Culture Carton is a monthly lifestyle box for men. Each month you’ll receive 3-5 curated lifestyle items and a book they think "every man should read" selected to enhance your gentlemanly status. They have three subscription options:
- Standard - Lifestyle items and a book for $45/month + shipping
- Essential - Just the lifestyle items for $35/month + shipping
- Book Club - One book sent monthly for $16/month + shipping
This is a review of the Standard Culture Carton for $45/month + shipping.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About this Men's Lifestyle Subscription
The Subscription Box: Culture Carton
The Cost: $45 a month + shipping. Other options available.
ACTIVE DEAL: Free shipping on all orders over $100
CODE: FREESHIPPING
The Products: A curated selection of 3-5 men’s lifestyle items and a book “that belongs on every man’s bookshelf.”
Ships to: The US for a varied cost.
Culture Carton 'Schweblin' Review
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For this box, I'm calling on my sweetie, Kurt, once again. He LOVES reading and is quite the snappy dresser so I think this subscription is perfect for him! Our first Culture Carton came with a welcome card that explains how Apollo is the inspiration for this subscription since he was essentially thought to be "the god of culture." The second card announces the theme (which is the last name of the author of the included book) along with a list of the items inside and their values.
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Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin - Retail Value $16.00
Even though Kurt has a stack of books waiting to be read on his nightstand, he thought this one would go down easy. He picked it up and ended up finishing it in two days! Reading the back, he thought it sounded right up his alley since he enjoys a good ghost or spooky story. Here's the description:
"A young woman named Amanda lies dying in a rural hospital clinic. A boy named David sits beside her. She’s not his mother. He's not her child. Together, they tell a haunting story of broken souls, toxins, and the power and desperation of family."
He told me that he really enjoyed the book and he certainly wouldn't have gotten through it so quickly if he didn't like it. He wasn't expecting it to end the way it did but appreciated this quick read. Intriguing!
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Ocean Boulevard Tie - Retail Value $36.89 (similar linked, found for $29.36)
Kurt immediately liked this tie when he saw it. I asked if he wore ties often and he said he did to work from time to time. He doesn't have to wear a full suit or even a tie to his office, but he does always wear a dress shirt, nice pants, and always has the nicest shoes. The tie is 100% silk and has a modern slim cut to it without being too skinny. I really like polka dots so I love the small white ones against the contrasting black background and Kurt clearly agrees.
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Gentleman Collective Tie Clip - Listed Value $25.00
It makes sense for Culture Carton to include this handsome silver tie clip to keep the tie in place on windy days. I think it really elevates the whole look and makes the wearer seem that much more classy. Kurt doesn't have any tie clips so he's excited to give this simple one with a few etched lines a go. It feels sturdy and even comes in a soft pouch for safekeeping.
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The Little Link Cufflinks - Listed Value $30.00
Eh- I wasn't crazy about these cufflinks just due to the pink and purple space imagery. I'd prefer a minimal appearance like the tie clip, but that's just me. When I asked Kurt if he had a shirt that needed cufflinks, he said he used to but didn't have any currently. He was interested in them anyhow and generally would wear them if he had the right shirt.
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Barnaby Striped Socks - Listed Value $14.00
I received a text from Kurt this morning that said "I'm wearing those socks for the box today!" and he sounded pretty excited about it. He said they're "very comfy" and "honestly just a sharp-looking sock, the colors, pattern, etc." Just a couple of months ago we were out shopping and he couldn't find any socks that he liked, so this is a nice compliment. These black, white, and grey striped socks are made of 80% combed cotton, 15% polyester, 3% spandex, and 2% nylon. They're calf length and seem like they can be worn with business casual pants and jeans alike.
The Verdict: Kurt really enjoyed his first Culture Carton and as I mentioned, I think this whole concept is right up his alley. The only thing that won't get worn are the cufflinks simply because he doesn't have the right type of shirt needed, but everything else he dove right into trying. I think the tie was definitely his favorite and the fact that the book was a quick read for him also says a lot. The five items included have a total value of $121.89 which is top-notch for a $53.27 cost.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, if you order by the 15th, you'll receive the February box as your first.
Orders placed before the 15th of the month will be shipped on 15th-17th of the month. All orders placed after the 15th will ship the following month.
ACTIVE DEAL: Free shipping on all orders over $100
CODE: FREESHIPPING
Value Breakdown: The box costs $45.00 + $8.27 shipping (to Pittsburgh) and it has a retail value of $121.89. Here's what you're paying for each item:
- Book: $6.99
- Tie: $16.12
- Tie Clip: $10.93
- Cufflinks: $13.11
- Socks: $6.12
Check out all of our Culture Carton reviews and see what the best men's subscription boxes of 2020 are, as voted on by our readers!
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