Advertising

Latest Issue


Subscription Box Options

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably sick of all of your winter clothes by mid-February. Lately, I find myself wearing the same old boring turtleneck/jean/boot combo. While you may be feeling outfit fatigue as we edge toward spring, you may also be reluctant to go shopping for wardrobe updates. Who has the time to agonize over garments in the store, let alone the money to spend on adding more stuff to your closet?

Instead of heading out to the mall, or scrolling through online shops, why not consider the subscription model of shopping? Available in a variety of prices and frequencies, this “shop from home” structure lets consumers receive boxes for small fees and gives you the option to pay only for what you want to keep. This is a great option for those of you who aren’t fans of the brick-and-mortar experience, instead preferring to test out clothing from the privacy of your own bedroom mirror. Here’s a rundown of subscription boxes I’ve used in the past, and those I’m interested in trying here this season.

First up, Rent the Runway. This service has three rental tiers. The unlimited plan gives you access to hundreds of designers and styles for one flat price per month. The update plan limits you to renting four items per month, or you can rent a garment as a one-off for 4-8 days. Each plan comes with free dry cleaning and fast shipping. I’ve been renting one-offs for years. There’s nothing like sporting a designer dress for a special event for a fraction of the cost of having to buy it. Rent the Runway now also offers kids’ clothes, so you and your Little Miss can be super stylish.

Le Tote is a more budget-friendly option that I’ve been using for years. This classic subscription service offers both standard and maternity sizing. I cannot recommend the maternity subscription (which saw me through two pregnancies) enough. It’s a much cheaper alternative than buying maternity clothes, especially for workwear. With a mix of clothing and accessories in its inventory, Le Tote offers anywhere from 5 to 15 pieces per box. Personally, I use my current Le Tote subscription to experiment with styles and silhouettes that I normally wouldn’t buy. This gives me a chance to “road test” looks without having to commit to them. Beloved items can be purchased at a discount, and you can pause your subscription at any time.

Dia & Co, another budget-friendly option for plus sizes, offers both fashion-focused and activewear subscriptions. Every box has a flat fee of $20 that can be applied to purchases. A quiz involving a lot of questions about size, proportion, common clothing fit issues, and lifestyle help stylists select five pieces at a time to send to customers, which you can purchase or return free of charge.

Another popular service is Stitch Fix; this family-friendly subscription offers a variety of sizes and brands for men, women, and kids, making this a great choice if you need to outfit every member of your household. You can choose automatic deliveries from a variety of plans: every 2-3 weeks, once a month, every other month, or every three months. You can also order a one-off box when you feel like you need a refresh. You then have three days to decide what to buy and what to return, with all shipping costs covered.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, check out Prime Wardrobe — where customers can receive up to eight items at a time and pay only for what they keep. If you’re unsure where to start, since Amazon can be quite overwhelming, you can utilize the Personal Shopper feature, that gives members pre-curated boxes they can preview before it ships. Prime Wardrobe is included with a standard Prime membership, and the Personal Shopper is an extra $4.99 a month.

Another great size-inclusive subscription service is Gwynnie Bee, which carries 0-32 and offers the first 30 days free! Similar to Rent the Runway, members pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to endlessly swappable styles that they can keep as long as they like. If you get really attached to a particular item, you can purchase it at a discount.

Lastly, there’s Haverdash, a relatively new service that I’m thinking of trying out while putting my Le Tote subscription on hold. At $59 a month, Haverdash offers a cheerful, easy-to-wear rotation of colorful separates from brands like French Connection and Kensie. After signing up, you can build a ‘virtual closet’ from which you receive three pieces at a time and can exchange as often as you like. Not a shabby deal!

Whether you need a wardrobe overhaul, refresh, or simply in need of a dress for an upcoming event, there’s definitely a subscription service out there for you. Be sure to read the fine print, especially for services with free trials, and don’t feel obligated to maintain your subscription, especially if you’re not fully satisfied. One of the big perks to subscription boxes, aside from the convenience, is also lifting you out of outfit fatigue.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *