Golden Tote Review – August 2014
This month Golden Tote did a collaboration with Merrick from MerricksArt. She designed a few of the pieces with them, and the tote itself features Merrick!
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. 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!
Each box comes with a card letting you know that Golden Tote is an all-or-nothing grab bag. You can return your tote, but you have to return everything. (If you want to keep most items but have a few you don’t like I recommend swaps!)
There is also a card about proper care of Golden Tote items – to sum it up, if you don’t want your pieces to shrink – don’t put them through the laundry! (I’ve had no problems with putting items through the cold cycle and then letting them hang dry).
Golden Tote also comes with styling cards for each of the items you selected.
Airy Pocket Dress – Value $60
This dress by TMHL is gorgeous but it’s too loose on me. I knew I was taking a bit of a risk when I picked it out, and I even sized down to a medium, but it’s still too big. (I didn’t read the description of this dress when I picked it out, and from the pictures thought it was a jersey material, but it’s actually 100% rayon). I think I should be able to shrink since it’s all rayon, so it’s going through the laundry!
Fringed Kimono – Value $42
This is one of those basic items I know I’ll wear all the time. I’m very happy with this pick, and it’s lightweight so it works great now and into fall.
Now onto my surprise items!
Cut and Sew by Golden Tote Dress – Value $60?
This dress was made exclusively for Golden Tote, so I’m guessing on the value. I love the sheer black detail on the hem, but I’m not loving the billowy look on the top half. I may end up swapping this one because I just see myself hanging it up in my closet and never reaching for it to wear.
Event Kimono – Value $45?
I love the kimono trend, but this is a piece I probably wouldn’t have bought if I had seen it online. After trying it on I love it though. I’ll be pairing it with jeans and a black tee!
Priddy by Puella Pocket Dress – Value $70?
The fabric of this dress is incredibly soft and cozy. And it has pockets, and it’s not a tent. In other words – it’s the perfect Priddy by Puella dress and I want to live in it.
In general I find Priddy by Puella items to run a little large, and that’s the case with this dress too. I’m going to put it through the laundry in hopes that it shrinks a little!
(It’s even cinched in the back!)
Newbury Kustom Racer Back Blouse – Value $40?
Just when I’m thinking maybe if everything is running a little large I should go with a size medium from Golden Tote, I try this top on, and I’m very glad it’s a size large! I love the colors and pattern of this top, and the upper part is lined. I probably will still end up layering it over a black tank though since the straps aren’t adjustable.
Verdict: I’m happy with my Golden Tote this month – and I’ll be even happier depending on how my next round of laundry goes! I really love all the prints and colors in my tote this month, and I already can’t wait for the September tote – I’m hoping for lots of cozy fall items!
What do you think of my surprise Golden Tote items? Have you received your tote yet? (I always pay for 2nd day shipping because I hate waiting forever on the east cost for my tote to arrive!)
Written by Liz Cadman
i am nervous about what size to choose on Golden Tote and it sounds like you might be in that same position – i wear between a 10 & 12/M & L all the time! i noted this on my profile – don’t know what else to do. what do you suggest? sounds like they don’t necessarily run consistently true, small or large. ):
I am waiting in anticipation on the East Coast for my tote! I’m a big Merrick’s Art fan, so when I saw they were collaborating and selling her swing dress, I knew I had to sign up. At this point, I’m hoping it’s worth the wait. I do love some of the things you got! We’ll see how it goes 🙂
Nice review, but it would be great to see these clothes worn by an actual person instead of a mannequin! Love that paisley dress – pretty colors.
Hi Liz! Did you have any luck shrinking the Priddy dress? I have a large as well and would need a medium. It’s hard to trade down because everyone seems to be in the same dilemma. Thanks!
I just took mine out of the dryer and it shrunk a little, but not as much as I was hoping. (Getting the fitted waist just isn’t going to happen with this dress!)
I loved your tote this month! What style profile are you & do you have any special comments you make? My totes seem to be hit & miss but I generally like the items you receive! Thanks for your help!
