Five Most Familiar Fashion Magazine Beats

Music isn't the only thing that has beats. Fashion magazines have their share too. Check out the list of the most familiar beats shared by most, if not all, of your favorite fashion magazines.

• Apparel. The apparel beat presents a variety of photos and some articles about clothes, clothes and more clothes. Topics can range from designer cuts and celebrity favorites to fabric selection and the most current wardrobe matching trends. A calendar of fashion events and pictures of gorgeous models and celebrities gracing some occasion or romping at the catwalk typically fuel the apparel beat. Best-dressed or worst-dressed, and what's-hot and what's-not photos also belong to this category.

• Accessories. The accessories beat presents a select catalog of the editor's (and the magazine's) top-picked frills and trimmings: bags, shoes, belts, bandannas, scarves, jewelry and scents. Although some magazines thoroughly research and produce rich, textual content on the topic, many bank on the influence of celebrities and let colorful photos do all the talking. Common to this beat are shots of stars and the common accessories they are wearing.

• Beauty. The beauty beat presents a selection of how-to articles concerning beauty, tips, question-and-answer articles and a repertoire of photos that accompany “who's the most beautiful” lists or rankings. Although celebrities get their fair share of limelight in the beauty beat, health care professionals and beauty experts play a huge role in establishing the credibility of the content by backing beauty tips with scientific bases or by answering beauty questions in line with actual and relevant research findings. The most credible beauty beats combine beauty tips with health care.

• Make-up. The make-up beat presents virtually everything that the reader wants to know about make-up: which shade fits which complexion, how to apply some, where to buy them and what to look for when buying a set. This beat usually includes photos of ideal applications, tips to achieve a certain look and insider info from a make-up artist. The beat may also promote the best brands of cosmetics, from the simplest mascara or lipstick to the most sophisticated and expensive foundation or bronzer.

• Gossip. People love to talk and if they're not talking about fashion, they are most likely exchanging the juiciest pieces of gossip in town. The gossip beat presents the latest buzz about the habits, movies, projects and private lives of selected celebrities. It may include stolen shots, sightings and either short or detailed textual content featuring a celebrity. This beat functions as a breather from all things related to beauty. Although it does not directly relate to the other four, this beat generates so much interest among readers and has earned its rightful place in the magazine.

Do not confuse the beats in music with the beats in stories and fashion magazines. The beats in stories and fashion magazines have nothing to do with beats in music at all. In stories and fashion magazines, a beat is really nothing more than a specialty.