Are you wearing that?" Essential newsletters and sample platter (includes free newsletters), FAQs, and hidden announcements!

This a free post.

I will update this welcome page often to help newcomers and everyone who needs easy access to my essential newsletters. 

I considered newsletters I thoroughly enjoyed writing (and researching) but didn’t get the recognition I thought they deserved. I forgive you; we’re flawed.

This is a list of newsletters for you to revisit (especially if you haven’t). Some are free, and the rest have a generous preview. 

1. Nicolas Cage’s clothes have lots to say (free). Well, If you’re new here, this is my magnum opus. (JK, but read it!)

2. Owen Manning is a romantic (Part 2) (free): I interviewed my wine guy here. In part 2, I asked him to share ten of his favorite things, a wine list, and a playlist. It is tender and a quick read! 

3. Fashion Month Dispatch #2: The fashions of 2023 are a Gossip Girl (2007) time capsule (preview). Now, see, THIS is my magnum opus. I love noticing trends and repeating patterns. This idea came after revisiting another idea to highlight the fashions of GG (2007) after a life-changing rewatch in January 2023. I noticed that the fashions of Gossip Girl casts were the same silhouettes on the spring and summer 2024 runway show.

4. “Can you sustain?” (free) addresses exhaustive sustainability and fashion questions. Once again, I wish more people read this.

5. That Sharon Stone Oscar 1996 outfit (free): If you aren’t convinced to keep reading after the intro, I can’t help you. 

6. My mum was right; the best time to buy a coat is when you don’t need one (preview). I transcribed email correspondence with a paid subscriber who volunteered to help me document the process of finding her a new coat. Parts 2 & 3 are on the way. 

If you’re new or need a refresher, here are essential newsletters highlighting my clothing philosophies. If you enjoyed any of the six newsletters above, you can subscribe to read these below. Most newsletters come with previews. 

1. When I began writing this newsletter, I planned to transcribe the clothing philosophies I developed as a wardrobe stylist and a former vintage seller. I wrote “How to Build a Functional Wardrobe” and “The Existential Crisis of a Wardrobe in Progress” within months of launching. My commitment to articulate intuitive dressing-up concepts in the last three years has helped me discard and draft new clothing and dressing-up philosophies that benefit private clients and everyone who subscribes.

2. A case for overpacking. I recently wrote about overpacking like a grown-up. I said, “Overpacking requires maturity and being an all-around fun person. It’s about knowing that your luggage is likely overweight and committing to it because you’d rather spend $100 on excess baggage fees than leave behind your five-pound shoe stretcher and four books (that you will not read). It’s about being the adult in charge and less about indulgence. It's about pleasure, packing what pleases you away from home! It’s about making a home wherever you are; it’s the official Taurus motto.”

3. Last May, I overhauled and rebuilt my wardrobe from scratch. I documented the process starting here (a newsletter about the problems in my wardrobe, habits that needed correction, and the objective for rebuilding my wardrobe). I concluded with “Lessons from rebuilding my wardrobe” last December. I photographed some new items in this newsletter, including notes on my purchases. 

4. In 2022, I wondered how the obsessive pursuit of personal style (instead of wardrobe clarity) affected our purchases. Months later, with the help of my editor, I wrote, “The pursuit of personal style is ruining your wardrobe.” I address the problems with Allison Bornstein’s “3-word method” and offer other ways to confront wardrobe discord. Part 2 discusses “The Limitations to Finding Your Style and How to Reach Wardrobe Clarity.” (I may have accidentally deleted this newsletter from Substack because I couldn’t find the link. Thankfully, I have a copy and will resend it soon.) The final installment is “In Defense of Good Personal Style,” where I articulate what we mean when we say someone has good style. 

5. Last year, I wrote about what constitutes good taste and who can judge taste. In part 2, I cover how to develop good taste in fashion.

