Have you heard about the Universal Standard Foundation Mystery Box? This weekend only, Universal Standard is offering this cool offer – starting at $50 you pick your choice of mystery box in your size. The box will include one piece from their Foundation line with two other pieces. You don't get to pick the pieces (though from readers in the WO2 Community I've heard US will look at your purchasing history to be sure not to send something you already have). All of the boxes are valued at least at $200 but can be worth uo to $500. The boxes are available in sizes 6-32 and there is even a petite box available. It's a great way to try out the brand, and if you already are a Universal Standard fan, to get some amazing pieces at a ridiculously good price.
sweater | turtleneck | jeans | boots | earrings (on sale!)
Sweater: Mayon Balloon Sleeve Cardi c/o Universal Standard (XS) | Turtleneck: Foundation Turtleneck c/o Universal Standard (XS) | Jeans: Petite Seine Jeans c/o Universal Standard | Boots: Ros Hommerson (old; similar) | Earrings: Jenny Bird (on sale!)
Universal Standard invited me to try their Foundation Mystery Box. In it were this turtleneck, this sweater (not on the site) and this skirt. The skirt didn't make it into the photo because while it fit and I loved the eggplant color, I didn't like it with this outfit. I'm okay with fitted, but feel my best balancing fitted with some volume and having the turtleneck and skirt together was a bit too bodycon for my comfort level. However, I'd totally wear it with an untucked cashmere or thicker knit turtleneck, tights, and ankle boots. The sweater isn't on the website but I hope it shows up soon because it's way more awesome than these photos show it to be. It's soft, ribbed, has cool balloon sleeves, is a great weight, and has a drape that works with pants, jeans, and dresses. The packing slip says this sweater costs $100. For a $50 box, I received $205 worth of Universal Standard clothing.
Earrings: Two of Hearts c/o Jenny Bird | Lipstick: Revlon Colorburst Lacquerbalm in Vivacious
I already have the Universal Standard Foundation turtleneck in black and I love it. It's thin and super stretchy, but not transparent. Here I am wearing it after the jeans review shoot, where I wore the US Foundation crew neck t-shirt. And here is the last time it was on the blog. I wanted to show how the collection is so opaque, even under studio lights. I was hesitant to order any of the Foundation line in white thinking it would be sheer. I have a t-shirt bra under the shirt (this one to be specific) and you can't see it at all, even though I chose to tuck in the turtleneck really tight like a bodysuit. I'm so glad they sent it so I could see even in white this fabric remains opaque even when stretched over curves.
Sizing wise, the Foundation collection is meant to be fitted, it's a foundation piece though the opacity means you could wear it on its own. I don't recommend sizing up; the fabric is uber stretchy and if you size up it may just hang weirdly. The pieces are also long; here I have the turtleneck tucked in and bloused out enough so it looks like it's untucked. If I pulled it down it would be a micromini dress on me yet it's not so thick that it feels bulky tucked in. For those who are tall or have curves, there will be enough fabric. The tucked in white turtleneck look above? It's four hours later and I'm still wearing it tucked in and it hasn't wriggled out. Unlike a bodysuit that can give you a wedgie, the Foundation pieces can give the effect without discomfort. The collection is available in size 00 through 40; I've washed and dried my Foundation pieces several times and they've remained saturated in color and the same size and softness. At the time of these photos of the black turtleneck, the thing must have been laundered at least a half dozen times.
Shop the Look:
I received the Universal Standard Foundation Mystery Box in exchange for a little social media promotion. I chose to write this post after seeing so many of you discuss the Universal Standard Foundation Mystery Box in the WO2 Community and have had so many of you email, comment, and DM me asking the thickness and quality of the Foundation line in general.
I just got my mystery boxes, I got the Petite tops and the Outfitting box. I didn’t get a packing slip, so I don’t know which pieces go with which box. I got two cardigan sweaters, the Curve Cardi and an eggplant one that isn’t on their website. They both feel really soft and lovely, and the Curve Cardi alone is $130, so I’ve gotten back as much as I paid in just two pieces! I also got a pair of black wide-legged crop pants that aren’t on the website. Silky texture and feel, will be very versatile. And then I got four tops, only two of which were labeled petite, so not sure how the Petites tops box is supposed to work. One tank top, one camisole, two v-neck t-shirts. Even not knowing the prices for the pants or the sweater, my two boxes that I paid $140 was worth over $285. Very high quality fabrics. So glad I decided to try them.
The studio photos of you with the blue backdrop stand as real portraits – beautiful!
I bought 2 boxes yesterday after the mention in your FB group and am contemplating another.
I’m thinking about ordering the $50 tops bow, but unsure about what size to get. I’m usually a large, but have some inexpensive tops that are xl. I prefer a looser fit.
Author
I’d check out their size charts online they are really detailed and they share what sizes the models are wearing too. I usually wear a L sometimes XL to fit the bust and in Universal Standard I wear an XS.
Thanks for your advice here and on Instagram. I’m wavering between the S and XS.
Hi Allie! I just ordered two! The super luxe one, and today I did the $75 mystery dress box. I have spent the past year rebuilding my wardrobe, and 70 percent of it is Universal Standard. I love that the box they sent you makes for a cohesive outfit.
Author
Right? I love that idea of receiving an outfit in the box! I hope you love your dress box, that’s such a good score!
Quick non-sequitur question: I would say most if not all of my US pieces indicate they should be laid flat to dry. Which, can lead to a jungle of clothing on laundry day. Considering my love for the pieces and the investment that they are, I’ve been too afraid to deviate. Any tips for these pieces or your experience in general?
Author
I am terrible for laundry advice. My husband does the laundry most of the time and he’s good about doing a delicates wash with hang drying but a lot of times things get thrown in the wrong pile. My Foundation pieces are some of those things. Since they did so well we’ve just continued with it. Drying will break down fabrics in the long run, it’s better to line dry for longevity but I haven’t experienced any shrinkage. With my tees from US, I did have one shrink a bit and it thickened the fabric. Another, came out like new. From then, I am line drying. I have thrown the jeans in the dryer, I know one isn’t supposed to dry any jeans but I do and they’ve done well. I haven’t put anything else US in the dryer. I rarely dry flat, most everything is dried on a hanger off my shower curtain rod or else folded over a towel bar or folded across two pant hangers so it’s almost like drying flat with the edges hanging down.
It seems like a great opportunity, 50$ for a box worth way more? That’s awesome! I personally didn’t know the brand but it seems like it has really good quality items.
Author
I’ve become quite a fan of the brand, the quality is quite good. You can see all my archives wearing US at this link: https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/tag/universal-standard
Thank you for the heads up on this offer. I have wanted to try Universal Standard for a while but I tend to have anxiety around trying new brands. A mystery offer where I don’t have to worry about making the wrong choice because I have no choice was just enough to get me to try this brand. Thank you for not only giving us your style wisdom but looking into all the sales and deals for us.
Author
My pleasure Bonnie!
I looked at the site and the only $50 boxes listed are tops, activewear and petites. Is this the petites one?
Author
this is the “outfitting” box but they know I am petite so they threw some petite in there. They will look at past orders to ensure correct sizing and no repeats!
OK, then it’s a $90 box–still very reasonable!
I am one of Universal Standard’s earliest customers. I love your mystery box. I ordered mine yesterday and I hope it is like yours.
Author
I hope you love it! Actually, I bet you will!