Today’s typically overcrowded Inbox is a veritable battle zone of brands vying for the attention of subscribers who often spend just mere seconds deciding which emails to open, which to save for later, and which to delete without even opening. The role of the subject line is therefore crucial, because if it fails to capture the subscriber’s attention or allude effectively to unmissable content within, the email may never see the light of day no matter how great its content may be. Here are some examples of standout email subject lines.
Moosejaw: Make-Up or Break-Up (Standout Email)
Fashion, Standout Emails, Subject Lines
Sender: Moosejaw
Sent on: February 10, 2014
Subject Line: Break-Up or Make-Up
Why it’s a standout email:
If you haven’t heard …

Threadless: The top 10 designs of 2013. Hint: there are only 9 (Standout Subject Line)
Threadless: The top 10 designs of 2013. Hint: there are only 9 (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Threadless
Sent on: September 26, 2013
Subject Line: The top 10 designs of 2013. Hint: there are only …

Peter Alexander: You’ll never believe who Peter’s having Breakfast with (Standout Subject Line)
Peter Alexander: You’ll never believe who Peter’s having Breakfast with (Standout Subject Line)
Animated GIFs, Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Peter Alexander
Sent on: January 22, 2014
Subject Line: You’ll never believe who Peter’s having Breakfast with?
Warby Parker: Just in – The limited-edition Beck frames (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Warby Parker
Sent on: November 23, 2013
Subject Line: Just in: the limited-edition Beck frames
Etsy Dudes: Love Stinks (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Etsy Dudes
Sent on: February 14, 2014
Subject Line: Love Stinks
Well this is one email that …
Narratively: Allergic to America (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Narratively
Sent on: January 9, 2014
Subject Line: Allergic to America

Kate Spade Saturday: Let’s talk about this incredible trench (Standout Subject Line)
Kate Spade Saturday: Let’s talk about this incredible trench (Standout Subject Line)
Animated GIFs, Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Kate Spade Saturday
Sent on: January 17, 2014
Subject Line: Let’s talk about this incredible trench…
Get #AerieREAL Email Campaign (Standout Email)
Fashion, Standout Emails, Subject Lines
Sender: Aerie
Campaign: Get #AerieREAL
Subject Line:
Time To Get #AerieREAL! (Sent on January 18, 2014)
Get To …

J.Crew: Groundhog, shmoundhog: 25% off what you need for spring (Standout Sale Email)
J.Crew: Groundhog, shmoundhog: 25% off what you need for spring (Standout Sale Email)
Fashion, Sale Emails, Subject Lines
Sender: J.Crew
Sent on: February 6, 2014
Subject Line: Groundhog, shmoundhog: 25% off what you need for spring
Smiggle: Introducing the totes amazing new lunchbox (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Smiggle
Sent on: February 10, 2014
Subject Line: Introducing the totes amazing new lunchbox!