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.
ModCloth: A $500 prize could be just a sketch away… (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: ModCloth
Sent on: February 6, 2014
Subject Line: A $500 prize could be just a sketch away…

Kate Spade Saturday: What’s cozy, crazy, and striped all over? (Standout Subject Line)
Kate Spade Saturday: What’s cozy, crazy, and striped all over? (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Kate Spade Saturday
Sent on: September 13, 2013
Subject Line: What’s cozy, crazy, and striped all over?
This cute …
Sportsgirl: How to nail the Slips & Camis trend (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Sportsgirl
Sent on: January 24, 2014
Subject Line: How to nail the Slips & Camis trend
PureWow: How chefs cut onions (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: PureWow
Sent on: January 29, 2014
Subject Line: How chefs cut onions
Hot Rum Cow: Give a gift wrapped cow this Christmas (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Hot Rum Cow (This brand was retired in 2017)
Sent on: November 25, 2013
Subject Line: Give a …

H&M: Vote now! Choose the #BeckhamforHM ad that will appear in the Super Bowl (Standout Subject Line)
H&M: Vote now! Choose the #BeckhamforHM ad that will appear in the Super Bowl (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: H&M
Sent on: January 27, 2014
Subject Line: Vote now! Choose the #BeckhamforHM ad that will appear in …
Dean & Deluca: Oil-vey (Standout Subject Line)
Food & Restaurants, Subject Lines
Sender: Dean & DeLuca
Sent on: November 11, 2013
Subject Line: Oil-vey

#AmericaIsBeautiful: The Coca-Cola Ad That Has Everyone Talking (Standout Subject Line)
#AmericaIsBeautiful: The Coca-Cola Ad That Has Everyone Talking (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Coca-Cola Journey
Sent on: February 5, 2014
Subject Line: #AmericaIsBeautiful: The Coca-Cola Ad That Has Everyone Talking
Rue La La: 100s of dresses are here. Where are you? (Standout Sale Email)
Fashion, Sale Emails, Subject Lines
Sender: Rue La La
Sent on: January 28, 2014
Subject Line: 100s of dresses are here. Where are you?
Sambag: Bags, Undoubtedly a Girl’s Best Friend (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Sambag
Sent on: July 31, 2013
Subject Line: Bags, Undoubtedly a Girl’s Best Friend