My Favorite Newsletters, Including 17 Exciting Emerging Voices
The Substacks I read and love, simple as that.
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
’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!
New and Emerging:
The new (and new to me) voices that excite me and some of Substack’s rising stars.
TIME LESS by
: 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.Uniform by
: Ali and I seem to be drawn to all the same clothes, and I love that for us. I love the way she lays out dressing. You should listen to her, she did it for Goop for many years!- 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.
- by Sarah Shapiro: Sarah isn’t exactly new new, but I feel like her letter is coming over that crest from niche awareness to general awareness. If you care about fashion news, get on the bandwagon. The depth and speed of her reporting is up there with the best of ‘em.
Tea House by
: A romantic online escape full of beautifully-composed mood boards, collages and travel journals. Like opening someone magical’s scrapbook.- by Andrea Linnet: profiles of admirable women, proving once and for all it’s cool to be a fan.
- by Laura Nguyen: a fun newsletter full of bite-sized recommendations from tastemakers around the internet.
- : A dreamy luxury travel journal.
- by Calia Booth: I am obsessed with this concept. She pairs a book with a personality and teams up with them to imagine a dinner party to suit.
- by Emmanuelle Maréchal: You can tell by her writing that Emmanuelle feels things deeply. As a French Cameroonian, she reframes and reclaims the fashion narrative where it collides with the African diaspora.
- : a little food, a little vintage, a lot of fun.
- by DJ Liberty: For many reasons, not the least of which is this excellent letter. i h8 rage b8 2.
- 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.
- by Louisa KD: Divine travel guides from the POV of a true aesthete.
- 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.
- by Leonora Epstein: a home design newsletter that makes me snort laugh.
- : no-nonsense, straight-shooting style talk for grown women.
- by Lauren Lipsay: I love her tagline — “a newsletter about what we put on and into our faces”. Yeah, that.
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.
- : 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.
- : 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.
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.Magasin by
: Magasin is well-written, beautifully executed, and always thorough. Laura has a knack for honing in on the micro that makes her style of reporting compelling.
: 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.- : Subrina was one of the only other people talking about clothes when I came onto Substack. She’s a true O.G. She really hones in on the act of getting dressed. I love her idea of “wardrobe clarity”. We should all aim for such.
- by Amy Odell: Amy is Anna Wintour’s biographer and a capital “J” Journalist. She swan dives into the conversations that glossy magazines won’t and writes objectively about the industry’s strengths and shortcomings.
In Moda Veritas by
: 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.- 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.
Gumshoe by
: If you love vintage, color, prints, and imaginative styling, Harling’s your girl.
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.- ’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.
- 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
: 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 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.- 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
: 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
: expands on her popular shopping blog, Le Catch, in her newsletter with expanded thoughts on personal style.- 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
: fashion darling, street style scion, painter, illustrator, and now Substacker writing from her new life in Milan.- : 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.
- ’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
: 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.A Sunday Journal by
: If you’ve ever had the pleasure of coming across Jesica’s videos on your FYP, you know her distinct, conversational editing style. She uses clothes to communicate and reconcile ideas about race, class, and ethics. Super cerebral and in-depth. The newsletter I save to sit down and sit with.Latest Arrivals by
: 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.
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.- : She single-handedly brought back the flat lay, and now she’s going long-form. I always love her edit.
- by Olivia Wayman: TikTok’s outfit collage queen expands her thoughts and inspiration.
Bad Influence by
: summed up in the name of her newsletter, Liz is your favorite friend to shop with… who’s deeeefinitely going to enable you. Don’t come here to be told no.
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
: 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 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 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.The Creative Pragmatist by
: Amy founded Tibi, a line I’m sure needs no introduction to most of you. She’s blown up over the last few years for her prescriptive but cool approach to getting dressed… one that comes with its own glossary.
Food & Drink
Colu Cooks by
: As of now the only cooking Substack I read! I love Colu’s from-the-hip but elevated style of entertaining.- by (the queen) Ruth Reichl: eating, as a serious pursuit, from one of the masters.
The Relisher: Where chefs recommend their favorite spots in their home cities (!!!). You’re never gonna get a better restaurant reco than that.
- is new to me — I hung out with Olivia in the Hamptons last weekend and immediately clicked with her. She’s a vibe. Her “lazy fancy” approach to food and entertaining is right up my alley and her newsletter is a wealth of inspiring ideas.
Arts & Culture
Because the Internet water cooler is real.
Extracurricular by
: 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!- 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
: If you miss her, here she is, with the same empathetic, beautiful sound advice as always.- by Jalil Johnson: Jalil’s letter started in the culture niche but now includes a lot of fashion, so consider yourself in for a treat.
Hung Up by
: The ONLY pop culture newsletter that matters (to me).- : chaotic but deeply cool cultural, shopping, and NYC recs from someone undoubtedly younger, cooler, and more downtown than I am.
- by David Lé: Even if you don’t care about the auction world, subscribe to this letter. Another one that makes me snort laugh.
- : All Gen Z, all the time.
- by Olivia Muenter: a newsletter about feelings — talking about them, diving into them, unpacking them.
- by Aliza and Aja: Frank discussions on adult friendship and the transition from 20’s to 30’s.
Here We Go by
: beautifully-written cultural recommendations that reads like a letter from a dear friend.- 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
: business, culture, and Gen Z trends — majorly dissected. The links you send your group chat.- by Anne Kadet: I have no idea what’s going on here, but I know I like it.
Beauty
This isn’t a major category on Substack (yet), but there are still some strong voices carrying the proverbial torch.
Body Type by
: important conversations about body talk and culture.
: 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.
- 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.
- by Michael Williams: an O.G. aesthete with flawless taste.
- : Oh, come on, you know these guys.
- : 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
: man stuff, but elegant.
Who did I forget? Who should I know about? Who’s your favorite? Leave me a comment.
This list is SO good! v honored to be alongside so many that I love 🥹 Thanks for including me and sharing the love with smaller writers on Substack ❤️❤️❤️
Let's start here, in all caps: THIS IS CLASSY WITH A CAPITAL C. I don't use that word, but that's the word. And I will add to the mix @tiiawears in Founders, owner of a consignment shop in Finland; won't make you feel good about buying new but won't hate you for it, an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion and deep emotional feel for style. And in Made the Jump, @NeelamNoted on The Row and poignant minimalist+ style (damn, a former accountant (!) who does everything including writing like a dream. And a wild card, @patinalife is a new voice, with nibbles of style content (cool, modern, shot of bohemian, lots of jewelry) - but also doing the work for all of us daily on all things 40+ and personally helping me stay relatively sane and cared for. And I cannot thank you enough for including me in this beautiful company. Honored. XO.