Fabletics, JustFab, FabFitFun and other subscription boxes know how to get us.
I decided to try each of these boxes or systems for at least one month, or season, to see if they were actually worth the price, the quality and the anxiety behind it all.
To start on the positive side, Fabletics is probably the best bet for your money. In January, Fabletics (by Kate Hudson) was offering a $10 VIP Membership subscription. With my $10 I was able to buy "an outfit" which is a predetermined top and bottom set. Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose your outfit for this deal, however, the hope is to find something that works! If you are willing to spend a bit more you can still pick individual items.
In January I purchased the Eiffel Tank/Small and Salar Leggings Tall/Small. They felt great and wash well! The price should have been $59.99 with free shipping over $49.99. I spend $14.95 ($10 VIP pricing plus shipping) for high quality thick leggings and a tank all good for working out, running, lifting and generally hanging out.
I skipped February and March.* In April I was charged the $49.99 subscription fee partially because I forgot to skip and it was my birthday month, so, why not!? (You also get a 10% discount off your order of your birthday month!)
In April, I purchased the Clara Sports Bra/Medium and Salar Cropped Leggings/Small. The price should have been $69.90. I spent $12.90 (on top of the subscription charge and with my birthday discount) for comfy lightweight leggings and a sports bra a little new to my style.
The Price: Fair
The Quality: Good
The Anxiety: Worth it
*The hack: unsubscribe or "skip this month" between the 1st and 5th of the month to avoid getting charged the $49.99.
Next was JustFab. The Boston winter killed my shoes to save the least. For a short time in March I was able to purchase 2 shoes for the price of 1 at $39.99. That was where the good story ended.
I purchased the Simona Normal/Size 10 tall boots and the Viola Size 10 short booties, both in Cognac. I ordered the size 9 originally and was able to get new ones as easy as following the instructions and a 2-week wait. With the "2 for the price of 1" deal these shoes are probably worth their quality. The short booties game me blisters and sore shins after a day of walking around in them. The boots were not supportive either but if you don't walk a lot you're fine.
Again in April I accidentally forgot to "skip the month" and was charged the $39.99. Due to me previous experience I am hesitant to order anything else with my credit. They do sell clothes and accessories, so stay tuned!
The Price: A little steep (see quality)
The Quality: Not great
The Anxiety: Not worth it
FabFitFun was the last one. After a semi-intoxicated night in March I came home and "bit the bullet" after weeks of contemplating. It shipped a few weeks later and arrived the first week of April. Every blog celebrity, fitness guru on instragram and social media enthusiast has posted a video and a promo code for $10.
I can't give a promo... but I posted the pictures anyway! For $39.99 (with the 10% discount) I received 9 full sized products. A bracelet, 20 days of gummies, a face scrub, a beach pouch, 2 nail polishes, a round tapestry, spray conditioner, 4 hydrating face masks and a full lip set. I ended up using all of them and was surprised by more than one.
It may seem like a waste of money, however, those products rack up pretty fast at any Sephora, CVS or Target. The website states that my box has a value of $379.48 while I purchased each item for an average of $4.45.
The Price: Great
The Quality: Good to great
The Anxiety: Worth it
At the end of the day - take these subscription boxes with a grain of salt. Depending on your needs per service and your ability to remember to skip if needed. Good luck and happy shopping!
