I am not becoming a fashion blogger. I am anything but! However, I have enjoyed having other people tell me what is cool to wear, so I said yes when Golden Tote asked if I wanted to review one of their totes. I’m sure there are more of you out there who need some fashion advice (or are just obsessed with clothes). If so, this site is for you.
Golden Tote calls itself “the ultimate surprise grab bag.”
You start by choosing one of the following tote options:
Then you pick out either 1 or 2 inspiration items depending on your price point, and Golden Tote surprises you with the rest. You fill out a style profile to help guide the stylist’s selection, and of course the items you choose help narrow down your style too. You can return everything if you don’t like it, but it’s all or nothing – keep it all or send it all back.
I was offered the $149 tote to try, and chose the following two items:
Macroflower Dress + The Getaway Tunic
The styles change each month, so there’s always a new selection to choose from.
So what did I think!?
I LOVED the Getaway tunic!! My favorite clothing pieces are those that are casual with dressy elements, and this one was exactly that. It looks so much nicer than a t-shirt but is just as comfy.
The Macroflower dress was gorgeous in person, but it was a bit wide for my frame, so I dug into my belt box for help.
I thought the thick belt looked good, but my friend told me “thick belts are out,” so skinny belt it is. Your opinion please?!
As for my surprise items, I liked them all:
I really like this black two-toned shirt that is all lacey and came with a matching black tank to wear underneath
Again: casual meets detail. And it’s unlike anything I already own: a plus!
This shirt is sweet and delicate and unlike anything else I own, too.
This dress was also a bit wide, but once I cinched in the waist it fit me much better. I think the shiny thin belt looks much better here. The dress is super comfy and will be great for hot summer days. I love the black ruffle at the bottom.
And last but not least, this lacy tank, which looked best with a blazer or wrap on top. It would also be great for layering. Love the color!
Golden Tote’s bang for your buck is pretty good, but it’s not for you bargain shoppers. I’d say it’s best suited for those who love grab-bag style deals (like Birchbox) and love clothes OR for those who hate shopping and clothes and just need some help with fashion! I felt the tote paid for itself (if I had bought it, that is) with the dress and tunic I chose myself I liked them so much. It’s basically risk free because you can send everything back if you choose. And another cool thing: They have a Facebook group called Golden Tote Trades so if you don’t care for just one item you can swap with another member!
And couldn’t we all use more clothes!?
This post is sponsored by Golden Tote. I was sent a tote to review and compensated for this post. The links included are affiliate links. If that makes you nervous, you can sign up on your own too. xoxo
Audrey @ In Shape Cupcake says
Awesome looks really fun! I’d love to try that out in the future!
All those items look really good by the way!
Jackie says
Live the pink dress!
Chrissy says
I like the striped dress with the belt, but it’s a no-go for a belt with the tunic dress. With it flowing loose, you look teeny-tiny, the belt makes it look oddly lumpy. Not that you are lumpy, it’s just all that fabric wadded up!
Kelly says
Yeah. I was thinking something similar, not that you looked lumpy per se but that at least from the pictures, that dress looks a little ‘off’ belted, even though I know they suggest belting it on the website. Personally I’m not a huge fan of flowy dresses. At least on me I find something that is structured on top to be WAY more flattering. I’ve tried dresses like that on before and found myself seriously discouraged by how I looked and then tried on something more structured and realized it was just the cut that didn’t do me any favors. At least for me, I feel like I have been a MUCH more successful shopper once I realized the cuts that work best for my body type, it has also made it MUCH easier to shop online when I can’t try on first.
That said, I do like the idea of being surprised with some items I might not otherwise pick. But Stitchfix’s business model sounds a bit more appealing, I don’t know that I’d want to do all or nothing. I feel like then if I liked a couple pieces it would be too easy to keep them all even if some things didn’t fit or work.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love the Facebook group idea to swap! I have a pretty hard body type to fit though, so I have a feeling something like this might not work for me – although I like that you can send it all back!
