Friday, October 4, 2013

Elizabeth & Clarke: Seasonal Basics

For months, people have been talking to me about subscription boxes... from BirchBox to BarkBox to StitchFix, it really made me curious.  I happened upon Elizabeth & Clarke, which seemed like the perfect match for me; it's seasonal (4x per year) and focuses on versatile basics for women.


With Elizabeth & Clarke, you choose up to three shirts ($60 for the three, shipping and tax included) per season from their carefully curated collection.  You can choose fewer shirts if you want, but the price per shirt increases slightly.  Most of the selections are white, black, or another neutral color, so this service is really great if you're trying to build a closet of basics like me.

My Selections for Fall 2013

I was a little anxious to receive my box, as $60 out of my monthly budget is a big investment.  $20 per shirt isn't bad for high quality shirts, but I still had no idea what they would be like in person.

I was so pleasantly surprised!  I love good fabrics, and these shirts were all fantastic.  I could see myself wearing each and every one of them, especially for work.  They felt so expensive, way more than the $20/ea price I paid.  Happy day!   I would venture to say the fabric felt luxurious, and I could see a lot of different ways I could wear each piece.

My box!

The only problem?  I ordered them a size too big.  (Rookie mistake!)  I immediately e-mailed Customer Service, and they were so quick to respond.  We're exchanging my shirts and adjusting the size listed on my account, so my December box will be good to go.  Also, returns are totally free; you can request a prepaid shipping label.

I feel lucky that on my first attempt with a subscription I had such a good experience.  Maybe this is a gateway to new things?  Dangerous how easy the internet makes shopping these days...

Do you subscribe to a service like this?  How do you like it?

P.S.  I was not asked to review this service (nor compensated) by Elizabeth & Clarke, I am reviewing my own paid subscription!

12 comments:

  1. I subscribe to StitchFix and I like it. For my first box (in May), I wanted a graduation dress. I didn't keep anything else from that box (ranged from not-my-taste to didn't-fit/hang-right on my body) except the dress I did end up wearing for graduation. I kept three items from my second box and sent back two that didn't hang right on my frame (I have a short torso which is quite the sizing challenge). My next box is December, so we'll see. What I like the best is that they send me items that I may not necessarily think about buying for myself, but really like. I think it pushes me a little in directions I would have been hesitant to go on my own.

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    1. I read a bunch of bloggers' reviews of StitchFix, and the price points per item they were sharing intimidated me a bit. I think it might be because I don't like unpredictability, and with E&C and my other shopping I can be as particular and selective as I want to be. I think I'd have more fun being the stylist at StitchFix than on the receiving end of a StitchFix box.

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  2. Very interesting! I assume they don't carry petite sizing. I am so tempted by this but just can't do regular sizes in blouses unless they are meant to be unstructured. (Like LTC above I also have a short torso.) At least that's kept me from buying a zillion of Everlane's silk blouses.

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    1. No, they don't carry petite sizing. These blouses definitely run long in the torso (it is kind of the style I'm seeing lately), so while the looser fitting ones might work, the more tailored looks might turn into tunics/dresses on you!

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    2. You might e-mail them to ask about a size recommendation if you're curious; after all, returns are totally free! :)

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  3. I think I'll give them a try!! I've been big into neutrals lately & am moving away from crazy colors anyway.

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    1. If you're interested in the Fall Collection, I'd reach out to them ASAP to see if they have anything left. Selections for December are due fairly soon, though they won't ship until December 15th at the earliest. There are only four boxes per year, which I kind of like because I'm not locked in every single month!

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  4. I would watch out for this company. They're not very nice:
    http://beautyandbox.blogspot.com/2013/09/why-im-convinced-elizabeth-clarke-is.html

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    1. Thanks for the heads up, hopefully I don't have any issues!

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    2. I've read Christine Parizo's rant and I think that her comment, which I read on the E&C FB before it was deleted, was a politically charged statement that had very little to do with the shirts other than the naming issue. It's a free country. Politics makes people angry. I for one think it's a ridiculous reason to get so bent out of shape. The shirts aren't labeled with their "Elizabethian" names, for crying out loud, so it's just a name used on their website. Having received two shipments from E&C for Summer 2013 and Fall 2013, of which I received three quality shirts each time, and I'm currently wearing the Lyon btw, I think it's an amazing subscription service.

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    3. I agree, I saw the posts on other websites... I am still happy with my purchase.

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  5. So, Miranda B., you agree with them revoking my credit and cancelling my account was appropriate? And I agree that politics makes people angry - which is why they should not have named a shirt after Elizabeth Warren.

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