My Favorite Newsletters, Including 17 Exciting Emerging Voices

The Substacks I read and love, simple as that.

I couldn’t help but wonder… would Carrie have a Substack?

A while back, I asked for your help in sharing your favorite fashion-related (and not!) newsletters. I was asked to edit Substack Reads, a newsletter that rounds up notable work from the platform’s best talent. I assigned myself a summer theme and kept my selects in the spirit of the season. It comes out on Saturday!

But there just wasn’t enough room to collect and share all of the great stuff that’s come across my desk! So, I’m spinning off another letter to expand on Substack Reads to include all the people I couldn’t there, inspired by Grace Atwood’s similar roundup of her favorite letters, which you should also check out!

Here’s the best of what I’ve been reading (and you’ve been sharing) lately (in no particular order). This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s my personal, honest media diet. *Cough* I read a lot of newsletters. I probably missed some, so feel free to leave your favorites (or plug yourself) below in the comments!

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New and Emerging:

The new (and new to me) voices that excite me and some of Substack’s rising stars.

• TIME LESS by Joyce Lee: Ok, so Joyce is one of my besties, and I’m biased, but she’s also the woman who made Madewell matter — as their Creative Director, you’ve probably bought something that passed through her hands. So, her credibility speaks for itself. Joyce’s Substack is a perfect reflection of her accessories-obsessed fashion brain, articulated from the POV of someone at the beginning of the trend cycle.

• objects of desire by Noora Raj Brown: Another Goopie, Noora is their VP but also the author of one of my favorite shopping Substacks. She dives into fashion, art, and home and meditates on what those things telegraph about our personalities.

• Tea House by Teresa Wu: A romantic online escape full of beautifully-composed mood boards, collages and travel journals. Like opening someone magical’s scrapbook.

• Atelier Le Monde: A dreamy luxury travel journal.

• Midimalist by Kelly Williams: Kelly made herself known on Substack quickly with a slick brand, great fashion hot takes, a clear voice, and smart outfit breakdowns.

• Window Seat by Tori Simokov: This quickly became one of my favorite travel reads. I love her POV + elevated taste, and we definitely have the same taste in hotels.

• Schmatta by Leonora Epstein: a home design newsletter that makes me snort laugh.

The Fashion O.G.’s

These are the people who helped establish and define the fashion category on Substack. When I began this newsletter three years ago, there weren’t that many of us! It’s been really fun to watch other writers (most of them former fashion editors and bloggers) in this niche bring their audiences and unique P.O.V. to the platform — and make a living doing it.

• Earl Earl by Laurel Pantin: Laurel’s writing is sweet, funny, and vulnerable, and she has killer taste. Even if you’re not a big shopper, you’ll get something out of her writing.

• The Cereal Aisle by Leandra Medine Cohen: Leandra’s been a warm light and a great leader in this space. Past that, I doubt you need me to introduce you. As I tell her, she is canon.

• 5 Things You Should Buy by Becky Malinsky: Becky’s easy-going and accessible approach to getting dressed has won her a huge audience. She just has that likable something. She feels like your friend when she’s breaking down the “why” of an outfit.

• Shop Rat by Emilia Petrarca: I think Emilia is sick of me telling her this, but I am always impressed by the way she thinks. She approaches fashion from a place of imagination and substance. She’s a true original; every time she publishes, it’s like a blast of fresh air.

• In Moda Veritas by Irene Kim (김애린): Irene’s fashion sensibilities fall somewhere between Tibi and Yohji Yamamoto. She thrives when styling the irreverent in a way that feels wearable in everyday life. Lots of good outfit inspiration here.

• NEVERWORNS by Liana Satenstein: Liana might be one of the best technical writers on the platform. She can make anything compelling, from “nasty-sexy thong heels” to vintage Missoni.

Made the Jump

These are the folks with big audiences elsewhere who recently joined the ‘Stack and put a lot of thought into making great newsletters.

• Unpolished by Courtney Grow: Courtney and I could publish a podcast from our voice notes alone. She’s not only an influencer, she is genuinely influential: in her thinking, in her eye, and in the way she conducts herself with kindness and a smile, always.

• Grace Atwood’s Substack: Grace, name your Substack! Haha — I always say she is my “fairy blogmother” because she was the first person to throw her weight behind The Love List when I launched. That growth really helped me get off the ground, and it’s a testament to why Grace’s audience likes her so much: she’s a true girl’s girl, and it shines through everything she does.

• Downtime by Alisha Ramos: A lot of you may remember Alisha’s newsletter Girl’s Night In, which I recall stumbling across during the COVID lockdown. It was a cozy respite that made being at home feel intentional and not like a prison sentence. She’s on Substack now, but her warmth is still right there.

• Hi Everyone by Hillary Kerr: Again, someone who needs no introduction. Hillary is one of the original co-founders of Who What Wear and the voice behind the blockbuster podcast Second Life. She’s a true champion of women and remains incredibly grounded despite her success. Her newsletter is where she turns the mic on herself.

• Remotely by Lucy Williams: Lucy is famous for her charming Brit-Gone-Globetrotter aesthetic. In her newsletter, she surfaces great items for the wardrobe and home (and her home is really something), plus gorgeous photography and missives from her broad travels.

• The Flair Index by Jennifer Alfano: Jennifer is a former editor and now jewelry designer whose long-running blog jumped over to Substack not too long ago. Her taste is elegant (think Maria McManus, The Row) and she advocates for buying fewer, better things and keeping a tightly edited closet. She’s always deep-pulling a chic reference that I gobble up.

• Sunday Dinner by My Sister Made Me Buy It: Who doesn’t love these two? Their Instagram, positioned around practical, road-tested product recommendations and plus/mid-size fashion, is major. Plus, they’re just so damn nice. Their Substack is an offshoot of that and more of a chat about culture consumption: what the girls are reading, watching, and linking right now.

