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.

Rue La La: Don’t go topless. Shop our tees, sweaters, and more (Standout Subject Line)
Rue La La: Don’t go topless. Shop our tees, sweaters, and more (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Rue La La
Sent on: January 3, 2014
Subject Line: Don’t go topless. Shop our tees, sweaters, and …

Rue La La: To save or to splurge? (Insert shoulder shrug here) – Standout Subject Line
Rue La La: To save or to splurge? (Insert shoulder shrug here) – Standout Subject Line
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Rue La La
Sent on: November 2, 2013
Subject Line: To save or to splurge? (Insert shoulder shrug …

Rue La La: When you find the one, you just know. Same goes for dresses. (Standout Subject Line)
Rue La La: When you find the one, you just know. Same goes for dresses. (Standout Subject Line)
Fashion, Subject Lines
Sender: Rue La La
Sent on: September 6, 2013
Subject Line: When you find the one, you just know. …
PureWow: Pants are for sissies (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: PureWow
Sent on: January 22, 2014
Subject Line: PureWow: Pants are for sissies
Fast Company: The Truth About The 30-Hour Work Week (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Fast Company Weekly
Sent on: January 11, 2014
Subject Line: The Truth About The 30-Hour Work Week
Why it’s …
Sephora: The making of an eye-con… (Standout Subject Line)
Subject Lines
Sender: Sephora
Sent on: September 6, 2013
Subject Line: The making of an eye-con…
Why it’s a standout subject line:
The …
Billabong: Saving Millions Of Bottles From Our Oceans & Landfill (Standout Email)
Standout Emails, Subject Lines
Sender: Billabong
Sent on: January 6, 2014
Subject Line: Saving Millions Of Bottles From Our Oceans & …
Nine West: Smoking Haute (Standout Subject Line)
Shoes, Subject Lines
Sender: Nine West
Sent on: August 26, 2013
Subject Line: Smoking Haute
Nine West: Let’s get to the pointy (Standout Subject Line)
Shoes, Subject Lines
Sender: Nine West
Sent on: August 20, 2013
Subject Line: Let’s get to the pointy