1970s Women’s Magazines

The 1970s was a decade marked by significant social change, including the feminist movement, which influenced a significant evolution in women's magazines, reflecting cultural shifts, feminist movements, and changing societal norms. The revolution in fashion magazines saw some begin to reflect the eclectic styles of the era, for example Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. These publications not only showcased fashion trends but also served as cultural barometers, introducing readers to new designers and political commentary intertwined with fashion.
Key publications began to address women's rights, sexuality, and personal empowerment more openly, reflecting the evolving roles of women in society. Magazines became platforms for discussing issues that were previously considered taboo, contributing to a broader cultural dialogue about gender equality and women's liberation. They played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of women's issues, offering a mix of lifestyle content, feminist discourse, and cultural commentary that resonated with readers during a time of significant change.

Cosmopolitan (stylized in all caps) is an American quarterly women’s fashion magazine for entertainment first published based in New York City in March 1886 as a family magazine. Known for its frank approach to sex and relationships, Cosmopolitan became a leading women's magazine during the 1970s. It offered practical advice on careers and relationships, blending accessible feminism with lifestyle content. The magazine's bold editorials and features helped shape the discourse around women's rights and empowerment during this transformative decade. The magazine’s circulation continued to decline for another decade until Helen Gurley Brown became chief editor in 1965 and radically changed the magazine. Brown remodelled and re-invented it as a magazine for modern single career women, completely transforming the magazine into a racy, contentious, and successful magazine. As the editor for 32 years, Brown spent this time using the magazine as an outlet to erase stigma around unmarried women not only having sex, but also enjoying it. Known as a "devout feminist", Brown was often attacked by critics due to her progressive views on women and sex. The magazine eventually adopted a cover format consisting of a usually young female model (or prominent female celebrity), typically in a low cut dress, bikini, or some other revealing outfit. The magazine set itself apart by frankly discussing sexuality from the point of view that women could and should enjoy sex without guilt or shame in all cases. The first issue under Helen Gurley Brown, July 1965, featured an article on the birth control pill, which had gone on the market exactly five years earlier.

British Vogue (stylised in all caps) is the British edition of the American fashion magazine Vogue. The magazine was launched in 1916 by Condé Nast, linking together fashion and high society. British Vogue is the third most profitable edition of Vogue worldwide (other than the American and Chinese editions). The magazine is published monthly twelve times per year. Within the United Kingdom copies of the magazine come without the 'British' in the 'O' in the publications logo.

Elle (stylized in all caps) is a worldwide magazine of French origin that offers a mix of fashion and beauty content, and society and lifestyle. The title Elle means She in French. Hélène, Elle's pioneering founder, returned to Paris from New York City to create a unique publication that grappled with the many forces shaping women's lives in France in 1945 Women won the right to vote in 1944, and Elle dove immediately into long-form "newspaper-like" features on women's role in national politics and the growing feminist movement. Elle would "celebrate a new type of woman: independent, modern, active, comfortable in her own skin and her time". On 2 April 1956, Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of Elle France, a few days before her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. On 16 July 1956, Elle France featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover. By the 1960s, Elle had a readership of 800,000 across France and was said to "not so much reflect fashion as decree it." This dominance was reflected in the famous slogan: "Si elle lit elle lit Elle (If she reads, she reads Elle)" Beverly Johnson became the first Black woman on the cover of Elle when she appeared in the 1970s. Lagardère Group subsidiary, Hachette Filipacchi Médias began pushing Elle outside of France in 1985, launching Elle in the UK and the United States.

Nova: This British magazine ran from 1965 to 1975 and was notable for its focus on current affairs, fashion, and taboo subjects like homosexuality and abortion. Nova challenged traditional women's magazine norms by avoiding recipes and knitting patterns, instead showcasing high-quality photography and serious journalism. It became a platform for discussing women's issues in a more progressive context.

For the more mature woman
People's Friend: a British weekly magazine founded by John Leng on 13 January 1869 as an offshoot of The People's Journal. The magazine is principally aimed at older women.[6] Each issue contains at least seven self-contained short stories and two serials (frequently more), a craft project (usually knitting or sewing) and various factual articles, one of which is a piece on a particular town. Pets, family and traditions are also common themes. During World War 1, the focus of the magazine shifted to women. The magazine's geographical location in Dundee is reflected in a general bias toward Scottish subjects. The main front cover image is invariably a painting of a picturesque location somewhere in Britain or Ireland, and readers can also buy prints of these pictures.

Woman's Weekly magazine was launched in 1911, focusing on the home, family and lives of grown-up women, providing them with health advice and hints on how to feel good.

My Weekly: a magazine for women published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd of Dundee, Scotland. It tends to consist of short stories, reader contributions, knitting or sewing patterns, and celebrity gossip. There are no real life horror stories. My Weekly is a warm and welcoming women’s magazine. We’re proud to be your feel-good read. Every issue provides an inspiring mix of celebrity interviews, specially-commissioned cookery features, down-to-earth advice from expert columnists, and exclusive contemporary fiction. The publication originated as a newspaper. It was purchased by the Thomson brothers early in the twentieth century, and was relaunched as a magazine in 1910.

Woman & Home: founded in the UK in 1926, this magazine is published 12 times per year, in print and digital formats. Its mission is to allow women to celebrate, inspire and support each other, offering thought-provoking, informative and joyful reads. we celebrate and empower women in their 40s and older from all walks of life, with a rich collection of articles on fashion, beauty, celebrities, real life stories, inspirational women, homes, gardens, recipes, books, travel and more.

Woman's Own: British lifestyle magazine aimed at women was first published in 1932, and in its early years it placed women's rights and social problems firmly in the foreground. It includes articles on celebrity gossip, real-life stories, fashion, beauty, shopping deals, wellbeing, food, and travel.

Woman: an English weekly magazine launched in 1937. Its target audience is 30-to 40-year-old women. It encompasses a mix of celebrity gossip and TV news, real-life stories, and fashion and beauty tips. Its lifestyle section offers ideas on homes, interiors and food, product reviews, and advice.