Brenda says
I really like when you thrown in fashion posts. I actually think the floral dress looks great without a belt. Belting it made it look a little frumpy. The striped dress looks great with the shiny, thin belt. Your friend is right, wide belts are not in style right now. If you think about it, you got some great pieces for the total price. Fun!
Teri [a foodie stays fit] says
I LOVE that tunic on you!! So cute. I definitely think the thinner belts look better – maybe try a brighter colored belt too?
I keep waiting for a company for women that is similar to Trunk Club for men. They send all high-end items and you can keep what you want, one piece, everything or nothing. And you don’t have to pay anything if you don’t keep anything.
Becky@TheSavedRunner says
I love these clothes! I think the first shirt is my favorite!
Liana@RunToMunch says
What a cute idea!
I love having new things, but every since online shopping became so easy, I haven’t really been wanted to go back to the racks ever again.
Kori says
You look gorgeous, Kath!! I love those items. I wear wide & skinny belts. I think they’re both in style! Plus, I love being unique, so just wear what you like. 🙂 I would love to try this, but it is a bit pricey. Maybe 1 day. 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I really like the striped dress and black/gray top with the lace. I’m not totally feeling the pink dress but I’m also not the most fashionable so who knows where my opinion stands… 😉
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
Loving all the clothes! What a cool concept, the group on Facebook is really cool too!
Catherine says
How cute you look! Yes, thin belts are in, thick are out. I love the idea of having clothes show up at my house, but having to keep either all or nothing is a bit scary! Trading with others is a great idea though! Cool find!
KathEats says
How do you all know this belt info!?
Ella says
I didn’t know that either! Can our excuse be our small children? Somehow I have a feeling that doesn’t explain our ignorance though 🙂
KathEats says
Haha
Paige says
Lol, I agree that wide belts are out, which is sad cause I loved them. I tend to follow fashion magazines on twitter or Facebook so I can see what’s on trend for the moment 🙂
Catherine says
🙂 I was lost before Pinterest. Just a quick look at the women’s fashion page, and you’ll get lots of ideas!
Katie says
I haven’t done stitch fix yet, but I might give Golden Tote a try instead, especially when they tell you the total price upfront! I agree with your friend, skinny belts are in!
Leslee @ Her Happy Balance says
Such a cool idea. I’m a big sucker for subscription boxes and have not ever heard of this service before! I think the skinnier belts look best with the dresses. The Getaway Tunic is my favorite piece, it looks fab on you. It will be perfect for the summer 🙂
Kimberly says
I think the dress looks best without either belt! I don’t think it looks to wide for you at all. Very cute.
Ali says
That’s a cool idea. I like your clothes too. The getaway tunic is my favorite.
Kim says
Great review. What sizes did you choose and how was the fit?
KathEats says
I think I said Medium across the board (because it’s better to review clothes that are too big than too small) but I think I probably could have gone with a small.
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
and i love your mint shorts — where are those from?
KathEats says
Thanks LOFT from last year
Wren says
You look great in all of them! Though I think the first dress looks more beautiful without the belt — it’s sort of a retro look/fit.
Hope says
We have a very similar style so I love when you do fashion posts!
Angelica says
I think trapeze dresses, like skinny jeans, look good only on tiny frames. I think your chest and athletic build make it look too wide and the belts make it too pleated. Some of the other clothes are cute, but I swear, I see stuff like that at Target all the time! These sites are probably great for upper-middle-class women, but not for those of us on a serious budget!
Rebekah {aCricketSang} says
I can definitely relate! I usually never shop for clothes, and my closet is full of casual clothing. I just started using Stitch Fix (a similar sort of idea, except you have a personal stylist pick out your items for you). I’ve only gotten 1 box so far, but it’s really exciting and I think it will help add some color and style to my closet. I wrote up my experience opening the first box on my blog: http://acricketsang.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-first-stitch-fix-box-personal.html
I’ll have to check out Golden Tote too 🙂
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I haven’t heard of Golden Tote but I love a lot of the pieces they sent you, so I’m definitely willing to try it out! Can I ask what you think of it compared to Stitch Fix? I had my first fix a few months ago and liked one of the clothing pieces and one accessory so I think I might like to try something new just to see how they compare.
