10 Men's High-Fashion Magazines You Should Know

Image via Complex Original

Let's face it, most guys are hesitant to embrace "fashion." The term itself has connotations of runways, make-up, and male models that act like Derek Zoolander.  Yet, besides highlighting the really, really, ridiculously good-looking, there are some high-fashion publications worth checking out. Like any high art, fashion can be understood even better when you look past the spectacle and escapism. 

No, these respected editors don't expect you to parade around rocking a Dior blazer shirtless with heavy eyeshadow, they do that sort of thing in order to bring a more artful side out of the well-designed clothing, and push it beyond the realm of boutiques and street style into a more surreal world.

In the realm of menswear, there are some publications that are killing it as much as their Japanese counterparts. In addition to beautiful editorials, they also do a good job of highlighting which designers are worth paying attention to, giving you the recon you need to predict which designer or brand rappers like Kanye West and Kid Cudi will be up on next. Here are 10 Men's High-Fashion Magazines You Should Know.

Numero Homme (France)

Frequency: Bi-annual
Price: $16

Now in its twenty-third issue, Numero Homme is the French answer to what menswear should be from season to season. Created by Elizabeth Dijan, who started Numero because she was "bored with magazines" in general, the mission to make printed content more engaging is echoed in the publication's male counterpart. 

Hercules (Spain)

Frequency: Semi-annual
Price: $24

Based in Barcelona, Spain, this publication regularly enlists heavy-hitting stylists like David Vivirido, Fransesco Sourigues, and Michel Alcade, which might not be household names to you, but if you flip through the images of Hercules, you'd get mad familiar with their work. Whether its a simple double-breasted suit ot a bright red suit, you can be sure that the way these geniuses put the looks together will make you want to experiment with your wardrobe.

Grind (Japan)

Frequency: Quarterly
Price: $22

Your one stop shop for everything cool happening in Japan, with fashion stories styled with sought-after streetwear brands like Sophnet and Uniform Experiment, with a dash of designer duds from Adam Kimmel and Enginnered Garments. This is a great resource to learn about all of the prominent Japanese stylists, and some cool brands you might not know. 

Vogue Hommes Japan (Japan)

Frequency: Semi-annual
Price: $12

We had to mention Vogue Hommes Japan, for sheer editorial power's sake. You might not be able to wear a majority of these looks on public, but they make up for it with stunning pictures that really exhibit the talent of the incredibly creative Nicola Formichetti and super stylist Panos Yiapianis. You could ultimately interpret some of these looks in a more pared-down manner if you really are sold on something, but it would require some pragmatic reinvention for the streets.

Fashion For Men (Italy)

Frequency: Annual
Price: $50

This is basically the one magazine you can buy each year and have a visual of any important piece of mens fashion. Milan Vukmirovic does it all: designer, photographer, editor, stylist, buyer — and he's damn good at it. A co-founder of Parisian boutique Colette, he also did time at Jil Sander and Tom Ford, and helped launch L'Officiel Hommes in 2005. His newest publication, Fashion For Men, aims to be the quintessential fashion bible for men. With clean editorials shot by some of the best photographers in the game, you'll definitely get your money's worth: this annual tome is practically the size of a quantum physics textbook.

AnOther Man (England)

Frequency: Bi-annual
Price: $15

From the founders of Dazed and Confused magazine, AnOther Man, is published by by Jefferson Hack, which means it's got cool written all over it. Based in London, Fashion Director and lauded stylist Alister Mackie works a majority of the shoots, meaning you'll get a younger take and execution on how to incorporate high-fashion brands into your wardrobe.

Vogue Hommes International Paris (France)

Frequency: Semi-annual
Price: $19

If you don't understand French, you might not be able to read whats going on in Vogue Hommes International, but their stunning editorials easily cross the language barrier. You'll recognize countless faces because they shoot your favorite celebs in the best looks fresh from the runways. Their most issue gives James Franco the star treatment, kitting out the actor some slick suits, while giving him a relaxed look in a tank top for the cover.

Fantastic Man (The Netherlands)

Frequency: Bi-annual
Price: $13

No, a member of the Fantastic Four did not go rogue, pick-up a fashion habit, and create a magazine. Fantastic Man is published in Amsterdam and features editorials by Simon Foxton and Jodie Barnes, which means the fashion-cred is heavy, but the looks are wearable and desirable. The latest issue has a great read from ex-Jil Sander designer, Raf Simons, so along with the killer outfits, there's a good read or two.

VMAN (United States)

Frequency: Quarterly
Price: $6

The "V" might stand for Visionaire, but you don't have to think hard about every editorial in this New York-based fashion resource. VMAN is the menswear-related offshot of V magazine. It its pages you'll find work from some of the fashion industry's most sought after talent, like Lady Gaga's right-hand man Nicola Formichetti, and stylists Jay Massacret and Tom Van Dorpe, who have both served as VMAN's Fashion Editor. Their most recent issue includes a piece by former French Vogue Editor-In-Chief Carine Roitfeld on the current state of men's fashion, and an editorial featuring real dudes: we're talking florists, chefs, and even construction workers, decked out in clothes they probably can't afford.

10 Men (England)

Frequency: Quarterly
Price: $11

This London-based publication hits hard every issue with some of the best men's editorials across the pond. Thanks to the outstanding work of contributing stylists like Garth Spencer and Benjamin Sturgill, a majority of their fashion stories contain rigs that most guys can actually rock in real life, which is dangerous because it inspires us to pony up the cash to cop some super luxe pieces.