By Ella Parastaran
As someone who has subscribed to print magazines since elementary school, I’ve always appreciated the experience of reading a physical issue rather than scrolling through online content. Ahead of the SMU Look Magazine launch party today, I wanted to share a few of my favorite reasons to buy print magazines.
There is something uniquely special about print magazines. For generations, they have been a way to explore fashion, culture and lifestyle through curated stories and imagery. Reading in print feels more personal and intentional than consuming content online.
Everyone remembers Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic quote: “When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I would buy Vogue instead of dinner. I just felt it fed me more.”
Beyond the content itself, print magazines offer benefits and a unique experience that digital media often cannot.
Turn off the screen
With so much saturation on social media, and the constant need to be on our phones or laptops, stepping away from a screen is refreshing. Similar to reading a book, although much faster, picking up a magazine feels fun, nostalgic and more intentional. It allows you to experience the content the way it was originally designed to be seen: through curated layouts, photography and immersive storytelling. There is nothing like flipping through a glossy, high-fashion advertisement, bookmarking your favorite features and discovering new inspiration.
Build a collection
If you’re someone who loves to save things, magazines are the perfect collectibles. They look beautiful tacked on shelves, displayed on a coffee table or styled as decor. Beyond aesthetics, they are something you can revisit for years, whether to reread a favorite feature, flip through old inspiration or revisit a moment in time. Many publications, including Vogue, have shifted from releasing monthly issues to producing fewer, more premium editions. Because of that, print magazines now feel even more collectible and worth holding onto.
Save it for inspiration
In addition to being collectible, magazines are an incredible source of inspiration. While most people are used to saving ideas to Pinterest boards, creating physical mood boards or inspiration books can be just as fun and more personal. You can tear out pages, save quotes, highlight advertisements and collect images that speak to your style or creative vision. Instead of living on a screen, your inspiration can become something tangible.
Discover something unexpected
One of the best parts of reading a print magazine is finding something you weren’t actively looking for. Online algorithms usually show you what they think you already like. While that can be convenient, it can also feel repetitive. Magazines can introduce you to new designers, writers, photographers or topics you might not have clicked on otherwise. They allow room for surprise and discovery in a way that feels organic.
The magazine experience
There is something special about the experience of a print magazine that digital media cannot fully replace. Whether it arrives in your mailbox every few weeks or you pick one up while browsing at a bookstore, magazines create a sense of anticipation that social media rarely offers. Part of the excitement is the wait. Receiving a new issue in the mail feels like an event. It’s something to look forward to rather than instantly consume and forget.
Whether you subscribe to a print edition or pick up a magazine at the store, print magazines are something everyone can enjoy. They offer a chance to step offline and experience media in a way that feels thoughtful, fun and nostalgic. SMU Look Magazine will hit the shelves May 5, and readers can pick up copies throughout campus.