• Le Catch’s Substack by Marlien Rentmeester : expands on her popular shopping blog, Le Catch, in her newsletter with expanded thoughts on personal style.

• The Pouf by Christina Grasso: thoughts on the fashion industry, beauty, and body image from the IG content queen and the girl who made Gloom an endearing brand.

• JENNY SAIS QUOI by Jenny Walton: fashion darling, street style scion, painter, illustrator, and now Substacker writing from her new life in Milan.

• Alicia Lund: is another O.G. blogger who’s made her way over to the newsletter world. Like peering into a window of her pretty West Coast world.

TikTok O’Clock

Big on TikTok first, now bringing the party to Substack.

• Ilana Torbiner’s Substack: Ilana’s followers look to her for her elegant, refined, minimal taste. Her newsletter is an extension of her popular TikTok, where she gets granular on vintage and other elevated shopping finds.

• Gift of Gabs by Gabriella Gofis: A sweeter gal you’ll never find. Gabs is one of those girls who light up the group chat the second she finds something cool because she genuinely wants to share — and she always finds something cool. She writes about shopping from a place of service, and you can tell she really considers her readers when publishing.

• Latest Arrivals by Lilly Sisto: Every 20-something girl I know is always soooo impressed that I know Lilly. The girls who follow her do so with total devotion. Her Substack is an extension of her chatty, casual posting style where she rounds up the stuff she thinks her followers will love, too.

• PIGPEN by Heather Hurst: Heather reminds me so much of myself at 25; it’s wild. If you ask her a fashion question, you’re going to get a thesis. While her posting style is very from the hip, her writing is considered and thorough. While she chitchats about vintage, shopping within a budget, and her infamous dog, it’s easy to see how bright she is. Her newsletter is a beautiful extension of her online presence and really rounds out her TikTok in a substantive way.

• Chic Things by The Millennial Decorator: She single-handedly brought back the flat lay, and now she’s going long-form. I always love her edit.

• Olivia’s Shopping Diary by Olivia Wayman: TikTok’s outfit collage queen expands her thoughts and inspiration.

Founders

I warmly welcome Founders to the Substack space. All of these women break away from their brands in their newsletters to let you get to know who they really are.

• What I Put on Today by Megan Alida Strachan: I love me some Meg. She completely disrupted the lab-grown gemstone industry when she founded Dorsey. In her newsletter, she breaks down her outfits, which are often minimal, luxe, and elegant.

• Night Shade by Melanie Masarin: Melanie founded Ghia, the non-alcoholic aperitif, and her newsletter is full of the same whimsy and personality of her brand. Think shopping recs, updates on outfitting her Paris apartment, and travel notes.

• Take Your Time by Dianna Cohen: Dianna founded the hair care line Crown Affair. Her Substack is more about curiosity and creativity than anything. She has a really well-rounded cultural intake that you can tell influences her work.

Food & Drink

• Colu Cooks by Colu Henry: As of now the only cooking Substack I read! I love Colu’s from-the-hip but elevated style of entertaining.

• La Briffe by (the queen) Ruth Reichl: eating, as a serious pursuit, from one of the masters.

Arts & Culture

Because the Internet water cooler is real.

• Extracurricular by Tembe Denton-Hurst: books, books, and nothing but! I get the same feeling reading Tembe’s newsletter that I do when going to The Strand: full of possibility!

• Feed Me by Emily Sundberg: Emily’s business culture newsletter has become a must-read for just about everyone in New York because she has solid intel and takes no prisoners.

• Ask Polly by Heather Havrilesky: If you miss her, here she is, with the same empathetic, beautiful sound advice as always.

• Hung Up by Hunter Harris: The ONLY pop culture newsletter that matters (to me).

• the strict list: chaotic but deeply cool cultural, shopping, and NYC recs from someone undoubtedly younger, cooler, and more downtown than I am.

• The Arcades by David Lé: Even if you don’t care about the auction world, subscribe to this letter. Another one that makes me snort laugh.

• After School by Casey Lewis: All Gen Z, all the time.

• Platonic Love by Aliza and Aja: Frank discussions on adult friendship and the transition from 20’s to 30’s.

• Here We Go by Alessandra Codinha: beautifully-written cultural recommendations that reads like a letter from a dear friend.

• Fun Little Treat by Rio Viera-Newton: I’ve unlocked so many NYC gems via this newsletter that always has the most killer niche recs.

• As Seen On by Ochuko Akpovbovbo: business, culture, and Gen Z trends — majorly dissected. The links you send your group chat.

Beauty

This isn’t a major category on Substack (yet), but there are still some strong voices carrying the proverbial torch.

• The Review of Beauty by Jessica DeFino: a woman who single-handedly turns the beauty industry upside down, then shakes it for pocket change.

• All Of My Opinions Are Your Own by Annie Kreighbaum: Another top-tier writer. I’m putting this here because Annie’s background is in the beauty industry, but her letter goes far beyond that. Her essays on dating, entrepreneurship, and business make for compelling reads.

• Hotline Skin by Jolie De Feis: skincare products and advice from an actual esthetician.

The Boys

Hashtag menswear, with the exception of Mr. Jannuzzi, who could write about a paper bag, and I would still read it.

• A Continuous Lean by Michael Williams: an O.G. aesthete with flawless taste.

• John Jannuzzi

• somsack sikhounmuong: Everyone in this industry loves Somsack, he’s a sweetheart, a hard worker, and a great designer. His Substack — equally tackling food and fashion — is a treat.

• The Contender by David Coggins: man stuff, but elegant.

Who did I forget? Who should I know about? Who’s your favorite? Leave me a comment.