Dia & Co Subscription Box Review – October 2016

Dia & Co is a monthly personal styling subscription for plus-sized women. It’s pretty much just like Stitch Fix for plus sizes – Fill out your profile and sizing information, pay a $20 styling fee (refundable against anything you choose to keep), and have 5 items selected by a stylist sent straight to your home to try on. Dia & Co includes free shipping each way. If you keep all 5 items from your box, you’ll receive a 20% discount.

The box itself came packaged very neatly and included a note from my stylist.

My last box was a dud – I appreciate that the stylists look back at previous feedback and try to incorporate it into your next box. It’s also helpful when they include styling suggestions. One thing I miss in my Dia & Co boxes as compared to Stitch Fix are the styling cards that Stitch Fix includes. They are so helpful!

It included an invoice showing the price of each item plus my potential discount.

In addition to telling the stylists that I am more of a Classic, Casual, and Retro kind of girl, I also let them know that packability is key due to work travel.  One of the things I think it interesting is they ask you what you DO NOT want in terms of colors and prints, instead of asking what you DO want. It does force me to be more open-minded!

What I got:

Skies are Blue Agatha Short Sleeve Top – 1X $49

This is a nice standard knit top. I love monochrome patterns, especially abstract and geometric. This is a good example of my stylist knowing the basics about what I like. Unfortunately, I have a pet peeve about underarm gaping and bra displaying. If I were at a thrift store, I might let this slide, but for a full-price top, I am a bit more picky. Also, though this can be fixed with a pin or a few quick stitches, the front gaped quite a bit on me. I am reasonably well-endowed, so this shirt has a lot of room for the more busty ladies!

Modamix Brooke Blouse in Green – 14W $79

I laughed a little when I saw the blouse name. Way back in my younger, more exciting days, I lived in New Orleans. One night, I met some guy who decided my name was Brooke. He called me a few days later – my mom answered the phone and he asked for Brooke. She told him it was a wrong number, and he was lost to me forever.

I like this blouse – it looks cute with jeans and boots, the front is flattering, the neckline allows for necklaces, etc. That being said, I wish it weren’t army green. I just don’t feel pretty in this color. I mentioned in my stylist feedback that they could send it to me again in a different color and make a few suggestions. Cross your fingers for me!

The arm holes did tug a bit, so if you have thicker fore arms, this might be a little snug.

Jindeli USA Kit Necklace in Black and Gold $28

Like, but not love. I like the tones of this necklace – sparkles and black and gold work for me. But I wasn’t too into the shape – it didn’t feel like it was going to be versatile with most of my necklines.

Fashion to Figure Ora Skirt in Black 1X $39.90

I don’t even know where to start on this one. So, I noticed my box seemed more “full” than usual when it arrived. Bursting at the seams, if you will. Once I unwrapped, over 50% of the volume of this month’s clothes was this skirt. It. Is. Massive. Huge. YUUUUUGGGGE.

So, the material is “scuba” – which pretty much describes it perfectly. Imagine a scuba suit but as a giant skirt. It is very lightweight, but very, very, bulky. Considering one of my top notes to my stylists is “packable” (I travel for work), I just don’t know where this comes in. I mean, I guess it won’t wrinkle…

I tried it on with the green blouse, like my stylist said. I think this is the least attractive I have felt in an article of clothing since I put on a butter yellow one-piece pants jumper/suit thingy when I was 16 and trying to find something to wear to a family event. I couldn’t get this off of me fast enough. I couldn’t figure out where the waist should sit. Too high, I looked pregnant. At my waist and it just cut in and created rolls.

I sent it back.

Slink Jeans Lissie Kimono Sleeve Sweater Dress in Dark Grey 1X $88

MMMMUUUUUCCCCCCHHHHH better. I have been on the hunt for a sweater dress that isn’t too bulky – this is great! It is lightweight, and relatively thin, but still more substantial than just a knit dress. The kimono sleeves are just enough detail, and the neckline, while dull, is perfect for scarves and interesting necklaces. I like how the structure includes a few lines to add shape. I need to wear at least tights under this to contain the lumps and bumps, but it is very comfortable and looks cute with my new boots! (not pictured – I bought them a few days after I took the photos!) – but they are Frye Paige Riding Boots in Cognac and I lurve them. THIS is how you do a packable dress.

This month’s Dia & Co was a pretty good mix of items I liked and then that one whopper of a ridiculous skirt. I am looking forward to my next box, which is due to arrive right after I get back from London! (Don’t be too jealous; it is a work trip.)

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