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Golden Tote $149 Tote Review – October 2016

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeOct 20, 2016 | 14 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 this sugar skull design. They actually printed it in two different colorways, this and a red/yellow version. I’m happy I got the blue/green!

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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Little Birdie Blouse – value: $40

(100% polyester; dry clean)

This blouse was one of my two chosen items. Even though Golden Tote’s website said this ran true to size, it definitely looked more loose/slightly oversized on the model. The fit on me is actually pretty good, though it’s a little snug on my hips because of how long it is. I do love the print and style, though, so I think I’ll have to try it out for a little while because I want this to work for me so much. Also, I know it says dry clean but I’ll be hand washing it or running it on a cold gentle cycle – “dry clean only” just doesn’t happen in my house.

Body Sculpt Jeans – value: $40

(44% cotton, 32% polyester, 22% rayon, 2% spandex; machine wash separately with cold water, tumble dry low)

These jeans were my other chosen item. I love the gray! These actually fit really well but they’re shorter than I expected… The Golden Tote description said that the model was wearing a size 1 which had an inseam of 29.5”. For skinnies, I like an inseam of 31” so I was hoping if I went with my larger/usual size that maybe the inseam would be longer by an inch but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. They’re just a smidge too short, but I can make them work with socks and boots for Fall and Winter.

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Le Lis Floral Faux Suede Top – value: $40

(self: 95% polyester, 3% spandex; contrast: 71% rayon, 24% polyester, 5% spandex; hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry)

When I saw “faux suede” on my packing slip I was a little hesitant but I actually really love this top. The floral print is the faux suede material but it’s still a pretty thin and wearable material, plus it has a nice length for me. I could probably have this in a size down but this size still works for me. The sleeves are super soft and comfortable, and I like them pushed up to ¾ length too.

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Chris & Carol Elbow Patch Top – value: $40

(95% rayon, 5% spandex; hand wash and lay flat to dry)

I love this top! I’ve worn this several times since opening my box already. I love the stripes and colors and the material is a soft and comfortable knit. I’m generally not a huge fan of elbow patch details but I actually love it on this.

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This also has pockets, which I actually don’t think I love on me because they hit me right at the muffin top zone and the extra fabric doesn’t do me favors there. This doesn’t bother me too much, especially if I wear it around the house or just out for errands.

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Gilli Printed Wrap Dress – value: $40

I love this dress but I’m not sure if this dress loves me back as much. Wrap dresses work so well on just about every body type, and they’re my go-to “what do I wear?” item. I like the color and pattern, and I adore the length of the sleeves. The only thing is that I think this dress runs small. It’s a size large but it looks and feels like a medium and is really tight on me in the bust and waist. I think I’ll probably try and trade this on our swap site or the Golden Tote facebook page.

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Here’s a close-up of the pattern. I think the size of the print and colors work well.

Verdict: I really like my October Golden Tote! There are minor fit issues with a couple items that I wish I could change, but aside from the too-small dress, there’s nothing that’s unwearable for me. I’ve already worn everything else at least once! For value, I got $200 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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14 comments

Kali Marie

Hi Haley! That birdie shirt looks so great on you. One of my favorites I think! Would you tell us how it washes in the washer? I’ve ordered it but not received it yet and I’m going to try forgoing dry cleaning too but I’m betting you’ll try it before I get a chance to!

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Nicole F

I just wanted to echo some of the other comments to say that the Little Birdie Blouse looks especially good on you!

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Bonnie

I actually really like the way the dress fits you. Super cute on you! The jeans look great too but it’s a bummer that they are so short. That would never work for my 33″ inseam either. But if you have tall boots, keep em. They fit really well otherwise.

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Alex

What is that nail polish you’re wearing? It’s perfect!

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Haley Faye

Alex, thank you! It’s Slot Canyon from Color Club. Part of their September 2016 collection that MSA also reviewed, but it was also sent out in my latest Ecocentric Mom box – that’s where I got it. 🙂 It’s a fantastic Fall color.

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Wendy

If anyone has a bag in the blue they want to sell I am interested. I don’t do swaps. Thanks

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EC

I’m yet to receive a non-maxi dress from GT that wasn’t too short in general or too tight in the bust. It’s a shame here because the print was cute and the cut was very flattering on you. But if you don’t feel totally comfortable in it now, you never will. Good call on swapping it either for a larger size or something you can wear and enjoy fully.

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biki

First time I loved everything in the tote and regret not getting it. Darnit! You look great though.

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Michelle

It all really looks great on you!

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Amber

Might be the first time I’ve actually like all (except the dress) the items in your tote. Those jeans are fantastic, and the bird shirt is too cute

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Jen

The first outfit is sooo cute !!!!

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Beth

I seriously need that bag!!!!

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JP Mayo

Just a tip, ankle jeans are perfect for Fall and Winter with ankle booties showing some skin 🙂 You don’t need socks 😉

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Diana

The tote is very cute! I LOVE the first outfit. You look great!!

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