Tatler: An English Institution

Whilst it might seem strange to review a magazine, indeed reviews are more something which appear in magazines, however, for the last century, Tatler has been more than a magazine, this british institution has been advising the countries elite how to act, behave, dress and shop, teaching them where to take their holidays, and where to buy their tablecloths. It has taught Sloanes how to sext, earls how to eat and rahs how to rock and roll.

Buying a copy of Tatler is always an occasion, I personally read it almost fanatically, and this month it came with a pair of sunglasses (which I offered to my favorite Sloane in return for her driving me to go shopping). This months edition also came with the annual Watches and Jewelry  Guide, filled with gaudily large rocks which could only possibly be desired by the wives of Russian oligarchs.

Unlike most other magazines, which strive to have the most famous cover stars adorning their front pages, Tatler is often fronted by complete unknowns, young women who are entirely unremarkable save for the 'honorable' at the beginning of their names and the zeros at the end of their bank accounts.

What is also remarkable about Tatler is its sense of humor, articles like 'Turbo Sloanes are Go' and 'Whats It Like to be the Imperial State Crown?' set the periodicals tone nicely, whilst this is a magazine which caters to the country's elite, it is an incredibly self aware publication, and everything it does is done with a healthy amount of tongue in cheek.

With a circulation of less than 100 000, the only reason that Tatler exists is purely because of the wealth of its readership, advertisers flock for their adverts to appear in the magazine. Vogue readers aspire, whereas Tatler readers buy.

Tatler is the kind of magazine which is quintessentially British, the humor of the publication and its irreverence is unique to its identity, and I'm sure that for the next century, Tatler will prevail in advising the cream of British society how to behave.