Universal Standard Clothing: A Comprehensive Review

Universal Standard has carved a niche in the fashion world with its commitment to inclusive sizing and high-quality garments, catering to women of all shapes and sizes. Known for sizes from 00 to 40, meaning they have something for every body. This review dives into various aspects of the brand, from its popular Surprise Me Boxes to its denim collection, offering insights into fit, quality, and overall value.

Unboxing the Universal Standard Surprise Me Box

The Universal Standard Surprise Me Box is an annual offering that piques the interest of many fashion enthusiasts. The excitement of receiving a curated selection of the brand's best-selling items at a discounted price is undeniable.

First Impressions

The anticipation begins with the arrival of the box. Unboxing reveals a selection of surprise pieces, creating an element of excitement. It's a great way to explore their styles, and you get a nice variety of high-quality items at a discounted price.

A Closer Look at the Items

Here's a breakdown of some of the items that might be found in a Surprise Me Box:

ComfortDenim Drawstring Jean Trousers: These trousers offer a unique blend of denim and loungewear aesthetics. The quality of the fabric is top-notch, made to last. The drawstring detail may not appeal to everyone, as some prefer the structure of traditional denim. Lighter weight than traditional denim (74% Cotton, 21% Polyester, 3% Viscose, and 2% Elastane), they are not thin like chambray and have more structure and substance.
Cooling Stretch Cupro Button-Down Blouse: A versatile piece, the Cooling Stretch Cupro Button-Down Blouse, often comes in rich colors suitable for fall. The fabric is soft and luxurious, providing comfort and maintaining its shape. Style tip: Pair it with some tailored trousers or tuck it into a high-waisted skirt for an effortless, chic look. You can dress it up or down, making it super versatile.
Green Shirt Dress: This dress offers a flowy and breezy silhouette that can be styled for various seasons. The dress was flowy and breezy, but also felt like it could transition well into fall with the right styling. It was a tad oversized (which I don’t mind).
Upstate Stretch Cotton Twill Manor Jacket: A classic black jacket can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit. The fabric feels sturdy and premium. Whether you’re pairing it with jeans for a casual day out or throwing it over a dress for a more polished look, it’s worth keeping.

Is the Surprise Me Box Worth It?

The value of the Surprise Me Box depends on individual preferences and familiarity with the brand. If you’re new to the brand, I’d say absolutely YES. It’s such a fun way to explore their styles, and you get a nice variety of high-quality items at a discounted price. However, if you’re already familiar with Universal Standard and know exactly what you like, you might want to skip the mystery and just purchase the pieces you know you’ll love. That way, there’s no risk of getting something that’s not quite your style.

Universal Standard Denim: A Detailed Exploration

Universal Standard is one of the most size-inclusive brands out there, and I've found their quality quite excellent. The brand's denim collection has garnered attention for its inclusive sizing and focus on fit and quality.

The Seine Skinny Jeans

The Seine skinny jean is the first denim Universal Standard created and has been a bestseller ever since. The Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans have held up wonderfully despite a year of hard wear. As I note in my forthcoming capsule wardrobe post, a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans is a must in my capsule wardrobe to wear dressed up or down (despite Gen Z declaring that skinny jeans are out!). If you’re looking for a pair of jeans that will stand the test of time, I highly recommend these Universal Standard Seine jeans.

Other Denim Styles

Bae Boyfriend Jeans: Such a popular fit, the Bae is now available in a 26″ inseam and a 30″ inseam and a range of washes and colors that change season to season. Made from 91.8% Cotton, 6.8% Polyester, and 1.4% Elastane, these jeans are soft and stretchy, but I find these jeans keep their shape. At 5'3″ I find the 26″ inseam of the Bae jeans to be a hair too short to wear with loafers, boots, and sneakers but I do enjoy them in the summer with sandals.
Donna Jeans: The Donna jean from Universal Standard is a curve-friendly straight leg jean. In fact, the Donna is essentially the Etta jeans featured below, but cut to work better with those who have over a 10″ waist-to-hip difference. While these are called straight jeans, they are more of a relaxed fit and have that '90s jeans vibe.
Etta Jean: The Universal Standard Etta Jean is a high-waisted straight leg that is deceptively stretchy in all directions while looking like premium denim. Available in an extensive selections of colors and denim washes, the Etta Jean is available in regular (28″) and long (31″) lengths. If you want a classic 501's style jean but with stretch and comfort and size inclusivity, the Etta Jean is for you.
Farrah Jeans: If you are too short for most flared jeans, you may too fall in love with the Farrah. I have washed these jeans dozens of times, half of those times in the dryer and they still look and perform great.
Joni Jean: If you are familiar with Universal Standard Seine jeans and just find them a bit too skinny, the Joni is a fantastic alternative. The Joni Jean from Universal Standard is a slim-fit jean designed for curvy figures that have over a 10″ waist to hip difference. The Universal Standard Joni jeans are available a few different washes/colors, and two inseam lengths of 27″ and 32″.
Perfect Jean: Made from 90% Cotton, 8% Polyester, and 2% Elastane, the Universal Standard Perfect Jean is a high-rise slim leg jean with special darts at the back and a yoke to work with the curve of one's rear.

Denim Fit and Sizing

Universal Standard has unique sizing. Their size Medium is a women’s size 18, and sizes work up and down from there. I wear a 2XS (size 6-8) in most Universal Standard clothing. I find that most things run true to size, and their sizing notes (under each item description) and reviews are reliable when making buying decisions.

Customer Experiences and Reviews

Customer reviews offer valuable insights into the brand's strengths and weaknesses.

Positive Feedback

Many customers praise Universal Standard for its size inclusivity, quality, and stylish options. I absolutely love Universal Standard! The clothes are high quality, fit really well, and are really well priced for the quality!! My size is constantly fluctuating and I can ALWAYS count on Universal Standard to have something beautiful in my size. US often has great sales - that is the time to buy!

Negative Feedback

Some customers have reported issues with fit, returns, and customer service. Awful dress fit like a tube sock. Of course, this dress was not eligible for return on their site. Their site leads us to believe you can return or exchange. But they now say they will only give back a store gift card.

Common Concerns

Sizing inconsistencies: Some customers have experienced sizing issues, particularly with the Surprise Me Boxes.
Final sale items: Be cautious of final sale items, as they may not be eligible for return or exchange. Just watch out for "final sale" items. I inadvertently ordered from a final sale/warehouse sale and am stuck with a bizarre dress that seems to be twice my normal size.
Customer service: Some customers have reported negative experiences with customer service, citing unresponsiveness and difficulty resolving issues. Absolutely horrendous customer service. They do not even try to understand your issue, only robotically state whatever script they have in front of them.

Overall Quality and Style

Universal Standard's commitment to quality is evident in its use of high-quality fabrics and attention to detail. The brand offers a range of styles, from basics to more fashion-forward pieces. I really love the clothing from Universal Standard because it has proven to be quality clothing that is comfortable, and it really does just make you feel good with the way it fits.

tags: #universal #standard #clothing #review