Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Unflip

1 2 ··· 22 23 24 25 26 27

Original poster

Early Noughties teen mag ridiculousness

665 replies

SmidgenofaPigeon · 27/02/2021 10:21

Does anyone remember the little nuggets if totally ridiculous advice they’d give you in teen magazines?

I used to be an avid reader of Shout! magazine. The main goal of these magazines seemed to be being popular and having boys notice you obviously, and were filled with totally mad tips on how to achieve these things and not be a ‘geek’ who wasn’t interested. Which is totally inappropriate advice these days, happily.

I remember one was ‘if you are invited to a party, arrive late and leave early! You are a social butterfly who has had to squeeze the party in between other engagements’

Happily I HAD been invited to a party in my local pub function room that very weekend! I spent a long time applying glitter hair mascara to my fringe to make it clump together attractively (why) and I think I even had on one of those fetching skirt with trousers combos with a vest top from Tammy girl. I got my dad to drive round the block a bit so I could try to be late, but it didn’t take very long and I think I turned up at ten minutes after the start time. I had a few dances to All Saints and Steps and drank a couple of cans of Coke and an hour before it was due to finish, I did a big show of having to rush off.

Now, we lived in a very small town. There was NO WAY any other parties were happening on the same night. But desperately trying to stick to my social butterfly narrative I said goodbye and off I went.

I sat round the corner in the bus shelter until it was time to get picked up. While everyone else was having a nice time at the party

What a knob! When I got to school on the Monday everyone was saying it was rude to leave the party early and I felt like such an idiot.

Can anyone remember any more of the ridiculous things they used to spout in these magazines? I’d love to get my hands one now as I think it would be hilarious

OP posts:

Thread gallery

LookingGlassMilk · 27/02/2021 12:03

I used to read Bliss, Sugar and Just17 when I was about 12/13. I loved reading them but hey always used to make me feel really crap about myself. There would be pieces about how you had to have this makeup, or these clothes etc and I had hardly any pocket money and there was no way my parents would buy me all that stuff.
I felt so inadequate because I didn't even know any boys, I went to an all girls school and didn't even have my first kiss until I was 15.

When I was 14 I got into good music and started reading the NME, spending all my pocket money on albums and buying my clothes from Camden market.

I swore that when I had a daughter I wouldn't allow her to read those magazines. But now there is social media instead, which is worse and more difficult to keep kids away from.

GirlLovesWorld · 27/02/2021 12:03

Ahhh, let's hear it for those poor girls who are too beautiful.

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 12:01

Problem page!

TwinkleFairyLight · 27/02/2021 12:01

I still remember the shame of categorising myself (age 16, size 12) as "quite a bit bigger than I wanted to be" as per the analysis of a diet article in a mag, which required you to strip to underwear and carefully analyse body from all angles. To be fair it did also ask you to notice something you liked about yourself, but it was along the lines of "I may have fat thighs but I have nice nails" or something.

I'm sure it was well meaning but it felt like that regular features writer in particular, who usually wrote fun articles not related to looks, was suddenly judging me on my weight, if that makes sense.

Greencabin · 27/02/2021 12:00

I remember secretly reading my older sister's More magazine which I'm sure had sex positions in it! I was only about 9 or 10! She used to buy one called Big (I think that's what it was called) and Smash hits which were full of pics and interviews with boybands.

I had my first Saturday job pretty young, I was 14 - my wages just used to go on magazines and chocolate, I'd spend easily £10 which was alot back then, on Just 17 , Mizz and More mag. I'd get really excited about reading them and knew all the dates our local newsagents would have them in!

clary · 27/02/2021 12:00

I used to work on Smash Hits in the early 1990s. What a great place.

I always thought Just 17 (aimed at 13-15yos) was good stuff actually, sensible advice about sex and boyfriends from the marvellous Anita Naik.

