My Review of the Universal Standard Geo Trio Box
Universal Standard is a size-inclusive (00-40!) clothing brand carrying a proprietary catalog of high-quality clothing in shapes and cuts that are engineered to feel good and flatter. They have a broad range of clothing to choose from: everything from basics to dresses, jeans to outerwear!
In April, Universal Standard announced a mystery box sale that would include best-selling items in different US regions. You could choose a Premium Jersey box ($95) or a Luxe Essentials box ($145) containing most-loved silhouettes from the Northeast, West, Midwest, or South. This is a review of the Luxe Essentials box with items from the Northeast.
About the Universal Standard Geo Trio Box
The Box: Universal Standard Geo Trio Box
The Cost: $95 to $145 depending on the materials you choose
The Products: 3 pieces of clothing from Universal Standard. Universal Standard offers sizes from 00-40. You just select your size, and the items will be a surprise; but with emphasis on dresses.
Ships to: The US for free.
Good to Know: This is NOT a rental service, nor a subscription, but rather a one-time mystery box purchase.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
How does the Universal Standard Geo Trio Box work?
After the success of my last mystery box, I was excited to try out another one from Universal Standard. This time the Geo Trio mystery boxes are pre-determined based on their best sellers from four different regions with options for premium jersey items or luxe essentials. I didn't get to choose any colors or anything and it is possible to get repeat items since these boxes are based on the top-selling items per region and don't take into account your personal preferences or past purchases.
My Universal Standard Geo Trio Box
Since I scored some great basics last time, I figured I'd try the luxe essentials box and I stuck to the Northeast since that's where I live and I figured the items would be seasonally friendly. I was also feeling incredibly optimistic and hopeful that the denim jacket in the photo would be included (spoiler - it was not. Womp womp!). As for the sizing, I found it to be pretty true to size last time and went with XS again which is equivalent to a size 10-12. I do love their ideas on Universal Sizing since it seems to be a bit more inclusive than most companies. While my last mystery box took forever, this one arrived incredibly fast!
1 of 6
Ang Denim Skirt in Black, Size XS - Retail Value $85
While I didn't score the denim jacket in the photo, there were a few denim pieces, the first of which was this denim skirt. It looks like this black color is no longer available, but I linked to the indigo version they have. Okay, guys, I have to tell you, I am NOT a skirt-wearer, especially not a denim one and I was a bit disappointed when I pulled this out, BUT it actually ended up being my favorite piece! This black denim skirt features buttons all the way down and it zips up in the back. You can unbutton the bottom few buttons to create a little bit of an opening, and the material has a good amount of stretch to it making it really comfortable to wear. I was worried I would hate the length, but I actually think it's the perfect length for me in the end. Any shorter and I might not have been as comfortable since I have wider hips, and any longer than I might have felt like it was too modest, but hitting just above the knees feels just right. It also has pockets, which is always good in my book! I styled it with a dressier top here, but I think this skirt would go great with a solid tank top for a more casual look.
1 of 5
Hannah Denim Dress in Dark Indigo, Size XS - Retail Value $95.00
I did get a second denim piece and this time it is a dress which I was totally stoked for, that is until I saw the neckline. It feels like such a modest piece to me, and I am all about modesty, but this was almost too much. This denim dress is lighter and stretchy and it has pockets which I love, but I just don't know if I can pull this one off. It was much better with the sleeves rolled up and the neckline open, and if the neckline were to be a bit lower or opened up a little more, I think I would really like this one. It is a little tighter over my hips, but not uncomfortably so and I think my quarantine diet is definitely to blame for that one. Haha.
1 of 2
I did like it much better when my hair was up with the sleeves rolled up and the top few buttons open. The neckline still isn't my favorite, but this dress was so comfortable, I almost didn't care how it looked on me!
1 of 5
Jade V-Neck Shift Dress in Black, Size XS - Retail Value $115
This last piece is my fancy one! It is made of Cupro, Viscose, and Elastane and it has the look of silky rayon, but with a really soft, cool touch. It's a really unique fabric and very comfortable, although it does wrinkle quite easily. The silhouette is a simple shift that is pretty casual, but then the material makes it look dressier. I had a hard time figuring out what type of occasion this dress would work for because it's just so in the middle as far as style. My mom and I settled on "beach date night." I love the V-neck, but overall I felt it was a bit shapeless on me and looked a bit frumpy, which stinks because this would be the most comfortable LBD ever! It even has pockets although the way this dress sits on my hips, I'm not sure I would actually be able to use them.
Was My Universal Standard Geo Trio Box Worth It?
I am so torn on how I feel about this mystery box! I think until I can actually put the pieces to use and figure out how I want to style them, I'm going to be on the fence. It just didn't wow me like my first mystery box did. The clothing quality is great and the way these pieces fit is so comfortable (seriously- so comfortable!), but after seeing how adorable Christen looks in her jersey pieces, I am kind of wishing I had chosen the jersey box instead! It may have been a better fit for my style. That being said, I would definitely still try another mystery box from Universal Standard just for the comfort and quality that the clothing provides! I also like that I was taken a bit outside my comfort zone with that denim skirt!
As for value, there was a promised value of up to $340 and my three items totaled just under that at $295 which is well over the $145 cost of the box.
Value Breakdown
My Universal Standard Mystery Box cost $145. Here is what I paid approximately per item:
- Ang Denim Skirt: $41.78
- Hannah Denim Dress: $46.69
- Jade Shift Dress: $56.53
Alternatively, each item had an average cost of $48.33 per item.
Would you like to see more Universal Standard reviews? Have you ever tried their 1:1 styling service?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.