Women’s magazines reflect the evolving view of women’s role in societal culture. Back in the 18th magazines aimed primarily at women were relatively robust and stimulating in content. In the 19th century, when domesticity became the ideal female role, they were inclined to be insipid and humourless. After about 1880, magazines began to widen their horizons again.

The Lady’s Magazine (established 1770), was a sixpenny monthly that, along with its fictional content and fashion advice, offered embroidery patterns and sheet music. The Lady’s Monthly Museum (established 1798) had a half-yearly “Cabinet of Fashion” illustrated by coloured pictures. These two publications along with La Belle Assemblée (established 1806), merged in 1832, before ceasing publication a little into the Victorian era in 1847.

By 1852 a wider market began to read The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine, a monthly magazine priced at two pence. This was the first women’s periodical to concentrate solely on home management offering practical advice. The publisher’s wife visited Paris regularly and acquired fashion illustrations.

The literacy among women in Victorian times was known as “the great fever” and along with gothic novels and books on theology, magazines were on the rise. Literary and scientific magazines were also becoming more common along with penny dreadfuls and pulp magazines aimed at male audience.

The early 20th century saw a rise in mass-market publications and womens weekly subscription rose in proportion. Advertising, initially resisted in magazines, was now seen as a useful way to increase revenue streams for the publications. Women’s magazines now captured a broader audience crossing social classes and covered subjects from home improvement to personal development and health.

During the mid-20th century progressive content appeared. Articles included stories on women’s labour rights, and higher education. As the war years saw women shift to working in non-traditional roles stories featured advice on factory work and progressing through the male-dominated industrial matrix.

By the 1980s political and literary magazines of a feminist nature had become established and magazines aimed at a younger female audience such as Seventeen and Teen found a wide audience. Ms. (established 1972), focused on women’s liberation, equality, and social issues along with diverse topics that had been uncovered in prior periodicals.

Throughout the late 20th century, women’s magazines diversified their content even further, addressing a wide range of topics from career advice to health, politics, and personal growth and development. Today women’s magazines have dropped in circulation due to the rise in online reading, but many readers still subscribe to tangible magazines.

Women’s magazines have evolved significantly from the Victorian era to the 20th century, mirroring the changing roles and aspirations of women in society. But we have also seen some of the older issues reappear as society evolves in a circular fashion. From a sharp focus on domesticity and moral instructions to a development into social, and political rights. To a focus on deep personal and health issues, these publications have been both a reflection of, and a positive influence on, women’s lives.

*The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.*