I Just Tried Universal Standard’s New Style Club – and Here’s What I Discovered

Universal Standard recently launched an all-new Style Club called The (US) Club. It’s reminiscent of the popular former Mystery Box promotion, but with a new goal in mind: to curate a current, wearable wardrobe based on the season and style forecast.

The very first launch of The (US) Club sold out in a few hours (!), so I thought I’d put together a handy reference guide just in time for the next launch.

Disclaimer: I was gifted an edition of The (US) Club Box from Universal Standard, however, this post is not sponsored. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links. Thank you so much for your support!

First things first:

WHAT IS THE (US) CLUB?

The (US) Club launched in January 2024 to offer a new way to shop for the season with ease. Each month, the brand’s design team will curate a selection of garments based on the season, lifestyle needs, customer favorites, and trend forecasting. The monthly Club box will feature a mix of exclusive pieces, new season previews, and favorite styles – bundled at a discount.

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HOW DOES THE (US) CLUB WORK?

A new box (or sometimes, boxes!) drops on the 14th of the month*, and the purchasing window remains open until the 17th or boxes sell out – whichever occurs first. You’ll have the chance to review the box option(s) in your Universal Standard sizing, with two distinct pricing models: one returnable box, and one box that is final sale with a 30% discount. Unlike many style clubs, The (US) Club is not a subscription – you have the power to choose whether you want to purchase a box that month.

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IS THIS REALLY DIFFERENT FROM A MYSTERY BOX?

Yes… and no. There’s no denying the similarity between the two, as The (US) Club’s contents are a mystery – just like the contents of a Mystery Box were. But while Mystery Boxes were generally organized by theme, The (US) Club boxes are intentionally curated for the moment.

Along with the release of each month’s box(es), Universal Standard offers a description of what to expect inside. Though vague enough to allow an element of surprise, this description allows shoppers to make an informed decision whether or not to purchase that month. And perhaps the biggest difference between the two? The ability to return your order if it doesn’t work out. Mystery Boxes were final sale, but The (US) Club comes with a returnable option.

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UNBOXING MY STYLE BOX

There’s no better way to convey the essence of this box than through a little round of Show-and-Tell! I received the first edition of The (US) Club box, called “Key Elements of Style,” which the co-founder Polina explained contained “A signature outerwear piece, a new sweater with a taste of what’s to come next season, and a pair of elevated pants that I truly love.”

Readers can save 10% on their next Universal Standard order with my exclusive code INFS-AMBWAYWARD, including The (US) Club boxes or other sale items.

This box was offered at two price points: $188 for final sale or $268 for a returnable option, both an immense savings on the original retail value of $616.

Ready to see what’s inside? Here’s everything I received in my January shipment from The (US) Club:

Mixed Media Sweater

The SKU on the tag brings up results for the Dalia Mixed Media Sweater on the website, but while the materials and aesthetic match, the garments do not. Given Polina’s description, this makes sense! This must be a preview piece launching next season. This garment creates the illusion of a silky top layered underneath a wool sweater, but it’s all one piece. Unlike the Dalia, the back of this piece has been simplified – no buttons here.

Let’s start with the fiber content: I’m glad to see the knit portion of this garment is 100% Merino Wool; I hope this signals a shift away from the polyester sweaters that have been widely featured in Universal Standard’s more recent collections. It’s a lightweight wool that’s ideal for early fall and late spring, and I’d recommend layering it over a black tank or tee for full coverage.

As for the fit, the 3XS is a Goldilocks fit on me – not too tight, not too loose, just right (the sleeves even hit at the right spot!). And when it comes to styling, the primary way I’d style this sweater is as intended – with the faux shirting casually hanging out. However, if I want to simplify things a little, I could always go for a half-tuck or even fully tuck the shirting into my waistband. Gotta love a multi-wear piece!

DETAILS 
→Dalia Mixed Media Sweater** 
→Size: 3XS 
→Color: Black 
→Material: Top - 100% Merino Wool; Bottom - 62% Cupro, 33% Viscose, 5% Elastane
→Estimated Retail Price: $218 
→Also Wearing: All Day Cigarette Pants | Sneakers** | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings

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Derjon Trench

Well, I had no need to SKU sleuth for this one – I knew right off the bat that this is Universal Standard’s iconic Derjon Trench in the Camo colorway (“Camo” in this instance means green, and not the pattern – phew!). This military-inspired design feels even more military with the green, and I like that it’s not too flowy or delicate.

