A couple of weeks ago, I decided to try out Dia&Co (a plus size personal shopping/styling subscription service) and I thought I would review my first box. [For more information on Dia&Co, please check out my previous blog post–Dia&Co: A Plus Size Solution for Stitch Fix???]
My first box was shipped via USPS 2-day Priority Mail on December 23rd and I received it on Monday, December 28, 2015. I had no problem with the condition of my package since it was carefully packed and all the clothing and accessories were nicely and neatly wrapped in tissue paper inside.
Tucked in the box was a personalized note from my stylist with some fashion tips and an explanation of why certain items were chosen for me. However, none of my clothing pieces had Dia&Co tags with styling tips like they do in the YouTube videos I saw.
Here are pictures of the (5) items I received from Dia&Co.
My Thoughts:
- Modamix – Chiffon Pleated front and Sleeved Shirt – $79.00
Lime Green, 20W: I loved the color, quality of fabric, and the pleats on the arms, but the cut of the blouse was boxy and unflattering. It made me look older than I am and the blouse made my bust look even bigger than it is in actuality. It just wasn’t my style (I lookedold and pregnant and I’m not LOL). My shoulders are not nearly as broad as the shirt is designed for and unfortunately, this piece was rather overpriced as well. - Brave Soul – Patterned Top with Zipper – $35.00
Black/Multi, 2x: This blouse fit ok, but was also too boxy for my shape. I thought about keeping it, but it just didn’t seem worth the money. It appeared very cheaply made and I wasn’t sure if it would survive a washing. Had the fabric been a little better, this is one that I would have kept although I didn’t overly love the orange hem on the sleeves. - Fashion to Figure – Peplum Top – $36.90
Black, 2X: This was the piece I was most excited about, but the torso was too boxy and the sleeves a bit snug on my arms. I wanted to keep this piece the most, but it wasn’t practical. The fabric was too heavy for the climate I live in and I couldn’t justify buying something that I would wear only once. Hands down I loved the peplum style the most out of everything. A softer and lighter fabric in this style would definitely be a win in the future. - Junarose – Slouchy Oversized Sweater – $48.99
Dark Blue, 2X: This sweater is simply too boxy. The end of the shoulder seams went halfway down my arm. I know it was supposed to be oversized, but the shoulder and torso are too wide. The fabric was comfy, but seemed cheaply made and there was nothing special about the color. (It actually photographs better than it looked in person. My camera made the dark blue more vibrant than it actually was in person.) Had this piece been priced a little lower, I would have considered exchanging for a smaller size. (Please forgive the flash in the photo I took that makes this look light blue.) - Two Tone Infinity Scarf – $30.00
Lime green: It’s over priced, but was the most wearable item out of the entire box. The fabric was really nice and the colors complement my style and skin tone, so I kept this item.
Overall Impression: ☆☆☆ 3 stars [based on a 5 star scale]
- Customer Service = ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars
- Delivery/Arrival Time = ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars
- Variety of Brands = ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars
- Quality of Clothing = ☆☆☆ 3 stars
- Age Appropriateness of Clothing = ☆☆☆☆ 4 stars
- Fit of Clothing = ☆☆ 2 stars
- Cost of Clothing = ☆☆ 2 stars
Unfortunately, my first box was pretty much a bust. Although I am genuinely a 2X, my sizing from store to store is fairly consistent. However, the clothing I received from Dia&Co was pretty far out of proportion compared to the norm of what I’m used to and not as age appropriate as I would like. Also, the clothing quality is not the same grade either. (In all fairness, however, I typically bargain shop and I rarely pay retail for any of my plus size apparel.) Additionally, my budget was set lower than the Dia&Co average per item. According to a statement on Dia&Co’s Facebook page, the average of each garment is usually $50.00 (not sure if this includes the discount or not) and the average garment in my box was about $33.00 with the 20% discount and application of the $20.00 styling fee towards the box.
I contacted customer service and they were nice enough to offer me credit to try another box. Here’s a snippet from their email response.
Thanks for reaching out – I am sorry that this first box was a miss! The first box is always the trickiest as our styling team is still learning your unique fit and style preferences. The feedback you can provide on your first box will really help us hone in one what works best for you so that we can make smarter selections for your next box, so I would encourage you to leave as much detailed feedback as possible. I’ve also credited your account $20, so if you’d be willing to give us another shot, we will cover the styling fee for you on a future box.
Since customer service was so nice, I’ve decided to give Dia&Co another chance. I plan to raise my budget and share my Pinterest board for my next try. I’ll let you know how it goes. Hopefully, I’ll have better luck. If you are interested in Dia&Co please feel free to use my referral link at https://www.dia.co/r/12y2 or you can go directly to https://www.dia.co/.
Tips:
- Do not expect your first box to be amazing; it may take time for your stylist to get a feel for what you like.
- Don’t expect Ross and Marshalls pricing–things are going to be a lot more expensive that what you can find at a typical discount clothing store.
- Share your Pinterest board with your stylist; I didn’t and I think that would have been very helpful.
**This is not a sponsored post and Dia&Co was unaware that I am a blogger.**
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