Virginia Postrel writes on a broad range of topics, from social science to fashion, concentrating on the intersection of culture, commerce, and technology, with an eye toward understanding the personal and social meaning of life in a dynamic, commercial culture.

Postrel was editor-in-chief of Reason from July 1989 to January 2000, and remained as editor-at-large through 2001. Prior to that, she was a reporter for Inc. and the Wall Street Journal. From 2000 to 2006 she wrote an economics column for the New York Times. She wrote a “Commerce and Culture” column for the Atlantic (2006–2009) and for the Wall Street Journal (2009–2011). She is on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

Her books include The Future and Its Enemies (1998), and The Substance of Style (2003). Her work is included in The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2004 and The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009.