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Golden Tote Mystery Tote Review – January 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeJan 9, 2016 | 29 comments

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - BOX

Every January, Golden Tote offers a mystery tote. It can be a great deal since you get 4 clothing items for $60! This year, one item is a previous boutique item and the other 3 are previous surprise items.

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - packaging 1

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Looks like the 2016 Mystery Totes are still available in sizes Medium and Small!

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - packaging 2

The Subscription Box: Golden Tote Mystery Tote

The Cost: $60 plus shipping

The Products: 4 surprise clothing items (1 is a previous boutique item, the other 3 are previous surprise items)

Check out all our regular Golden Tote reviews too!

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - item 1

Priddy by Pruella Dress – Value: $70?

(96% Rayon, 5% Spandex; hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry)

This is the best item in my tote! I practically squealed when I saw a Priddy label in my items. This pattern is awesome, the material is super comfortable, and I can wear it in the spring time or with leggings and boots (and maybe a scarf!) for now in the Winter. I love it!

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - item 2

Sweet Clair Knit Top – value: $30?

(55.5% Polyester, 44.5% Rayon; Hand wash cold, dry flat)

I like this top. I wouldn’t have picked it out for myself but I think I can wear it with a lot of things. I think it would pair especially well with some cool, high-waisted skirts.

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - item 3

Ellison Fluffy Jacket – value: $40?

(100% polyester, lining 75% Rayon and 25% polyester; hand wash cold)

Golden Tote apparently likes to send me weird, fluffy, white jackets. I got one in my November $149 tote, too. This one has a nice feel – it has a good weight and is nicely lined – but the fit and style are just way off for me. I don’t think it’s flattering at all, and it’s a total miss for me.

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - item 4

KikaPaprika Skirt – value: $30?

(66% Tencel, 28% Cotton, 6% Spandex; machine was with like colors, lay flat to dry)

(I wouldn’t wear this skirt with this top, FYI) I’m not really happy with this skirt. It’s a size 2. I am not. I am able to put it on, thanks to the stretch, but it doesn’t fit great at the waist. To be clear, I ordered a size medium tote. Maybe they standardized the sizing from across the brands and this “size 2” just happens to fit what they categorize as “medium” measurements? I’m not sure.

However, my biggest complaint with this item, fit aside, is that even though it has the brand tags attached the fabric looks pilled like it’s been worn and washed already. Frankly, I feel like it looks second-hand. Here’s a photo I tried to get to show you (below)…

GOLDEN TOTE MYSTERY TOTE JAN2016 - item 5

I hope you can see what I mean here. The fabric looks like it’s been worn, washed, and has pilled. I don’t think it’s made to look like that, but I don’t know why this could be with tags attached? It’s really odd.

Verdict: This was, overall, a rather unsuccessful Golden Tote Mystery Tote for me. I’m in love with the Priddy by Pruella dress and the knit top isn’t bad, but the other two are just not for me. I’ll be swapping or gifting them.

What did you get in your Mystery Tote?

Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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29 comments

Marie

I’m shocked with what I got!! Honestly, I was worried when I saw the skirt and yeti vest Haley is rocking, but I got 4 really cute items!! Comme toi striped belted tunic dress, Everly shift dress, Roly Poly harvest sweater vest that I was trying to purchase when Golden tote had a sale, and an Ezra super hip navy top!! I’m pleased and relieved!

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Tia

I always love reading your reviews! I’m glad you take pictures with the items on. I must admit I did LOL when I saw the white puffy jacket because that is so awful. haha I’m sure some people could pull it off though. I tried Golden Tote before but it ended up being too much of a gamble since I’m just a college student.

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Wendy

Thanks for the great review! I bought the denim mystery tote and I’m overall quite happy with it. Two out of three jeans will work for me, so I’m excited. I received two pairs of skinny jeans – one grey pair that are cute but a bit tight (I gained a few pounds during the holidays ?, but hopefully the jeans will fit perfectly in about a month). The second is a black, soft, stretchy pair of skinny jeans (my favorite). The third are a cute pair of denim, large leg trousers with a cuff – unfortunately, while they are probably the most stylish, it’s a cut that has never been flattering on me. Oh well, at least I can but them up for swap! ?

