My Review of the Universal Standard Mystery Box
Universal Standard is a size-inclusive (00-40!) clothing brand that focuses on high-quality clothing in shapes and cuts that are engineered to feel good and flatter. They have an amazing range of clothing to choose from: everything from basics to dresses, jeans to outerwear! In February, Universal Standard announced that their annual mystery box sale had begun! Read on to see what I got in my mystery box.
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About the Universal Standard Mystery Box
The Box: Universal Standard Mystery Box
The Cost: From $50 to $175 depending on the 'theme' you choose!
The Products: 3 pieces of clothing from Universal Standard. Universal Standard offers sizes from 00-40. Available in the following categories: Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Luxe, Petites, Athleisure, Classic Style, Bold Style, Premier, and Surprise Me.
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 Mystery Box work?
There were a few different boxes to choose from, and honestly, this was a hard choice! I ended up selecting the 'Surprise Me!' box because I felt like it would be the most open-ended. After selecting my box, I processed my order. This was straightforward and exactly like buying any item across the site in terms of the checkout process. In about 2 hours I received an email with a link to a questionnaire regarding my likes, dislikes, and other preferences:
It was a pretty minimal investment of my time. I simply selected 3 colors I like wearing, 3 I prefer not to, and let them know I have no allergies when it comes to fiber content. Easy!
I also made sure to add a few things to my wishlist since the team at Universal Standard looks through your order history and wishlist to make sure they are sending you items you like and haven't already ordered.
Another item to note: this promo was SO successful that the team got a little behind on shipping dates. I waited a few weeks for this box to arrive! While I was antsy, I was more than willing to wait for what I was hoping would be a great deal and the personalized service that comes with someone thoughtfully hand-picking what goes inside my shipment.
My Universal Standard 'Surprise Me' Mystery Box
I was actually super nervous about what might arrive in my box. I don't do a ton of clothing reviews and what if I hated what I received? This was also my first time shopping with this brand, and their size chart is totally different than other stores (but in a really great way)! I have to admit, the thought of something not fitting or looking terrible and then being all over the internet made me more than a little nervous. I am a picky clothing shopper who is going through a revamp of her personal style (less boho, more minimal, well-made classics), which is asking A LOT of a mystery box...
My box arrived with a notecard specifying who had a hand in selecting my items.
There was also a note about an extra 4th item being included as a thank you for my patience.
Want to see what I got? Let's go!
Brooks Overalls in Slate - Estimated Value $120.00 (similar here!)
I have always wanted a pair of chic overalls, but usually, I feel pretty silly when I try them on. Because of this, I don't own a single pair! I added the Olivia Denim Overalls in Black to my wishlist and crossed my fingers that maybe, just maybe, these were the overalls I had been looking for and they might make an appearance in my box. Instead, these very similar slate grey ones appeared inside! These cute overalls were from a Danielle Brooks collaboration a few years ago and though they are not in my comfort-zone black, the slate grey is totally gorgeous and very wearable! They also had loads of stretch but still felt fitted. The width of the legs is one thing I would change, but that is an easy hand sew alteration for me. Luckily, they look adorable cuffed, so I can wear them even without slimming down the legs. They also are fitted around the bum which I think is what I had been previously missing in other styles I had tried on. I think I really like these!!
Foundation Long Sleeve Crew Neck Tee in Heather Grey - Retail Value $50.00
This pretty grey top was an item straight from my wishlist. I am a fan of a lovely heather grey and find the look very classic and versatile. The US foundation line is designed for layering, and this top is fitted, thin, and SO soft. Like... soft enough to sleep in! I paired it with my new grey overalls for a minimal look and my favorite pair of (also grey) Sasha earrings. The look feels a little 'hipper' than I actually am, but fake it 'til you make it right? I plan on wearing this top a lot this spring, especially under some of my sleeveless dresses.
Short Tee in Black - Retail Value $40.00
This was probably the item that terrified me the most when I opened the box. It looks SO cropped! And it was short-sleeved? These are two details that normally nix a purchase for me. With trepidation, I tried it on. And, of course, I loved it! Though it is cropped, I wear really high rise jeans exclusively, and this shorter length actually defined my waist beautifully. It was a big change from the oversized tops I tend to prefer. The fabric is very soft and stretchy but feels a lot more luxe and durable than any of my other tee fabric tops. I feel really cute in this tee, and it is something I NEVER would have even added to my wishlist. Everyone in the MSA office complimented this one too, which made me feel even more confident.
Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans in Distressed Black - Estimated Value $90.00 (other washes and colors here!)
Speaking of high-rise jeans, my last item is a pair! These arrived in the 32-inch length (I prefer my inseam closer to 27-28) but a quick cuff made them wearable and even chicer. The distressed wash is subtle and hole-free (thank you!) and I like how the cuffs show off the lighter reverse of the fabric. The denim has loads of stretch but somehow manages to hold its shape long term. They also fit like a dream!
Was My Universal Standard Mystery Box Worth It?
Absolutely. Though $75 is a risk, I found each of my 4 pieces to be totally wearable. My box was worth $300 total which is quite a deal for such high-quality pieces. As someone who has always looked to services like Frank And Oak with longing (their size chart is limited in comparison), this was a perfect alternative. It was also a stellar introduction to the quality I can expect from this brand and the overall fit. I am really thrilled to have added 4 quality basics to my closet for such a great price.
Though I think this promo is only once a year, you bet I will be partaking next time and likely buying multiple boxes! I also am really eager to give their 1:1 Virtual Styling service a try since I am loving the idea of a face to face styling sesh from the comfort of my couch. It might just be the perfect way to learn how to style my new pieces and add a few additional basics to my closet!
Value Breakdown
My Universal Standard Mystery Box cost $75. Here is what I paid approximately per item:
- Brooks Overalls $30.00
- Foundation Long Sleeve Top $12.50
- Black Short Tee $10.00
- Black Jeans $22.50
I used a few guesstimates for the retail prices of some items that are no longer on the Universal Standard site, but I am confident that they are pretty accurate based on the prices I could find them listed for on other sites.
Alternatively, each item had an average cost of $18.75.
Would you like to see more Universal Standard content? Have you ever tried their 1:1 styling service?
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