I took a screenshot of my style profile. Hopefully that helps. And in comments section I wrote, “I don’t like tops that have an elastic fitted waist. And I prefer dresses over tops when possible. (Also I LOVE maxis)”
Cute and Sew dress would look cute with the Fringed Kimono!
I way over ordered this month 1 large tote and 3 small totes. Everything sold out so quickly that my plan completely fell apart and I ended up ordering every item I wanted the second I saw it was restocked. So bad! Hopefully I can sell/ trade some items.
How long does it normally take to get to the East Coast? I haven’t even gotten a shipping notification yet–ugh!
I live just outside DC, and I have seen my tote ship out as quickly as the day after i ordered it. It usually takes about a week to a week and a half from the time i order to the time i have it in my hands. and there has been at least one or two times i never got a shipping notification, so i logged into my account to get my shipping info instead.
Thanks for the info! I’m in Laurel, MD, so probably pretty close to where you are. I just checked my account, but it says my order is “processing.” I ordered a couple items from the boutique along with my tote–maybe it takes longer to ship out that way for some reason? Like maybe all the items aren’t in the same warehouse or something. Sigh.
My tote is suppose to be here tomorrow. Do we know if there are any specific surprise items this month?
I’m guessing the Priddy by Puella dress will be in a lot of totes. And the Golden Tote Cut & Sew Dress too.
Are you part of the trading group on Facebook?
I skipped Golden Tote this month because none of the $149 tote options really jumped out at me but I love the Priddy dress and the last blouse you posted. I have couple of GT items to trade…maybe I’ll be able to find someone who wants to swap one or both of those items with me.
You could totally belt the airy pocket dress (just a suggestion)
The Priddy by Puella Pocket Dress is absolutely beautiful!!!! I ordered 2 $149 totes so hopefully that will be included in one of mine! (fingers crossed)
Did you just get one tote this month Liz? I had to buy two!!
Yep, only one for me this month. I would have bought two, but the maxi I wanted wasn’t originally part of the sale when it first launched. I’ll probably buy two in September though! 🙂
I am a little sad because I lost out on things during a very slow check out (either their website was slow or it was my connection). On top of it, I paid for 2nd day shipping and still haven’t received my tote. I think the delay is because one item came back into stock after I place the order and so I ordered a second tote and asked that they combine the two. I also asked that the Merrick top in coral be added for $35 because it was out when I checked out the first and second time! I also accidentally ordered the black paisley Work and Play top in medium instead of large, but now that is also sold out (I asked if they could swap the medium for the large, so probably that is the hold up). I am guessing this is the hold up. Ah well, so much for paying for second day shipping and I am in the Midwest. But your items look great!
I was waiting to see what they had this month as I am in desperate need of new clothes, but none of these would work for me. There was a super cute dress on their site that I was going to buy skipping the tote, but by the time I got around to ordering it was sold out : (
Does Golden Tote ship from the East Coast or West Coast?
They ship from the West Coat.
Awesome! I’m on the West Coast! I am contemplating the $49 tote next month (depending on what the clothes look like of course), because that is a great price! I also signed up for Elizabeth & Clark. 🙂
I’m West Coast and paid for expedited shipping, but still don’t have mine yet or a shipping notice. I ordered on Monday in the early afternoon, so color me a little annoyed.
I love the Event Kimono! So pretty!
Hi Liz, what color is the Priddy dress? I can’t tell if it’s an army green or a charcoal. Great tote though and hope I get that kimono! 🙂
It’s army green!
Looks great! If you specify large, do they always send you large or if something runs big, they size down for you? Also, on the airy pocket dress, is the detail on the front orange or red? Thanks!
They won’t size down for you, but I think that’s because a lot of the Golden Tote items are meant to be styled loose-fitting. And the detail on the front of the striped dress is red! Hope that helps!
Maybe I should give them another chance if their clothes are more loose fitting now. A few months ago I ordered a tote in a size Large and had to send everything back because they were way too small on me! I wear a Large in some tops/dresses and an XL in others, depending on the cut.
I really liked the stuff you got this month!
I’d say try it and put in your style profile that you want only loose fitting styles. They should be able to accommodate!