Abstract This article traces the history of the first successful American women's fashion magazines, meaning publications that lasted longer than five years and with a national reach, which gained a foothold in the mid-1800s. The origin and growth of Godey's Lady's Book are highlighted as a model for many future publications, and two of its contemporaries: Harper's Bazar and The Delineator. The catalyst for this achievement in the magazine industry is examined through changing cultural attitudes towards leisure reading for women, increased time for recreation as made possible by modern technology and other technological advancements in publishing and distribution. In tandem with this development, career opportunities created for women within this growing industry and the continued cultivation of women's educational and vocational advancements are discussed. The important foundations established during this period have led to recognizable formulas for success that are still appreciated and utilized in the magazine industry today.