Golden Tote Review – April 2014 Round 2!
Golden Tote is one of my favorite boxes to get – so much so that I bought two this month! Every month you get to pick out 1-2 pieces, and they surprise you with the rest. (Check out my review of my other April Golden Tote).
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.
The Box: 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!
Woo Fringe Maxi Dress – Value $70
This was one of the two items I picked out.
I love the fringe detail on the front and back of this dress. It also let me justify buying another black maxi!
Abstract Maxi Dress in Rust – Value $70
This maxi came in two colors, and I had to have both! (In my other tote I got the mint version). This shade is more of a coral than rust, and I love it!
Priddy by Puella Layered Dress – Value $60?
This dress was made exclusively for Golden Tote, and I love the layered look. Like most Priddy by Puella items, it looks even better belted! (FYI – be careful washing this dress, I put it through the cold cycle and hung it to try, but the red fabric shrunk more than the navy striped fabric, so I lost the fun layered look).
I think you could wear this in reverse for two different looks?
Patterned Tunic – Value $50?
The fabric of this blouse is really soft, but the cut and the print just aren’t working for my body type – it looks way too boxy on me.
Floral Blouse – Value $40?
So this tote wasn’t as successful as my other tote. This floral top is a little too bold for me.
In Clover White Blouse – Value $45?
Fortunately this item was a win for me. It’s delicate without being too precious, and the cut is surprisingly flattering.
Verdict: With my other tote all surprise items were a win, but with this one I’m 2 out of 4. There’s always an element of surprise/risk to these totes, but I’m happy with the value even with only loving 4 of the items. And I’ll share or swap the two tops that aren’t for me!
Have you received your April Golden Tote yet? What was your surprise item success rate?
Written by Liz Cadman
I received my very first Golden Tote bag and I love everything in it! I picked the denim jacket, and the Woo Kaftan Dress in watermelon (that has not come yet because they had to send it back for a lining, but I am getting a belt with it gratis because they thought it looked good with the belt!), the bonus items included the lace raglan shirt and the tank for underneath – both awesome and comfy, the same striped Puella dress (thanks for the tip on the washing), a white sleeveless dotted Esley shirt (perfect for work under a jacket), and the same patterned tunic above that fits me perfectly and is super soft. This was a definite win for me. I was worried about the sizing, the white Esley shirt was a little tight across the bust, but everything else fit fine (I ordered the large). The clothes do have a musty/chemical smell, not sure if its because I am used to clothes being aired out or what, but letting them air out – seems to help it. The denim jacket is actually embroidered – I wasn’t sure if it was a print, so I am really happy with it. I will end up with 7 to 8 items if you count the belt for the Kaftan dress and the extra tank which is cute and definitely can be worn with other things. Thank you for introducing me to Golden Tote (I like the bag too with the Golden California state printed on it). I was really excited to receive it and look forward to next month’s pick!
Yay! I’m so glad your first Golden Tote was a success! Of course now you’ll probably be hooked 🙂
LOL! I am definitely hooked – my younger (and more stylish sister) really was impressed as well. I may get her hooked on it too! I am excited about next month’s picks!
I just got mine yesterday (1st) and it was nice but I didn’t receive either Puella or Woo in my tote, so I was a little disappointed. I really wanted the striped layered dress, pink tunic or white blouse you received. I ordered late so knew I wouldn’t get the raglan tee. I chose the open back dress-too big, & the crocheted coverlet-love. Surprise items were a cute navy embroidered tank dress-too small and 3 cream blouses-all with sheer backs. They all fit, but I really wish there were more variety in what I received.
I received the floral and white tops in my bag. Love the floral. Seems like a lot of people don’t think that they’ll be able to pull it off, but it’s spring!! Not too big of a fan of the white top though. Too delicate for me.
I received the striped dress and the white top as extras in my $149 tote too and love them both. Thanks for the heads up about washing the dress. I haven’t had any issues with my other Puella items shrinking in the past but I’ll keep my eye on this one!
