While I am contracted to share the Universal Standard Mystery Box promo on Instagram, I am sharing this promotion on the blog as a PSA/unpaid because I think it's such a good deal. There are affiliate links in this post; if you click on one and make a purchase I may make a small commission.
What is Universal Standard?
Universal Standard is a fashion brand that provides high-quality clothing in sizes 00-40. Started with two friends who wanted to shop together, their goal with Universal Standard was to erase the invisible fashion line separating "straight" and "plus" sizes and give all women the same level of style, quality, and respect and to have the same shopping experience.
Unlike many retailers that use one fit model for a dozen sizes, Universal Standard cuts pieces to work for each size, and often you'll find bodies of every size the brand carries, modeling the clothes on their site, helping you envision the pieces on your own figure.
What is the Universal Standard Mystery Box?
For the Mystery Box promotion, Universal Standard will use your overall shopping behavior, survey results, and past purchases to curate a box with pieces they're sure you'll love. Your box will have bestsellers, items that look to fit with past purchases (if applicable), and even items that have yet to showcase on the Universal Standard website.
Choose which box appeals to you (there are 11 different ones to choose from at different price points and with different categories of clothing), and you'll get an email from Universal Standard with a link to a survey that asks a series of questions to understand your style preferences and ultimately, helps build your custom box.
Every Universal Standard Mystery Box will have a value higher than the price you pay. It may be $5 more, it may be $125 more. You never know what you're going to get!
Last year, the Universal Standard Mystery Boxes sold out in just a few days and a lot of Universal Standard fans bought several boxes. To make the Mystery Box campaign in 2021 more fair, each customer is limited to purchasing three (3) Mystery Boxes.
Universal Standard Promo Code
Universal Standard provided me with the promo code wardrobe_oxygen10; if you use wardrobe_oxygen10 at checkout you will get 10% off your entire order, including 10% off the already low price of the Mystery Boxes.
My Universal Standard Mystery Box
As an influencer, I was invited to try out the 2021 Universal Standard Mystery Box promotion ahead of the public. I had the opportunity to receive a Luxe Box for free (you can purchase it for $198).
Like any Mystery Box customer, I was sent a survey after agreeing to review the Luxe Box. My survey asked questions like what climate I prefer to dress for, what necklines I like, what inseam do I prefer, and my favorite color palette.
My Universal Standard Mystery Box Review
This fabric is silky on the inside, the outside is like a crepe with almost a wool feel. It's super elegant and the kind of piece that you can wear to the office or glam up for a night out. Genius design and little details make this a wrap dress that works with curves, offering plenty of space for a bust and enough fabric across the wrap to feel covered whether you're sitting on the subway or walking on a windy day.
The Rubicon Shirt Dress in Cupro is a good universal dress. Pair now with a Foundation turtleneck, tights, and tall boots; come spring pair with flats or ankle booties. The sleeves roll up nicely, the dress has pockets, and cupro looks and feels like silk while being machine washable.
A 10/12 was snug on my arms and I think in general I would have liked this dress a size larger. I have mixed feelings about cupro and silk; it feels great but gosh it can wrinkle like crazy. I wore this dress in the car to the shoot which was about a 7-minute drive from our home. I steamed the dress before we left. I should have not worn it while sitting before a shoot, but at least you get a true feel for how the fabric holds up.
Finally, I got the Willow Cocoon Coat. This is a badass coat, made of a wool blend that looks like a knit. This color is super chic and versatile. That being said, this coat, which is supposed to be a relaxed fit, felt like it was two sizes too big on me. It's the kind of oversized fit that is chic on a taller person, but when you're petite you just look like you're playing dress-up.
That hasn't stopped me from wearing it though. Because it's a relaxed fit the coat slips easily over hoodies and thick sweaters, and there's room to have a song scarf or pashina looped around the neck and tucked in to protect the chest and collarbone. It's such an elegant fabric and color, I had a stranger stop me, all bundled up in a hat and sunglasses and a mask to ask me where I got my coat.
I'd say my Mystery Box experience is a good example of what this may be like for you. There are some true gems, there will be some misses, but you usually end up getting your money's worth. This is a gamble, you have no control over what you get and sales are final on the Universal Standard Mystery Box, but the quality and style, in general, is quite good.
Is the Universal Standard Mystery Box Worth It?
Let's face it, this is a great deal on clothing. Whether you're new to the brand, trying to reduce spending, or feel like you're in a style rut, this is a great option.
The Luxe Box sells for $198; I received $700 worth of clothing in my Luxe Box. It is a gamble, but considering the feedback of Wardrobe Oxygen readers who did the Universal Standard Mystery Box last year, most felt they got their money's worth, and for those who didn't there were ways for them to earn back their investment and then some.
What If I Don't Like my Universal Standard Mystery Box?
Purchases of the Universal Standard Mystery Box are final. That being said, that doesn't mean if you don't like everything you get in your Mystery Box you're out of luck.
Universal Standard Mystery Boxes: The Fine Print
All sales of the Mystery Boxes are final, there are no exchanges or substitutions. Only three boxes per customer. This promotion ends February 17, 2021, or when the boxes sell out, whichever comes first. If you are unsure of your size in Universal Standard, visit this link and have a tape measure ready. You cannot mix sizes within a Mystery Box, but you can buy one box in one size and another box in a different one.
Good luck, and do share your Universal Standard Mystery Box experiences and what you received this year in the comments below! Also, I am happy to answer any questions you may have about this promotion!