In fact, the material is quite sturdy – certainly enough to protect from gentle rain (just try to get through this, April showers!), but it’s not a full-blown raincoat, and I wouldn’t reach for it in a downpour.

The trench is a bit oversized on me, particularly in the shoulders, but there’s no way I could size down without it being too tight in the hips. The knotted half-belt at the waist can be tightened, loosened, or ditched altogether (I’m wearing it on the tighter setting for a slightly less oversized look). And unlike the sweater above, the sleeves are really long on me – but that’s something I’m not afraid to cuff if I feel lazy or alter if I muster up the energy.

Styling this coat is fairly easy – it plays well with all neutrals, which is most of my wardrobe!

DETAILS 
→Derjon Trench Coat
→Size: 2XS 
→Color: Camo
→Material: Shell - 69% Rayon, 31% Polyester; Lining - 100% Polyester 
→Original Retail Price: $228 
→Also Wearing: Mixed Media Sweater** | All Day Cigarette Pants | Sneakers** | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings

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All Day Cigarette Pants

I feel like the words “effortless” and “trousers” don’t often go together, but that’s exactly how I would describe these pants. They are the easiest throw-on-and-go pants for work and they feel incredibly comfortable to move around in all day thanks to the elastic waistband. At 5’4″ (link to my current measurements), these hit my ankle at an awkward point; I want them to be either longer or shorter. There’s really only one easy way to go – and that’s up! – so I’ll probably hem these on the next rainy day.

The fabric tag on the pair I received seems like a misprint, and based on the handfeel, I think the material of the pants I received matches the product description. I’m not a big fan of the synthetic fiber choice here, but I understand why it was chosen – this poly/rayon/nylon blend is designed to keep wrinkles away and bounce back beautifully. I just know better than to reach for it on a hot summer day!

As for styling these bad boys, I’ve paired them with the other items in my The (US) Club box for the sake of this post, but I likely wouldn’t wear them this way often (though I might if I worked in a traditional office). Instead, I’m leaning toward pairing these with crop tops or camis, and with a big chunky shoe or a dainty ballet flat. I appreciate a bit of tension in an outfit, and a traditional workwear piece is a great jumping-off point for that.

DETAILS
→All Day Cigarette Pants
→Size: 2XS
→Color: Black
→Material: 66% Recycled Polyester, 30% Rayon, 4% Elastane
→Original Retail Price: $178
→Also Wearing: Tank | Sneakers** | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Necklace

FINAL THOUGHTS: IS THE (US) CLUB WORTH IT?

There’s no denying the fact that many brands miss the mark on offering stylish clothing in an extended size range, and it’s truly a shame. I applaud Universal Standard for prioritizing creating styles that fit all bodies size 00-40. While the full price for numerous items in the brand’s collection is not accessible for many, The (US) Club offers an easy way to build a wardrobe on a budget.

This option is far less of a gamble than the Mystery Box promotion, giving shoppers the option to opt in based on the descriptions of the items in the box. I found the description for my box to be quite accurate, filling holes in my wardrobe while still adding in that element of surprise.

Find all of my Universal Standard picks in one place!

I think if you feel confident after reading the description and are comfortable with the pricing, this is a fun way to refresh your wardrobe every so often. Obviously, the final sale price offers the best value if you love everything (though if you get something that just isn’t right, both Poshmark and Facebook offer thriving places to resell your pieces), but the peace of mind of a returnable option can sometimes be worth the extra investment upfront.

No matter which option you choose, you can save an additional 10% on your Style Club box (or anything else sitewide – including sale!) with code INFS-AMBWAYWARD. Thank you for considering shopping with my code or through my link – it helps me continue to run this site ad-free!

*Email subscribers receive early access to this promotion (and many others!). Be sure to sign up here.
**This item is no longer available and a similar option is linked.

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Questions for you

Are you leaning toward the final sale or returnable option?

What pieces are you hoping to see included in future boxes?

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One Comment on “I Just Tried Universal Standard’s New Style Club – and Here’s What I Discovered”

Melissa | Welcome Objects says:

February 11, 2024 at 11:41 am

The darker green-brown color of the trench is such a nice, versatile color. I like it much more than the typical khaki.