(GQ, November 2020)
If you're here, you must have a knack for reading magazines and as you know, magazines are more than just glossy pages filled with high quality images and well-written text. They act as custodians of an entire era as time capsules, reflecting the fashion, culture, and mindset of that particular era. From the refined sophistication of GQ to the Generation Z coded hype of digital platforms today, men’s magazines have undergone a dramatic transformation over the decades.
But how did we get here? The answer lies in the transition of men's magazines from print to digital form and it took place for what possible reasons? This transformation of publication format has introduced which new elements? An examination of what lies ahead for these publications will be a part of our understanding.
We are about to explore the impressive development of men's lifestyle publications as they adjusted to constant modifications in fashion trends and masculine standards of the media age.
The Golden Age Of Print Media: Defining
Masculinity
In the middle of the twentieth century, men entered bookstores to browse through shelves, looking for ways to define their masculinity. Men would often ignore standard news media to eventually land their eyes on Esquire or GQ titles. Imagine this, A man picks up the magazine, thumbing through its content– which transports him to a new universe of sophisticated fashion while presenting abstract ideas and classical elegance. This formed the basis of the masculine dream during this period.
A time of outstanding development marked the beginning of male-oriented publications. Fashion lifestyle and cultural content originated from Esquire (founded in 1933) and continued with GQ (launched in 1957) which at that time, became authorities in the male market. Their main content went beyond style advice because they shared intellectual interviews with literature works and political and entertainment coverage which shaped both male self-image and universal masculine values.
A revolutionary change entered the magazine world during the 1960s and 70s. Provocative content mixed with sophisticated editorial approach was all about the money. Playboy and Penthouse shook things up in this regard. Playboy, in particular, wasn’t just about centerfolds, you know? It became a platform for sexual liberation while contrasting it with intellectual discourse and everything that a man loves, featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in history.
By the 80s and 90s, the focus had expanded. Men’s Health introduced fitness and grooming into the mix, reshaping how men approached self-improvement– self improvement as a man wasn't just social anymore, it was personal. Suddenly, magazines weren’t just about looking good—they were about feeling good, performing well, and succeeding in every aspect of life (As it should be!)
But just as these magazines were at their peak, a digital revolution was brewing. And it changed everything.
The Digital Takeover: The Death of Print and Rise of Online Media
(The Washington Post-Style)
It's Y2k era baby! Now comes the internet boom of the 2000s. People no longer had to wait for their favorite magazine to hit the stands—they could get content instantly, for free, online. The internet era was rising and quick consumption content was all the rage.
However, for our beloved print magazines, this was a disaster. Readership started to decline. Advertising revenue dropped. Some publications, like Maxim and Details, struggled to survive. Others quickly adapted, launching digital editions, embracing social media, and even creating video content to stay relevant.
But this shift also opened doors for new players. The digital-native platforms Hypebeast, Highsnobiety, and Complex became the central players in the industry. The new men's publications of this digital age followed digital principles by featuring streetwear designs with sneaker trends, influencer partnerships and trending patterns. Basically, pop culture became all the rage, and staying up to date with pop culture was the ultimate goal of the new gen men!
These platforms adopted a different style from traditional suit and tie media form to appeal to younger and a more fashion-conscious group of print media consumers. The younger generations of Millennials and Gen Z sought more than traditional menswear guidance. Men's content was all about the upcoming sneaker releases and hip-hop style trends and emerging brands.
What Defines Men’s Magazines Today? The Trends Shaping the Industry
Men’s magazines in the 2020s look very different from their predecessors. Here’s what’s driving the shift:
Diversity & Inclusivity
The old, narrow definition of masculinity is out. Yes, progress in thought definitely leads to progress in media and Vice Versa. Today’s publications embrace all body types, ethnicities, and gender identities. Modern men’s magazines showcase real men– men in their raw, vulnerable forms—not just the airbrushed versions, not simply the definition created by societal standards.
Sustainability & Ethical Fashion
Men are now more conscious of where and how their clothes are made. As a result, magazines highlight sustainable fashion brands, eco-friendly grooming products, and ethical consumerism. It’s all about looking good while doing good, and most importantly, feeling good!
The Rise of Tech-Driven Content
Forget long print articles—video content, podcasts, and social media engagement now dominate the industry. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) are where men’s fashion and lifestyle discussions actually happen.
Mental Health & Wellness
Gone are the days when "being a man" meant hiding emotions. Modern magazines focus on mental health, self-care, and holistic well-being, finally addressing issues that men were once told to ignore.