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 12:00

@GreenandPinkFlowers

GirlLovesWorld · 27/02/2021 11:59

@LagneyandCasey

Oh god yes - I was a teen in the 80's and bought every magazine going. It was always about how to get boys to notice you, how to get him to kiss you, you should practise kissing on a mirror etc 🤮.

And all the BO stuff, we were obsessed! I have a 15 year old teen now and she isn't obsessed with BO. I think it was all a ploy to get us to fork out for gallons of Charlie and Impulse

But I loved them all. I always turned to the problem pages first. Also loved Smash Hits and Look in. I'd love to sit and look at them now and show dd to get her reaction

Someone told me ages ago you can still get all the issues of Smash Hits somewhere. Flikr maybe? I might still have the email somewhere, I'd love to pore over them all again.

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 11:59

@WhereDoMyBluebirdsFly
1996!

GreenandPinkFlowers · 27/02/2021 11:57

Hmm wonder if this still applies today

WhereDoMyBluebirdsFly · 27/02/2021 11:56

@OwlinaTree

From mizz!

Brilliant!

What year is it from? I'm going to guess... 2002?

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 11:53

From mizz!

Letsrunabath · 27/02/2021 11:53

I love Derry Girls (tv). It reminds me so much of this era.

Cornettoninja · 27/02/2021 11:53

God I used to love these magazines - position of the week was a popular one at my school I do think they were pretty good regarding sex education and sending the message that it’s okay not to do anything you don’t want to. I don’t have teenagers but I’m not sure if there’s an equivalent ‘safe place’ teenagers can go with their sex questions/curiosities these days. Every one knew that The Brook Clinic was where you headed for contraception/pregnancy/STD support.

My overriding memory is that bright pink detangling comb, I think it was free with Shout? I managed to keep mine till it was lost in a house move in my twenties. I still miss it

Liverbird77 · 27/02/2021 11:52

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 11:51

Oh no it's there

GreenandPinkFlowers · 27/02/2021 11:51

For everyone wanting to see the cringe page... Here's a few snippets..😅

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 11:51

I don't think the picture attached!

WhereDoMyBluebirdsFly · 27/02/2021 11:50

@nevernotstruggling

I was 16 in 95. I bought more and shout and mizz over the years. Just 17 was the worst with all its naff language. Boyf and 'rents ffs. It was cringe

Boyf

and what was the word they always used instead of snog? It was a word that has never been uttered by a human mouth, I assumed that was just what they called it down in London.

OwlinaTree · 27/02/2021 11:50

Found my collection! I chucked loads away but kept a sample. I've found them in a box with my old Sindy dolls

NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 27/02/2021 11:49

The sex advice was always “Just say no. If you do have sex, use a condom.”

Nothing about the fact a girl might want to say yes. Nothing about identifying healthy or unhealthy relationships. Nothing about other ways of building intimacy other than sex if you did want to wait longer. Nothing about actually dating or considering postponing serious dating until GCSEs were over. Just really really crap say no or use a condom advice.

BlowDryRat · 27/02/2021 11:48

@AllDoneIn I'm sure it raised a few eyebrows. I was a very 'good' girl

DartmoorDoughnut · 27/02/2021 11:48

I oh I used to sneak More into the house and hide in my bedroom to read it 😂 horrendous mag looking back, I remember a ‘tip’ which was to suck a mint before giving a blow job

GreenandPinkFlowers · 27/02/2021 11:47

Its actually Sugar! Here's the front page to get you all started 😁 December 2005 and Hilary Duff is the cover girl. There's a lovely article on page 58 on whether your family are wrecking your future or not (bottom left) 😁

TheMoth · 27/02/2021 11:45

And yet, I do think a lot of the sex messages were quite positive, in a way I wonder if girls now are missing.

The message I took (as a v unattractive, def nowhere near sex young teen), was that it was ok to say no; you weren't a slag if you slept with people; you should wait until you were ready; sex should be fun and enjoyable for you too.
I read so many posts on here about crap sex and just think: why do you put up with it? Why have you ever put up with it?

Unflip

1 2 ··· 22 23 24 25 26 27