Netflixs for clothes is how some bloggers describe Fashion startup
Le Tote. I wouldn’t necessary go that far. Netflixs (streaming at least) is instant and you can choose what film you want to see. With Le Tote a stylist chooses clothes and accessories for you based on your style preferences (i.e., Blake Lively vs. Kate Middleton,
Zara vs.
Anthropologie). For about $49 a month ($54 if you want to add the extra $5 for insurance) you receive a personally styled box filled with three garments and two accessories. Return the used items in a prepaid envelope and in 4-6 days (this is my current timeline) you get your next box.
What I like about the service is when it works it works well. For example, I wore all of my clothes in my box #2. I woke up and didn’t have to think about what to wear because I wore what was in the box. I didn’t have to think about dry cleaning or searching through my closet. Since they sent me in between season items –sleeveless shirts, thin tops, and a sleeveless dress when it was 40 degrees outside I did have to put some thought and my own style into the process but I styled the outfit around their Le Tote garments. Le Tote also gives you the chance to wear clothes you would normally never pick out for yourself.
When Le Tote fails (aka all the clothes utterly disappoint) then it’s a flat out waste of money and a perfectly good cardboard box. I have to say (and display below) that 2/3 of the boxes were waste. I did change my style preference after my first disappointing box but at this point I’m not sure it really matters. In their defense I understand that when a start-up grows it’s difficult to meet the increasing volume especially if the staff and inventory might not be at the same growth rate. My husband is in a start-up and I live less than a mile from a thousand San Francisco start-ups so I completely get it but as a consumer paying $54 a month to wear 3 garments a month is no value at all. It would be a better value to raid my friends’ closets, shopping at Forever 21 or wear the abundant supply clothes in my own closet (where is the fun in that right).
To my Le Tote stylist whoever you are I have some suggestions for you:
1.) Allow the customer to choose between what type of garments they want. For example, I would prefer you send me clothes I could wear to work. Please stop sending me studded sleeveless shirts. I haven’t gone clubbing in months.
2.) Consider buying more seasonal clothes. Thin flowing pink printed polyester dresses might be more durable but it’s freezing outside. You know this because we essentially live in the same city.
3.) There should be a function where the customer can choose exactly what garments they would like to borrow (i.e. blazer, maroon dress, etc.). I know that’s a bit controlling but in the end it would ensure a more satisfied customer.
4.)
Is there a function where I can choose what colors I would like? Aka please stop sending me bright red and baby pink –not my colors. I could go on but I’ll stop right here. I will wait for my next box and if that’s still unsuccessful than I will have to end my Le Tote membership and continuing shopping at
MyHabit.com (
ßgeez I love this site).
5.) My friend Susan also suggested that there should be a feature where you can upload a picture of yourself and maybe knowing what you look like can increase a better box for the customer (think: skin tone, individual style, body shape all matters in fashion and buying clothes).
Here are my first three boxes below....
Box #1: I wore NONE of the clothing and the jewelry. I hated the pinks and the blue shirt looked like a potato sack on me.
From Box #2 (p.s. the necklace is mine):
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| Pink Shirt |
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| Basic Black Dress (worn with a heat-tech thermal) |
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| Diamond Top (worn with another Heat-Tech thermal) |
From Box #3
I didn't like anything so I sent the entire box back. Also, the sizes ranged from XS- Medium.
Stay tuned for Le Tote mystery box #4...
