Culture Carton is a men's monthly lifestyle subscription box. Subscribers can expect to receive 3-5 curated lifestyle items each month, along with a book the brand believes “every man should read." There are three subscription box options:
- Culture Carton Standard – Lifestyle items and a book for $45/month + shipping
- Culture Carton Essential – Just the lifestyle items for $35/month + shipping
- Culture Carton Book Club – One book sent monthly for $16/month + shipping
This subscription box review is 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 "Self-Improvement" Lifestyle Box
The Subscription Box: Culture Carton
The Cost: $45/month + shipping. Other subscription box options are also available.
Coupon Code: Use code CULTURE to save 20% off the first month of all subscriptions.
The Products: A bespoke, curated selection of 3-5 men’s lifestyle items and a book “that belongs in every man’s library.” This month's delivery is valued at a total of $92.
Ships to: The US for a varied cost.
Culture Carton "Defoe" Review
Culture Carton's product delivery this month opens with a welcome card introducing subscribers to the box's contents. This month prepares you for those aspirational, well-dressed days ahead. Highlighted by the literary classic Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, all featured products promise to "add sophistication and class to any outfit." I, for one, am simply excited for even the thought of being judged for my public dress once again.
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Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe – Listed Value $17.00
Robinson Crusoe is one of those literary classics that feels like a building block of anyone's library. And while I've read a decent number of books in my time, Daniel Defoe's epic novel about a shipwrecked Crusoe's experiences on a deserted island for 28 years is, shockingly, not one of them. But it appears the wait has paid off -- especially now that I have this special edition featuring a suede-like custom cover with metallic foiling and a ribbon marker. I can't wait to dig into this suspenseful story of survival. It's a feeling not all too dissimilar to what many of us have experienced this past year. Here's more on the book -- including an amazing anecdote that initially confused readers upon its 1719 publishing.
From Amazon:
This first edition credited the work's fictional protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, leading many readers to believe he was a real person and the book a travelogue of true incidents. It was published under the considerably longer original title The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Epistolary, confessional, and didactic in form, the book is a fictional autobiography of the title character (whose birth name is Robinson Kreutznaer)—a castaway who spends years on a remote tropical island near Trinidad, encountering cannibals, captives, and mutineers before being rescued.The story is widely perceived to have been influenced by the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway who lived for four years on the Pacific island called "Más a Tierra" (in 1966 its name was changed to Robinson Crusoe Island), Chile.
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Twillory Brown Herringbone Tie – Listed Value $29.00
It's been well over a year since I've worn a tie. And while I still don't know when the next time will be, I look forward to doing so in this Twillory's Brown Herringbone Tie. The wool blend, iconically patterned look is the perfect blend of style and sophistication. It makes me want to wear it out -- whether to a (limited capacity) dinner date or solo at the library.
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English Laundry Oxford Bleu Fragrance – Listed Value $20.00
Oxford Blue by English Laundry is a subtle, sophisticated scent that's noticeable enough to turn heads. I prefer a fragrance that isn't overpowering and I believe this checks the box. I'd be lying if I said I understood the intricacies of how all the "notes" of mint, lemon, sandalwood, and others come together. I just know they do. The alcohol-free fragrance is perfectly sized to fit in your carry-on for when you're fortunate enough to reenter an airport.
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Bespoke 2112 Brushed Formal Cufflinks – Listed Value $14.00
I've never worn cufflinks. Honestly, I never want to wear cufflinks. I don't own a french cuff button-up. I didn't even consider wearing them for my wedding. So, it should come as no surprise I don't own cufflinks. Having said that, I understand many people do. And for good reason. Style is subjective. For those that do appreciate the look, I see nothing not to like about this option from Bespoke 2112. The brushed silver, double striped design should pair with almost any suit and tie combo.
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Everett Texting Gloves – Listed Value $12.00
It's a bit curious receiving a pair of gloves as we enter the spring season but the seasons -- stop me if you've heard this before -- are cyclical. So whether it's an unseasonably cool spring morning or later this fall, a pair of trusty knit gloves are always in need to keep your hands warm. Everett's Texting Gloves do just that and allow you to use your phone's touchscreen thanks to a special fingertip coating. This is the type of item you'll never know how you lived without once you've tried it.
Verdict: I know I said this last time but I'm still a man and I like items suited to enhance my lifestyle. Culture Carton came through, again, with a series of additive accessories to my repertoire. I still don't know that any of these are prerequisites to a more enjoyable life but I am certain I'm going to appreciate the additional tie or glove choice. And at least I can re-gift those cufflinks to someone who'll truly put them to use. Like my first subscription box, this month's contents are listed for a retail value of $92. And while I did appear to find a couple of items elsewhere for a lower price, this box is worth the $45 + shipping subscription fee to me. If you're interested in adding to your library and improving your day-to-day lifestyle, Culture Carton would make a great gift for any male in your life.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you'll receive the next installment as your first box.
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: This subscription is among the most expensive monthly boxes for men. It costs $53.27 ($45 + $8.27 shipping to Pittsburgh), which means that each of the four items in this box has an average cost of $13.32. They say the value of this month's box is $92 - which is a pretty fair assessment. There could be slight inflation allotted to some of these items but they're in the range of the competition and these all appear to be high-quality products. Again, these may not have been must-have items for me. But I see them being a vital addition to a lot of men's libraries and closets. I appreciate the combination of literature and lifestyle, and I'm excited to see what's next from Culture Carton.
Check out all of our Culture Carton reviews and see what the best men's subscription boxes of 2021 are, as voted on by our readers.
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What are your thoughts on this month's Culture Carton?
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