Elle of a time

First-flick impressions: Were the cover pickings really so slim? No points for originality, as the same shot was used on the cover of US Elle's October issue. The order of pages confuses me a little – a random style page thrown in between 'Memoir' and 'Opinion', for example. But I'm still impressed by the sheer volume of content, the slick layouts and insightful and humorous (if sometimes blatantly controversy-stirring and tabloid-like) writing.

Contributors: Do you have to be ridiculously good looking and/or well connected to get a writing gig on this mag? Yes, I think you do.

Letter to the editor: Last review I told you how Lorraine had decided to hand this page over to a new designer every month, rather than harp on about how fabulous the current issue is. I still feel ripped off. This month the oh-so-gay Henry Holland (friend of Agyness "Aggy" Deyn) gets a run. UK Elle works hard to be seen with the cool kids.

Elle Style: lots of colour, XXL bags, trilbies, boots, green, 'Shoot Notes' (we get an insider look at the inspiration behind the mag's fashion shoots - good idea), celebs in metallics and yellow, we meet shoe designer Jonathan Kelsey (cutie - probably also gay), the LBD gets its own page, Kelly Rowland is the subject of 'My fashionable life', plastic is the 'tricky trend', there's a page of internet buys (why there isn't more of this, I don't know), Lily Allen gets a mention in 'Fashion Notes', and beige is the new colour to get clucky about (methinks it takes a certain kind of lump-free girl to pull the shade off).

Elle Debate: Pencil skirts versus skating skirts. I vote for pencil skirts! But it doesn't really matter, does it?

Mademoiselle column: I'm not a fan of fictionalised magazine columns, nor ones where the author's identity is disguised, though this two-page romp in Fashion Land is quite a treat. She's Bridget Jones meets high fashion. Her lifestyle would exhaust me.

Fashion features:
'Trends between friends': Lauren Cochrane looks at the concept of 'microtrends', which might only exist within your immediate group of friends, your office (or mother's group), or in a certain part of town. Magazine folk will appreciate this piece, given most of what is acceptable work-wear within the confines of the offices at ACP/Pacific/Emap/News would look freak-show-like in any other industry.

'Carrie Stole My Style' by Kerry Potter: As the story goes, Sarah Jessica Parker took a liking to Potter's shoes (Kate Kuba Mary Janes) and went out and bought the exact same pair, in four different colours, no less, immediately after their interview. How flattering!

'The Style Slaves': four photogenic women explain what inspires their dressing rituals, which includes mood boards, channeling film stars, copying celebrities and style scrapbooks. GWAS confesses she is prone to using mood boards and compiling scrapbook-like inspiration books, so she will refrain from making fun of the time and thought these women invest in such vain pursuits.

Special section: 'Elle Edits The New High Street': the season's top-10 high-street buys; high street fashion notes; the secret labels you will love; high street boots; coats for your shape... Yawn, I'm all about summer right now, and since the spring/summer '08 shows have just been and gone, the fall shows seem SO ten-years-ago.

Elle Hot List: Actress Natalie Dormer is the face to watch, Roisin Murphy is what you want to listen to, I Did a Bad Thing by Linda Green is what you want to read; there's a cute Q&A with Amanda and Mark from Ugly Betty (bless)... but the film reviews are never as good or in-depth as, say, Australian Vogue's. Further on, four pages are dedicated to Kings of Leon.

Elle Humour:
'How to be a feminist when...' by Times columnist Caitlin Moran (hot-girl contributor). The writer suggests how to apply feminist concepts to various scenarios: getting a promotion (flirting power gets the nod); skinny envy (fatness is a crutch: go for a walk); colleagues in strip clubs (they are demeaning; suggest a Jane Austen film); subjugation in the bedroom (fine if you're aware of it); your best friend is co-dependent on her boy (being submissive is also empowering; but have your friend do something to make her feel in control). I'm not convinced.