KathEats says
They both have their pros and cons. I like that you can return individual items to SF but GT is less expensive…so it’s kind of a gamble either way!
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
That’s the fun part right? 🙂 I think I might try GT just to see what’s it like. I love getting ideas for different things to try, whether they are boxes or services like these. Makes life a little more exciting.
jill says
Those are all so sweet! I think I like the stripey dress (unbelted) more than the floral one, but I am so not a fashionista, or even close, so I have no idea. I feel like the tops would go really nicely with dark skinny jeans (in? out? No clue, I’m still wearing skinny-style pants), more than shorts that are in a different colour palette, but that’s probably just what you had on at the time. Cute stuff!
Reb (Pancake Manor) says
Wow, super cool idea! I think all of your items turned out remarkably well. It is appealing to the lazy shopper in me!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
I haven’t tried any of those subscriptions yet, but i’m really intrigued! Maybe its because I love the process of shopping so much, I think i’m afraid if I get a box then I won’t be able to head to the shops as much 🙂 That tunic is really awesome! I could see layering it for vacation and to go out at night.
Meme says
I like the two dresses without belts. That’s their style and how they are supposed to fit. The addition of a belt makes them look frumpy.
Liz says
Fun post! I think the skinny belts look great with both dresses. That really is a pretty good deal for all of those items!
Molly L. says
Wow! This is cool! I liked hearing about the differences between SF and GT. I’m going to give this one a go! Thanks for explaining how it works. Love that you can still send it all back.
Leah (goodnightcheese) says
Everything seems to fit you so well! I like the idea of the company, but not that you have to keep all or nothing. Seems like a bit of a trick to encourage buyers to keep everything because they really like a couple of items.
Rebecca says
I think the Macroflower dress looks the best without either belt. And the colors look great on you!
Ella says
I think you look a lot like your sister in that first pic of the Macroflower dress. And I agree with others – it looks best unbelted, and is really super cute on you!
Andrea says
I love the macroflower dress, it looks great on you, definitely best belt-free.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
I love this — what a fun idea!
CATHY says
Like the striped dress belted, but not the pink one. All the tops look super cute on you.
Becky says
LOVE the tunic! I don’t care for belts with either of the dresses though. Maybe it looks different in person, but the photos aren’t flattering.
Livi says
I love the white top! SO cute!!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
I really like that first tunic! And I’m actually a fan of both the thick belt and the skinny belt— they look equally as flattering in my opinion.
I love that each of these pieces are simple, but like you said, they have cute, unique details!
K says
Yes to the shirts, no to the dresses! I feel like the pink dress just has too much fabric for your frame but the grey dress could work if it was tailored to your shape (love the neckline)
Michele says
I think the dresses look too big for you, even belted. I think a service like this would be fun but I don’t like the all or nothing terms. I guess I’ll just keep shopping the old fashioned way! 🙂
karenb says
Love the pink dress without a belt!
Amanda says
Love the lacy black/grey top and the delicate white top! They’re really cute on you!
CM says
Maybe it’s because I’m NOT a fashion maven but I say who cares what’s in or out? I think wide belts are much more flattering on certain people with certain outfits and they can highlight an hourglass shape so nicely, so if it makes my body look banging, I don’t really care if it’s outdated, people will be too busy admiring how hot I look to think about what clothes I’m wearing 😉
KathEats says
That’s the attitude!
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
I agree with CM! I think we should wear what makes us feel good, not what’s “in fashion.” I still wear my wide belts, because I like how they look on me. Also, I love the Getaway Tunic and the Black Two-Toned shirt on you!
Emily says
I looooove tunics like that. They’re so flattering!
Melissa Moore Johnon says
Thicker belt with the Macroflower is flattering, Kath. I don’t follow trends, I follow my instincts and creativity (which is why my closet has stood the test of time). Skinny silver belt with the striped dress looks great!