Nadine West is a subscription styling service for women sizes small to 3X. Subscribers fill out a style quiz and are sent an outfit every month based on their style preferences. The best part is that there's no styling fee—just a small shipping fee that is credited toward the cost of anything you keep.
This package was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Nadine West
The Cost: $9.78 is charged to your account when your package ships (to cover shipping) and that amount is put towards the cost of the items you keep. If you return everything, however, that amount is not refunded.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A couple of months ago, several readers expressed concern over the shipping charge of $9.78. Please note that this is a recent increase! However, existing subscribers keep their previous rate, which I think was $6.50.
The Products: Each pink package will include 2-4 items. Typical combos include a shirt or scarf and a couple pieces of jewelry and other accessories.
Ships to: U.S.
Check out all of our Nadine West reviews and the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
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Nadine West sent along this invoice in the envelope, which lists the costs of each item. If I return an item, I won't get charged for it. If I keep it past the return deadline, I will get charged for it.
The envelope also came with a free shipping label. Now, this is important—Nadine West lists a deadline on the right side of the invoice, which is the date by which the return label must be used. If it's not used, it's not active, and you might run the risk of being charged for the products inside. There is an "extend period" option that you can find in the "See Shipment History" tab of your online profile, which bumps out the date by which Nadine West will charge your card for the items you'll be keeping. But note that it seems like customers get about five days between when the package arrives and when it must be dropped back in the mail, free of charge. I don't think the time period is advertised on their site as clearly as it is with other styling subscription programs, so make sure to check your return date as soon as your package arrives!
Oh, and before we dive in, I'm usually a medium (6) on top and a large (10) on the bottom, so I set my preferences accordingly (they just take letter sizes rather than numbers). Hopefully, that helps you gauge how things fit!
Bermuda Triangle Earrings - Cost to Keep $9.99
These earrings have sort of a Celtic-inspired knot design running the length of their front sides. The pattern brings a little organic, flowy detail to otherwise very modern, metal shapes. I feel like they'd look great with a top or dress with paisley print or some kind of macrame accents.
They're relatively sizable and just slightly heftier than most earrings I've gotten in this subscription. I like that they're sturdy without being painfully heavy.
Open Triangle Necklace - Cost to Keep $24.99
I like the idea of this necklace, but I wish it was just slightly simpler than it is. Obviously, the knot-design triangles are meant to match the earrings, and I like that aspect. I would've preferred that the other triangles were just smooth metal, rather than hammered or otherwise textured. It feels a little dated to me having so much going on at once. But I tend to lean towards more minimalist designs in general—I could see this being perfect for someone with a more artsy or bohemian sense of style.
I do love the size of the necklace. It's just right for making a statement but not overwhelming a look. I'm wearing it on the smallest setting—there are about 2 inches or so of extra link to play around with, if you'd like to wear it lower or want a bit more room.
Celtic Clover Bracelet - Cost to Keep $11.99
This bracelet continues the Celtic-inspired vibe and adds a little twinkle, thanks to the textured beads that catch the light. The charm acts as the bracelet's clasp as well as its focal point—it has a loop on one side that fits over a hook on the end of the cuff.
This bracelet fits more securely and looked a lot better on than I thought it might. Again, this isn't totally my style, but I appreciate the unique shape. I don't think I've seen a Celtic-inspired design in any jewelry subscriptions I've received as of yet.
Aviator Sunglasses - Cost to Keep $14.99
I love sunglasses, so I was happy to see these in the box. They came in a leopard-print bag, which I probably won't use again (my sunnies all end up in a catch-all canvas bucket in my foyer), but I appreciate it keeping them safe and scratch free during transit. Otherwise, there's nothing too out of the ordinary about these gray-tinted silver shades. They are flat across the front, rather than curved in a more face-fitting style. I like the retro look of flatter shades, so that's A-OK by me, though they aren't quite as functional at keeping the sun out of the sides.
They don't strike me as very expensive sunglasses, and even the $14.99 price tag feels a bit high. But I'll most assuredly wear them—I don't have a pair of aviators, so into my collection these go!
Okay, now let's talk about the dress I got this month. FYI, I tried this on while wearing a bra with straps, so I just tucked the straps in to give an idea of how this dress might look if I went strapless. If you're like "something looks a little wonky!" you're right, and it's my MacGuyver-style strapless bra, haha! Also, the shoes are the ones I just happened to be wearing, but I would probably pair this look with sandals or something as breezy as it is (especially with all the fancy jewelry).
Gray Pride Dress - Cost to Keep $29.99
Okay, first of all, I think the name of this dress is a pun on "gay pride." That seems, at the very least, a little random for a very simple gray dress that frankly, doesn't feel super... prideful. I support gay pride 100%, but this pun and, more importantly, this dress? Eh. Not so much. It's not a bad little dress in concept, but there are a few things about it that just don't work for my body. First of all, the straps don't allow for a regular bra. Strapless bras aren't my fave, as they usually dig into my body in ways that aren't so hot, or they fall down through the day. Not comfy.
The fabric is thin enough that I'd feel pretty uncomfortable going bra-less, too. That thin fabric doesn't hide much either, in terms of the curves of your body or things you're wearing underneath it. Texture or lace on your bra? That's likely to show. Ruffly trim on your undies? Dress VPL seems like a real possibility with this design. It can totally work with the right seamless, strapless underthings, but for what wants to come across as an easy, breezy summer dress, it's proving not to be as effortless as I'd like. That could be because it's best on someone with a very straight, narrow silhouette. But on me, it just doesn't feel flattering.
Verdict: This month's Nadine West wasn't my favorite. There were some interesting pieces, like the earrings, but nothing that felt like it was quite my style. The dress wasn't a bad pick—I like how basic and understated the design is—but functionally, it just didn't work for me. My main qualm with this subscription is that the quality of the pieces isn't the greatest, especially given that the prices for each item were at least a few dollars more than what I'd expect to see items on par with them listed for at a department store. But the convenience of getting unique pieces sent to your home for just about $10.00 (rather than having to go out to the store, especially if unique stores aren't very common where you live), is pretty great. And that initial fee goes towards anything you end up buying!
What do you think of Nadine West?
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