14 Fashion Subscription Boxes That Are Actually Worth It
Sure, shopping in person is great, but getting a package of products lovingly curated just for you is just a bit more fun. Whether it's a box full of cute blouses, a couple of wedding season-ready dresses or a pair of on-trend (yet comfortable) shoes, there truly is a clothing subscription box for every single style.
But how do you know which subscription boxes are filled with gems and which are a waste of money? We talked to real subscribers to find out which ones actually pass the style and budget test. Here, the fashion subscription boxes that won’t let you, or your wardrobe, down.
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1. Stitch Fix
For those who hate to shop, listen up: Here's a no-subscription-necessary selection of pieces just for you. Stitch Fix starts out with a style quiz about your preferences; after the quick assessment, you're matched up with a stylist who becomes your own personal shopper. You can send him or her Pinterest boards, inspiration photos and continue to update your preferences based on what’s going on in your life. (Getting married soon? They can send you white dresses and blouses for events. Pregnant? Switch to maternity sizing only.) Each box comes with five personalized items for a $20 styling fee, which can go toward your final purchase. With the average item coming in around $55, the cost is good for what you get. You have three days to decide what to keep and what to return, and if you keep it all, you'll get 25 percent off of your entire purchase. Going forward, you can select your Fix frequency (how often you get new boxes, that is). Because you don’t see what's in your box until it arrives, some users say that it really can be hit-or-miss, however the more information you put into your stylist’s hands, the more you’ll love what they send.
2. Trunk Club
Similar to Stich Fix, Trunk Club is a personal subscription that does the browsing for you. The biggest difference is that it lives under the Nordstrom umbrella. Think: access to all the inventory, plus that impeccable customer service you know and love. Upon signing up, you'll be assigned to a stylist who chats with you to get the lowdown on your style preferences. You can send them Pinterest boards, inspiration photos and what looks best on you and they'll send you an email of the twelve items in your box. From there, you can thumbs up, swap out and confirm shipment on all of the selections. Each box carries a $25 styling fee—waived for Nordstrom cardholders—which can be applied to your final purchase. Trunk Club advertises that most of its inventory is in the $100 to $300 range, however many users claim it’s closer to $100. You have five days to decide what to keep and what to return, but it’s worth noting that if something breaks or rips, the all-star customer service we spoke of will take care of it—no questions asked.
3. Nuuly
Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters are some of our favorite places to shop, but the prices do add up. Nuuly is a great work-around to that, since this subscription service lets you rent six items a month from the aforementioned retailers (in addition to a handful of other standout brands) for $88, with free shipping and returns, and no need to launder or repair the items before return. (And you can buy anything that you absolutely fall in love with at a discount.)
4. Fabletics
There's a wide range of styles and sizes offered by Fabletics, with new collections dropping every week. When you join the VIP club, your $50 monthly fee can be spent right away or held for you to redeem on purchases in the future. The best part? VIP members get up to 50 percent off every purchase, which means you'll be paying as little at $50 for a two-piece yoga or running outfit. You also get membership to the new Fabletics FIT app, which has top trainers leading you through workouts and meditations.
5. Curateur
Four times a year, this Rachel Zoe-owned brand sends out a seasonal curated box of the sort of luxurious classics in fashion, home and beauty that the celebrity stylist is known for. It's not cheap—$100 per quarter—but the selects are chic and quality. It looks like Zoe's Hollywood style just became accessible.
6. Adore Me
Heading into a lingerie department or store can be overwhelming, with the super-lacey styles next to the minimalist no-wire bralettes and...there's seldom someone who can tell us where the seamless panties are. That's over with a subscription to Adore Me, where you answer questions about your preferred styles, colors and, of course, sizes. Then you have the option to receive or skip a curated bra-and-knickers set, athletic wear, a bathing suit or sleepwear that you can buy for $40 to $60, or just return postage-paid, for a $20 styling fee (that's discounted from your first purchase).
7. Dailylook
Brands like Equipment, Rebecca Minkoff and J Brand are part of the mix at Dailylook, the subscription box that's like a stop at that chic little boutique in the cool part of town. While the styling fee for each box—$40—is higher than most on this list, that amount is subtracted from the cost of anything you end up buying. Each box contains 12 items, beginning at $60, and you can preview what will be in your box before it arrives. Monthly, every other month or quarterly, you can opt for a box that's postage-paid both ways.