Elle Memoir: 'Does writing my sex memoirs make me immoral?' asks Bridget Harrison. Well, yes, kinda. The writer discusses her distress over the public pummeling she received over her book, Tabloid Love. I wonder if she read Nikki Gemmell's controversial The Bride Stripped Bare and its subsequent press coverage – hello, cautionary tale! Harrison is cast as an over-sexed witch who shamed and embarrassed the men she dated. What she thought of as a way to share experience with other women (prior to the book's publishing, she wrote a Carrie Bradshaw-esque newspaper column, only with limited details about the men), and empower them to embrace their single-ness, was received as a cheap, trashy account betraying male trust. She questions her own morality and says "sharing the secrets of loved ones in print is still considered the last taboo." She doesn't regret writing her book (I'm sure it paid a tidy sum) but her current boyfriend doesn't completely trust her. With trust being one of the fundamental building blocks for a strong relationship, I'm not sure how her current relationship will fare. Was it worth it? Food for thought.

Elle Opinion: 'Why money can buy happiness' by novelist Tasmina Perry. Money is associated with greed, guilt and tacky, gold-digging footballers' wives, says writer Tasmina Perry (who dropped out of law aged 26 to take a low-paying writer's job before scoring a six-figure book deal and quitting her day job), but it also gives women more choice. She says "true wellbeing comes when your financial decisions can reflect what's important to you, whether it's good food, nice clothes or giving the whole lot to charity." She acknowledges that money isn't a fix for cracks in your relationships, but it can affect your happiness: "I wasn't born into money, I didn't marry money – I made it myself," she says. "And that's empowering... having money is about having a dream. It doesn't matter if you don't make it – it's about having a go." She ends on this encouraging note: "A recent survey said that by 2020, 55 per cent of millionaires will be women. Why? Because women are more focused, harder working and more driven." I like it.

Elle Asks: 'Turning 30: how will you life change? Six real women share their life-altering experiences. There's something about the big 3-0 that empowers women to let go of their 20-something insecurities and really go for what they want and be true to who they are – if only it could happen earlier! I love this story, though am not sure it will appeal to Elle's older readers.

Elle Expert: '10 Secrets of True Style' – UK Elle borrows from US Elle again, this time in the form of fashion director Nina Garcia, who gives her top 10 style secrets. She has a lot of good tips to offer. GWAS can't wait for her copy of The Little Black Book of Style to arrive (hello, Amazon, I'm still waiting!)

'Being Marc Jacobs' – I confess, I am yet to read this three-page feature but fully intend to. What makes this influential man tick – other than, um, kissing other boys on public park benches?

Fashion spreads:
'The New Smart' – 9-5 wardrobe pieces. Felt hats, block colour, suits, Phillip Lim, Karen Walker, YSL, Burberry...
'Hot Denim' – being a Sydney-sider, I am a sucker for a denim story. I love, love, love this shoot. Think wool jackets, cashmere sweaters, Kurt Cobain cardigans, Luella, plaid, long scarves and hot pink lipstick.
'Modern Tomboy' – tailoring meets rock 'n' roll and some serious wind machine action.


Beauty:
This month it's about matte skin, instant fixers (they be big business in beauty, no?, gothic makeup (not for me!), micro spas, foundation application, the fringe, pink makeup and twisting your hair so you look like Heidi.

Elle Tests:
'The Wardrobe Shrink': writer Mandie Gower tests out an 'image profiler' service. The expert says your style should match your psychology. I suggest you can totally fool people by looking together on the outside while being a mess inside, too!

'Can you eat yourself beautiful?': can you get glowing skin by going on the 'Pure Package' diet? The diet involves ordering pre-prepared meals, such as salmon with spelt pasta. But it's really a no-brainer you need not fork out extra cash for: eat healthy, ditch alcohol, look better. Durr!

Last page: Dita Von Teese introduces us to her favourite OTT shoes. Hello, nice to meet you.

Overall excitement factor: 7
Feel-good factor: 3

The Stats
Issue: November 2007
Book size: 404 pages
Inside front cover: Emporio Armani
Back cover: Givenchy
Front-of-book ads: Estee Lauder, D&G, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Clinique, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Tag Heuer, Guess by Marciano, Miu Miu, Chanel, Gucci, Prada...
Publisher: Hachette Filipacchi
Editor-in-chief: Lorraine Candy
Cover price: £3.30 ($19.95 AUD)
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