Every month I see the wonderful offerings on Golden Tote, but I continue to hesitate. Why? I am a 38D chest and 5 feet 6 inches tall and I actually ordered the anorak they offered several months ago in a Large. I emailed customer service back and forth and they said it would fit me fine. When it came I couldn’t even get it close enough to zip! So I had to return it. I have no problem wearing most clothing with junior sizing. For example I can wear a Large or sometimes an XL in American Apparel and Hollister. I just felt it was REALLY junior sizing, something my daughter would fit into and she’s petite. My fear is that because they use several different designers each month that maybe one thing or two would fit and the rest wouldn’t and I would have to return the tote or gift to people (which could be hard). Any thoughts on this?
Liz, I’m so glad you mentioned the fact that the layered Priddy by Puella dress was a little wonky in the washing machine. I would have just tossed it in the washer, so now I’m thinking that hand-washing is the way to go, because I don’t want to lose that little peek of red at the bottom.
I LOVE that abstract maxi dress…such a pretty color. And while I liked the floral blouse (I know a lot of people weren’t too enthused about it), I don’t know what GT was thinking with the patterned tunic. Apologies to anyone who likes it, but I’m just not at all digging the combination of the two prints together, nor the style. All in all, though, I think GT did GREAT with its picks this month. Can’t wait for May!
I just received mine this evening! I chose the embroidered print dress and the black floral dress for one and pink macro print dress for the other. The only item I’m not sure about is that In Clover white top… It’s so delicate and soft; I’m just not sure it looks good on me. I saw a lot of reviews with that pink and black patterned tunic, but I got the same one in gray and navy and it’s very pretty!
So, you ordered 2 totes and got no doubles? When you ordered your 2 totes did you clue them in that you had ordered more than one, or were they paying that much attention to orders that they knew not to send duplicate items to you? I was considering getting more than one, but was afraid of double items!
I believe Golden Tote makes sure you don’t get duplicates if you buy both totes in the same order. Hope that helps!
Liz – who is the designer for the rust colored maxi? I’m really regretting not getting it in my tote and hope to find it elsewhere. Thanks!
The label is Esley – hope you find it! 🙂
Thanks Liz!
I saw it on modcloth about a week ago in the rust color.
here it is! http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/optical-solution-dress 🙂
Thank you ladies!! 🙂
Thanks so much for the tip. I just ordered it. I really wanted this dress but it sold out fast and NO ONE is trading it in either color. My tote comes today and I am dying of suspense–so many nice pieces this month.
Thanks so much about the note regarding washing the dress…that’s exactly how I would have washed/dried it and I don’t want it to lose the layers! Did you wash it on the delicate cycle as well or perm press?
No, I just put it in the standard wash with the rest of my clothes. I’m thinking I need to start trying this delicate cycle! 🙂
You know, this time, despite absolutely awesome items, I had to get rid of 8 out of 10 items due to sizing issues. I got a mix of Ms and Ls by specifying my chest size, and while they guessed the chest measurements right, other things were off. I got the same beautiful InClover blouse in M, but it was just a little too tight for my liking, so I ended up gifting it to my Mom who is generally an XS to S (she is a tiny lady), and she loved it!! I also got the same Trendology top with long sleeves, but I felt that the sleeves were a bit too tight (my arms are buff), so I am trading that. I also got the Priddy striped dress with red, which would be great if it was just a tad longer. My other two surprise items were Paper Crane tunic in white (not my style at all) and a vest with mesh-type fabric in the front which was absolutely adorable, but the sleeve opening again was too tight for my liking — it was right under the armpit, and I like a slightly larger opening… I ended up selling it. And I got a Woo tank top which is just not my style. My other chosen items were Renee C flower dress (just did not sit well), Woo maxi which was too long, and a jeans jacket. That jeans jacket… I ordered it in M, and it is slightly tight in sleeves. I am seriously considering losing some arm weight just to fit into it because no one had an L for trade. From now on I am ordering all L. And frankly I was not so “woo’ed” by Woo items. Just not that great, IMO. The dress is OK, but I prefer more delicate dresses…