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Golden Tote $149 Tote Review – September 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeSep 29, 2016 | 13 comments

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Golden Tote
4 overall rating
72 Ratings | 8 Reviews

If you aren’t familiar with Golden Tote, here’s a really quick intro: Every month you get to pick out 1-2 pieces, and they surprise you with the rest. (The surprise items are completely different from the pieces you pick from). For the $149 tote, you pick 2 items, and get 3-4 more surprise items based on your style profile.

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FYI – This is not a typical subscription, each month they release a new collection and you can decide whether or not you want to buy it.

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Every month they design a new tote, too! I love the colors of this month’s leaf print.

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

This review is of The Golden Tote, $149 a month, box. 

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The Subscription Box: Golden Tote

The Cost: $59 or $149 (This review is of the $149 tote)

The Products: Clothing items you pick plus surprises from Golden Tote!

Ships to: Everywhere! Flat rate ground shipping within the US is $9.95. International is $30. Free shipping on US orders of $149 or more and International orders of $149 or more are charged $25.

Delivered via: UPS or USPS

Check out all of our Golden Tote reviews and the Women’s Clothing Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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Each box includes a packing slip, too.

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Golden Tote has recently made updates to their return policy – now you can easily go into your order history and return individual items (it used to be an all-or-nothing deal). This month they’re also promoting their Facebook buy/sell/trade group, which is a great group for finding items you missed (whether or not you bought a tote), selling items that don’t work for you, and seeing a lot of reveals of the totes others get.

Personally, I think the Facebook group is a great idea and really helps reduce the amount of risk involved in getting surprise items/clothing online. You can also swap for any subscription box goodies on our swap site, too!

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Classic Wrap Dress – value: $45                 

(95% Polyester, 5% Spandex; Hand wash cold)

This is my first “chosen” item this month. This wrap dress is the same brand as the wrap dresses in April and May, and those dresses are some of my most frequently worn Golden Tote items so I knew I had to snag this dress! It’s perfect for Fall and Winter, and the length is perfect for tall girls like me (Golden Tote dresses are often way too short on me). I wore this with leggings and tall boots to a birthday dinner with my grandparents, but I’m excited to style it with tights and booties this season, too.

Also, I know the tag says to hand wash this but I’ve washed my (previously mentioned) other wrap dresses on cold/gentle and hung to dry and they’ve done just fine!

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Stripe it Lucky Sweater – value: $45

(100% cotton; hand wash separately, lay flat to dry)

This sweater was my other chosen item for this month. I can already say that I’m going to reach for this frequently! It’s very soft and fits me perfectly. I really like the length of both the torso and sleeves, and the faux-layered look gives it a cool relaxed vibe.

golden-tote-149-tote-september-2016-floral-dress

Tea N Rose Floral Swing Dress – value: $40

(96% rayon, 4% spandex; hand wash cold, hang or line dry)

I really like this dress! The floral print is so pretty and the fabric is soft and stretchy. This will be great in cool weather, especially with leggings or tights, boots, and maybe a cream circle scarf! I will say, though, that this really isn’t a swing dress to me – it’s definitely more of a fit-and-flare.

GT sent me a medium in this because I requested it in my style profile, but they were out of size large. Fortunately, I was able to trade for a large in the GT Buy/Sell/Trade facebook group! The medium is wearable for me, but the large gives me a little extra length and more comfortable in my torso and arms.

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Gilli Striped Dress with Elastic Waist – value: $40

(72% Rayon, 22% Polyester, 6% Spandex; hand wash cold and lay flat to dry)

It is official: I love everything from Gilli. This dress is so easy to wear. The length is nice on me and the short sleeves make this piece versatile: I can wear it in the summer, throw on a jean jacket or cardigan, leggings, etc., and wear it year-round. I think I’ll also try it with a belt to really define my waist.

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Fun2Fun Plaid Top – value: $40

(100% polyester; hand wash cold and lay flat to dry)

I have never owned anything plaid! I’ve always been a little intimidated by it so I’m really glad my stylist picked this for me to try! The design is also different than a traditional button-up: it has a button-up neckline but flares out just a bit on the bottom for a more feminine silhouette and flattering shape. The sleeves are ¾ with button-up cuffs and a little bit of volume, but I think I like them better rolled up (buttoned with tabs) above my elbows. I feel like it helps me feel like just a little less of a plaid blob? I like this top, but it’s definitely a little out of my comfort zone!

Verdict: This was a very successful Golden Tote for me! I love everything, and there’s a mix of things that are very comfortably my style (wrap dresses, sweaters) as well as items that push my style comfort zone a little, which is always fun. I also like how versatile/transitional pretty much everything is, too. For value, I got $205 in clothing for $149. I’m happy with that! I had a lot of fun opening my tote this month.

What do you think about Golden Tote? What items did you pick this month?

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Golden tote is a surprise shopping spree bundled up in a cute, canvas tote bag and delivered to your door without doing any of the work. It's a great assortment of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories curated just for you. Select one or two items, and the Golden Tote stylists surprise you with the... read more.
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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13 comments

Ashley S

I love your reviews! These monthly reviews are what got me hooked on Golden Tote! Everything looked really great on you!

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Carol

Love the wrap dress on you! Off topic, what is the wall color behind you? I know , weird right? But I love it and always wanted to ask. Lol

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Stephanie

Totally random late reply but I’m painting my condo right now and used the “Coastal Cool” color palate from Sherwin Williams – lots of soothing greens and blues and neutrals! 🙂

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Haley Faye

Carol – Thanks! haha it’s like a grey/sage green? We just moved here and it was painted that when we got here so I don’t have an actual brand/color name to provide you with. 🙂

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Carol

I love it so just thought I’d ask. I love greenish colors because they work as a good neutral and are very soothing

Michelle

You look beautiful in all of it!!! The plaid is gorgeous with your hair!!!

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Haley Faye

Thanks, Michelle! =D

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KathyB

You look amazing, as always! 🙂

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Haley Faye

Thanks so much, Kathy!

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MisaMisa

That first dress is stunning on you!

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Elizabeth

Your lippie is beautiful. I’m still working on the whole nude thing… I have trouble getting it to look right!

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Jessica

Always love reading your reviews, Haley! Everything looks great on you, just wanted to point out that it looks like the commentary for the second two dresses is swapped 🙂

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Mel

Everything looks great on you, Haley! I love the dresses. I also chose the Stripe it Lucky Sweater and I love it. Golden Tote is definitely my new favorite.

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