8. Underclub
Underclub is a designer underwear subscription service, is female-owned and is all about size inclusivity, with sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. And its aesthetics are on point, too—the fancy selects in past monthly knickers sends include a gorgeous black pair with white applique overlay by Natori, a filmy stretch lace by Italian-made brand Cosabella, the almost-forget-you're-wearing seamless pair by Commando and a bright modern printed thong from OnGossamer. With Underclub, you simply sign up for one of two plans and get one or two pairs of underwear sent to your home for as little at $15 per month, or bralette sets for $45 a month. Members also have the option of a one-time refresh of their whole underwear drawer, when they buy a deep-discounted bundle, as well as access to an online shop where quality bralette sets and satin cami- and-tap pants sleepwear can be had for under $50.
9. Urbanebox
Less is more at Urbanebox, where for $65 per month, you get two to three wardrobe staples sent directly to you. The brand asks you to fill out an extensive questionnaire at the beginning of your membership, then uses that as a guide to curate your selects from then on. Users appreciate the personal touch at Urbanebox—each member is assigned a personal stylist they can email for questions and comments about what works and doesn't. Urbanebox started as a men's clothing subscription service (it still has a men's section), so it's no surprise the women's wing of the business skews toward tailored separates and shoes. "[This] isn't my first time using UrbaneBox," one woman reports. "I've never been disappointed! Especially during this crazy time. I'm super pleased with the style selection."
10. Rent the Runway
This subscription service is truly meant for women who love to shop and try new brands. With pages filled with designer clothing and accessories, it’s a smart choice for someone who wants to try out high-end brands without the high price tags. There are four plans to choose from: four items per month for $89, eight items per month for $135 or 16 items per month for $199. Here’s how it works: You browse through the thousands of tops, pants, dresses, jewelry and more to select your favorite things. Rent the Runway takes care of shipping, returns and dry cleaning, so all you have to worry about is online shopping. Reviews from previous wearers and stylists help determine sizing and fit before ordering, but the company is also quick to expedite a return if something doesn’t work for you. If you love an item, you have the chance to purchase it for up to 70 percent off the original price. (Think: $131 for a dress that originally cost $438.)
11. Gwynnie Bee
The OG plus-size subscription box, Gwynnie Bee has truly revolutionized the shopping experience for women who wear sizes 10 to 32. Similar to Rent the Runway, the model of the business is unlimited items that you can wear as many times as you want before returning at the end of the month. They’ll also take care of shipping, returns and dry cleaning. Choose from one to ten items per month, ranging in price from $49 to $199, respectively. (Full price breakdown here, but they also offer a free 30-day trial.)
12. JustFab
Crazy about shoes, but not able to find ongoing shoe sales to continually get the latest looks for less? That's the issue that JustFab addresses, since for a monthly membership free of $40, VIP members can select one of the new seasonal styles, or opt to skip that month. We appreciate that the flats are given as much style consideration as the heels, with luxe embellishments like rhinestones, pom poms and leopard print. (Don't worry, that's not all on the same shoe.)
13. Elizabeth & Clarke
Office-friendly suits and separates are available in seasonal collections at Elizabeth & Clarke, where you'll appreciate the clean shapes of jackets, tops and pants in black and white. Clothes like a wrap-top jumpsuit in a rayon/nylon/spandex knit and elastic-waist wide-leg pants in washable silk are deemed “unstainable” because they are treated with a technology that repels soiling and even wrinkling. Sign up for the shirt or suiting collection box, and get one box starting at $60 every season. If something isn't to your liking, you can return it for another size or get a refund.
14. Ellie
Love fitness but tend to change your routine each month? Ellie is for you. For a membership fee starting at $40, you get to choose between 18 coordinated outfits that run the gamut from a sports bra and leggings to a pair of running tights and a jacket. Besides being able to actually select the outfit you want, you can also add on extras curated for each set. For example, for an additional $5, a running set adds a bra top to the tights and jacket. And for another $5 on top of that, you can receive workout tools like a stretch band and a reflexology massage mat for your feet. Plus, there's no commitment, hassle-free returns and the ability to skip a month or cancel at any time.
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