Finding clothing that fits your style and is flattering to your body can be downright HARD! And if you’re plus size you may feel like your options are even more limited as many retailers only carry up to certain sizes, or don’t cater to different body types. I get it. It can be really discouraging and you may start to feel in a rut with your wardrobe. If this is the way you’re feeling, and you like receiving packages (who doesn’t?) then I have a suggestion for you…
Subscription boxes!
There are so many out there, and not all of them carry plus sizes, so I have rounded up two companies that focus on plus sizes for you to compare and decide what is best for you. These companies are Gwynnie Bee and Dia & Co. Have you heard of them? The main difference between the two is that one is a clothing rental service, and the other one sets you up with a personal stylist who curates a box of clothing for you to try on and purchase what you want to keep. Let’s check them out!
How Do They Work
These two plus-size subscription boxes operate a bit differently.
Dia & Co
Dia & Co is an online clothing subscription box that is geared specifically toward meeting the needs of the plus-size community. They carry a variety of clothing, from tops to bottoms, to activewear and accessories. If you need some style help or inspiration, you can get the help of a personal stylist who will help curate clothing to your specific needs and preferences.
You have a couple of different options when checking out the Dia & Co website. You can subscribe to a monthly style box, you can shop directly from their site, or you can order a one-time personal styling box.
To get started with the Style Box subscription, you’ll first fill out your….surprise! Style quiz! I took this quiz in prep to write this article, and I have to say it was pretty specific. I was asked questions about my body shape, preferred sizing, common issues with my clothing, and stores I usually shop at. I also got to list a preferred budget for each item of clothing I might receive, and I got to swipe through many curated outfits to indicate which ones were my style. It was fun!
Once your style quiz is complete, and your preferred subscription type/frequency is chosen, you’ll be assigned to your very own personal stylist who will curate a box to send you based on your style quiz. There is a $20 styling fee, but good news! That $20 gets applied toward anything you decide to purchase and keep.
When you receive your box, you’ll have 5 days to try on all your clothing and decide what you want to keep and what you’re going to send back. Sending back these items is easy and will cost you nothing. You will also be asked to rate the items you received and indicate the ones you sent back so that your personal stylist can learn your style more quickly.
You can also ask for an extension period for try-ons if you’d like, and you can also skip a month or cancel your subscription with ease by calling their customer service line.
Another cool feature about Dia & Co is that you can add 3 of your own items to your stylist box to help your stylist start down on the right path. There will be a lot of interaction with your stylist based on notes, and rating clothing you received, so getting in a groove should be relatively quick and easy.
Dia & Co also offers Seasonal Boxes (one-time box purchases). This will also require a $20 styling fee that can be credited toward anything you decide to keep and purchase. If you’re already a member of a different subscription type through Dia & Co, this style fee will be waived.
Gwynnie Bee
Gwynnie Bee is a clothing rental service that gives you access to a rotating wardrobe. Initially, Gwynnie Bee catered to plus-sized women but has recently added other sizes to offer more inclusivity for their customers.
To get started with Gwynnie Bee you’ll first want to browse through their website and add anything that you like to your virtual closet. Gwynnie Bee will send you available items that are in your “closet” to rent, so make sure you have at least 6 items in there at all times! There will be different subscription types to choose from depending on the amount of clothing you’d like to rent at a time. When the clothing lands on your doorstep, feel free to wear it as many times as you’d like, and then return it when you’re ready to rent something new. Shipping is free. If there’s an item that you can’t be parted with, that’s okay! Gwynnie Bee will sell it to you at a serious discount.
Once your items are back in the hands of Gwynnie Bee, they’ll take care of the dry cleaning to prep the garment for its next renter. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you aren’t receiving dirty clothing in the mail.
Pros/Cons
Depending on your budget and wardrobe needs, the pros outweigh the cons for both companies.
Dia & Co
Pros:
- Caters to plus sizes specifically.
- You don’t need a subscription to receive a box.
- You can upload inspo photos and leave notes for your stylist.
Cons:
- No maternity styling available.
- Don’t have many options for size 12.
Gwynnie Bee
Pros:
- You get access to an unlimited closet.
- Free shipping and returns.
- Gwynnie Bee takes care of all dry cleaning.
- If you want to keep something, purchase it at a steep discount off retail.
- More sizes available. 0-32
Cons:
- You don’t work with a personal stylist.
- More pricey compared to other clothing rental subscription boxes.
How Much Do They Cost
Let’s go over the cost breakdown for renting clothing and for purchasing clothing through these clothing subscription box services.
Dia & Co
There is an initial $20 styling fee to get a Dia & Co box sent to you, you can choose how often you’d like a box. Inside of your box will be 5 pieces of clothing that you can try on and decide if you’d like to keep and purchase, or send back. If you decide to purchase everything in the box you’ll get a 25% discount on the total. And don’t forget, your $20 styling fee goes toward anything you purchase from the box! If you don’t purchase anything from your box, you won’t be refunded the $20.
Gwynnie Bee
The cost of your subscription with Gwynnie Bee depends on how many clothes you’d like to rent at a time. You can choose up to 10 items to rent every month. Here’s the cost breakdown per month:
1 item rented – $49
2 items – 69
3 items – $95
5 items – $139
7 items – $179
10 items – $199
*** If you decide to keep something, Gwynnie Bee will sell the garment to you at a significantly reduced price from retail.
What Style Of Clothes Do You Get?
Both of these companies have a wide range of sizes and brands that they work with.
Dia & Co
Dia & Co carries a wide variety of brands and items in sizes 14-32 or 1X-5X. They have tops, bottoms, dresses and skirts, outerwear, workout wear and accessories. When you take your style quiz you can indicate which items you need most and how much you would like to spend to stay within your budget.
Some of the brands that Dia & Co carries are Molly & Isadora, East Adeline, Kut From the Kloth, and Leota and Marybelle.
Gwynnie Bee
Gwynnie Bee has a wide variety of brands, styles and sizes. They often work with brands like Vince Camuto, London Times, and more! You’ll be able to rent anything from dresses to pants to tops on their website. Just search through their items and add anything you’d like to try to your virtual closet. Sizing for Gwynnie Bee is quite the range! Although they started out focusing on clothing for plus size only, they now carry sizes from 0-32.
Final Thoughts
Depending on if you want to rent clothing for an unlimited wardrobe, or you’d rather purchase clothes, these are both great companies to give a try! We love how Dia & Co sets you up with a personal stylist which will curate boxes for you according to your style quiz and comments. That way you’re getting clothes that not only fit your body but expand and accentuate your personal style. Also, in thinking about your budget and investment into good clothing, Dia & Co might be your best bet.
Which do you prefer? Renting clothing or buying them?
