magazines, Women's Health seems to be a subscription that the urban woman should not go without.

What's interesting about the Women's Health brand is that the editorial seems to have consciously made an effort to aggressively expand their footprint by introducing apps, being active on social media and offering downloadable resources for their readers. They have gone a step further and only featured those celebrities on their cover, who have been health conscious in real life.

Women's Health website too, offers many health workout videos. There is a special section called the Spartacus for Women which offers a special workout by Rachel Cosgrove, a top fitness trainer. Health conscious readers can also take advantage of the Look Better Naked section where Women's Health magazine offers details about their book called the Look Better Naked. The book offers readers 6 weeks of eating plans, workouts and confidence boosting techniques.

Cosmopolitan

After being launched in America in 1886, Cosmopolitan catered to a family audience after which it attempted to become a literary magazine. Later on, 'Cosmo' became an international magazine only for women. This is the status it holds even now. It is published in America by the Heart Corporation.

In many ways, Cosmopolitan has carved its niche amongst other magazines as a sex journal. From positions to illustrations, from tips to advice, the apparent focus point of the magazine continues to be relationships and sexuality.

Cosmo is also famous for its racy, sexy cover models that are usually seen in plunging necklines. In addition, the magazine covers sections on hair and beauty, food and cocktails, secrets and advice, gift ideas, foreplay ideas, celerity hairstyles, sex how to's, quizzes and freebies.

Many readers subscribe to Cosmopolitan because of its unparallel attraction towards its racy and bold headlines, coverage on sex, fashion and relationship advice. Issue after issue, this iconic magazine manages to churn out eye catching coverage on topics and the type of content it is most famous for.

Harper's Bazaar

Harper's Bazaar is a coveted fashion and lifestyle magazine published by the Heart Corporation since 1867. This magazine is published internationally in more than 20 countries and the American Edition has a very rich heritage behind it.

Readers subscribe to Harper's Bazaar as it is famous for being home to the most amazing of talents in fashion, photography, writing and illustrations. Famous personalities such as author Mary Louis Booth and Pop Artist Andy Warhol have been associated with the magazine during its early years.

Harper's Bazaar magazine has always aimed to offer readers a sophisticated view of fashion and beauty and everything elegant in the world of casual and couture fashion. The magazine has categories of Hair Ideas, Makeup Tips, Fashion and Relationship Advice. It also covers latest designer collections and the latest scoop on celebrities.


Harper's Bazaar revolutionized the perception of fashion magazines under the editorial guidance of Carmel Snow, who was previously the editor at Vogue Magazine. She is said to have moved fashion photography from studio shots to natural shots of models in various poses in natural landscape. Even the word 'pizzaz' is rumored to have originated under her leadership at the magazine.