Over the last couple of years, newsletters have made a comeback in a big way — and thank god for that. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when so much content is thrown our way. With websites, emails, podcasts, Reels, playlists, sales, etc., the internet seems to be a never-ending, directionless abyss that’s hard to keep track of.
But a newsletter is a great way to begin making sense of all that mess. I subcontract out my interests to people that know better than me, and in return I get a curated email with the top highlights they think I should be paying attention to. My inbox is full of such newsletters, and nearly all of them pertain to menswear. From big names in menswear to smaller niche options, wherever you’re at on your style journey, there’s an email that can regularly hit your inbox that’s perfect for you.
Blazer
Blazer is a a great combination of being a birds-eye view on mens style while also offering more curated pieces around the web for developing one’s personal style. With links from other pubs, highlights from their Instagram community, and the occasional link to a deal here and there, Blazer has a little something to keep me interested and keeping them in the coveted Starred section of my Gmail.
Blackbird Spyplane
Blackbird Spyplane (or BBSP) is the brainchild of Jonah Weiner, a writer notable for his casual and incisive Rolling Stone celebrity profiles. BBSP is a completely different type of newsletter than anything else you’ll find out there. It’s unhinged, peppered with interesting Photoshops, and is so intelligently crafted and well researched that it’s no wonder it’s a cult favorite. Weiner’s ability to toe the line between the absurd and the insightful shows how well educated he is at deciphering and unpacking trends across menswear and style. Weiner also does a great job of highlighting fairly obscure brands and sharing his knowledge on topics that range from Jay Leno’s double-denim outfits to all things GORP.
The Bengal Stripe
If you peruse the online clothing marketplace Grailed long enough, the name Nico Lazaro pops up. He’s a founding member there, but also the author of The Bengal Stripe which is, in Lazaro’s own words, “a really good newsletter for menswear and other musings.” Lazaro, who at one time had a popular Tumblr and blog at different iterations of his online presence, can’t seem to quit sharing his decades-long knowledge. The Bengal Stripe offers recommendations with personal and anecdotal explanations of their inclusion, giving this newsletter a personal touch that makes menswear all the more obtainable.
Sprezza
Sprezza is another newsletter that has a personal approach and guides the reader through various aspects of style, including owning a home bar, wearing a small watch (and why it’s sexy), and street style galore. Writer Clayton Chambers keeps the tone conversational and doesn’t lean into the more pedantic side of menswear, but still carries an authoritative voice that makes for an enjoyable, long-form read from time to time.
The Business of Fashion
This one is a bit niche and fairly expensive at about $20 for a membership that includes the newsletters, but the powerhouse that is The Business of Fashion releases a daily newsletter with highlights of what is happening in the industry each day. While this isn’t for the casual fan of menswear, it’s such an in-depth and research look at what’s happening on the macro scale that allows one to see trends as they come about in real-time. I enjoy the concise tone of the articles that gives me just the information I need to remain well-informed without veering into the jargonism of most trade publications.
The Wm Brown Weekly
Bon vivant and globetrotter Matt Hranek has extended his Wm Brown alter ego into the newsletter space, and it’s just as good as his Instagram and print magazine. The man’s IG feed is basically an inspiration board all on its own filled with a wealth of tips on living one’s best life. Hranek’s newsletter acts as a little black book of his travels, and he peppers his dispatches with personal stories, preferences on short length, and tips on where to shop on both sides of the Atlantic. The Wm Brown Weekly is one of those newsletters you save for Sunday mornings when you can really savor (and bookmark) every bit of knowledge Hranek shares with his audience.
The Contender
The Contender is kind of an older brother to The Wm Brown Weekly newsletter. They share a lot of the same DNA, but with different interpretations. One can tell that Davig Coggins, the voice behind The Contender, is deeply influenced by American traditionalism, his outdoorsy nature, and a dress code that’s staunch but not so refined that it’s unattainable. The Contender gives a well-rounded interior look into what makes Coggins tick, with snippets of his travels, his love of fly fishing, and guides to men’s style that adhere to the rules — both written and unwritten — to look your sharpest and feel your best.
A Continuous Lean
Since 2007, Michael Williams has been a voice in menswear. After 15 years, his audience is more engaged than ever on his approach to style and his musings on menswear, fatherhood, and industry changes. A Continuous Lean (ACL) has a veritable wealth of information on pretty much any topic that may resonate with anyone interested in style or fashion, and Williams isn’t afraid to share his recommendations far and wide, giving you a shored-up list of what to look for and where across the web. My bookmarks are full of ACL-derived links, and I’m happy about that.
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