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Sara

If you look at the Kika website,which I did when I got one of their items, they use eco friendly fabric, which includes some repurposed fabric. They dye everything certain colors each season. I think the skirt is new- this is just their brand

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Haley

Sara – Interesting! I didn’t even think that the fabric itself could be what was repurposed and not just a second hand item. Thanks!

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Caitlyn S.

I wanted to get this sooo badly! thanks for posting. and I like seeing the stuff on you rather than the mannequin 🙂

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Anne

First experience with golden tote and it was mostly a bust. I got a cute short sleeve top that might work for summer. A long sleeve button up that I can wear as long as I have something underneath it. I got one dress that adds about a hundred pounds and another one that I could barely get over my shoulders. It certainly wasn’t going over my boobs, or any lower for that matter. Which is a shame because it’s a beautiful dress but WAY off on the size ( no buttons, zippers, etc that I missed).

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Laura

I love the dress on you, Hayley! Does anyone remember if there was supposed to be a jewelry gift if you ordered two or more clothing totes, or am I thinking of something else?

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karol

Yes, received an bracelet which was at the bottom of the box and almost missed in the excitement.

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Ally

Definitely contact them about the pilling! From what I’ve seen on the Facebook group, they’re really good at fixing those issues.

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Jennie

I ordered 2 clothing totes a denim and an accessory. I totally get the fun of the mystery so it is what it is. However, not one item worked for me. It was such a bummer! There was some definite quality issues with my items as well. That dress is so adorable on you! Not sure about the fluffy thing but maybe that is a style I just don’t get. Lol. Thanks for sharing pictures of you wearing the outfits!

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amy

How was the denim tote? I’m still waiting on my mystery tote…have a feeling they’ll send it with my January tote to save on shipping…for them.

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Jessica

What is the other special one they do where you can request no dresses from the stylist? I received two dresses and don’t wear them my job requires a uniform so I hardly need to ever dress up. Anyone interested in a swap for my dresses they are posted on the swap board.

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Britney Brim

I love that fluffy white coat, my tote was so-so… I wasn’t super thrilled with anything, my mom also ordered one and wasn’t too thrilled either.

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karol

I have the Shaggy Sheep jacket in large if you’re interested.

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Britney Brim

Is it on the swap site? If not, how much?

Tracy

The skirt does look worn and washed.

But I think the fluffy jacket looks great on you! I did not order this tote, but when I drop a few pounds I am going to order myself a tote as a reward, and I like that you get things you like which you otherwise wouldn’t buy. My style needs a pick me up and I think this tote will do that.

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Danielle

The Priddy dress is super cute! And I agree with you about the skirt. I would definitely contact Golden Tote about that.

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Haley

Thanks, Danielle. I was thinking about it but I definitely will.

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Jessvii

Pilling definitely seems like it’s been washed. Very sketchy.

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Ricki

Kika’s sizing is weird. It’s something like a 1 is a 2-4, a 2 is a 6-8 (so a medium), a 3 is a 10-12, etc.

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Haley

Thank you so much (everyone!) about that info for the Kika sizing! That makes me feel a little better about that item, though the quality/condition is still irksome. One less issue with it though! However, it still doesn’t fit me correctly. That is likely just the style of the skirt though. Thanks!!

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Anne

From what I’ve seen the kika paprika brand sizing runs differently, the size 2 is medium.

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rockin_on05

Not the best mystery tote I’ve seen either. I would’ve only like the item you like as well liz

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rockin_on05

I meant hayley!

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C

Actually. Kika Paprika sizing is different and the 2 is more like a medium or smaller medium. 🙂

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Stephanie

why don’t you contact them about that last time, they are very good about replacing any items mis sized , i don’t think a size 2 anywhere equals a medium !

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DianeER

In kika sizes, 2 or 3 could be considered Medium, depending on the piece.

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