Golden Tote February 2014 Review

Golden Tote February 2014 Review: $149 Tote

It's everyone's favorite time! Golden Tote review day!

The Tote, Itself

Golden Tote is a monthly clothing surprise service.  There are two options: a $49 tote and a $149 tote.  With the smaller tote, you pick one item from a gallery and GT surprises you with 1-3 more items.  This tote usually includes one clothing item and an accessory as the surprises.  The larger tote contains 6-7 items, with you picking the first two.  This tote will almost always include all clothing and zero accessory items (like scarves).  The larger tote will send you dresses more often than the smaller one.

Right now GT has sizes XS-L.  For reference, I order a size small tote and am a size 4 (27) in jeans and usually a small in tops (Old Navy and Target).  Everything always fits me really well.

First Look

This month, I was looking to expand my spring wardrobe.  This means getting away from my winter staple of gray, and into my spring staple of cream.  My two picks represent that mind-set.

Under Skies Dress

Under Skies Embroidered Shift Dress (Step into Spring Creme Dress on the site). ($45)

Under Skies Dress

This was the first item I chose.  I loved the cream color, with black accents.  It is the perfect winter-to-spring transition piece!  It has 3/4 sleeves and is lined.  It hits just above the knee. 

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Front

 I tried tying the belt in both the front and the back, and I like it either way.  I can't wait to wear it!

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Back

Potters Pot Pretty Embroidered Top ($42).

Potter's Pot Top

I couldn't pass up this top! It is cream, and I love sheer tops for this time of year!  I feel like they are very feminine, and that is usually how I try to dress in the spring. 

Potter's Pot Top

 Enough bulky sweaters and snow boots- give me sheer fabrics, soft colors, and delicate details.  I am wearing a pale pink tank top underneath for the pictures. 

Surprise Items:
Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

This swing dress was one of the mystery items that was revealed during the ordering window.  The founders of Golden Tote are the ladies behind the Puella line of clothing (sold at Anthropologie), and it looks like now there is an offshoot of Puella called Priddy.  

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

All of the dresses I have from Puella are really comfortable and look great on.  I have a 3/4 sleeve swing dress from them already, and was glad to add this full-sleeved one to my closet.  

Swing Dress, not belted

The elbows have lighter patches on them, and the fabric is a medium heathered blue.  It is darker than in the solo pictures.  The color in the first look picture is the most accurate.

Swing Dress, belted

As with most swing dresses, it looks better on me when I have it belted.

Puella Leggings

Puella Leggings.  Now, with 100% more duvet fuzz!

Another Puella item!  These leggings have a ruffled fold-over top and are made of nice, thick fabric.  They are also a lot longer than the other leggings I have!  Most only go down to my ankle bone, but these are longer than that.  I will definitely get some use out of them.

Ruffle Leggings

  I don't believe in leggings as pants, though, so I'm afraid nobody will be able to see the ruffled top.  Leggings are for under dresses and tunics!  Say no to camel toe!  All in all, I can always use more leggings.  I like them.

Under Skies Shirt

Under Skies Shirt

In the past, I have been sent a number of items of clothing by Under Skies, and I have loved them all.  

Under Skies Shirt

I was a little hesitant about this one until I unfolded it! I really like it.  The material is light and silky, and the crossed back adds a little pizzazz.

Under Skies Shirt, Back
with Puella Leggings

Under Skies Shirt, Front
with Puella Leggings

  It drapes nicely and the pattern isn't too garish for me.  I approve! Another win.

In Clover Top

In Clover Top

The last item is the one I was the most afraid of.  I had seen some spoilers online of other people's totes, and I was hoping I would not get this shirt (there were some other items that I didn't want to get, either, but this was the only one that showed up in my tote).  

In Clover Top

Alas, I got it.  I was afraid the patterned placket would be too much for me, but I don't hate it!  It is much nicer in person, and even better on a human.  The shirt itself is nice and soft, and I like the rolled-up sleeves.  I will make it work.

This was a nice tote for me.  I wear the clothing from GT more than anything else in my wardrobe! I went away for this past weekend and just about everything I wore was from one tote or another.  The items are always good quality and fit well.  I like that I can pick out one or two things I know I will love, and get surprised by the rest!  GT has a place for you to create a style profile, so the company can hopefully tailor your tote to your preferences.  It seems to work well for me!

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Golden Tote July 2013 Review

My Golden Tote from the July selection arrived today! I was so excited to see what was in my first $149 tote.

Golden Tote is a clothing subscription service that sends you clothing and some acessories every month.  There are two tote options: a $49 tote where you pick the first piece and they send you 1-2 more (up to $250 value); and a $149 option where you pick two pieces and they send you 3-5 more (up to $600 value) based on a style profile you fill out.

The first item I picked was the Puella Swing Dress.  Puella was started by the same girls who then went on to start Golden Tote.  I love everything of theirs that I've been sent so far!

Puella Swing Dress,

I definitely like it better with a belt!

Puella Swing Dress

Puella Swing Dress in Navy and White Stripe 

Puella Swing Dress in Navy and White Stripe detail

This dress is on sale for $66 at the Golden Tote website.  I love how comfortable it is, but it still looks really nice.  It is 72% poly and 28% rayon and dry clean only (which means it's DIRTY.... with apologies to Mitch Hedberg).  I can see this becoming one of my fall favorites on my teaching days!                                          

Next in the tote is a tank from Collective Concepts.  My boyfriend said it looked like a Magic Eye pattern and I agree.  But, it is comfy and fits well and I don't wear patterns (other than horizontal stripes) very often, so it's nice to change things up.