6. I noticed Jennifer Lawrence’s new clothes and wrote about what constitutes good clothes in a newsletter titled “Jennifer Lawrence’s new clothes have little to do with fashion.” 

7. Beauty Rituals is a newsletter about participating in beauty rituals, prepubescent and teenage memories of beauty with women in my family, and a particular neighbor who left a lasting impact. I moved across the country while planning this series and couldn’t concentrate on what I planned. In the next few weeks/ months, I plan to explore my beauty rituals and more.

8. I interviewed my pal Xotchiltl Vazquez about her pregnancy style here. It’s perfect for those pregnant in warmer months!

9. In a few weeks, I will send a newsletter about my underwear drawer, but before that, read this thread prompt, “What’s in your underwear drawer,” for subscriber recommendations on what to add to your underwear drawer. 

10. Women I Adore is a newsletter about the women who inspire and influence my style. Since writing this a year ago, I have collected new ladies, so there might be a follow-up in the future. 

11. Tiny Pleasures Vol 1 is a monthly discontinued series for everything I love. I discontinued it for reasons I will explain when I relaunch soon. In the meantime, you can find other volumes by searching “Tiny Pleasures” on my Substack home page. 

12. Like the Nicolas Cage newsletter above, I wrote about Zoë Kravitz’s style in “Zoë Kravitz’s is figuring it out.” It’s a crowd favorite! 

13.  I rarely write fashion show reviews. The first long-form, and my favorite, is from 2022, “On Tory Burch and why I am sleep deprived,” an ode to Tory Burch’s new direction and a love letter to their spring/summer 2023 collection. I spoke with one of their print designers in this interview for fashion month last September. 

14. I interviewed Paige Marton, a makeup artist, and (my) skincare guru, about dressing up. Paige is earnest and a delight—one of my favorite interviewees.

15. The last essential newsletter is “Winter is the sexiest time of year: A tested and effective guide to layering.” As the title states, it is about layering clothes for cooler months. It’s another crowd favorite. 

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Are you wearing that? is reader-supported. I paywall most of my newsletters. I occasionally share a free newsletter or thread in the Substack chat for free subscribers!

What to expect for a paid subscription

• Two monthly newsletters, plus shopping links throughout the month in the Substack chat. When I have more to send, I will! I cannot stop talking, so you will hear from me whenever I have more to say.

• On “off” weeks, I will try some ways to connect with you. We’ll continue with whatever sticks. 

What I need from you

• If you do not have the Substack app, download it. I post multiple times a week there. Recently, I asked for volunteers for a “how to buy a coat for your lifestyle” project I am working on, where I help five people find a coat(s), and many were sad they missed the prompt. You will also receive shopping links there!

• Please turn on your notifications since most of my posts there are spontaneous.

• Follow Subrina Heyink’s Newsletter account (SEO baby!) on IG. Outside of the Substack app, it will be the new space where I share announcements, ideas, and whatever else I don’t want to send on the Substack chat.

• If you have questions or comments, DM me on that IG or respond to any newsletters in your inbox. 

• Leave comments on and like the posts that resonate with you. I use this metric to gauge which newsletter concepts you like and which ones to abandon. Make your preferences known by engaging with what resonates.

Frequently asked questions 

When can I expect email newsletters in my inbox or the Substack app? 

The newsletter will go out on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. 

How can I find what you’ve written in the past about [taste]? 

You can find any of the past issues/sends on Substack by using the search function on the web instead of sifting through hundreds to find what you’re looking for.

Can you answer my specific and personal question about an item I want to buy or wear?

I am unavailable via DM for personalized styling advice unless I’m already familiar with what you wear or if you’re a client I have worked with. You can email me about my styling services by responding to any newsletter or checking out my website to see my list of services before scheduling a free consultation. 

Gifting/Partnerships

This newsletter is reader-supported, and I want to maintain this dynamic because I want to maintain the integrity of every recommendation I share here. You can read about the gift and partnership models I offer here.