Golden Tote November 2013 Review
Finally – it’s Golden Tote time! Ordering your tote on the 4th and then waiting until the 25th for it to ship to the east coast is definitely torture – but so worth it!
If you are new to Golden Tote, it’s not a traditional subscription. Instead, on the first of every month Golden Tote releases the totes, and if you select the $49 option you pick out 1 item from their selection, and they surprise you with 1-2 more items based on your size and style preferences. If you go with the $149 option, you get to pick out two clothing pieces and Golden Tote surprises you with 4-5 more pieces (up to a $600 value total).
I’ve found these boxes to be a great value, especially because Golden Tote is founded by the two designers of the Puella clothing line (which is carried in Anthropologie), so basically you’re getting Anthropolgie quality products without the Anthopologie price-tag!
For reference, I selected size large for this Golden Tote, and I’m also a size large at Forever 21 and ModCloth if that helps you gauge sizing.
The Box:Â Golden Tote
The Cost: $49 or $149 (This review is of the $149 box)
The Products: Clothing items you pick plus surprises from Golden Tote!
Ships to: Everywhere! Shipping to the continental US $7.95. AK HI $15 and international is $25
Check out all of my Golden Tote reviews and the Women’s Clothing Subscription Box Directory!
(These are the two items I picked for my November tote).
Everything You Need Jacket – Value $85
This was one of the items I picked and it was exactly what I hoped for. I love the faux fur lined hood, and the drawstrings that cinch the waist.
The coat also has a removable lining vest. This isn’t a heavy duty winter coat, but perfect for the non-below freezing days!
Chic Sequin Blazer – Value $62
This was my second pick. And it’s another hit! I think this will be my go-to piece for the holiday party season.
Now on to the surprise items. (Since I picked the coat as one of my items, I get 5-7 items total, instead of the usual 6-7 items total).
Lace Swing Dress – Value $65?
This piece was made for the $149 totes and came in black and navy. I was hoping for the navy color since I have way too many black dresses, and I lucked out!
It’s very loose, which isn’t flattering on me, but a belt solves the problem!
Peach Love Cream Silk Printed Blouse – Value $38
This is the one item in the tote that wasn’t for me. I love the color and the print, but the loose fit isn’t flattering on me.
Ellison Striped Sweater – Value $45?
I was a little worried about the fit of this top when I first saw it in the bag, but fortunately it’s very flattering on. And it’s super soft! The zipper detail on the back is cute too.
Verdict: I am always amazed by how much clothing you get for $149 from Golden Tote! Plus I even love the tote itself! I’m really happy with my November tote, and I already can’t wait for the December tote to be released! (Check out the December spoiler pictures).
Did you get a November Golden Tote? What items did you get?
Written by Liz Cadman
I have been very happy with the items that I have received in my Golden Totes. I received the sequin blazer and the Grandfather sweater (aka Cosby style sweater) the black swing dress, a navy ombre sweater, a cream chunky sweater and a cream and grey long sleeved shirt. The main piece I was super excited about was the sequin blazer. When I pulled it out of the bag, I noticed it was catching itself. I decided to wear it with the black swing dress and a belt. I noticed through out the day, it kept catching on itself and i would have to pull it apart. By the end of the day, i started to notice I was dropping sequins everywhere I went. Kinda disappointed in that part of the jacket, but overall I’ve been really happy with Golden totes! Especially since I have seen some of the items I have received in high end stores for about the price I paid for the bag! I have only had one item from the two bags that didn’t fit, so I would say they are pretty good with the sizes in my experience. I would recommend to anyone who loves clothes that are a little eccentric!
I was really happy with my box this month. I chose the square knit sweater and little black dress, and I received the striped sweater and blue lace dress you did, a blouse with a cool fuchsia pattern, and another sweater that’s super soft, thin and slightly sheer, in cream with black sleeves. It took me about 2 weeks to get mine; I’m on the west coast though.
I am so wishing I chose that blazer, so cute for the holidays! I also received the blue printed blouse and was disappointed. But after tucking it into some skinny navy jeans, it actually works (I’m even wearing it today!).
Wondering how everyone is styling their holiday dress. Do you wear the belt at your waist or higher like an empire waist? Thinking of buying a bright red ribbon for the waist of my black dress and painting my nails red for the holiday party. But can’t decide how it looks best.
Thanks for the new Golden Tote addiction, Liz! <3
I like the red ribbon idea! And I’ll need to try tucking in the blouse – thanks for the tip!
i have a thick red belt that i wear high (empire waist) and paired it with some red heels! so pretty!
Ooooh, good idea senny! Can finally get those red heels I’ve always wanted! 🙂
Did you order based on their sizing chart? Because according to their sizing chart, I should order a medium, but I also wear mostly larges on Forever 21 and modcloth. So I’m trying to decide how to order when it comes up in December. I’m so excited!
I didn’t really look at their size chart, but since they often use their Puella brand in the boxes which is sold at Anthropologie, I decided I would be a large since I’m usually a large at Anthro as well.
Hope that helps!
Comment
Well, I was disappointed. I knew I was taking a risk by ordering from Goldentote, but I checked the size chart and just hoped the jacket would fit. It didn’t. I got the same navy dress and striped sweater. I fell in love with the sweater, but the dress was just ok. The blouse was another print and didn’t fit. I also got some chunky cream and black sweater that made me look so boxy. I couldn’t justify keeping the box just for the sweater, so I shipped it back last week.
I had the same issue as you, LizM. Ordered the jacket, and despite my measurements fitting the sizing on the site, it didn’t fit. I also ordered the chunky buttoned sweater and what looked cute on the model looked terrible on me. My surprise pieces fit and looked okay on me but I couldn’t justify keeping the box for half of it. I returned it the day after it arrived. Very disappointed.
Is that belt from the For the Makers kit?
Yes! Good eye 🙂 I still need to finish one more project and get that review up!
I’ve read on other boards that people that ordered the very first day still end up getting their Totes on the same day as someone that bought 4-5 days later since they ship a week’s worth (or two) on the same day. Have they ever stated why they ship orders only once per week instead of daily? I’ve worked for a mail order/phone order company before and we would have people ‘pick’ orders from say 9AM-5PM, but in the order that they came in. Whatever was picked, packaged and ready to ship before the parcel service came would go out that day, and order picking would continue on the next business day. I wonder how they go about shipping?
I got the same sequined blazer, the floral shift dress, and added the flannel boyfriend shirt (I couldn’t resist!). I give the items that are a little big to my mom, so she was happy about the Lace Swing Dress being so big…… although I was really hoping for blue, too! I (like you) ordered the cute black knit dress last month – it would have been nice for them to check who ordered that and send the blue to them. So many long sleeved, black dresses! I LOVE the shift dress from this tote, I have already worn it twice! I even used the tote itself on Sunday for a change of clothes (I’m a musician)! While I love the blazer, part of me can’t help but think it look a tiny bit Matador crossed with Michael Jackson. Haha! But if you are wearing it this season, I will, too! 🙂
One more thing – I think since we are paying for shipping, waiting so incredible long is a bit much….. does anyone else agree with me? I can maybe see if it was free, but…….
Liz,
We chose the same two things and we received all the same pieces except for the last striped sweater. My sweater is striped too but a chunky knit black and oatmeal colored one instead. I am thrilled with this Golden Tote but I agree, waiting so long for the tote to arrive is torture.
Glad you liked it too! Hopefully they speed up their shipping soon! 🙂