Collective Concepts Tank

This tank is a little on the longer side, but not quite tunic-length.  I'll probably end up tucking it in and wearing it with a sweater to work.  I really like it, even though it is not something I would pick out on my own.  This is why I love Golden Tote! They know me better than I know myself.

Collective Concepts Tank

Check out the contrasting patterns.  It works, against my better judgement.

Detail of Collective Concepts Tank. 

This tank is 100% polyester and dry clean only.  I found a similar tank on piperlime and it was selling for $59.  I think Piperlime marks things up quite a bit, so I will knock 20% off the price to estimate the actual value.  $47.

Even though in my profile I said that I didn't like maxi dresses, they apparently took that to mean maxi skirts were ok.  I don't have any, so I'm not complaining because this one is pretty decent.  It is paneled at the bottom to give it a lot of freedom and motion.

Potter's Pot Maxi Skirt

Don't mind the belly, this is how high I had to pull it up so it didn't hit the ground.  I have some room to wear heels with it if I lower the waistband.

Potter's Pot Maxi Skirt

The waistband has a metallic gold and black background with orange and blue detailing.  It's really pretty in person and I need to figure out an outfit that I can wear with this skirt that will show it off!  If I still was in the orchestra world, this would be excellent for concerts, but I'll have to find another place to wear it!

Potter's Pot Maxi Skirt Waistband Detail

It's really hard to find these things online! Again, Piperlime has some (mini) skirts by Potter's Pot that are selling for $59.  Again, I think that might be a little high, so we will take 20% off and call it $47.

The skirt is double layered chiffon (100% polyester) and says to hand wash and line dry.


We have another Puella item, and one I definitely would not have even looked twice at in a store.  It is growing on me now, though.  It is a really light and soft fabric and the bold geometric print is unlike anything else I own.  The cozy factor definitely will push me to wear it, and I'm ok with going outside my comfort zone for something that feels so soft it might be more appropriate for sleeping than for working.

Puella Top

Puella Top

Detail of Puella Top

Puella tees go for about $20 (on sale right now) at Anthropologie, which seems like a good estimate to me.

This is 100% rayon, hand wash and lay flat to dry.


The Bonjour Cafe blouse by Under Skies was my second pick and I am so happy with it! It is light and sheer and fun and very wearable.  I can see myself wearing it with jeans to work, or dressing it up with a skirt if I have to look a little more professional.

Under Skies Bonjour Cafe Blouse

I couldn't tell from the pictures online, but the bottom is elastic.  I thought the model had it tucked in neatly to her jeans, but this makes it even better! It won't come untucked and look sloppy :).

Under Skies Bonjour Cafe Blouse

The blouse has pretty gold buttons on the cuffs, as well as across the shoulders.  It's a really nice detail that pulls it together.

Detail on Shoulders of Under Skies Bonjour Cafe Blouse

Golden Tote is selling this in their boutique for $46 on sale right now.

It is 100% Polyester, came with a spare button, and is hand wash and lay flat to dry.

The final item is probably my favorite thing in the whole tote!  If you asked me to describe my perfect year-round item, I would say it would be a cozy, soft, grey open-knit sweater.  That is exactly what this is, and I am thrilled.  Put it over shorts and a tank for a cool summer night, but pair with a scarf and some knee boots for a nice fall outfit.  Grey is my favorite clothing color, too.  It is a great neutral!

Under Skies Open-Knit Sweater

So comfy! So soft! So perfect!

Under Skies Open-Knit Sweater

It is as comfortable as a sweatshirt, but because it is slightly metallic, looks a little nicer.

Close up of Under Skies Open-Knit Sweater

This is 100% Rayon and hand wash, flat dry.  Some other Under Skies tops (button downs and blazers) went for an average of $45 on lulus.com (which I have never heard of... is it legit? They have some cute things!)

ban.do Flash Bobbi Set

These bobby pins were a bonus! Aren't they cute? I hope they don't pull my hair out like the Birchbox ones did :/.

These retail for $10.

Golden Tote July 2013 $149 tote

As always, they included a branded tote bag.  They are so useful! $3? I'd buy one for that much.

I also got a bonus in this month's tote! I won second place in a contest they ran on Instragram (#gtfavorites) and they sent my prize with this month's tote.

What was my prize?

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet in Kelly Green!

My prize was a beautiful hand-crafted leather wallet from Cleobella.

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet

Detail.  The gold is actually a little metallic and shiny.

Not bad for some selfies! The Mexicana Wallet retails for $138, which is almost as much as I paid for this entire tote! 

My overall (very estimated) value without the wallet is $284.  I think that is a pretty good deal for $149 plus about $8 S&H.  I definitely underestimated some of the retail prices, but that's ok because I probably wouldn't pay full price for any of the items I received.  I'm a poor grad student and mostly wear basics from Old Navy.  GT gives me a chance to class up my wardrobe at an affordable price.

As always, everything fits perfectly (their sizing guide is spot-on) and is something that I will wear.  Most of my current favorite articles of clothing are from Golden Tote.  I know that I can trust that they will send me quality items that I will enjoy wearing.  For $149, this could not have been any better!

This post contains items I purchased with my own money, or won in a promotion.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.