The Fusion of Streetwear & Luxury
The fashion industry now integrates sneaker designers into luxury brands together with runway presentations of hoodies alongside formal tuxedos. The blending of two distinct styles defined how modern males present their fashion today.
The Future of Men’s Magazines: Where Do We Go from Here?
The declining trend of print magazine publications meets the ongoing digital media takeover– often making users question which directional pathway will actually prevail. It is likely that men's magazines will move forward through digital advancements in the future. Expect to see:
Virtual reality and Augmented Reality: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies will let users virtually try clothing choices and see full-360-degree fashion presentation shows at the comfort of their homes.
Personalized Recommendations: The programming of AI enables magazines to recommend content based on your style and personal interests as Spotify does with playlists.
Intuitive Shopping: Men's magazines will create intuitive shopping functions within their platforms so readers can easily purchase items they see in their publications.
Why Are Magazines Shutting Down? A Personal Reflection on the Death of Print
Let’s be real for a second, alright? when was the last time you actually picked up a physical magazine? Not scrolled through an Instagram post, not clicked on an online article, but physically flipped through a glossy, tangible magazine? If you can’t remember, then you already have the answer to why print magazines are shutting down.
Print didn’t die overnight. It wasn’t some dramatic collapse. It was a slow fade, like a once-great band releasing forgettable albums until one day, they just stopped touring. And let’s be honest—we, the readers, played a part in this. We got lazy. We got used to everything being one tap away. Why would at a time pay a good amount for a magazine subscription but now, when you can get the same content online for free, why would you? Why wait a whole month for a new issue when social media updates in real-time?
The internet came in like a wrecking ball. Advertising revenue—the lifeline of print media—plummeted as brands shifted their budgets to digital. Magazines that once thrived on subscriptions found themselves struggling to survive. Some tried to adapt. Others quietly disappeared.
Take FHM, for example. Once a global powerhouse in men’s lifestyle media, it was the go-to source for everything from celebrity interviews to fashion and humor. But by 2016, it was done—shut down because the audience that once made it a success had moved on.
Then there was The Men, another casualty of the print apocalypse. A magazine that prided itself on sophistication, culture, and timeless masculinity, yet it couldn’t outpace the digital wave.
These weren’t just magazines. They were cultural landmarks, reflections of their time. And now? They exist as nostalgic relics, outmatched by content that is faster, sharper, and constantly evolving.
But does that mean print deserved to die?
Is This a Good Change? Should You Still Read Magazines?
This is where things get complicated. Because while digital media is faster, more accessible, and (let’s be real) more engaging, something was lost in the process.
There was a feeling of some form of a daily ritual that was associated with the act of reading a magazine—flipping through the pages, smelling the scent of freshly printed pages, finding something unexpected, feeling the weight of a nicely curated storytelling and more. Print wasn’t just content—it was an experience. It forced you to slow down, to engage with ideas beyond a two-second scroll.
Digital content, on the other hand, is a dopamine rush. Quick, efficient, and disposable. You consume it, then move on. There’s no permanence. No real connection. You won’t be pulling up a decade-old blog post to reminisce the way you might stumble upon a vintage issue of Esquire or Men’s Health and get hit with a wave of nostalgia.
So, should you still read magazines? That depends on what you want.
If you crave depth of some real feeling of craftsmanship, and a break from the non-stop digital assault of your eyes with quick media short-form content, then yes—pick up a magazine! Support print while you still can. There’s something irreplaceable about holding a physical piece of media in your hands.
But if you want fast, up-to-the-minute content that adapts to trends in real-time, then digital is where you belong. It’s where the conversation is happening, where culture is being shaped, and where the future of men’s media is unfolding. And though it doesn't always signify the death of physical print media, it does however, indicate a significant change in print media culture.
Maybe there’s no right answer. Maybe it’s not about choosing one over the other. Maybe it’s about finding balance—honoring the past while embracing the future. Either way, one thing is clear: men’s lifestyle media isn’t dying. It’s just evolving. And whether that’s a good thing or not? Well, that’s up to you.
The Evolution Continues
Men's publications have experienced continuous transformation since GQ introduced its tailored elegance during the 1950s yet transitioned to streetwear-based online culture of the modern times. A specialized print enterprise transitioned into an active tech-based media environment that now dominates the market.
These publications have consistently provided men with guidance to manage their style along with ways to stay updated with cultural trends, fitness needs, romantic relationships and personal identity in the face of the changing world.
Despite challenges, the influence of men's magazines continues to thrive because readers now choose between traditional print issues or digital content. The end of traditional print magazines does not indicate that men's lifestyle content will disappear because the market demand remains strong, and will always do. Cheers!